Step Three: Talk to Your QTVI

A Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVI) is a teacher who specialises in supporting blind and partially sighted children and young people in education.

Your QTVI is a crucial piece of the puzzle in making sure you get the right support at school. Find out more about the role of a QTVI and how they can support you here. It is a good idea to discuss with them how you will access your learning and what preparations or systems you benefit from being in place.

We’ve listed some areas you might want to consider raising with your QTVI:

Learning strategies and workload

Your QTVI should carry out a functional vision assessment to establish the best learning methods for you. You can also explore topics about the timetable you will have and how much support you will need to complete your work. Considerations about levels of homework and deadlines need to be explored with the school.

Visual management profile

Schools may receive a visual management profile about you. This has strategies and advice on how to support you. Included in this will be information about your eye condition and how it impacts you, detailing your preferences and requirements. It may also contain information on social and emotional support.

Learning braille

If you are learning braille, you may want to better understand how this will happen. Other considerations include whether learning materials will be made available in braille and how this will be implemented.

Specialist equipment

If you use specialist equipment exploring who maintains this and is responsible for it, will be useful. Find out if you will have a locker or secure place to store your equipment, which is easily accessible. It is also important to determine if you are allowed to take the equipment home.