Keynotes (we will publish a full programme when available)

• Clinical psychologist, Dr. Ian McCubbin – Ian has supported many children with progressive vision loss and their families
• Dr Jessica Hayton, Lecturer in Psychology; and Programme Leader: Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight at UCL Institute of Education
• Dr Melissa Fanshawe, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at University of Southern Queensland, and trained teacher for students with vision impairment.

Workshops – Friday programme

Struggling Readers – Strategies and Resources – Jean Weiss, Vision Impairment Team Lead, Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service

• Many children with a vision impairment struggle to develop literacy skills. I will highlight a range of causes of these difficulties and corresponding ideas to support children’s literacy from preschool to secondary age. Exploring literacy development for Braille users, large print users and dual media learners. A session packed with strategies and resource ideas to take away.

Early Communication – Development, Skills and Strategies – Anne Cheesbrough (SENSE) and Caireen Sutherland (RNIB)

• This workshop will look at the development of early communication skills in children with VI and complex needs or MSI. It will cover some theory but will predominantly focus on real life examples, practical strategies and considerations in this area. We will consider your role and how you can support and how this work is fundamental to the development of more formal methods of communication such as on body signing, tactile learning etc.

‘Learning Through Play – Pre braille skills with LEGO Braille Bricks’ – Joanne Hogg, QTVI

• At this workshop you will discover the benefits of using a play based approach to developing pre braille skills. You will learn the principles of learning through play and develop confidence in creating your own teaching activities.

The complete scientific program is not yet available to the editorial office. We are continuing our research.

Please contact the organizer for further information.