SeeAbility releases new short film

Film delivers key messages about eyecare

Disability charity SeeAbility has launched a new short film for Learning Disability Week (16-22 June) to raise awareness of how people with learning disability can get support with eyecare.

The charity works to remove the barriers to eyecare for people with learning disabilities, who are reported to have 10 times more likely to have a sight problem.

The new short film delivers key messages on eyecare including from actor, author, TV presenter and CBeebies star George Webster. Stars also include SeeAbility’s eyecare champions, who use their experience of having a learning disability or autism to improve eyecare, and people benefiting from the charity’s eyecare and vision support, including children from the Village School in London.

Along with eyecare and vision professionals, the stars of the film take people with learning disabilities on the journey of going for a sight test, getting glasses, and being supported to live independently with sight loss.

Grace McGill, a SeeAbility London eyecare champion who features in the film, said: “Many people, including people with learning disabilities, go into the summer with a renewed focus on being more healthy. So by launching this film now it helps get the message out not to forget about looking after your eyesight too. The theme of Learning Disability Week is ‘Do you see me?’, about making sure people with learning disabilities are seen, heard and valued. We know this is particularly important to reduce health inequalities.”

Rebecca Lunness, SeeAbility’s North West eyecare champion, added: “Part of my work is making sure there is lots of easy read and accessible information about eyecare for people with learning disabilities, so we can make sure no-one misses out on support for their vision. The film is a great way to raise awareness and it is brilliant to have CBeebies George Webster ending with our main message.”

George Webster, actor, author, TV presenter and CBeebies star, said: “Everyone deserves an equal right to sight and support.”

SeeAbility also released a version of the film with audio description.