Multi-Disability and Visual Impairment (MDVI) Support Group (Birmingham)
Location:
Birmingham Only
Target audience of professionals:
QTVI's, Specialist support teachers, Special School staff, Child Development Centre staff in the Birmingham area only.
Description:
Set up 10 years ago within the Birmingham VI Service team to support staff working with children with complex needs. Meetings are informal and include speaker sessions provided by group members as well as opportunities for peer support and networking and to discuss developments specific to the Birmingham region.
Contact:
For further information about this network contact: Ruth Elliott Ruth.Elliott@birmingham.gov.uk
Midland Peripatetic Group for Teachers of the Visually Impaired
Location:
Various locations fairly centrally within the Midlands - eg Birmingham; Stafford; Coventry
Target audience of professionals:
Teachers of the Visually Impaired working for VI Services within the Midlands.
Description:
Twice Yearly meetings (November and June). For networking and exchange of updated information about the VI Services within the Midlands. Also for training purposes - to be updated on medical knowledge from consultants and other medical specialists; visual impairment issues and training. Training on ICT issues. Speakers on any subject that is of interest to those involved in the support of children with visual impairments.
Cost of Membership: £10 annual membership per service (temporarily suspended, as we have built up funds and in current economic environment, felt that it is helpful not to request it). The Group is a non-profit making group. Quite often speakers will give their services for free, in which case we make a donation to a charity of their choice.
Attendance at the meetings costs £25 per person, including lunch. Meetings are often subsidised out of our funds.
Contact:
For further information about this network contact Jo Willis (Staffordshire VI Service) - Group Secretary. Email address : jo.willis@staffordshire.gov.uk
Phone number : 01785 356830
VITAL (Visual Impairment Touches All Learning) Network
Location:
National: West Midlands Group meet in various locations across the region.
Target Audience of professionals:
VITAL is a network of professionals working with children with complex needs and visual impairment. VITAL is facilitated by RNIB but is mainly comprised of teaching and associated professionals working in schools, services, early years and health settings.
Description:
VITAL has become a network of regional focus groups, that all are linked and represented on a national steering group. Focus groups are now operating around the country, providing an opportunity for visiting teachers of the visually impaired, school teaching staff and assistants, early years workers and other professionals to meet together for professional development and networking.
Groups meet twice a year, to hear presentations and discuss topics relating to complex needs. We currently have groups in the following areas:
Contact Information:
If you would like to find out about or join a group near you, contact vital@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0113 386 2815 for more information.
Website:
VITAL Network
Networks and Special Interest Groups near you!
If you attend or know of a network or special interest group for professionals with an interest in visual impairment in your area and would like it included in the RNIB Network Directory, please let us know at cypf@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0121 665 4213.
Don't forget to check out our National Network Groups page, containing information on national networks and special interest groups which meet all over the UK as well as online networks!