Visual Inclusion (VI)
You do not have to have a total loss of vision to be visually impaired. To be classed as visually impaired you would have to:
Have a loss of sight that is (usually) diagnosed by a specialist eye doctor called an ophthalmologist
That can’t be fully corrected by wearing glasses, contact lenses or a specialist medical treatment or surgical procedure.
A Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) is a term you will hear and see written in reports if your child is supported by our service. The following video from the RNIB and VIEW helps to explain:
The short answer is no! How much you see and how it affects different parts of your vision may depend on:
The type of eye condition and which part of the visual system it affects - the eyes, the pathway for visual information to the brain or the brain itself
How severely it affects sight
How far it has progressed
Whether it affects one or both eyes
Whether it affects parts of your visual field (how far you can see on each side, top or bottom of vision with each eye)
Even then there are many other variables such as:
Whether it is a stable condition or one that will change in the future
How tired, unwell or anxious you are during the day
Even children who have the same condition can be affected to a greater or lesser extent or experience vision differently to someone else who also has that condition.
The RNIB website may be useful in explaining some of the aspects of your child’s visual condition.
It is useful to understand about your child’s visual condition. However, there are so many variables so it is important that you get information from the eye specialist who diagnosed them or is providing their on-going care. If you are still struggling to understand you can also speak to the QTVI who supports them.
The type and frequency of support we give depends on need and circumstances. Each case is considered on its own merits based on a nationally recognised matrix that classifies vision into categories of:
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Profound
Depending on their level of need, support will be given through visits ranging in frequency from multiple weekly visits, weekly, fortnightly, once or twice per term, once or twice per year.
This support will be provided by a QTVI, and may also involve our Access Support Assistants, Technical Officer and Habilitation Specialists.
Phone: +44 7946 457979
Email: Albinism.fellowship@gmail.com
Information, advice and support
Meetings and events
Conferences
Phone: 07792 867 949
Email: info@aniridia.org.uk
Advices
Conferences and meet ups
Befriending service
Email: admin@bbsuk.org.uk
Advice and information
Networking
Benefits advice
Conferences
Battens Disease Family Association
Tel: 0800 046 9832
Email: admin@bdfa-uk.org.uk
Family support
Information
Hospices
Conferences
Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (Retinoblastoma)
Tel: 0207 377 5578
Email: info@chect.org.uk
Support and information
Research
Financial help
Email: info@contact.org.uk
Tel: 020 7608 8700
Support Groups
Tel: 0800 781 1444
Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Guide / Buddy dogs
My Guide – supported mobility
Family /Education
Support
Mobility, life skills training
Custom Eyes – large print books
Access Technology Grants
Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Society
Advice and information
Emotional support
Tel: 020 7407 9417
Fax: 020 7403 1377
Email: info@listening-books.org.uk
Download and streaming of audio books
Look: National Federation of Families with Visually Impaired Children
Tel: 07464351958
Email: info@look-uk.org
Connect with other families and young people with a visual impairment
Holiday accommodation
Counselling for 18+
Mentor scheme
Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, Coloboma Support
Tel: 0800 169 8088
Email: enquiries@macs.org.uk
Help and support
Grants
Information about prosthetic eyes
Activities incl. sailing
Research
Respite Holidays
Email: info@nystagmusnet.org
Tel: 01427 718093
Information and advice
Email: info@RetinaUK.org.uk
Tel: 0300 111 4000
Information and support incl. helpline
Research
Royal Society for Blind Children
Tel: 020 3198 0225
Email: connections@rsbc.org.uk
Family Support Service
Range of other support services
Royal National Institute of Blind People RNIB
Tel: 0303 123 9999
Advice and information
Sales of equipment
Large print library and talking books
Activity days and breaks
Specialist Holidays
Resource Centres
Tel: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Support and information for a variety of disabilities
Tel: 0300 330
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Advice and assessment
Holidays
Short breaks
Advice on accommodation choices
Community resource centres
VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action)
Tel: 01908 240 831
General: admin@victa.org.uk
Grants: grants@victa.org.uk
Activities: activities@victa.org.uk
Grants
Activities
Caravan Holiday
At the clinic your child may see different health professionals, depending on why they have been referred:
a doctor specialising in ophthalmology (ophthalmologist)
an optometrist: a specialist in testing vision and prescribing glasses for older children - also known as an optician
an orthoptist: a specialist in testing the vision and ocular (eye) movements of infants, children and young people of all ages
In the clinic:
your child might have their eye sight tested and to get glasses or contact lenses if necessary
have their visual development monitored (e.g. have further checks up during the year)
photographs may be taken of your child’s eyes, if required
your child’s visual field (peripheral vision), colour vision, contrast sensitivity or intraocular pressures may also be tested
your child may have eye drops
if your child wears glasses it is really very important that you bring your child’s glasses along to their appointment.
Eye drops help to dilate the pupil, this makes it easier for the ophthalmologist to examine the back of their eyes. These drops usually take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to take effect. The drops take a few hours to wear off so your child’s vision will be blurrier than usual, and they may find light uncomfortable. Sunglasses and a peaked cap can help when they are outside.
Children and young people (CYP) who have a visual impairment (VI) may find it challenging to travel and do everyday tasks independently and safely. These mobility, orientation and living skills are known as habilitation skills.
Our service can assess the needs of CYP with VI and provide on-going programmes of support that will help them to develop skills to ensure that they can live as independently as possible.
We also audit the environment of educational settings and recommend adaptations to make them more suitable for a child or young person with a visual impairment.
We have a Registered and Qualified Habilitation Specialist (RQHS) who is a member of Habilitation VI UK.
For more information on habilitation you can visit the Habilitation VI UK page:
Welcome to Habilitation VI UK - Habilitation VI UK
A video showing some of the skills taught in mobility and orientation can be viewed here:
Last updated : 9 October 2026