Special schools film for World Sight Day
Film launched to mark World Sight Day
The story of the decade-long campaign to establish an eyecare service in England’s special schools will be told today, World Sight Day, by disability charity SeeAbility.
Children with a learning disability are 28 times more likely to have a sight problem than others – but half miss out on eyecare. This is the world’s biggest cause of avoidable sight loss.
The film, Special Schools Eye Care: Our journey, highlights testimony from parents, teachers and eyecare professionals.
Head of engagement, Scott Watkin, said: “I am one of the lucky ones. By chance my sight-threatening condition was spotted as a child and I was supported to get the eyecare I needed. I now have a family and a job I love.
“Our film is a chance to celebrate that 165,000 children in special schools should now get the same chance as me, and who knows where this will lead?
“But it is a familiar story being told – as people with learning disabilities we often have to fight for the basic healthcare we deserve.”
The film is a reminder that sight issues are the most common health issue that people with learning disabilities will have, and people with a more severe or profound learning disability are particularly at risk.
SeeAbility’s research found that only one in 10 children in special schools had ever been for an NHS sight test at a community opticians.
Lisa Donaldson, the charity’s director of eyecare and vision, said: “For SeeAbility, our campaign continues to remove barriers to eyecare for all people with a learning disability, children and adults, and to make sure the national scheme in special schools rolls out this year and delivers the best outcomes.
“There is much more to be done, but we hope the film is an inspiration to others as to the power of coming together, putting evidence in front of governments, being persistent and fighting for a more equal right to sight.”