Supporting a partially sighted foster child
When looking to provide foster care in Stockport, or other areas of the North West, you might find yourself fostering a child with a disability.
One of these might be vision related. While visual impairment exists on a spectrum and can happen at any part of life, a child affected will require specialist support in navigating life.
Regardless, it’s important to ensure that they can do this independently and with confidence. Here are some tips from Beacon Fostering about supporting a child with a sight-based disability.
Fundamental life skills
Teaching blind children how to read and write in braille (a system comprised of raised dots) is essential in ensuring they can carry out academic work, and other endeavours as well.
For them and those with partial sight loss, use technology with assistive technology, such as magnifiers, screen readers, and books with large print. Audiobooks will also come in handy.
Building confidence
Though you might be doubtful over your foster child’s ability to look after themselves, it’s important to teach them about the world and how to navigate it using other senses besides sight.
Teach them household tasks, and use tools such as tactile symbols and bright paper to help them navigate the home.
Charities and organisations
There are various charities that support visually impaired children and young people specifically.
LOOK is a Hereford-based charity that also operates nationwide to help visually impaired young people in their career journeys, increase confidence and build a sense of community among the partially sighted.
Another youth-orientated sight charity is InFocus, which also provides resources and knowledge for young adults with vision impairment. Established in 1838 as the Blind Institute, it evolved and expanded over the subsequent decades to accommodate those with additional complex needs as well as vision problems.