On Thursday 23 April we published ‘Inclusive starts: stronger futures’, our brand-new report which finds that far too often children and young people with a vision impairment in England are missing out on the vital support and learning they need. 

Only half (55%) of children have received support from a specialist vision impairment teacher, and less than a third (31%) received essential ‘habilitation’ which supports their mobility and independent living skills.  

As you know, without these services, children and young people can often be put at an immediate disadvantage and risk being left behind in their education. Our report shows significant changes are needed to improve access to local authority specialist support services and to increase inclusivity in the classroom, and sets out 10 key recommendations. 

With the Government currently reforming the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, Guide Dogs is calling for the reforms to include these changes to support all children with a vision impairment to reach their full potential and live independently in later life.