The practicalities, considerations, and skills development for vision impaired pre-teens.
- When: 26 September 23
- Where: Online
- Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm
- Cost: £5
Sorry, this workshop is now closed for applications.
Transitioning into secondary school can be a worrying time for parents and young people alike. There are a whole host of issues that need to be taken into consideration to help make this transition as smooth as possible. This workshop will examine some key steps and skills that you and your child should be thinking about in order to help them to thrive. Changes in environment and peer groups are significant during this stage in your child’s life and helping them to understand that mastering the art of certain skills will help during what can be a difficult transition.
We are very pleased to be co-delivering the session with Fiona Broadley.
Fiona Broadley is a Registered Qualified Habilitation Specialist, who has worked in the Midlands for more than 30 years, exclusively teaching Habilitation Skills (previously separated into Orientation and Mobility and Independent Living Skills) to children and young people with vison impairments across mainstream and special schools. She also lectures to student Habilitation Specialists at Birmingham City University, and with her team, delivers the Habilitation Elements of the training for Specialist Teachers of the Vision Impaired (QTVI) and for MSI teachers at the University of Birmingham. Fiona is the Chair of Habilitation VIUK and strives to raise the profile of habilitation at all levels.
Fiona has a particular interest in independent living skills, and is the author of 2 books on habilitation, that are written particularly with parents in mind. The first of these, Supporting Life Skills for Young Children with Vision Impairment and other Disabilities: An Early Years Habilitation Handbook (Routledge 2021) helps parents and professionals put skills in place ready for a child to start school. Her second book, Supporting Life Skills for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment and Other Disabilities: A Middle Childhood Habilitation Handbook (Routledge 2023) addresses the broader range of independence skills needed in the tween years of middle childhood and prepares a child for the transition to secondary school.
We will also be joined by Ellie Thompson from Henshaws, a charity based in the Northwest.
Ellie has worked for national charity Henshaws for nearly 2 years and her role involves supporting children and young people from ages 0 -25 years who have a vision impairment. She facilitates the I Can Do It course, which focuses on promoting independence during a 6–8-week course for either 8–12-year-olds or 13–18-year-olds. The course introduces 6 topics which teach young people how to cook independently, learn about health, friendships & relationships, talk about mental health strategies and, if they feel comfortable, to openly talk about their vision impairment. The I Can Do It course offers great feedback and great progression.
The first 1.5 hours of the session will be a presentation, with the remaining time dedicated to questions and answers.
