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.

Wearing glasses

Sometimes people with learning disabilities have been given glasses to wear but are not wearing them. It is important to find out why glasses have been given and when they should be worn. Sometimes it can feel strange to suddenly have much better sight, so it might be better to have glasses that only make vision a little better each time you visit the optician.

It is important not to mix up old and new glasses or to swap your glasses with other people! It is possible to get glasses that cannot break. They can cost a bit more but can be worth it! It is a good thing to wear glasses. They can help you see important things like TV or the dinner on your plate.

Helping you with reading

Some people with learning disabilities read using pictures or symbols. Just like words these can be made bigger to see. Pictures and symbols can be printed on paper that is not shiny. For some people objects that can be held in the hand might be better than symbols or pictures. KAB can give advice on making pictures easier to see or objects easier to feel. KAB also has displays of computer equipment and electronic magnifiers which can help some people.

Advice for helpers

KAB can offer help to people who work with or look after people with learning disabilities. This can include advice on how they can help with activities and hobbies, cooking and other daily living tasks, moving around and much more. Most importantly how they can support a person with a learning disability at the optician or hospital. KAB can also help the supporter understand how the person they are supporting is seeing.

If you want to know more why not give KAB a ring or write an e-mail we will be happy to help.

Tel: 01622 691357

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Find your nearest KAB learning disabilities worker