Hi all
Does anyone work with the visually impaired?
I have an interview soon for a much wanted job with a visually impaired child aged 5. I understand that she has very little useful vision. Has anyone got any ideas about what they might ask me at interview? My mind usually goes totally blank so I'd like to be a bit prepared. Been a TA for 6 years and got HLTA status but never worked with a VI child before.
I'm a bit nervous. Legs are turning to jelly!!!


Thanks

hi cottonsocks

i have pm'd you again!

Hi DQ sent you a pm.

Just read this.I work with a visually impaired child had her brother last year same condition. Things like having a heavier line than usual on the paper,making sure they sit at the front in class,ensure their glasses are clean( mines broken hers again and they wont replace them )Take extra care on school trips, when walking in unfamiliar environment and keep the classroom floor tidy. Use large colourful visual apparatus and talk about it .Develop listening skills by using a tape and games.


Hope this is some help.I am developing gross motor skills like walking up and jumping off steps. Catching and throwing using those sticky frisbees and rolling a ball at skittles.Climbing through tunnels,over poles, assault course.

Thanks Jack-of-all-trades, that is really helpful. I got the job so am very excited. The little girl has no sight not even light and dark so I will get some training how to work with her. Have to learn braille as well. Just the challange I have been wanting. Thanks again.

The only thing I can think of is to be careful of sudden noises and touches, the slightest touch to us is not always as unexpected as we think, to her it will be. A while ago I knew a lady who's daughter was blind and she was very sensitive to smells. Something to consider.

we have a VI child so most of the chair legs have black and yellow tape attatched and a VI officer visits from LEA to make all necessary changes to environment. Generally support would mean being aware of the vision problems and supporting accordingly.

Thanks all. The school is great and they are trying to make a tactile pathway for her. Ther are touchy feely things round the room so she can find her way to the toilet.

just remembered that we had different colours on the corridor walls to help VI.......and they were a bit bright and garish colours too...all the corridors did look the same before that

Worse than the one I've got then although hers will deterioate(sp)

What about small tactile circles on the desk corners.If they were different fabrics she would find her way around the room and also know whose desk she was at if she learnt who sat at each desk. Glad you got the job it will be fascinating and just the challenge you were looking for.There used to be a very good school in Edinburgh.Might be helpful to visit a school and use some of there ideas.

Thanks all for your advise and kind words. I am going to have a go at learning braille 1 over the summer hols. When I learn more I will share it with you all. Thansk

Hi Kerryl

Tried to pm you but it appears I can't do so as it says "Sorry, but the administrator has prevented you from sending private messages."

One of our FE colleges is doing braille but I don't know if it leads to a qualification. It is during the day so I can't go as I'll be at work. I found an online course. I dont know if I'm allowed to post the link so suggest you put Birmingham Braille course into Google and follow link from there. Also there are plenty of sites giving the braille alphabet and at the moment that's all I will learn. There are a couple of braillers in my new school so I'll practise on them when I get there. There is some useful information on the RNIB site as well and they do a distance learning course but it's quite expensive.

Best of luck.
Cottonsocks

Read this for help with the pm facility cottonsocks:

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Thank you jaydee67. I have emailed Summertime.

pm now re-enabled.