At least one in three people with a learning disability may have sight problems, a leading charity is warning at the start of a national awareness week.
Learning Disability Week begins this Monday [June 22], co-ordinated by the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability. It will launch a report, 'What's Out There?', on the support available to people and families from black and minority ethnic communities. The research highlights gaps in knowledge and provision, examples of good practice, and methods of sharing knowledge and understanding of the barriers being faced in accessing services.
Among other issues the awareness week will highlight is the high prevalence of visual impairment associated with learning disability.
RNIB Scotland says at least 30 per cent of people in this group may have sight loss, regardless of ethnicity. Several conditions - such as Down's Syndrome and cerebral palsy - are particularly likely to cause eye problems. Carers and professionals can sometimes assume someone has diminished capabilities and behaviours that challenge - but it could be that their sight is doing more to hold them back and they can't communicate it, especially if English is not their first language. As half of all people with a learning disability may have difficulty
"Half of the people in this group may also have difficulty reading the alphabet," said Linda Mitchell of RNIB Scotland, "so the traditional eye-chart may not be an appropriate testing method for them."
RNIB's dedicated team can offer clients a functional vision assessment prior to a clinical eye-test. It also gathers information regarding a client's current capabilities to help the optician prepare for the appointment and can accompany the client there if need be.
"We advocate for greater independence and choice for people with a learning disability and sight loss," says Ms Mitchell. "The prevalence of sight problems increases dramatically with the severity of the learning disability and with age. One report found this client-group generally experience eye problems ten years earlier than the general population.
The RNIB team also provides training and support to other professionals who help or provide healthcare to people with a learning disability. It also offers a range of children and adult services across the UK.
Press Release issued 22 June 2009.