Blind and visually impaired (BVI) - resources for schools

Difficulties with vision take many forms with widely differing implications for a pupil's education. They range from relatively minor and remediable conditions to total blindness. Some children are born blind or vision impaired whilst others lose their sight as a result of accident or illness. In some cases vision impairment is one aspect of a complex combination of needs.

The identification of the impact on access to education will relate to the degree of functional vision and the pupil's ability to adapt socially and psychologically.

When considering the level of vision impairment the SEND-Teaching Support Team makes an assessment of functional vision, which includes measuring visual acuity. This assessment does not replace a clinical assessment. It provides information with regard to access to education at a specific time in a child's life. The level of visual acuity given for a child does not necessarily indicate that a child requires statutory assessment.