S

Transition to university for students with visual

impairments

University of Bath HE STEM Seminar Visual Impairments (VI)

STEM

Iryna Withington STEM SW VI Project Group MemberUniversity of Bath, Widening Participation – Students with Disabilities

What we know…

Around two million children and young people identified as having a special educational needs (SEN) or who are disabled

Their life outcomes are disproportionately poor

Post-16, young people with SEN are more then twice as likely to be not in higher education, employment or training as those without

High aspiration and focus made a big differences in enabling young people with SEN and disabilities to progress in HE

(OFSTED Report, September, 2010)

Issues around transition

VI is low incidence in higher education as higher education is delivered in a very visual way

Lack of confidence and self-esteem because young people with VI dependent on others (82%)

Fear of unknown, unfamiliar environment that could be isolating

The lack of knowledge about support (36%) Parents fair of letting go

STEM VI Project – University of Bath

London School of Economics, University of London University of Southampton, Institute of Physics University of Cambridge, Plymouth University University of Roehampton, Sheffield Hallam University Loughborough University, University of West England NADP, RAC, New College

VI Project – activities at Bath Pre-entry aspiration raising event

University of Bath WP Sensory Support Services for Bath & NES, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, BristolSTEM SW

Plans for the day

With a focus on lab-based activities, the event will produce outcomes that are transferable across STEM disciplines

Meet Para Olympian athlete Meet a second year psychology who is VI Have fun with a range of science and maths activities at the university teaching

facilities Meet other pupils with VI and hear from existing students about what university’s

like Find out more about range of careers that are open to maths and science graduates Learn more about financial support available to support students with disabilities

during their university studies

Pre-entry event outcomes – What we are hoping to achieve

Raise aspiration to higher education by providing an opportunity to do something different

Confidence and independence by developing different skills

Help to overcome individual barriers (dialog with our Ambassadors during the day)

Continuity of supportHigh Aspiration for All

How can you help

Working together provide the best way forward for some most vulnerable young people

Please complete questionnaire!Thank you!

If you are interested in our pre-entry event , please get in touch!

I.Withington@bath.ac.ukThank you!