Rehabilitation training for blind and visually impaired people

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Rehabilitation workers of the Visual Impairment Team offer a range of skills training to blind and visually impaired residents in Renfrewshire. Assessing clients' needs and providing training to meet these needs are two major aspects of their role. Rehabilitation workers offer advice and training on a wide range of areas including:

• orientation and mobility
• independent living skills
• communication skills

Orientation and mobility

Mobility training is one of the main roles of the rehabilitation workers. They train people with visual impairments to move about safely and independently indoors and out. Rehabilitation workers of the Visual Impairment Team carry out mobility assessments with individuals to assess what training they need. They work on a one-to-one basis. The training can involve, for example, sighted guide techniques with the visually impaired person and their family, familiarisation within residential homes, or mobility in new and unfamiliar areas. Rehabilitation workers also offer cane training to blind and visually impaired people. There are a range of white canes and walking sticks available and the rehabilitation worker can assess which mobility aid is most suitable.


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Independent living skills

Many blind and visually impaired people benefit from training in independent living skills. This can range from preparing a cup of tea to meal preparation and general day-to-day tasks within the home. The Visual Impairment Team has a wide range of aids and equipment they can supply along with training to enable the visually impaired person to retain or regain independence. Training is usually done on a one-to-one basis as needs vary from one individual to another. However, sometimes training can be delivered in a group setting, for example, many individuals have enjoyed microwave cookery classes.

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Communication skills

Communication skills are taught ranging from Braille and Moon ( an easier form of tactile reading) to using aids and equipment such as writing frames and labelling devices. Rehabilitation workers can offer advice, support and tuition on communication skills. They tailor training programmes to meet individual needs and these are offered either on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting.

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Contact us

For further information, please contact the Visual Impairment Team duty worker:

• email: vi.services.sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone during duty hours: 0141 847 4977
• fax: 0141 847 4966
• visit us during duty hours, or write to us at:
  Mile End Centre
  30 Seedhill Road
  Paisley PA1 1SA
  

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