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VISPA Directory of Services.

Braille, Audio & Large Print

(See also Library/Information) This includes the provision of educational and general reading materials in alternative formats including Braille, Audio, Large Print, text files, DAISY and audio description service.

Provided by:

  • ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635 (Educational Materials Only)
  • NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353

Counselling

Professional counselling and Psychotherapy is available to individuals, couples and families experiencing difficulties relating to vision impairment and blindness. Peer counselling is offered by counsellors who themselves experience disability.

There are a range of options available depending on individual needs:

  • Couple and family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Long-term individual psychotherapy
  • Peer counselling
  • Short-term crisis counselling
  • Support group meetings

Provided by:

  • NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353
  • Insight Counselling at Fighting Blindness Tel: 01 6746496

Education

Preschool & Early Intervention

These services are founded upon an holistic approach to the development and education of a child who is blind or vision impaired. They are composed of a number of elements including:

  • Support and specialist advice to families and external agencies
  • Specialist and integrated preschools
  • Parent support groups
  • Training and residential weekends for parents and children

Provided by:

  • ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635
  • NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss Tel: 1850 334353

Primary Education

ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children (previously St. Joseph’s Primary School) aims to challenge and support pupils who are blind or vision impaired, some of whom have additional disabilities, through a variety of teaching and learning approaches, specialised equipment and an appropriate curriculum. The Revised Primary School Curriculum is enhanced by the essential additional curriculum for children who are blind or vision impaired which includes:

  • Orientation & Mobility to promote independent and safe travel.
  • Touch-typing to facilitate effective use ICT.
  • Clay Modelling to enhance tactile skills.
  • Pre Braille and Braille skills are taught to pupils for whom there are appropriate.
  • A multidisciplinary approach is employed.

The school also acts as a resource for parents, pupils and teachers nationally, welcoming visitors with issues and queries relating to the education of children who are blind or vision impaired.

Provided by:

  • ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635

Secondary Education

Secondary education is offered in Pobalscoil Rosmini. Blind, vision impaired and fully sighted students are educated together. The school is adjacent to St. Joseph’s campus and utilises all services and resources. The school offers a wide range of academic and practical subjects for:

  • Junior Certificate.
  • Transition Year.
  • Leaving Certificate Applied.
  • Leaving Certificate.

Staff includes six dedicated teachers for students who are blind or vision impaired.

Residential services consisting of fully staffed group housing both on campus and in the local community is available from Sunday to Friday afternoons for primary and secondary students.

Provided by:

  • ChildVision - National Education Centre for Blind Children Tel: 01 8373635
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