Children and young people who are blind or have low vision and their families are set to benefit from a refreshed service approach from Vision Australia dubbed Life Ready.
The leading blindness and low vision service provider has launched its new Life Ready program, developed by Vision Australia’s expert paediatric team. Tailored services and programs are delivered by Vision Australia’s paediatric specialists, in collaboration with educators, health professionals and other key figures in the lives of children and young people.
Vision Australia research shows 24% of Australians who are blind or have low vision are in fulltime employment, making Life Ready – and its ethos of early intervention – vital.
“Much of what we learn in life is through what we see, so children who are blind or have low vision need to gather information about their world in different ways,” Mr Ron Hooton, Vision Australia CEO, said
“Life Ready will equip children and young people with the support and skills needed to build strong foundations for life and put them on the path to meaningful long-term employment.”
Core to Life Ready is supporting participants develop nine internationally recognised life skills.
“The skills include practical things such as learning to use assistive technology, sensory efficiency, developing orientation and mobility skills, and strengthening independent living skills. They also include concepts such as career education, building social skills and understanding self-determination,” Hooton said.
“Extensive research has shown equipping children and young people who are blind or have low vision with these skills helps them overcome the challenges blindness or low vision can present to participating in wider society, whether that is at school, in the workplace or in social settings.”
More information about the Life Ready program can be found at www.visionaustralia.org/services/find-services/children. To refer people to Vision Australia, visit www.visionaustralia.org/healthcare-professionals/refer-patient-form
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