LINT - Vision Inclusion (VI)

About LINT (VI)

LINT (VI) consists of specialist teachers who hold the mandatory qualification for teaching children and young people with vision impairment, and specialist sensory teaching assistants who have experience and have gained qualifications in a number of areas such as, Braille, Mobility and Independent Living Skills, Early Years, Curriculum Modification, Large Print Transcription and Specialist IT. Additionally, the team includes a Habilitation Specialist (who provides mobility and independent living skills training) as well as a Specialist Sensory Learning Mentor (who provides support with social/emotional development and self-identity).

Referring babies, children and young people to the team

Referrals are generally received from health professionals following a formal diagnosis or from schools and settings seeking support or advice from specialist staff. Parents/carers and other professionals may also make a referral using the referral form.

Make a referral

Download the LINT Referral form for Sensory Impairment and/or Physical and Medical Needs (PDF, 105 KB)(opens new window)

North East Education VI Network and referral criteria

Once a referral has been made

Following a formal diagnosis and on referral to LINT (VI), contact is made with parents/carers, the school setting and background clinical information is sought. Where necessary LINT (VI) contact the relevant hospital and request up-to-date information. Staff liaise closely with relevant members of the Ophthalmology Department, sharing results of assessments, liaising regarding clinics and sharing information for the benefit of the child or young person.

Intervention varies as it is designed to ensure that the individual and specific needs of each child and young person are met. In some cases, children and young people in schools or settings may be allocated specialist support or additional resources to help them access the curriculum.

This assessment of functional vision aims to determine:

what the child or young person is able to see (for example, shapes, colours, movement, detail)
how they use their vision in everyday tasks and learning activities
under what conditions they can see effectively (for examples, lighting, distance, contrast, environment)

The purpose is to provide information about the use of vision, plan appropriate intervention, enhance visual skills and advise on individualised approaches in order to access the curriculum.

The kinds of interventions the child or young person with vision impairment could receive

Where possible, specialist teachers work with babies, children and young people without the need for statutory assessment. LINT (VI) provide advice and guidance to schools, settings and their staff in order to provide equal access to the curriculum for children and young people with vision impairment.

The Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision impairment (CFVI), is known as specialist curriculum. The CFVI presents outcomes within 11 teaching areas and is specific to children and young people with vision impairment and is taught by specialist teachers and staff from LINT (VI). This Framework has been developed to support children and young people with vision impairment to access an appropriate and equitable education.

The 11 teaching areas are:

area 1: facilitating an inclusive world
area 2: sensory development
area 3: communication
area 4: literacy
area 5: habilitation: orientation and mobility
area 6: habilitation: independent living skills
area 7: accessing information
area 8: technology
area 9: health: social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing
area 10: social, sports and leisure
area 11: preparing for adulthood

LINT (VI) work with other service providers to ensure children and young people have access to mobility training, leisure opportunities, independent living skills training and increase opportunities to develop their social skills outside school. Close links are maintained between parents/carers, the child or young person's school or setting and other involved agencies.

The kinds of interventions the school or setting could receive

LINT (VI) can support schools in a number of ways, including;

explaining the nature of the vision impairment and the implications for education
providing a range of informal and formal training opportunities to share proven best practice
providing specialist advice on accessibility and health and safety issues
providing advice as part of the needs assessment process for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
supporting teaching sessions either in class or in a one-to-one situation
researching and applying for funding of specialist equipment as appropriate
completing environmental advice to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils and promote independence
advising on appropriate modification techniques to ensure equal access to the curriculum
ensuring successful entry to school and transition between year groups and key stages
advising on appropriate access arrangements for internal and external examinations

Support for the family from LINT (VI)

Having a good relationship with the family really helps us to support the child or young person. A successful partnership with parents/carers is the most effective way LINT (VI) can share information and expertise.

LINT (VI) can help in a number of ways in including:

home teaching for pre-school children (early intervention)
providing explanations of the eye condition and the implications of this on home and school life
involving and supporting the family throughout the vision assessment and registration process
helping the family to contact and access other supportive agencies
supporting the child or young person and their family at ophthalmic appointments or the low vision aid clinic
supporting the child or young person and their family at multi-disciplinary meetings
assisting with access to specialist equipment as or when appropriate
providing access to specialist teaching areas of the CFVI as appropriate
encouraging the child or young person's participation in a range of leisure and out of school activities

Information for schools and settings

For documents to support children with vision inclusion see LINT professionals toolkit. More resources can be found in the support organisations directory.

See SEND thresholds .

Information for families

Our support organisations directory has been developed to provide links to organisations who can support those with SEND and their families.

Contact

Carrie-Anne Brooke-Lovell
Lead Teacher for Vision and Multi-sensory Impairment
0191 433 8756

If you have any queries, please email [email protected]

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