Please read our information on how we are supporting residents and businesses, as well as information on affected services.
What is a visual impairment?
There are a wide range of visual impairments from blind to partially sighted.
A visual impairment:
- is diagnosed by an Ophthalmologist
- will affect each individual differently
- can affect near vision, distance vision or visual fields
- can range from severe sight impairment (SSI) to sight impairment (SI)
The implications of vision loss are different for everyone. A range of strategies may be needed to enable young people to have equal access to the educational and broader curriculum.
Information about specific visual impairments can be found on the websites below:
About the team
The specialist team includes:
- Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVI)
- Specialist Visually Assistive Technology Teacher
- Habilitation Specialist
The team work with:
- children and young people (0-25 years) with a diagnosed visual impairment
- their families
- settings, schools (mainstream and specialist) and colleges
- other professionals
They provide support by:
- giving support and advice to families and settings/schools following diagnosis
- providing specialist teaching for some learners. For example, Braille and Assistive Technology.
- providing habilitation training for identified learners
- carrying out functional visual assessments followed by written reports and advice
- providing advice about specialist adaptations to learning materials and the environment
- providing advice about specialist equipment
- training staff who work with settings. All training is advertised through School Messenger. It can be found on the SEND training directory. Please note: login to School Messenger required.
- providing statutory advice for EHCPs and EHCP reviews
- supporting transition between phases and stages of education
Read our returning to settings factsheet following Coronavirus
Making a referral
Schools and settings can make a referral by completing the forms below:
The eligibility criteria for each service is listed on each of these forms.
Both of the forms must be completed at the same time.
Before any action can be taken, medical information is gained. Medical information is used alongside a:
- functional visual assessment (where relevant)
- standardised set of criteria to determine the level of support given. This uses the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NATSIP)
Useful links
Cerebral Visual Impairment
Family Support
- Through Scarlett's eyes
- Royal Society for Blind Children
- iSight Cornwall
- Guide Dogs - Children and young people's service
- Victa - improving the lives of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted
- Look UK
Producing accessible resources
Compliments, comments and complaints
Need help?
Most issues can be resolved online, it's the quickest and most convenient way to get help.
- Vision Support Team
- 01726 61004
- sensorysupportservice@cornwall.gov.uk