Department of Education consultation on reform of the National Curriculum of England (April 2013)
Education Select Committee Inquiry on Special Educational Needs - draft provisions in the Children's and Families Bill (October 2012)
Department for Education consultation on auxiliary aids for children with disabilities (December 2011)
RNIB welcomes the proposal to commence the auxiliary aids requirement of the reasonable adjustments duty under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to schools and local authorities when exercising education functions.
Department for Education consultation on support and aspirations for children with special educational needs
RNIB welcomes the recognition that special educational needs and disability (SEND) is a complex area in need of reform. We value the opportunity to engage in discussions around improving the processes and outcomes of future provision. However, we have serious concerns about the model proposed in the Green Paper and believe it may have unintended negative consequences for blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Education inquiry, December 2009
Select Committee Inquiry into young people not in education, employment or training
RNIB responded to the Select Committee for Children, Schools and Families' Inquiry into young people not in education, employment or training. This is an important issue for RNIB, since only a third of blind and partially sighted adults of working age are currently in employment. Although the educational outcomes of blind and partially sighted children and young people are broadly comparable with their sighted peers, many face significant barriers on leaving the specialist visual impairment teaching service. We argue that the education system does not prepare this group to gain the social and independent living skills that are necessary to make the transition into adult life.
We also shared evidence on the widespread problems relating to the transition of blind and partially sighted children and young people with additional disabilities and complex needs. They are very unlikely to go into employment. RNIB informed the Committee of the practical difficulties of co-ordinating different agencies to organise post-school provision for young people with complex needs.
Further information
For further information please email campaign@rnib.org.uk or telephone our campaign hotline on 020 7391 2123