Beyond Vision plans unveiled
Plans for a specialist centre for blind and visually impaired people are being launched at Neath Port Talbot College (NPTC) this week.
Beyond Vision @ NPTC is a partnership between the college and RNIB Cymru and includes plans for a residential unit at the Neath Campus. It will provide a joined-up service for all learners with a visual impairment across Wales, enabling them to access further education, higher education, training and employment skills.
At present, there is insufficient specialist rehabilitation and training services for people with sight problems in Wales. Beyond Vision @ NPTC will offer rehabilitation and training, including mobility training, designed to enable blind and partially sighted people to develop the skills to meet their needs and aspirations and to live as independently as possible.
It is envisaged that not only will the Beyond Vision building be a fully accessible residential facility but it will also be a resource centre that will provide support to other colleges in Wales.
This partnership working will benefit colleges across Wales by enabling them to access and share the necessary training, resources and equipment required to support their own blind, partially sighted and Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disability (LLDD) students.
Planning approval for the project has already been granted by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the launch will take place on Friday, 4 November at 1pm.
Mark Dacey, Principal of NPTC, said: "Taking into account the wide range of courses and the excellent results at Neath Port Talbot College combined with the specific knowledge and experience of RNIB Cymru around provision for young people with visual impairment, we are providing a creative and innovative solution for Welsh learners to be educated in Wales - using the language of their choice."
Sarah Rochira, Director of RNIB Cymru, said: "This development marks a major step forward in terms of opportunities for blind and partially sighted young people. Our partnership with Neath Port Talbot College will, for the first time, mean that young people in Wales are not forced to leave the country of their birth in order to receive their education and realise their potential."
Notes to Editor
It is estimated that in Wales, there are currently 100,000 people who have sight problems, 18,500 of whom are registered blind or partially sighted. There is an average of 2,500 people with sight problems in every Welsh government constituency. Despite recent disability legislation, blind and partially sighted people still face discrimination, social exclusion, unemployment and poverty.
Beyond Vision @ NPTC will closely target the social, vocational and academic rehabilitation of people who are at a great disadvantage by improving their future quality of life through access to education and training leading to greater social inclusion, employment and income opportunities.