Delivering Accessible Learning: A Guide for Further Education Providers Supporting Blind and Partially Sighted Students

Blind and partially sighted students have the same ability, aspirations and potential as their fully-sighted peers. However, there are often obstacles to their learning, blocking them from securing their best possible future and achieving the success their ability deserves.

These obstacles can be removed through thinking about how courses are delivered, by making information and resources accessible and ensuring students have the right equipment to access their course.

To address this, Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) in partnership with the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB), has created new guidance for Further Education providers and urges them to act now.

Read the Guidance

Delivering Accessible Learning – A guide for FE providers (PDF, 1 MB)

What Does the Guidance Cover?

This guidance provides information, resources, top tips and handy checklists to help colleges and Further Education providers ensure blind and partially sighted students get the right support. It covers topics including:

• Understanding the needs of blind and partially sighted students.
• How providers can get the right advice and support.
• Getting the student’s journey through Further Education off to the best start.
• How to make a course accessible, in and out of the classroom.
• What funding options are available,

Who is the Guidance For?

• Disability practitioners, lecturers or any other support staff working in a mainstream college supporting a blind or partially sighted student.
• Blind and partially sighted students and their parents and carers – providing a framework for the areas and topics they may wish to discuss with their chosen college.

Why is it Essential to Read this Guidance?

Getting support wrong at this crucial point in a young person’s educational journey can have a negative impact on their academic success and wellbeing. Often it only takes a few adjustments and greater awareness of a student’s needs to completely change educational outcomes, allowing the student to reach their full potential.

Help to Unlock the Potential of Blind and Partially Sighted Students

Delivering Accessible Learning – A guide for FE providers (PDF, 1 MB)