Learning

Curriculum Access Service - FAQs

Summary: Answering your questions on technology, curriculum subjects, alternative formats, exams and useful contacts.

• Where can I get advice on teaching specific school subjects?
• How do I find suitable equipment for teaching a child who is blind or partially sighted?
• How can I teach practical science lessons safely?
• Should a blind pupil be learning Geography?
• Has anyone else has produced the diagram my pupil needs?
• I find it hard to join in sports with my classmates. How can I find out about playing with other young people like me?
• Where can I find books in large print, braille or on audio cassette?
• How do I get hold of large print or braille past exam papers and how do I order exam papers?
• What technology is suitable for a blind or partially sighted pupil?
• How can I learn to do more with my computer?
• The pupil I am supporting wants to get in touch with other young people with sight problems - who can they contact?
• Useful contacts

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Where can I get advice on teaching specific school subjects?

• For questions about a specific subject, contact RNIB's Curriculum Access Service. We can offer you pre-written advice on that subject. We can also put you in touch with a teacher who has experience of teaching that subject to pupils with sight problems.
• We can also put you in touch with the RNIB/VIEW Curriculum Group for that subject.
• Our section on National Curriculum subject support has tips on teaching anything from maths to Sex and Relationship Education.
• RNIB's Insight Magazine focuses on a different subject area each term and includes advice from educators, plus a specialist supplement, Curriculum Bitesize.

How do I find suitable equipment for teaching a child who is blind or partially sighted?

• For specialist adapted equipment, look at our online shop. It has everything from auditory light probes to tactile graph paper and even audible footballs!
• Receive termly email updates about the latest equipment. To subscribe, send an email to education@rnib.org.uk
• For advice on other equipment, eg CCTV microscopes, or mainstream products that have been adapted for blind or partially sighted learners, call Suzy McDonald, RNIB Curriculum Access Officer on 0870 042 9554.

How can I teach practical science lessons safely?

• Making a few simple adjustments can make teaching science to blind and partially sighted pupils easier. Mark some lab equipment with bright colours or tactile markings, and keep it especially for a learner with sight problems to use.
• For more information and ideas, see the Science section of this website or contact the Curriculum Access Service.

Should a blind pupil be learning Geography?

• The simple answer is "Yes!" Pupils with sight problems can get just as much out of learning about their environment as their sighted peers.
• For further information on teaching Geography check out the Geography section of this website or contact the Curriculum Access Service.

Has anyone else has produced the diagram my pupil needs?

• If you're working with a complicated diagram which you're not able to adapt, contact our map and diagram making service. Contact Caroline Reilly on 0173 337 5000 or by email at PubOps@rnib.org.uk. They have an extensive range of tactile diagrams produced for other customers and can therefore check what is already available. If they do not have what you require, they can make one for you.
• Another producer of diagrams is the National Centre for Tactile Diagrams.

I find it hard to join in sports with my classmates. How can I find out about playing with other young people like me?

• For clubs in your area, contact British Blind Sport. BBS also holds frequent events, including national competitions.
• Action for Blind People run Actionnaires Clubs throughout the UK, with sports and other activities for young people aged 8 to 16.

Where can I find books in large print, braille or on audio cassette?

• The National Library Catalogue gives you access to over 170,000 items available for loan and/or sale in audio, large and giant print, braille and Moon.

How do I get hold of large print or braille past exam papers and how do I order exam papers?

• See exams and national testing advice.

What technology is suitable for a blind or partially sighted pupil?

• Contact the Technology Information Service to find out more about computers and access equipment, and how it may be useful.
• Blind in Business, arrange courses for young partially sighted people to learn more about computing and IT.
• VICTAR hold demonstration days where you can look at hardware and software items, including many programs designed specifically for children. VICTAR also has a newsletter about new initiatives in technology.

How can I learn to do more with my computer?

• RNIB's Technology Information Service offers advice to blind and partially sighted people on how to make the most of their computers and access equipment.

The pupil I am supporting wants to get in touch with other young people with sight problems - who can they contact?

• RNIB has a teenagers site and forum for teenagers with sight problems.
• For over 16s, our student site includes a message board for students with sight problems.
• Some LEA advisors run local groups for children with sight problems, so ask your advisory team if there's one in your local area.

Useful contacts

RNIB Curriculum Access Service
Contact Suzy McDonald on 0870 042 9554 or by email at curriculum@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Technology Information Service
Contact on 0870 013 9555 or by email at Technology@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Customer Services
Contact on 0845 702 3153 or by email at CServices@rnib.org.uk

Blind in Business
Contact on 020 7588 1885 or by email at info@blindinbusiness.org.uk

VICTAR
Contact on 0121 414 6733 or by email at victar-enquiries@bham.ac.uk

RNIB Map and Diagram Making Service
Contact Caroline Reilly on 0173 337 5000 or by email at PubOps@rnib.org.uk

British Blind Sport
Contact on 0192 642 4247

Action for Blind People
Contact on 020 7635 4800

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Content author: curriculum@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 22/07/2008 10:47