Unlocking Education For All: Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment

Date posted: 11th July 2023

The evidence is clear, education across the UK is failing to consistently deliver the positive outcomes deserved for blind and partially sighted people; something has to change!

We believe the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) is a crucial to ensuring that all blind and partially sighted children and young people have access to the education they need to thrive. This is why, Thomas Pocklington Trust, RNIB, VIEW and the University of Birmingham have come together to launch new reports for each of the nations, ‘Unlocking Education For All’.

The reports were launched at the ‘Celebration of Vision Impairment Event’ at the University of Birmingham on 16 June 2023. We call for the CFVI  to be formally recognised in government policy across the UK to enable the framework to have the necessary impact to allow all blind and partially sighted children and young people to have equitable opportunities in life.

A panel of blind and partially sighted young people spoke at the event sharing their varied experiences in education, alongside powerful case study videos. Whilst every young person who contributed had different experiences there was a unifying theme; Vision impairment education must place child or young person at the centre of their own journey to adulthood, with the right support provided at the right time. Children and young people cannot wholly rely on the current system to deliver this. The video case studies from the event will be shared shortly – watch this space!

Speaking at the event, David Clarke, Chief Executive British Paralympian Association, said “I think I am struck by the fact that a lot of individuals (blind and partially sighted children and young people) success has been by good fortune. And that’s why it was a very proud moment when the curriculum for visually impaired children and young people was announced because it is so incredibly important. Blind and partially sighted people have a right to the same education opportunities as everyone else. There is no excuse for lack of equity.”

 

Tara Chattaway, Head of Education at Thomas Pocklington Trust said “The reports, ‘Unlocking Education For All’, set out the evidence in each of the countries to demonstrate the impact for blind and partially sighted children and young people of not having access to the right support for their futures. If blind and partially sighted children and young people have the right level of the right support and choice this will enable them the same opportunities as their sighted peers. The CFVI unlocks the potential for us all to work together to get that right.”

The reports, ‘Unlocking Education For All’ are available here: Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment: Policy and campaigning – Thomas Pocklington Trust (pocklington-trust.org.uk)

Please show your support for the CFVI by following our campaign on social media #UnlockingEducation

To read more information about the CFVI please visit: Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment | RNIB

For further information please contact: EducationPolicy@pocklington-trust.org.uk