The Vision Impairment Service (VIS) aims to support the successful inclusion of children and young people with vision impairment (VI), multiple disabilities and vision impairment (MDVI) and those with multi-sensory impairment (MSI) in their local communities, nurseries, mainstream and special schools settings.

Pre-school intervention programmes are developed for the under threes and can be delivered either in group settings held at the SenCom Centre or within the home.

VIS provides a range of services including direct support, training and habilitation (independent living skills and mobility), in relation to individual needs. VIS uses a person centered approach to work closely in partnership with children and young people with VI/MSI, parents, schools, education/career services and health professionals to meet individual needs as identified through the assessment and consultation process.

Children and young people with multi-sensory impairment (MSI) have a combination of hearing and vision loss (dual sensory impairment). Advice and guidance is made available to parents and schools regarding beneficial strategies, establishing appropriate programmes and monitoring the development of communication.

A Habilitation Specialist provides training, direct support, intervention and advice in mobility, orientation and independent living skills for children and young people with vision/multi-sensory impairment, using information from assessments and reviews.

VIS welcomes enquiries and referrals from anyone with concerns regarding children and young people with a vision or multi-sensory impairment.

Following a request for an assessment of vision or multi-sensory functioning, one of our qualified teachers of vision (QTVI) or multi-sensory impairment (QTMSI) will assess the child/young person’s needs. Next steps following the assessment, will depend on the outcomes of various observations made, including:

• Visual acuity (near and distance)
• Visual fields
• The impact of vision and hearing

impairment on communication (MSI referrals)

• Colour vision
• Visual perception skills
• Habilitation skills

Short or long term intervention may be provided for children and young people with VI/MSI. The VIS will also offer advice, guidance and training to schools and families.

More information, resources and activities can be found on our website:

  https://sites.google.com/view/sencom-vis/sencom-vision-and-multi-sensory-impairment-service

Vision Impairment Service

Sensory and Communication Support Service

(01633) 648888

VIS@Torfaen.gov.uk

Vision Impairment Service Website:

https://sites.google.com/view/sencom-vis