See Ability
In the UK today there are one and a half million people with a learning disability, and an estimated one in three of these people have problems with their eyesight.
These startling statistics are much higher than that of the general population, and yet unfortunately, services that offer accessible eyecare to people with learning disabilities are often very limited. This can result in sight problems going undetected, or in serious cases, leading to preventable blindness.
This is where SeeAbility’s eye 2 eye Campaign comes in. SeeAbility is a charity that supports people with learning difficulties who are either blind or partially sighted, and its eye 2 eye Campaign aims to transform eye care and vision for anyone with a learning disability.
Stephen Kill is the eye 2 eye development officer for West Sussex, and he works closely with those who feel that they cannot access eyecare by themselves.
"We appreciate that it’s often hard for someone with a learning disability to access services; in this case looking after their eyes by having an eye test or going to the hospital eye clinic.
"One of the reasons is that people with learning difficulties may find it difficult and may not have the skills to tell someone else if they have a problem with their eye sight or if they notice a change in their vision.
"I work directly to help people access eye care services. Part of my job is to go and meet people who require assistance and to give talks to educate different groups, including family carers and health and social care professionals, explaining why we all need to take care of our eyesight.
"I also work with individuals on a one-to-one basis– for example, if they have never had an eye test before, to help prepare them for the procedure.
"A classic case is when you go for an eye test the optometrist will ask you to name letters on a chart on a wall, but we meet lots of people with a learning difficulty who cannot name the letters of the alphabet.
"Instead, the optometrist can use different tests involving pictures instead of letters, which give the same results. Part of my role is to try these tests with people in their own home before they go to the optometrist, familiarising them with the test and with the images so they are confident when they go along for their eye test.
"People with a learning disability have also said to us, that the most important thing about having their eyes tested is how they feel during the appointment itself. Do they feel comfortable and relaxed? And do they feel that the optometrist is communicating well with them?
"If all these things are in place then the people we help have a better chance of having a good eye test and getting good results out of it.
While SeeAbility and the eye 2 eye Campaign are working tirelessly to help those with learning disabilities and eye conditions to get the correct treatment, Stephen feels that society could do more to help these individuals feel confident with mainstream services.
"What I would say, is that there is a history of people with a learning disability being marginalised in our society, as they haven't always been able to access the same services as everybody else.
"This goes for access to education, employment and health services and eyesight is a very important aspect of somebody's life. It's all about people being included in everyday services so they can take part just the same as everyone else."
At the moment, the eye 2 eye Campaign only reaches a small number of those suffering with eye conditions and learning disabilities, as it only operates in West Sussex, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. Stephen hopes that being in the final of The National Lottery Awards will help SeeAbility to spread their important message.
Through The National Lottery Awards, he says, “we get a chance to tell people why it's so important for those with a learning disability to be able to look after their eyes and get the right support. Even more important than the money is the increase in awareness and the difference that this makes to people's lives."
SeeAbility’s eye 2 eye Campaign has reached the finals of The National Lottery Awards and if you want them to win, then here's how to vote:
- You can go online to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards under Best Health Project,
or
- Call 0844 686 7110
Voting closes at midday on Friday 14th August.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw