south australian school for vision impaired

support service

charles campbell vision impairment  centre

seaview high school program

SUPPORT SERVICE

The Support Service provides support in both government and non-government sites, from early entry into preschool to post school transition.

The aims of this service are to assist schools

• to enable students with vision impairment to develop independence. to ensure students access, participate and succeed in the curriculum.

top of page

Specialist programs include:

• Assessment and training in the use of functional vision.

• Provision of information on specific eye conditions and their impact upon student learning.

• Provision of specialist programs for disability specific needs - the extended core curriculum areas of Orientation and Mobility, Braille literacy, Keyboarding and computer skills, training in the use of low vision devices, Independent Living Skills and Social Skills.

• Professional training and development for support staff and parents.

• Access to resources including low vision devices, dark lined stationery, large print books, curriculum materials, sloping desktops and adaptive technology.

Student outcomes are enhanced by the Support Teachers' support by

• increasing opportunities for learning through visual and tactual and auditory means.

• increasing access to curriculum.

• increased staff awareness and understanding of vision difficulties and appropriate teaching methodologies.

ACCESSING THE PROGRAM

Support is accessed through the Negotiated Education Planning process, verified by a DECS Guidance Officer.   A Service Agreement is negotiated for students requiring only minimal support.

In non-government settings, a Service Agreement is negotiated with the school principal.

Referral PROCESS

Referrals can be made by family members, ophthalmologists and optometrists, other agencies and school/pre-school staff.

Following initial contact with the Support Service,  written consent is requested from the parent and school principal / pre-school director.

Information about the vision impairment is then collected from

• ophthalmological reports

• assessment of functional vision in the school setting by a specialist teacher

• observations by parents and school staff.

Discussion with parents is a vital part of the process, their knowledge and observation of the child's visual functioning are sought and valued.

The criteria for support is based upon the student's needs in order to access the curriculum.

The level and frequency of support is determined by the individual needs of the student, subject to the availability of DECS resources.   Support Teachers travel to country areas to provide specialist support for students with vision impairment in their local schools.   Orientation and Mobility support for country students is currently provided by the Guide Dogs Association.   The Support Service operates in collaboration with other services and agencies.

When do students exit?

Students exit the program through the Negotiated Education Plan process when

• there is an improvement in eye condition

• the student is managing visual functioning, demonstrating independence and successfully participating in the curriculum

• he/she leaves school.

Who else can access the service?

• Any DECS, CEO or ISB personnel for information or training Pre-schools, Child Parent Centres

• Individuals requesting information

Where can further information be obtained?

• South Australian School For Vision Impaired, Support Service office - phone 8277 5255

•  Information sheets

• NEP process

PRINT ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

South Australian School for Vision Impaired provides a print alternative service for students in South Australian Schools, ranging from pre-school to Year 12, who have Vision Impairment and print disability.

The formats provided are either audio or Braille depending on the needs of the student.

South Australian School For Vision Impaired's Print Alternative Service endeavours to provide all necessary texts and novels required by a student in the preferred formats and within the timeframes requested.

All audio tapes and Braille produced at South Australian School For Vision Impaired meet the standards set by the National Roundtable on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities.

website last updated June 2006