Education research

Participation of disabled children in inclusive education is now well established in policy and practice. Evidence shows that the quality of provision is patchy, that learning materials are not consistently made available in alternative formats and that a drift towards generic services is depriving blind and partially sighted children and young people of specialist support.

Research in this area includes the accessibility of exams, education attainment and provision of educational services by local authorities.

Educational attainment and progress in England

Educational attainment and progress of young (primary school aged) blind and partially sighted pupils in England.

Post-14 transitions support - visiting teacher services

A survey of Post-14 transitions support - visiting teacher services

RNIB survey on changes to VI service staffing and provision for blind and partially sighted children and young people in Scotland

RNIB survey on changes to VI service staffing and provision for blind and partially sighted children and young people in Scotland

Too little, too late

Too Little, Too Late looks at the availability of school textbooks in Braille and large print. The report aims to establish methods by which local authorities obtain books in alternative formats and identify issues of funding and sourcing of materials. Published 2006.

Educational attainment

Educational attainment of blind and partially sighted pupils is a detailed analysis of government statistics relating to educational performance. Published 2009.

Early support developmental journal

This study provides a snap shot of what works for young children, families and practitioners using the Early Support Developmental Journal for babies and children with visual impairment.

Diverging pathways

Between 2003 and 2006, RNIB carried out case studies of five young people with visual impairment in Wales. In the final part of this project, interviews were carried out with the five respondents following transition at the age of 18.

International exams survey

This report presents findings from two studies. Firstly, an online survey carried out in relation to accessibility of public exams. Secondly, a case study of Scottish Qualifications Authority adapted digital questions papers and their accessibility. Published 2009.

Moving on

RNIB carried out research to investigate post-16 transition for young people with visual impairment in Wales. The aims of this study were to identify the factors leading to, or preventing, a successful transition from school to FE at the age of 16.

Teaching braille

The aim of this research was to find out the number of braillists in UK schools, where they were being educated, who was teaching them, and what type of training their teachers and support staff had received. Published 2002.

Related research from other categories

Feasibility of developing a diagnostic touch test to determine braille reading potential

This paper considers existing research evidence looking at the relationship between age, disease and tactile sensitivity. The purpose of this work was to investigate the feasibility of developing a touch test which could determine whether someone has sufficient sensitivity in their fingers to pursue braille reading.

Exploring tactile graphics

Literature review around the importance of teaching systematic exploration strategies to users of tactile graphics, to help them to gain more information from the graphics. Published 2008.

Accessible format transcription in the UK: State of the nation

The purpose of this project was to better understand the transcription industry in the UK. The project aimed to bring accessible format transcribers together, so all can benefit from sharing successes and good practice. Published 2011.

Steps to independence

A report into the mobility and independence needs of children with a visual impairment, Published 2002.

Last updated: 26 February 2013

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