VISUAL AWARENESS TRAINING FOR GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS

People who are blind or visually impaired differ from everyone else in only one way - their eyes do not work properly. Sounds obvious, but ask a blind person and they'll tell you how often they've been shouted at because someone assumed they could not hear, or how often a person with them is spoken to instead of them because someone assumed they would not understand, or how sometimes they are simply ignored because people are afraid of saying the wrong thing. They want to be treated the same as everyone else, but by becoming aware of their needs and difficulties and adapting your behaviour accordingly, you will realise how little effort it takes on your part to make them feel equally welcome and comfortable in your home, office, place of business or community space.

It is not about being politically correct, nor is it about treating people with kid gloves, nor is it about making huge adjustments to the way you do things at present.

Creative Eyes Consultancy can provide training, support, advice and assistance for anyone working or living with people who are blind or visually impaired in any capacity.

WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING?

• Teachers
• Tutors
• Teaching Assistants
• Classroom Assistants
• Support Workers
• Parents
• Carers
• Youth and community Workers
• Employers and their employees
• Business people and their staff who come into contact with customers and clients
• Anyone else who thinks they might benefit from increased awareness of visual impairments

The principles and guidelines laid out in our training are equally applicable to any professional or domestic situation, and provide participants with the tools to become more confident and inclusive, and to value everyone equally. The training outcomes are that prejudices and preconceptions can only lead to negative experiences, everyone is a unique individual and should be treated as such, no one should be made to feel less valued than the rest of society and ability, whatever it might be, is more important than disability.

Throughout Northern Ireland, we can deliver on-site training to individuals and groups, and for those living outside of Northern Ireland, or for whom on-site training isn't an option, we can supply the theory and training materials and support off-site training.

In addition, we can provide advice and assistance in sourcing accessible product solutions for work, education, leisure and the home.

Our visual awareness training focuses on how to be aware and provide correct and appropriate support, while taking into consideration the differing needs of the individual, and how to make every day situations an enjoyable, positive and non-threatening experience. We deliver this through tried and tested theory, drawn up as a result of the experiences of real people, and through practical work, allowing opportunities for experiential learning in a supportive and fun environment.

On this page we have included some of the issues which need to be taken into consideration, and we hope it gives a taster of the nature of the training on offer. If you or your group are interested in training or advice, please Email us using the link on this page, or navigate to our "Contact Us" Page and use one of the alternative contact methods available.

A TASTER OF THE TRAINING - BOOK NOW TO LEARN MORE

• Environment: make your space accessible to people with limited or no sight. This isn't because we bump into and fall over things all the time, it merely facilitates independent movement rather than having to be guided everywhere. Also, it makes the space more accessible to everyone and increases health and safety.
• Lighting: everyone with a visual impairment will prefer different types and degrees of lighting. Some like natural, others need artificial. Some require brightly lit areas, others prefer a darker space. As when clothes shopping, one size rarely fits all.
• Personal care: may or may not be required, but should always be provided with the utmost respect and consideration for a person's dignity.
• Accessible information: advice on the range of accessible formats and where to source them. Contrary to popular belief, they don't have to cost a fortune. Many people who provide transcription services are blind or visually impaired themselves, so you can support small businesses at the same time as satisfying a legal requirement.
• Accessible products: thanks to technology there is much more we can do with limited or no assistance. Try not to assume what someone can or can't do as regardless of disability, everyone's abilities differ.
• Language: why we hate political correctness. Yes we watch TV. Yes we read books. Yes we will see you later. Common everyday phrases, not offensive at all.
• Conversation: believe it or not, a blind person's favourite topic of conversation is not their blindness. Have I been blind all my life? Well no, not yet. Was I born blind? Well yes, isn't every baby?
• Guiding: tips for being a sighted guide. Providing the right assistance when it is needed and staying safe.
• Guide dogs: never feed or distract a working dog. We know they are cute and all you want to do is pet them, but our guide dogs are what stand between us and danger, so need to stay focused on the job.
• Exploding myths: ask a blind person if they want to feel your face to get an idea of what you look like and they're more likely to slap it, hard. We only ever do that in books and movies, written by sighted people of course. Personally I can think of nothing more unappealing than feeling a stranger's face, can you? Okay, there are undoubtedly less attractive parts of a body to explore, but feeling faces is just not considered cool these days.

T: 02887788091

M: 07917710779

E:

info@creativeeyes.co.uk

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