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Education Network Directory One of the main features of education for children and young people with visual impairment is that it is a low incidence disability and expertise is spread thinly across the country. Bringing people together to share knowledge and understanding beyond their own school or local authority boundaries is essential.
The education network directory highlights regional network opportunities and special interest groups for professionals working with children with a visual impairment. Looking across England, the directory highlights opportunities for professionals involved with young people with a visual impairment in education, to come together for professional development, sharing expertise, peer support, training, and networking with those in a similar field and within regional bases.
Bringing professionals together in this way is a key part of promoting best practice in the education and development of blind and partially sighted children and young people.
For more information about networks in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please visit our National Networks section or contact the relevant teams within each country by visiting our about us section.
Using the Directory Find groups and support networks for education professionals in your local area by clicking on your region below: National NetworksEast MidlandsWest MidlandsEast of EnglandLondon and South EastNorth of EnglandSouth West
We currently have limited network information for the East of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you are aware of groups in these areas in particular, please do let us know!
RNIB – supporting blind and partially sighted peopleRegistered charity number 226227
Add groups to the directory If you attend or know of a network or special interest group for professionals with an interest in visual impairment in your area which is not listed here, please let us know by emailing [email protected]
National Network Groups
Accessible Formats
UKAAF (UK Association for Accessible Formats) Location: National charitable company with online information network Target audience of professionals: Any professionals or services who wish to find out about and contribute to best practice, and learn the skills and knowledge needed to deliver - or demand - best practice in accessible format production for people with print disabilities. Description: The UK Association for Accessible Formats focuses on setting standards and promoting best practice for quality accessible information based on user needs and enabling businesses and organisations to deliver a quality service to meet the needs of people with print impairments. These accessible formats include large print, audio, Braille, electronic text, and accessible images amongst others. Service providers: UKAAF helps businesses and organisations understand how to meet the needs of customers and clients with print impairments, and how to source and provide quality accessible formats like large print, audio, Braille and more. Transcribers: UKAAF helps those creating accessible format materials by sharing best practice guidelines for the production of quality accessible formats, and by promoting transcription services. End-users: UKAAF helps people with print impairments by collecting their views and sharing them with service providers and transcribers, so they know how to meet users' needs.
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Contact: For further information email [email protected] or call 0845 60 85223 Key RNIB contact(s): Pete Osborne (Chair) ([email protected],uk), and Sarah Home (Ordinary Board Member) ([email protected]). Website: UKAAF
Complex Needs and MSI
VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) Network Location: National Network Target Audience of professionals: VITAL is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings. Description: VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking. Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. Currently there are groups in the following areas:
West Midlands London and the South East South West South Wales
Contact: If you would like to find out about, or join, a group near you, contact [email protected] for more information. Website: VITAL Network
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MSI and VI Special Interest Group (SIG) - UK & RI The group will be registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists as: MSI / VI SIG - UK & RI. It is a Specific Interest Group (SIG) focusing on communication, eating and drinking for children, young people and adults with MSI and VI. Membership runs for 12 months from the AGM in April and currently costs £20. Location of group: The SIG covers the whole of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Currently, the majority of members and interested people are in the southeast, so the autumn meetings will be in London and the April meetings (inc. AGM) will move around the country. Target audience of professionals: SLTs, SLT Assistants, SLT students, QTVIs, QTMSI, Mobility Officers, Care Workers - all practitioners with an interest in the communication and eating and drinking of children, young people and adults with MSI and VI. Description of Group Activity: Meetings will be held twice per year, in April and October / November. Meetings will include case presentations, feedback from conferences and courses, discussions of topics of interest, opportunities for networking and presentations. The focus will be on supporting members to develop evidence based practice. Topics proposed for future meetings include AAC, developing intentional communication and Active Learning. Contact: Denise Charnock: [email protected]: http://ianpbell.com/news/
Early Years
EYVI (Early Years and Visual Impairment) Group Please visit the London and South East Networks section of this document for further information on this group.
Education and Vision Impairment
Vision Impairment Forum (VI Forum)
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Location: Online Network (Mail based network) Target audience of professionals: All professionals working with children and young people with a visual impairment within an educational environment. Description: VI Forum is an UK-based discussion group. It is for discussing issues relating to the teaching of students with visual impairments. The list aims to provide an opportunity for teachers and other educational practitioners to discuss issues and provide a practical information-sharing forum. Contact: For further information contact VI Forum Moderator, Janet Cuthbert by emailing [email protected] Website: VI Forum Network
VIEW (Visual Impairment Education and Welfare) Location: National association for professionals with an interest in the education and welfare of the visually impaired. Target Audience: VIEW is a group that is open to professionals with an interest in the field of visual impairment. Description: VIEW represents Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVI's) and associated professionals on a range of Committees and Steering groups linked to VI issues and is our voice at government level. Aims of the association: To represent the views of our membership through training,
support and surveys To raise the standards of the education of children and young
people in schools and in Further and Higher Education Establishments
To support developments in the field to benefit individuals with a visual impairment
To share and disseminate information To establish links with other organisations, sharing information
to benefit children and young people with a visual impairment.
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Contact: [email protected]: View website
Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment Group (VISION 2020 UK) Location: Online network. Occasional face to face meetings. Target Audience: This Group is open to anyone with an interest in either the provision of services to, or issues relating to, children and young people with a vision impairment. Description: Vision impaired children are often marginalised within mainstream education or within the broad definition of "disabled children". The Group aims to identify an agenda or framework for children with a vision impairment to show who is providing what, where gaps may exist and where children and their parents can find the information they need. The Group will provide a forum for agencies to meet, establish a framework for vision impaired children and, where practicable, a means for joint commissioning of services. Contact: Laura Beaumont on 01708 456832 or email: [email protected]: Vision 2020 UK Website
Mary Kitzinger Trust Location: National, though meetings are typically held in London Target audience: Educational professionals, researchers, psychologists, clinical practitioners and therapists. Description: The Mary Kitzinger Trust was established with the objective of advancing and furthering education, training and research in the psychology of children with visual and/or other developmental difficulties. We hold themed workshops once or twice a year.
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Details of past and forthcoming workshops can be found on our website. Contact: For further information, please email: [email protected]: Mary Kitzinger Trust
Highland Education Vision Support Service (HEVSS) Location: Based in Inverness and supporting children with a VI across the whole of Highland Region. Target audience of professionals: QTVIs and Specialist Teaching Assistants (Instructors) Description: We are Specialists in visual impairment and assess children's functional vision, train them in the specialist curriculum (low vision devices, Braille, Pre Braille, touch typing, vision skills, carrying out environmental audits of school sites, advising and training teachers and teaching assistants in their teaching methods and in class support of children, advising on strategies to give children visual access to the curriculum etc. Contact: Stuart Brash (Co-ordinator) on 01463-226062 or email [email protected]
SAVIE Scotland's professionals' VI forum Location: Edinburgh. We meet twice a year, usually in Edinburgh at the Scottish Sensory Centre and sometimes elsewhere in Scotland. Target audience of professionals: TVI's, mainly but also Teaching Assistants, Rehab Officers, so all professionals working with children with a visual impairment Description: The group meets regularly. Each meeting has a theme chosen by members and guest speakers are invited to attend for training and professional development sessions. There is also the opportunity for networking and peer support.
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Contact: For further information contact Alison Price: [email protected]
Low Vision
Low Vision Services Group (VISION 2020 UK) Location: Online network. Occasional face to face meetings. Target audience of professionals: This group is aimed at anyone involved in providing low vision services, forming a committee to inform commissioning or establishing low vision services. Description: The aim of this Group is to support the establishment of low vision committees throughout Britain and to develop the commissioning of low vision services in those areas. Contact: Laura Beaumont on 01708 456832 or email: [email protected]: Vision 2020 UK Website
Mobility
MISE (Mobility and Independence Specialists in Education) Location: National Network. National conference is held twice a year, usually the first Wednesday in March and October. This currently takes place at Exhall Grange School in Coventry. Regional meetings take place in between. Regional Reps details available on website. Target audience of professionals: Habilitation Specialists & Mobility Officers specialising in children and young people. Description: The conferences provide ongoing professional development opportunities, updates in relevant developments in the field, support to members and active representation of the profession to other bodies. Members have access to a secure area on the
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website, giving contact details for other members to facilitate networking and support. A range of downloadable material and Conference proceedings are also available in the secure area. Contact: For further information contact Chair Fiona Broadley or Secretary Jill Underwood at: Mobility Service, Priestley Smith School, Beeches Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B42 2PY Tel: 0121 325 3904 email: [email protected]: Mise UK Network
Music
Music Teachers Support Group (MTSG) Location: Online Mailing list forum with AGM in London each year. Target Audience of professionals: For anyone working in the field of music education for children and young people with visual impairments, including those with complex needs. This includes both class teachers and private instrumental teachers. Description: The group meets in London for the MTSG AGM, usually held in October. All other communication is via a dedicated email list, email [email protected] to subscribe. The annual meeting is used to discuss one or two current issues for music teachers, usually with specialist presenters, along with regular updates on other issues. Notes from the meetings are distributed through the email group. Contact: For further information contact the RNIB Music Advisory Service by emailing [email protected] or call 020 7391 2273 Website: RNIB Making Music - MTSG
Policy
SEC Policy Network Location: London
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Target audience of professionals: All individuals or organisations with an interest in protecting and promoting the interests of disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN). Description: The Special Educational Consortium (SEC) is convened under the auspices of the Council for Disabled Children to protect and promote the interests of disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN). The Policy Network acts as the wider stakeholder group for SEC, bringing the whole sector together to debate key policy issues and in particular bringing in local representation.
We are seeking a varied range of organisational and individual representation to ensure we get a wide range of views. Membership is open to all individuals and organisations who share our values and there is no charge for joining the network. Contact: For further information contact Louisa Imanene, SEC Administrator [email protected] or 020 7843 1900 Website: NCB - SEC Policy Network
Psychology
PsyVIC (Psychologists for Visually Impaired Children) Location: National (Meetings held in London) Target audience of professionals: Membership of the group is open to any educational psychologists working for local education authorities or in other areas, for example, charities, independent schools, and independent practice. Description: Seminars are held twice a year, usually in May and November. Each seminar runs for a full working day. The venue in recent years has been at RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) Head Office, in central London. The purpose of the group is to: share information on all aspects of visual impairment (VI)
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create a national network of psychologists who have a common interest in VI
support colleagues, who are often working very much on their own within their working organisations, on matters concerning VI
develop professional expertise in the area of VI invite guest speakers to share information about their work,
research and specialist projects and to develop these sessions into discussion and dialogue
Contact Information: For further information, contact the group co-ordinator at [email protected]: PsyVIC Network
Technology
JISC TechDis Location: National Target audience of professionals: ALS / disability support; library managers; IT managers; eLearning managers; teachers Description: Jisc TechDis provides advice and guidance, promotes low cost assistive technology tools and offers advocacy work at a national level (eg Publishers, Awarding bodies, teacher training). This group hosts fortnightly webinars, regular conference presentations and helpdesk support via [email protected]: For further information about this network, email: [email protected]: www.jisctechdis.ac.uk
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Special Educational Needs and Information Technology (SENIT) Location: National online mail-based network Target audience of professionals: Teachers, Advisers, IT Co-ordinators, Network Managers, Communication or Occupational Therapists, plus anyone supporting pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities. Description: SENIT is a mailing list for teachers, advisers, and others working within education to discuss issues and share practical advice about how ICT can be used to support pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities. Contact: Further information can be viewed on the SENIT website or by emailing the SENIT Forum moderator at [email protected]: SENIT WebsiteContact: [email protected]
East Midlands Network Groups
Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI) Network Location: Leicester Target audience of professionals: Teachers (school and peripatetic - VI, HI and MSI), Teaching assistants, Intervenors, Lecturers, Speech and Language Therapists, Music Therapists...in other words anyone who is interested and is able to attend. Description: The group meets termly to discuss matters relating to MSI. Previous topics have focused on: 'Assessment in Practice', reviewing how various assessment approaches are currently being used by professionals within their Local Authorities in schools, settings and homes; Working with children with changing conditions including deteriorating conditions and more.
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Contact: Miranda Brookes ([email protected]) or Sandra Cartwright ([email protected]).
West Midlands Network Groups
Multi-Disability and Visual Impairment (MDVI) Support Group (Birmingham) Location: Birmingham Only Target audience of professionals: QTVI's, Specialist support teachers, Special School staff, Child Development Centre staff in the Birmingham area only. Description: Set up 10 years ago within the Birmingham VI Service team to support staff working with children with complex needs. Meetings are informal and include speaker sessions provided by group members as well as opportunities for peer support and networking and to discuss developments specific to the Birmingham region. Contact: For further information about this network contact: Ruth Elliott [email protected]
Midland Peripatetic Group for Teachers of the Visually Impaired Location: Various locations fairly centrally within the Midlands - eg Birmingham; Stafford; Coventry Target audience of professionals: Teachers of the Visually Impaired working for VI Services within the Midlands. Description: Twice Yearly meetings (November and June). For networking and exchange of updated information about the VI Services within the Midlands. Also for training purposes - to be updated on medical knowledge from consultants and other medical specialists; visual impairment issues and training. Training on ICT issues. Speakers on any subject that is of interest to those involved in the support of
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children with visual impairments.
Cost of Membership: £10 annual membership per service (temporarily suspended, as we have built up funds and in current economic environment, felt that it is helpful not to request it). The Group is a non-profit making group. Quite often speakers will give their services for free, in which case we make a donation to a charity of their choice.
Attendance at the meetings costs £25 per person, including lunch. Meetings are often subsidised out of our funds. Contact: For further information about this network contact Jo Willis (Staffordshire VI Service) - Group Secretary. Email address : [email protected] number : 01785 356830
VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) Network Location: National: West Midlands Group meet in various locations across the region. Target Audience of professionals: VITAL is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings. Description: VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking. Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. We currently have groups in the following areas: West Midlands London and the South East South West
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South Wales
Contact Information: If you would like to find out about or join a group near you, contact [email protected] for more information. Website: VITAL Network
East of England Network Groups
Networks and Special Interest Groups near you! If you attend or know of a network or special interest group for professionals with an interest in visual impairment in this area and would like it included in the RNIB Network Directory, please let us know at [email protected]
You may be interested in learning more about networks in neighbouring regions, please visit the London and South East and East Midlands sections within this document to learn more about other networks near you.
Don't forget to check out our National Network Groups page, containing information on national networks and special interest groups which meet all over the UK as well as online networks!
London and South East Network Groups Braille Network (London) Location: London (Central) Target audience of professionals: Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVIs) and teaching assistants working with children and young people with a visual impairment learning braille. Description: The Braille Network meets twice a year in London and twice in Leeds. Meetings take place from 10am to 3.30pm and cost around £40, including lunch. Most of the day is given over to presentations and discussion with a short business meeting at the end to decide
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the focus of the next meeting.
Speakers and topics have included: Cay Holbrook - workshop on effective practice in teaching
braille Steve McCall - key findings of Birmingham University's literature
review into teaching braille to children Alison Arnold - overview of braille reading schemes
The meetings also provide an important opportunity to find out about the latest resources from RNIB, Clearvision and other organisations.
The Braille Network is jointly supported by RNIB and VIEW. Contact: For further information about this network, contact: [email protected]
Deafblind Support Network Location: Wandsworth Only. Target audience of professionals: The Deafblind Support Network is for any professional who works with, or is interested in, deafblind children and their needs. The network includes teachers, audiologists, ophthalmologists, therapists, parents, portage workers, those working in early years, educational psychology and social services, and lots more. Description: The group meets twice a year, and meetings focus on two areas. The first is an update on what is going on in members' individual fields in order to highlight different priorities and challenges for professionals present at the meeting. The second is to provide an update on developments from within the field of deafblindness. This includes information on conferences, new equipment and providing information on Sense. The group aims to raise awareness of deafblindness so that when network members, or their colleagues, come into contact with deafblind children, they will have a better understanding of their needs.
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Contact: For further information, contact Jo Franklin at [email protected]
EYVI (Early Years and Visual Impairment) Group Location: We meet in London usually at RNIB Judd Street. Target audience: Our target group is any practitioner working in early years VI: QTVIs, nursery nurses, pre-school staff, mobility and habilitation workers etc Description: We run two day conferences a year (cost £10 per person) We have speakers at each conference based around a topic relevant to early years. Time is allowed in the conferences for networking and sharing of good practice. The group is organised by a planning committee of 5 people. Contact: For further information about this group, please contact Sally Thomas ([email protected]) or Julie Breedon ([email protected]).
Eastern Region MSI Teacher Network Location: Eastern Region (Sense Head Office, King's Cross) Target audience of professionals: Qualified Teachers of children who are deafblind or those in training. Description: The Eatern Region Multi Sensory Impairment (MSI) teacher network group is hosted by Sense and usually meets biannually (Autumn and Spring/early Summer) at Sense Head Office, 101 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, N1 9LG. The Eastern Region MSI Teacher Network Group provides support to qualified teachers of children who are deafblind who are working in the South of England, London and East. The group also provides support for teachers currently undergoing specialist training. Topics are decided at meetings and usually include a forum for participants to discuss issues within their area of work related to MSI. Past topics have included presentations on the role of touch, updates on
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information and communications technology, and auditory neuropathy. Contact: For further information, contact Haylee Withers at The Anne Wall Centre, 12 Hyde Close, Barnet, Herts EN5 5TJ. Telephone 020 84471133, or email [email protected]
NatSIP (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) Location: National. National working days usually held in London. Target audience of Professionals: Professionals working in the field of education for children and young people with Sensory Impairment. Description: The National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) aims to improve educational outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairment, closing the gap with their peers, through joint working with all who have an interest in the success of these young people. NatSIP, in partnership with the Department for Education has agreed to work on five objectives providing support and training, in a cost effective way, to ensure that children and young people with sensory impairment (SI) have access to the curriculum and make good educational progress whilst improving their achievements.
NatSIP has seven workstreams which address these objectives. These focus on: outcomes benchmarking; case studies to support quality standards; workforce development and the effective use of teaching assistants; emotional resilience and well-being in young people with SI; the Equality Act 2010 and access for SI learners; special educational needs (SEN) policy and SI in the national context; and the future strategy for NatSIP.
NatSIP Working Days occur three times a year and offer an opportunity for professionals working in the field of sensory impairment to come together in working groups to meet the objectives of the action plans, share best practice and contribute to the development of quality SI provision. Contact information:
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For further information, contact Lindsey Rousseau at [email protected]: NatSIP Website
PsyVIC (Psychologists for Visually Impaired Children) Location: London Target audience of professionals: Membership of the group is open to any educational psychologists working for local education authorities or in other areas, for example, charities, independent schools, and independent practice. Description: Seminars are held twice a year, usually in May and November. Each seminar runs for a full working day. The venue in recent years has been at RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) Head Office, in central London. The purpose of the group is to: share information on all aspects of visual impairment (VI) create a national network of psychologists who have a common
interest in VI support colleagues, who are often working very much on their
own within their working organisations, on matters concerning VI
develop professional expertise in the area of VI nvite guest speakers to share information about their work,
research and specialist projects and to develop these sessions into discussion and dialogue
Contact: For further information, contact the group co-ordinator at [email protected]: PsyVIC Network
SENJIT Location: London. Meetings held at the Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H OAL.
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Target audience of professionals: Local authority officers, special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), teachers, heads of service, special educational needs (SEN) advisers, and anyone working in SEN provision. Description: SENJIT has more than 20 years' experience in providing not-for-profit special education needs and disability courses for teachers and SEND staff, allied to strategic SEN consultancy, research and development services in partnership with a range of national and international agencies. It also provides support groups, local training and consultancy for SEN teachers, health professionals and others working on inclusion and special educational needs. Most courses are free of charge to those from SENJIT subscribing local authorities, but it works with professionals to provide answers to SEND needs. Its professional networks are made up of like-minded colleagues seeking to develop and exchange professional expertise. Those working in isolated settings particularly value them. Meetings are also a way of keeping abreast of current developments and a forum for discussion, exchange of ideas and problem solving.
Their focus can vary. They may invite speakers and share research, or they may be engaged in specific projects. For example, the Meeting Medical Needs group has produced a set of guidelines on working with children with complex medical needs in the mainstream classroom. The networks can be facilitated by members of staff at Senjit or can be entirely self- steering. The groups meet on a termly basis. Attendance is free to SENJIT members or £50/term to non-members. SENJIT hosts the following professional networks: Early Years Area SENCO Development Group Education of Young People in Public Care Educational Psychologists: Hearing Impairment Peripatetic Teachers of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Teachers of Children with Autism in Mainstream Schools Teachers in Charge of Units for Children with Hearing
Impairment Meeting Medical Needs PRU Managers Support Group
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Provision Management in Special Provision Peripatetic Teachers of the Visually Impaired. Contact: If you are interested in setting up a new network or joining one of the existing networks contact Tina Catchpole on 020 7612 6305, or email [email protected]: SENJIT Network
South East Intensive Interaction Network Location: Meetings occur at different venues throughout the south east area (for details see www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk). Target audience of professionals: Any professionals working with children and adults who have severe learning difficulties or communication difficulties or parents. Description: The South Ease Intensive Interaction network meet once a term to discuss Intensive Interaction practice and networking. Contact: For further information about this network, contact: Carol Jones at [email protected]: www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk
VITAL Network Location: National: London and South East Group meet in various locations across North and South London. Target audience of professionals: VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings. Description: VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and
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assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking. Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. Currently there are groups in the following areas: West Midlands London and the South East South West South WalesContact: If you would like to find out about, or join, a group near you, contact [email protected] for more information. Website: VITAL Network
North of England Network Groups
Braille Network (Leeds) Location: Leeds Target audience of professionals: QTVIs and Teaching assistants working with blind children learning Braille. Description: The Braille Network meets twice a year in London and twice in Leeds. Meetings last from 10.00-3.30 and cost around £40 including lunch. Most of the day is given over to presentations and discussion with a short business meeting at the end to decide the focus of the next meeting. Speakers and topics have included: Cay Holbrook - Workshop on effective practice in teaching
braille Steve McCall - Key findings of Birmingham University literature
review into teaching braille to children. Alison Arnold - Overview of braille reading schemes Sue Adams - Learning to interpret tactile diagrams and pictures David Spybey - Teaching maths to students using braille Mandy White - Making a decision on the adoption of Unified
English Braille (UEB)
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The meetings also provide an important opportunity to find out about the latest resources from RNIB, Clearvision and include an open session on teaching approaches and resources etc. The Braille Network is jointly supported by RNIB and VIEW. Contact: Email [email protected]: Braille Network
Yorkshire and Humberside MDVI Group Location: West Yorkshire Target audience of professionals: Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired working for Sensory Services in the Yorkshire and Humberside region only. Description: The group meets once a term for training, sharing best practice and expertise across the region and peer support. Previous meetings have focussed on ICT for children with visual impairment and complex needs, Cortical Vision Impairment: Therapy and assessment. Contact: Gerry Verbrugge ([email protected])
South West Network Groups
Sensory Exchange GroupLocation: Various (South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North and North East Somerset) Target audience of professionals: Any professionals from specialist provision who have an interest in supporting children and young people with sensory needs. Description: The Sensory Exchange Group holds two meetings a year (twilight sessions) to exchange ideas, resources, discuss books and courses etc. The meetings are mainly held in the local Special Schools but we have met in other settings e.g. VI Resource Base.
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We also have a sensory-exchange Google group - please contact Kate with your email address if you want to be included. Contact: Kate Sullivan Support Teacher for MSI Children Deafblind Coordinator Elmfield House Greystoke Avenue Westbury-on -Trym Bristol, BS10 6AY Tel: 0117 903 8441 Email address [email protected]
VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) Network Location: National: South West Group meets regularly in Taunton, Somerset. Target audience of professionals: VITAL is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings. Description: VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking. Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. We currently have groups in the following areas: West Midlands London and the South East South West South WalesContact: If you would like to find out about or join a group near you, contact [email protected] for more information.
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Website: RNIB VITAL Network
Networks and Special Interest Groups near you! If you attend or know of a network or special interest group for professionals with an interest in visual impairment in your area and would like it included in the RNIB Network Directory, please let us know at [email protected] or call us on 0121 665 4213.
Don't forget to check out our National Network Groups section within this document, containing information on national networks and special interest groups which meet all over the UK as well as online networks!
rnib.org.uk