Core Skills

Some Vision Rehabilitation Specialists practise in particular settings, such as learning disability or with veterans. However, the core elements of the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist's role are common to all jobs and are essential components in achieving a qualification.

• Assessment: specialist assessment of a person’s functional vision and the relationship of this to all aspects of daily life and its impact on any other disability the person may have; identifying strengths, needs and possible solutions; agreeing goals and an ‘action plan’ to achieve those goals.
• Eye conditions: non-medical knowledge of eye conditions that can cause sight loss, in order to understand how those conditions may affect how a person uses their sight and the implications of their diagnosis for the future.
• Low vision: specialist knowledge and skills in using low vision devices such as optical magnifiers, high-tech video magnifiers, computers and close circuit TV; the use of non-optical devices, and training a person to make the most of their vision by using specific sight strategies.
• Orientation and mobility: working with people to increase their confidence to move around safely both indoors and outdoors; providing training in the use of mobility aids, such as white canes; route training in specific areas e.g. teaching the route to the shops or work; learning orientation skills to know where you are in your environment and to be able to interpret what the environment can tell you.
• Independent living/daily living skills: developing a person’s activities of daily living e.g. preparing and cooking meals and drinks; managing household tasks, such as laundry, cleaning, personal finances and money transactions; personal care, such as getting dressed, applying make-up, shaving, cutting nails; identifying and taking medication appropriately.
• Communication skills: developing communication and information skills for a visually impaired person may involve using a number of formats such as print, audio or tactile systems like Moon or Braille. It may also encompass a number of platforms or settings including computer, tablet or smart phone with or without specialist access-software. Communication-skill development is of particular importance when working with someone who has dual-sensory loss.