The Visual Impairment and Autism Project, which ran from September 2008 until March 2011, investigated the approaches and strategies used with children who have both visual impairment and autism.
Introduction to the project
Children who have visual impairment (VI) and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are a very low incidence group. However, their needs tend to be poorly understood and meeting those needs presents a considerable challenge to practitioners. Approaches used for fully sighted children with autism rely heavily on vision and are likely to be inadequate for those with little or no sight. Some strategies commonly used with visually impaired children may not be appropriate for those who also have autism.
The project was established to improve provision for children who have both visual impairment and autism. Further information about the project background.
VI and autism resource pack
An outcome of the VI and autism project was to produce a resource pack. This provides guidance for practitioners concerning the support for children and young people who have both visual impairment and an autism spectrum disorder.
Order your VI and autism resource pack today - now available for £10 (ex VAT).
Resource pack evaluation
RNIB and members of the original project team are undertaking an evaluation of the resource pack through a questionnaire survey of purchasers and users. We would like to find out who is using the resource pack, how user-friendly they think it is, to get feedback on which strategies have been helpful and which have been less helpful, and on ways in which the materials might be improved.
The findings from the evaluation will be fed back to members of the project team and in the longer term, used in the development of web-based materials for teachers and others who are supporting children and young people with visual impairment and autism.
The survey is being out by Sue Keil (RNIB research officer) and Teresa Whitehurst (independent consultant, formerly research and development officer at Sunfield).
At the end of January 2012, purchasers of the resource pack will be sent a questionnaire and invited to take part in the survey.
We are keen to ensure that as many people as possible take part. If you wish to contribute to the evaluation, please download a copy of the questionnaire or contact: sue.keil@rnib.org.uk telephone: 0121 665 4229
There are two versions of the questionnaire and an explanatory covering letter. Please choose the survey that applies to you.
Questionnaire A (Word 112 KB) is for people who bought the Resource Pack for someone else to use.
Questionnaire B (Word 163 KB) is for people who bought the Resource Pack for their own use, either for information or delivering training.
This covering letter (Word 238KB) explains the evaluation exercise in more detail.