Information for people with learning disabilities
Having your eyes tested
It is very important that people with learning disabilities have their sight checked by an optician. Not only does this tell you how good your sight is but whether your eyes are healthy. Unfortunately people with learning disabilities are more likely to experience difficulties with seeing. Sometimes going to the optician can be frightening. KAB can give advice on how to make visiting the optician more fun or on different ways of having your eyes examined.
Read more: Information for people with learning disabilities
KAB’s Intervenor Service
This service provides one-to-one person-centred support, and is designed for adults who are congenitally deafblind, and who have a learning disability or additional physical disabilities, resulting in complex needs.
Contact KAB's intervenor service
Occasionally the service may also benefit a person with a single sensory impairment who also has significant additional disabilities, resulting in complex needs.
Learning disabilities and sight impairments
People who have learning disabilities are more likely to have sight problems - particularly if they have cerebral palsy, Rubella syndrome or Down's syndrome. It has long been known that the more profound the learning disability, the more likely the individual is to have difficulty seeing. Some types of sight impairment are unique to people who have learning disabilities.
Did you know?
- 33% of people with a learning disability are likely to have a significant sight loss, a much higher incidence than the non-learning disabled population. Yet people with learning disabilities still struggle to access good eye care and preventative services
- Our research suggests that there may be between 9,000 and 11,500 sight impaired people with learning disabilities in Kent alone