Transition: approaches for children and young people with visual impairments
Presented on Tuesday 19 January 2010
School and Beyond Preparation for FE/HE and the workplace
Dominic Everett
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Resource Centre for Visually Impaired Pupils
Uddingston Grammar School
Preparation for life after school Transition
- No future needs assessment in penultimate year under ASL Act. Annual Review as part of ASP or CSP.
- 1 year - Duty to exchange information - Always practicable?
- Duty to gather info. Of services / FE / HE / Careers Scotland / Work placement options.
- 6 months - Duty to transfer info. To institutions / employers, about pupli's ASN.
- Finalised date of departure arranged.
- When child has left school, duty to inform authority and other agencies.
Preparation for life after school
- General preparation crucial.
- Daily living skills; social and communication skills; independent travel in and around school as well as at home.
- Competent use of assistive technology.
- Consideration of future direction at earliest stage - S2 options onwards.
The Workplace
- Parental involvement crucial.
- Preparation from S2/3 through PSE classes.
- Careers Scotland input at early stage.
- Work Experience - advance preparation and evaluation necessary.
- Full-time employment through self-placement.
- Training opportunities - Skillseekers; Modern Apprenticeships; Training Agencies.
- "Access To Work".
Post-16 Education
- Responsibility usually lies with the student to ensure that arrangements are in place - but parental and Professional support is vital.
- Careful consideration of suitable establishment; course, etc.
- Apply to individual colleges or through UCAS system.
- Arrange visits to establishments through Open Days, school visits.
- Arrange one-to-one visit with Adviser for Disabled Students - to make them aware of personal requirements; to plan DSA claim.
Post-16 Education Funding
- Apply for funding for FE up to HNC through College bursary scheme - Maintenance; Study; Travel; SEN Allowances.
- SAAS provide Student Loan/Bursary (YSB) for HNC and above at FE colleges and in HE.
"Eligible students taking a full-time course at HNC
level and above at colleges and universities
throughout the UK can apply for help with their tuition fees, living
costs with student loans, a non-repayable bursary, lone parent grant,
childcare and travel expenses. The amount of support you can apply for
depends partly on your and your family’s income".
SAAS
Student Loan
- If your parents' income is less than £24,275 a year, SAAS do not expect them to make a contribution. For an income above £83,395 the contribution is £8,000.
- Students must pay this back at end of course - 9% of salary above £15,000.
Young Students Bursary 2009/10
| Income | Bursary |
| £ 19,310 | £2,640 |
| £20,000 | £2,518 |
| £ 21,000 | £2,340 |
| £ 22,000 | £2,163 |
| £ 23,000 | £1,986 |
| £ 24,000 | £1,808 |
| £25,000 | £1,631 |
| £26,000 | £1,453 |
| £27,000 | £1,276 |
| £28,000 | £1,099 |
| £29,000 | £921 |
| £30,000 | £744 |
| £ 31,000 | £567 |
| £32,000 | £389 |
| £33,000 | £212 |
| £34,195 | £50 |
| £35,000 | £0 |
This is non-refundable
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) - apply to SAAS
1. Basic Allowance - up to £1,725 pa (small items)
2. Large Item Allowance - up to £5,160 for full period of study.
3. Non-medical Personal Allowance - up to £20,520 pa (Readers; Scribe; Helpers).
4. Assessment of Need required - provided by FE/HE establishment or RNIB.
The Student
- Be Prepared!
- Independent travel and living - mobility preparation over summer break.
- Special equipment, exam arrangements.
- Good study and IT skills crucial - VLE used extensively.
- Don't be afraid to ask for assistance.
- Be friendly and have fun!