low vision aids

Introducing children to Low Vision Aids

Thursday 19 April

Low Vision Aids: Recall

Janis Sugden April 2007

Current Policies
ALL children in mainstream with very few exceptions.
It is of the utmost importance that any potential barriers are removed LVA’s can be beneficial yet less than half use them. WHY?

Frequency of LVA use

Low Vision Aids Use (LVA) in Children with Visual Acuity < = 6/18 and >1/60

Source of Information	Number of Children	Number using LVA	Percentage Using a LVA
Parents	216	86	40%
Teachers	154	64	42%

Age Group

Only one pre school child

74% of primary children (9-10 years)
33% of 11-12 year olds
72% between the ages of 13 -16

Visual Acuity Groups

As visual acuity becomes poorer a greater percentage of children reported to use LVA’s.
This trend dips in the poorest visual acuity group.
Pupils with no additional disabilities are more likely to be using LVA.

Educational Placement and Use of LVA’s

Type of Placement	Total No of Children	Number using a LVA	Percentage using a LVA
Pre-school	31	1	3%
Mainstream Pr	87	48	55%
Special Pr	9	2	22%
Mainstream S	22	13	59%
Special S	5	0	0%
Total	154	64	42%

WHY?

Inconsistent use of LVA between home and school and during transition from primary to secondary.
Children of a developmental age of 2-3 years can be taught to use LVA.
Cross discipline and coherent service delivery required.

Training