Courses

BA (Hons) and Linked Named Awards

Mobility & Orientation in Education
This is a 1 year, part-time course. Most of the course is taught at Heronsbridge School, Bridgend, chosen because of its specialist facilities and its proximity to an urban centre; this is required as a realistic context for practical training and assessment.
Taught sessions involve attending 24 days between September and June (in 12 two-day blocks), during term time.

Total contact time amounts to 120 hours (10 hours at each training block).

THE COURSE
This course is part of the BA (Hons) and Linked Named Awards Programme
Successful students will gain the award of Certificate in Higher Education which is 120 credits at level 4.

The aim of mobility education is to help children and young people develop orientation and mobility skills that will enable them to overcome travel difficulties created by visual impairment.

This is a pioneering course and has been developed in response to the evident shortage of professionals who are trained and qualified to work with children and young people with visual impairment, to develop their skills and confidence in orientation and mobility.

It is the first of its kind in Wales and is currently part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

WHAT YOU STUDY
The focus of the course is on the development of subject knowledge and the practical skills required to successfully become a qualified mobility specialist in the education of children and young people with visual impairment. There will be opportunity to gain practical experience during the taught sessions, within the workplace and when undertaking a teaching placement.
Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the world of the child or young person with little or no sight. This will include:

• Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the eye
• Visual impairments and their effect on child development.
• Assessment of vision and visual functioning
• Assessment of mobility and designing programmes
• Low vision aids which assist mobility
• How children learn and the importance of play
• Working with parents
• Statutory assessment process
• Voluntary provision
• Transition from school to work
• Social inclusion
• Counselling
• Health and safety issues

Participants will undertake a teaching placement of 15 consecutive days, as well as ‘in-house’ experience within their individual workplace.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be undertaken through a variety of appropriate means including:

• Written assignments
• Individual projects
• Oral presentations
• A qualification in Braille
• Teaching practice files
• Case study approach
• Portfolios of work

WHERE NEXT?
The Welsh Assembly’s audit of educational provision for children and young people with VI (2003) reported that there were only 8 Mobility Officers working in educational support services across 22 Local Education Authorities. All LEAs have been alerted to this shortage.
It is therefore anticipated that successful participants on this course will gain employment as qualified specialists in Mobility and Orientation within Wales.
Participants may also transfer their 120 credits towards an undergraduate degree.

COST
The course fee for entry in Sept 2008 is £4,000 and includes refreshments at each training day.

Additional cost to LEA/school:

• Travel expenses to and from Bridgend plus possible accommodation costs
• Release from workplace for 24 taught days
• Release from workplace for 15 day TP placement
• Any additional travel & accommodation costs for TP placement
• Study time
  

Qualifying Courses:
Diploma in Rehabilitation Work
University of Central England
www.sightlossmatters.com

MSc Inclusive Environments: Design & Management
The University of Reading
Contact: Deniz Ediz b.d.ediz@reading.ac.uk

MSc course (Mobility and independence in children with a visual impairment)
Contact: Alison.Hood@guidedogs.org.uk

Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) Pathway
University of Canterbury
Health and Social Care Foundation Degree
www.canterbury.ac.uk/courses/prospectus/undergraduate/c.asp?courseUrl=health-and-social-care

They are running a foundation degree and are also planning a third year of study which they hope will contain specialist modules including working with children and young people.

St Josephs School
Ireland
www.stjosephssvi.ie

Professional Development Courses:

Skills For Independence – Mobility and Orientation
(Accredited by Leeds Metropolitan University)
Henshaw's College, Harrogate , North Yorkshire
Contact: Sheila Horsford - Tel: 01423 700172

Physical Education and Mobility Information Outreach Service
Contact: Angela Brassey – Tel: 01242 221890
Email: angela@pittvillecourt.free-online.co.uk
Click here for Angela's Details

Child Mobility Workshops 1, 2, 3 & 4
Rickyard Cottage, Stretton-on-Fosse, Moreton in Marsh, GL56 9SA  Tel: 01608 665900
Contact: Janice Fuller-Klein - Tel: 01608 666100

Positive Eye - Educational Consultancy and Training Service for Children with Visual Impairments
A new, small independent business venture, offering a consultancy and training service aimed at professionals in the field, the school workforce, Connexions advisors etc. From 1 hour/Half day/full day trainings offered on a range of topics, relating to the inclusion of children with visual impairment within mainstream educational settings, including mobility, (working with families, the role of the mobility officer in a peripatetic team, writing a mobility policy and individual  mobility plan).

Contact: Gwyneth McCormack by email at mccormack2@btinternet.com
Or by phone: 07947571559