Learning%20Disability%20and%20sight%20loss

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Learning Disability and sight loss

• Development of RNIB Cymru services and
  partnerships
• Focus on social care perspective not public
  health
• Ensure that learning disability and sight loss is
  taken forward in Wales

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Wales Vision Strategy

• Increase eye health checks and low vision
  services to those with additional needs such as
  learning disability
• Increase awareness of sight loss
• Accessible and accredited eye health services
• Develop general medical services and annual
  health check

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Wales Vision Strategy

• All LA's to recognise within the unified
  assessment process the impact that sight loss has
  upon individuals
• All LA's to have referral and assessment pathway
• Strong visual impairment social care teams

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Wales Vision Strategy

• Increase access to social care and improve
  outcomes, based on both a professional and
  service user perspective
• Creating opportunity and maximising independence

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Prevalence

• 1.5 million people in UK with a learning
  disability
• 14,000 registered with a learning disability in
  Wales
• Increase of 44 by 2021
• 10 time more likely to have a serious sight
  problem. 6 in 10 people with learning disability
  need glasses

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Findings

• Direct correlation between known learning
  disability/syndromes/conditions and associated
  vision problems
• Less likely to access eye care
• Increased likelihood of being blind or partially
  sighted compared to the general population

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Response

• Pilot project in partnership with RNIB, Sense and
  Cartrefi Cymru
• 34 adults living in supported accommodation
• Establishing a multi disciplinary Champions Group
• Research that analyses outcomes for the service

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Detail

• More than a tick box exercise
• Champions involvement throughout the eye care
  journey
• Combine functional and clinical assessment to
  recommend support and care strategies

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Detail

• Environmental consideration
• Mobility and orientation
• Aids and adaptations
• Communication

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Case study- Profile

• Caroline
• 37 years old
• History of falls
• Increase in behaviours that challenge
• Staff reporting an over reliance on support and
  "Caroline being difficult"
• Physiotherapy, increased care package, regular
  Accident and Emergency visits

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Case Study-findings

• Enable to focus eyes on any given image.
  Processing information through sound and touch
• Unable to judge distance and depth
• Severe vision loss in right eye
• Sensitive to glare
• Environmental audit- poor contrasting, dark walls
  and carpets, low lighting

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Case Study-outcomes

• Immediately able to navigate around her own home.
  Improved mobility, posture and emotional
  wellbeing
• Able to visit friends unsupported
• Decrease in behaviours that challenge
• Annual savings of 14090
• ( support, physiotherapy and falls)

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Case study-Outcomes

• Increased confidence, self esteem and independence

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Resources

• Visual Impairment and Learning Disability Service
• rnib.org.uk/learningdisability
• Seeability
• http//www.seeability.org/

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Contacts

• Ansley Workman
• ansley.workman_at_rnib.org.uk
• Jo Lawson
• joanne.lawson_at_rnib.org.uk