Access To Learning
A resource about children and young people with moderate vision impairment. This information is available as a printed book from GSE offices or the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ.
Support
Support is totally essential. Learn to use it as a tool rather than a crutch.
(Student with vision impairment)
Teachers are not alone in meeting the needs of students with vision impairment. Support is available from within the school, the wider educational sector and the community.
The first contact for information about procedures and protocols for accessing support is the principal. Many schools have a designated teacher who has knowledge of special education networks, services and local contacts. The Special Education Grant is provided to all schools to support students with moderate needs.
Support from within a school may include:
- Additional resources - material or personnel;
- Modification of timetables to provide release time for special purposes such as meetings;
- Access to professional development;
- Help with problem-solving;
- Access to networks.
For some students with vision impairment teacher aide time may be allocated. Teacher aides support teachers and may:
- Work individually with the student;
- Work with the student in a small group;
- Prepare resources.
Seek the benefit of the experiences of colleagues. Teaching colleagues may:
- Help with collaborative problem-solving;
- Suggest strategies for specific purposes;
- Help implement goals for the student outside the classroom, such as social skills;
- Be a sounding board.
There are established services to support teachers who have students with vision impairment. These services include Resource Teachers Vision, Developmental Orientation and Mobility specialists, Ministry of Education special education teams and associations that will assist in providing information and resources.
Resource Teachers Vision work from 11 regional Visual and Sensory Resource Centres throughout the country. They provide a range of support services to students with vision impairment across all educational settings in partnership with families and teachers. A primary role is to support students to access and participate in the curriculum.
The Resource Teachers Vision support students with vision impairment, ie, they:
- Work as a member of the student's education team;
- Provide functional vision assessment;
- Relay information from Low Vision Clinics and ophthalmic assessments to class teachers;
- Provide information and advice to teachers on strategies for effective inclusion;
- Provide advice on programmes and the learning environment;
- Provide information on strategies for teaching and learning;
- Teach programmes based on the Expanded Core Curriculum;
- Advise on appropriate resources and services;
- Co-ordinate assessment and make applications for appropriate equipment;
- Provide instruction in and monitor the use of equipment;
- Provide in-service professional development;
- Liaise with other specialists (eg, Developmental Orientation and Mobility specialists, Ministry of Education special education staff);
- Develop, access or request appropriate accessible format materials (large print books, audio);
- Establish, co-ordinate and support professional networks;
- Assist families to access support networks.
National providers of specialised services for students with vision impairment include:
Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ)
Private Bag 75-801
Manurewa
Auckland
http://www.vea.org.nz
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
Private Bag 99-941
Newmarket
Auckland
http://www.rnzfb.org.nz
Advocacy and support organisations
- Parents of the Vision Impaired (PVI)
- Association of Blind Citizens (ABC)
- Ngāti Kāpō
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, including Mana Kāpō and Pacific Services.