Supporting children with sight problems

The Mobility Service offers assessment and training to children with a sight problem and support for their parents and their schools.  The primary objective is to assist and train a child to make a safe and confident traveller both indoors and out, whilst taking their age and abilities into consideration.

City-wide provision

The Mobility Service is based at Priestley Smith School for Visually Impaired Children but makes provision, where appropriate, for children throughout the City, including integrated units and mainstream schools.  Training can also be offered to staff or to the child's peers, helping them to learn more about the mobility problems experienced by a visually impaired child. 

Home and school support

The Service employs three full time mobility officers who work both during term time and throughout the school holidays enabling work to take place in the child's home environment as well as at school.  The service provides and offers training in the use of specialised equipment.

Referrals

Referrals are usually made through the Visiting Teacher Service but can also be made by any involved professional, or parents themselves.  Children should normally be aged between two and eighteen and must have some degree of visual impairment. 

Referral forms can be obtained from the Senior Mobility Officer but informal enquiries and comments are always welcome.

Contacts

Please contact us if you have enquiries about general or specific issues. We also welcome any comments and suggestions for developing our service.