Education
Vision Support Teachers are qualified teachers who are also trained to support children who are visually impaired. They will support you whatever the age of your child from birth to school leaving age.
If your child is very young a Vision Support teacher will visit you at home and offer advice about suitable play materials to provide early stimulation for your child. They will let you know of the services you can access locally to help support your child.
Your Ophthalmologist or Paediatrician may refer your child to this service or you can contact your local service directly.
Aberdeen
Vision Support Service
Newhills School
Wagley Parade
Bucksburn
Aberdeen
AB21 9UB
Aberdeenshire
Sensory Support Service
Westhill Academy
Hay's Way
Westhill
Aberdeenshire
AB32 6XZ
Tel: 01224 744786
Fax: 01224 743568
Moray
Sensory Education Services
Beechbrae Education Centre
Duffus Road
ELGIN
IV30 4NP
Tel: 01343 5500999
Email: mses@moray.gov.uk
You may be concerned how your child's eye condition may affect their education.
You can discuss the options available with your local Education Authority.
Other communication needs
If your child requires Braille this can be provided by:
- Vision Support Services
- Grampian Society for the Blind
- Aberdeenshire Visual Impairment Team
Transition
As your child gets older moving on can be difficult for children and young people with additional support needs and will require careful planning.
Regulations state that the Education authority should begin transition planning;
- at least 6 months before your child starts nursery
- at least 12 months before your child starts primary, secondary school
- at least 12 months before your child leaves school
At these key points in your child's life all those involved in supporting him/her will work together to plan the next steps. Advice and recommendations will be available within:
- nurseries
- schools
- colleges
- universities
- places of work