What Makes This Course So Special?
This is a pioneering course in Wales. As all people with visual impairment are entitled to support from a Rehabilitation worker, your potential for employment is very good as there is currently a shortage of qualified Rehab workers across the UK.
Course Intro
This is a much needed training course for Rehabilitation Officers in the field of sight loss, which builds upon the expertise the University has accumulated in providing a Mobility & Orientation course and Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) course for those teaching children with a visual impairment.
The course development has received specialist input from qualified Rehabilitation Officers, Guide Dogs, SENSE, RNIB Wales, Wales Council for the Blind, Local Authorities and Sight Support. Ongoing support is received from practising Rehabilitation Workers across Wales, including past and present trainers of Rehabilitation Officers.
This Foundation Degree has been designed specifically for people who are providing rehabilitation support to people with little or no sight. Approximately 378,000 people in the UK are registered blind or partially sighted resulting in an urgent requirement to resource the rehabilitation of blind and partially sighted people and to provide appropriate, effective rehabilitative strategies in order to promote independent functioning and well-being in this growing population.
What you study
The course is a Foundation Degree Award which, in itself, involves a strong element of work-based learning across the two years of study. Attendance for the 20 taught days at Newport is compulsory. In addition, students will undertake a placement in year 1 and 2, totalling a maximum of 80 days, which will be supervised by a qualified Rehabilitation Worker and assessed by external specialists.
Students are expected to gain additional experience by shadowing qualified Rehabilitation Workers and other professionals during their studying.
The following areas will be covered during the two year programme:
• Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology of the Eye
• Working with diverse client groups including those with dual sensory impairment or multiple disabilities
• Communications for the Visually Impaired
• Technology and specialist software
• Orientation and Mobility
• Independent Living Skills
• Counselling / Interpersonal Skills
• Multidisciplinary practice in working with people with Visual Impairment
• Applied Practice
• Study Skills
Where Next?
As there is a shortage of qualified Rehabilitation Workers across the UK it is anticipated that employment prospects will be very favourable.
The 240 credits gained at the end of the 2 years of study will enable you, if you so wish, to top-up this award by progressing to a 3rd year of study to gain a BA or BSc, for example, in Education or Inclusive Education.
Interview Required
Yes. The interview will involve an informal discussion on why you wish to gain this qualification plus your experience of working with people who have visual impairment.
Assessment
Assessment will be undertaken through a variety of appropriate means including:
• Written assignments
• Individual projects
• Oral presentations
• A qualification in Braille
• Teaching practice files
• Case study approach
• Portfolios of work
Staff Soundbite
“This course is the first of its kind in Wales and has been developed in response to the evident shortage of professionals who are trained and qualified to work as Rehabilitation Workers with children, young people and adults with visual impairment.”