Sensory Impairment - Sight Loss

A visual impairment is an eye-sight difficulty that is not correctable by wearing glasses, contact lenses or surgery. This includes people who are slightly sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). 80% of what we learn is thought to be gained through vision.

Vision is the coordinating sense, reinforcing information gained from other senses and provides us with a wealth of information instantaneously. It aids our motivation, memory and concentration, helping us anticipate and reinforce information gained from other senses. Because of the individual nature of the impairments, it is vital we communicate with the employee so that we can fully understand their challenges and support in the appropriate way.

The signs and symptoms

• Difficulty with reading and writing, as well as accessing information
• Mobility and orientation to and from the workplace. For example: difficulties with judging distance, speeds, depth perception, moving in crowds, difficulty reading signage, increasing risk of the falls or bumping into things, employees may use a cane or guide dog for support.
• Social interaction, including department work participation and making friends, for example, difficulties such as recognising non-verbal and visual features, expressions and behaviours, knowing who is in the department, when to speak and turn taking.
• Adapting to the physical environment such as changing light and weather conditions and coping in busy chaotic areas.
• Many aspects of day-to-day life may require more effort, time, planning, concentration, and/or adaptive skills and equipment to be undertaken safely, and therefore increase the levels of tiredness the employee experiences.

Ideas to support inclusion

• Always discuss the eye condition with the employee and the extent to which help is needed. Ask for any advice or practical tips they may have to offer.
• Use verbal descriptions and try to avoid phrases such as ‘over there.’
• Use directional instructions, ‘walk to your left’, ‘towards me’ etc.
• Don’t worry about using common phrases like ‘nice to see you.’ Blind and partially sighted people use them too.
• Use touch appropriately when you meet and greet someone to let them know you are there. Let them know your name and who you are so they know you are looking after them. Always verbally ‘sign on’ when you meet someone and ‘sign off’ when you leave them
• Always let them know who else is around and whether they are in a small or large group
• Arrange a guided walk around your meeting place and any new venues and inform them of any changes.