Resources

A655 

The Northern Ireland Certificate of Vision Impairment. 

Accessible Format 

Information, content and learning resources provided in ways that can be easier to access, such as large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read, or tactile images. 

Access to Work 

A UK employment support programme that aims to help disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support for those with a disability or a physical or mental health condition. 

Advocate; Advocacy 

Making sure a person’s voice is heard and rights are respected, especially in decisions about their education and/or care. 

Albinism 

A rare genetic condition which means that the body produces little or no melanin, the pigment which is responsible for the colour of the eyes, skin and hair. Oculocutaneous albinism is the most common type of albinism and affects both the skin and eyes. 

Amblyopia; Lazy Eye 

When one eye doesn’t develop proper vision, even when using glasses. The brain starts to ignore the image from that eye. 

AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) 

A condition mainly affecting older adults but rare juvenile forms exist (e.g. Stargardt’s Disease). 

Aniridia 

An inherited condition where the iris hasn’t formed typically. 

Anophthalmia  

When a baby is born without one or both eyes. 

Anterior Chamber 

The fluid filled space inside the eye between the cornea and the iris. 

Annual Review 

The yearly meeting to review and update a child’s EHCP, attended by parents/carers, pupils and professionals. 

APD (Afferent Pupillary Defect) 

Abnormal pupil response indicating optic nerve damage. 

AQA  

Independent education charity providing UK qualifications through a flexible accreditation scheme designed to meet the needs of all students. 

Astigmatism 

A common condition where the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, making vision blurry or distorted. 

Assistive Technology 

Devices and software, like screen readers, magnifiers, or Braille displays that bridge a gap for disabled people and enable them to fully participate in daily life. 

ATW (Access to Work) 

The government scheme providing money for support at work for disabled people, e.g. travel, personal assistance, assistive technology. 

Audio Description 

Spoken narration that describes visual elements in TV, museums, sport, theatre etc. 

Bardet–Biedl Syndrome

A rare genetic syndrome, affecting
multiple parts of the body including vision, weight, learning difficulties and
renal abnormalities.

BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity)

The sharpest vision achievable with
glasses or contact lenses.

Binocular Vision

The ability to use both eyes together to
see a single three-dimensional image.

Birdshot Chorioretinopathy

A rare autoimmune disease that affects the back of the eye.

Bilateral

Meaning that both eyes are affected.

Blind

A term describing very serious
vision loss that affects everyday life.

Blister Paving

The bobbled paving used to indicate a
pedestrian crossing.

Blue Badge

A parking permit scheme for people with
disabilities.

Braille

A writing system of raised dots that blind
people can read by touch. 

Cataract

Clouding of the lens inside the eye that makes vision blurry.

 

Cane Training; Long Cane Skills 

Teaching people to use a cane to detect obstacles and navigate safely.

 

Care Act

A law that governs how adult social care is provided and what support disabled people over 18 should receive.

 

Carer’s Allowance            

A benefit for people who care for someone with a disability.

 

CHARGE Syndrome

A rare genetic condition with a known pattern of features, affecting around 10,000 births worldwide.

 

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

A syndrome which causes visual hallucinations in people who have lost or are losing their sight.

 

CHC (Continuing Healthcare)

A package of care for people with complex health needs, arranged by the NHS.

 

Child Disability Payment

Available Scottish benefit, similar to DLA.

 

Children & Families Act

A law that includes the legal basis for EHCPs and rights to support for families of disabled children.

 

Coats Disease; Exudative Retinitis

A condition affecting capillaries in the retina.

 

Coloboma

Present from birth, where part of the eye tissue is missing.

 

Colour Vision Deficiency; Colour Blindness

Difficulty seeing certain colours, usually reds and greens.

 

Congenital

A condition that’s present at birth.

 

Contrast Sensitivity

Ability to see the difference between light and dark, which helps in dim lighting.

 

Coproduction

When people with lived experience work alongside professionals to design or improve services.

 

Cornea

The clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.

 

Corduroy Paving

This has rounded bars running length ways across the direction a pedestrian is walking. This indicates a change in gradient e.g. steps or a ramp.

CRVO (Central Retinal Vision Occlusion)

When the main vein in the retina at the back of the eye becomes blocked.

 

CSP (Coordinated Support Plan)

A legal document in Scotland for children needing extra support in school. In England this is known as an EHCP.

 

CSR (Central Serous Retinopathy); CSCR (Central Serous Chorioretinopathy)

An eye condition affecting the macula; part of the retina at the back of the eye.

 

CVI (Cerebral Visual Impairment)

Caused by the brain not processing what the eyes see properly, not by problems
with the eyes themselves.

 

CVI (Certificate of Vision Impairment)

A document completed by a consultant ophthalmologist that certifies someone as sight impaired or severely sight impaired.

DAISY; Talking Books

Audiobooks designed to be easier to navigate for blind and partially sighted readers.

 

Deafblind Manual

A way to communicate using touch, instead of sight or speech. 

 

Detached Retina; Retinal Detachment

When the retina pulls away from the blood vessels supplying it with oxygen.

 

Diplopia

Double vision; seeing two images of one object.

 

Diabetic Retinopathy

Eye problems that can happen when a person has diabetes, due to damage to the blood vessels in the eye.

 

Direct Payment; Personal Budget

Money given directly to families or young people to arrange their own care or support services.

 

DLA (Disability Living Allowance)

A benefit for children under 16 who need extra care or supervision because of a disability or health condition, which can include a mobility component.

 

DMO (Diabetic Macular Oedema)

Eye problems that can happen when a person has diabetes, due to damage to the blood vessels in the eye.

 

DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance)           

Funding to help cover extra costs for
disabled students in college or university, e.g. accessible tech, travel.

 

Dual Sensory Loss; Deafblindness

Combined sight and hearing loss.

ECLO (Eye Care Liaison Officer)
Based within a hospital, they can offer support and information for people affected by vision impairment.

Esotropia
When an eye turns inward; a type of squint.

Exotropia
When an eye turns outward; a type of squint.

Eye Movement Disorder
When the eyes make uncontrolled movements, which can make vision wobbly or blurry.

EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)
A legal document for children needing extra support in school.

Endophthalmitis
An infection of tissue inside the eye.

Epiretinal Membrane (ERM)
A thin layer which grows over the macula, affecting central vision.

Equality Act
A law that protects people from discrimination, including because of disability. It says schools, services and employers must make reasonable adjustments.

Evisceration; Enucleation
Removal of the eye.

Exudative Retinitis; Coats Disease
A condition affecting capillaries in the retina.

Eye Cancer
A broad term covering several types of eye cancer, including melanoma, lymphoma, and retinoblastoma.

Eye Care Support Pathway
A framework for medical, social care, third sector professionals and patients to use to inform and support the provision of eye care and services.

Family Practitioner; Family Support Worker
Someone who supports families with emotional wellbeing, benefits advice, accessing education, and navigating services.

Fixation
Ability to focus the eyes on a stationary target.

Fuchs' Dystrophy
An eye disease that affects a layer of cells in the cornea.

FVA (Functional Vision Assessment)
An evaluation of how a child uses their remaining vision across familiar and unfamiliar environments. It focuses on real-life uses of vision. It is not a clinical assessment.

Fundus
The interior surface of the eye.

Freedom Pass
A government funded pass to allow people to travel on public transport for free.

Glare
When a light source affects your ability to see or causes discomfort.

Glaucoma
A condition where pressure in the eye damages the nerve, affecting sight.

Goal Based Outcome
A way of tracking progress against an individual’s specific goals; often measured at the start and end of an activity, service or project.

Graduated Response
A ‘step by step’ way that schools and nurseries assess, plan, do and review support for a child with SEND.

Guide Cane
Similar to a long cane but shorter and more portable.

Habilitation
Moving safely to develop life skills and greater independence.

Habilitation Practitioner/ Habilitation Specialist
A professional who works with people with vision impairments to help develop their skills for independent living and mobility.

Hand Under Hand
A method to help a person explore by placing their hand over yours and feeling through the gaps in your fingers.

Human Rights Act
A law that protects basic rights, including the right to education, privacy and dignity; important when discussing care and support for disabled young people.

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness)
Seeing far away things more clearly than close-up.

IDP (Individual Development Plan)
A legal document in Wales for children needing extra support in school. In England this is known as an EHCP.

Inclusive Education
Where children with and without disabilities learn together in a mainstream setting with ‘Just Enough’ support.

Independent Living
The right to live the life you choose, with ‘Just Enough’ support; not about doing everything alone.

ILS (Independent Living Skills)
Everyday tasks like making food, dressing, and managing money, adapted for young people with sight loss.

IOP (Intraocular Pressure)
Pressure inside the eye, elevated levels can indicate glaucoma.

Iris
The coloured part of the eye that controls pupil size and light entry.

JAWS
Screen reader technology used by vision impaired people, offering speech and braille outputs.

JMD (Juvenile Macular Degeneration)
Inherited conditions, like Stargardt's disease or Best's disease, that affect the macula.

Keracotonus
When the cornea thins and becomes distorted in shape.

Key Worker
A primary contact who can help coordinate care or support.

Large print
A font which is intended specifically for people who find it easier to read larger text – generally at least 16-18 pt sized text.

Lazy Eye; Amblyopia
When one eye doesn’t develop proper vision, even when using glasses. The brain starts to ignore the image from that eye.

LCA (Leber Congenital Amaurosis)
A rare inherited condition causing severe vision loss from birth.

LE; Oculus Sinister
Medical shorthand for the left eye.

Legally Blind; Severely Sight Impaired (SSI)
A person is considered legally blind if their vision meets specific criteria related to visual acuity and visual field, even with corrective lenses.

Lens
The transparent structure behind the iris that focuses light onto the retina.

Local Offer
A website sharing what SEND services are available in your local authority.

Long Cane Skills; Cane Training
Teaching people to use a cane to detect obstacles and navigate safely.

Low Vision
Serious sight loss that glasses or contact lenses cannot fully correct.

LVA (Low Vision Aid)
Tools like magnifiers or special glasses that help make the most of remaining vision.

Long-Sightedness; Hyperopia
Seeing far away things more clearly than close-up.

LSA/Learning Support Assistant
An LSA works to support students’ learning and development in educational settings like schools and colleges. They provide individual or group support to students, including those with special educational needs (SEN) to help with their social skills, schoolwork and overall learning.

Macular
Part of the retina, at the back of the eye.

Macular Degeneration; Stargardt Disease
A rare inherited condition in young people causing loss of central vision.

Magnifier
A device or software that enlarges text and images.

Mental Capacity Act
A law that helps protect the rights of people who may not be able to make some decisions for themselves.

Mental Capacity Assessment
The process to decide if someone aged 16+ can make decisions about their life.

Microphthalmia
Where one or both eyes are abnormally small and/or have anatomic malformations.

Mobility & Orientation; Habilitation
Training that helps you learn how to get around safely.

Monocular
In one eye only.

MSI (Multi Sensory Impairment)
Impairment that affects more than one sense, e.g. hearing and sight.

Myopia; Short-Sightedness
Seeing close up things clearly, but far away things look blurry.

Nystagmus
When the eyes make uncontrolled movement, which makes vision wobbly or blurry.

NaviLens
Technology that uses colourful visuals (similar to QR codes) to help a vision impaired person navigate when they are scanned using a smartphone camera.

Norries Disease
Norrie disease is a rare, genetic condition that primarily affects males, causing blindness or severe visual impairment from birth. It's also associated with other symptoms like hearing loss, developmental delays, and behavioural issues.

NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)
A free, open-source portable screen reader.

Objects of Reference
Objects used to represent key words for people who learn through touch.

Oculus Dexter (OD) (RE)
Medical shorthand for the right eye.

Oculus Sinister (OS) (LE)
Medical shorthand for the left eye.

Ocular Albinism
A condition affecting eye colour and vision because of a lack of pigment.

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
Non-invasive imaging of the retina’s layers to diagnose diseases.

On Body Signing
When hearing is affected along with vision or used alongside Objects of Reference for Total Communication.

Optic Atrophy
Damage to the nerve that connects the eye to the brain, leading to sight loss.

Optic Nerve
Responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain.

Optic Neuritis
Inflammation which affects the optic nerve.

Optometrist; Ophthalmic Optician
The person who tests your eyes and prescribes glasses.

Ophthalmologist
Treats eye diseases and can perform eye surgery if needed.

Orientation & Mobility (O&M); Habilitation
Training that helps you learn how to get around safely.

Orthoptist
A healthcare professional who assesses and treats eye movement problems and binocular vision issues.

PAED OPHTH (Paediatric Ophthalmology)
The medical specialty focused on eye health in children.

Perimetry
A test to map the visual field (side vision).

Perkins Brailler
A braille ‘typewriter’ and the most widely-used mechanical braille writer in the world.

Person-Centred
A way of planning support that focuses on what matters most to the individual and their family.

Personal Budget; Direct Payment
Money given directly to families or young people to arrange their own care or support services.

Photophobia
When bright lights make your eyes uncomfortable.

PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
The adult version of DLA benefit, covering daily living or mobility needs for people 16+.

Posterior Chamber
The space between the iris and the lens filled with aqueous humour.

Pre Cane Skills
Teaching people to navigate environments safely without a long cane (trailing, body protection and squaring off).

Preparing for Adulthood
A framework and approach to support young people as they move into adult life.

Ptosis
A drooping upper eyelid that can partly block vision.

Pupil
The black circle in the middle of the eye that lets light in.

PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment)
When the vitreous gel in your eye comes away from the retina.

QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment)
A specially trained teacher for children with sight impairment.

QTSMI (Qualified Teacher of Multi-Sensory Impairment)
A specifically trained teacher for children with a combined vision and hearing impairment.

Raised Diagram
Raised line drawings to read maps, drawings or graphs.

RE (Right Eye); Oculus Dexter
Medical shorthand for the right eye.

Refractive Error
The medical term for vision problems like short-sightedness or long-sightedness.

Registration
The local authority’s confidential register of people who are blind and partially sighted.

Respite; Short Breaks
Services or activities that give carers a break and offer disabled children safe, fun experiences.

Retina
The layer at the back of the eye that senses light and sends messages to the brain.

Retinal Detachment (Detached Retina)
When the retina pulls away from the blood vessels supplying it with oxygen.

Retinoblastoma
A rare eye cancer that mostly affects babies and young children.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)
An inherited condition that causes gradual loss of vision over time.

Scotoma
A blind spot in part of your child’s vision.

Screen Reader
Software that reads aloud text from a screen for people who are blind or have low vision (e.g. JAWS, NVDA).

SEN; SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Used in education to describe children who need extra support to learn.

SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
The staff member in a school responsible for arranging support for children with additional needs.

SEND Code of Practice
Government guidance on how to support children and young people with SEND.

SENDIASS
The independent advice service for parents and young people with SEND.

Sensory Team
A specialist team in your local authority who support people that are blind or partially sighted, Deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. They can provide assessments, equipment or refer you to other services and support that’s available. They also hold and maintain the sensory impairment register for their local authority.

Short Breaks; Respite
Services or activities that give carers a break and offer disabled children safe, fun experiences.

Sighted Guide
A way of supporting a blind person to travel safely, using the arm of another person who has vision.

SI (Sight Impairment)
A legal term describing vision loss that affects everyday life. Can also be termed ‘partially sighted.’

Simulation/Sim Specs
Glasses which simulate a number of common eye conditions; this can include augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) simulations.

SSI (Severe Sight Impairment)
A legal term describing serious vision loss that affects everyday life.

Snellen Chart
The letter chart used to measure how well your child sees at a distance.

Social Care Needs Assessment
An assessment of the help and support you might need.

Social Model of Disability
The idea that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment.

Strabismus; Squint
When the eyes are not looking in the same direction

Stargardt Disease; Macular Degeneration
An inherited progressive condition that affects the retina.

Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A legal document in Northern Ireland for children needing extra support in school. In England this is known as an EHCP.

Squint; Strabismus
When the eyes are not looking in the same direction.

Support Advisor
A professional who can provide advice on what benefits, services and practical support someone might be eligible for.

Support Cane
A sturdy mobility cane that can be used for physical support.

Supported Decision Making
Helping someone make choices about their life.

Symbol Cane
These canes are smaller than other types of mobility cane. They are a signifier and are used primarily to make others aware of the user’s vision impairment.

Symbol Systems
Alternative ways of presenting words or ideas using simplified symbols or raised print for those who don’t read Braille or standard print (e.g. Moon, Widgit).

Tactile Symbols
Raised shapes/textures used to represent objects or words for children who learn through touch.

Talking Books; DAISY
Audiobooks designed to be easier to navigate for blind and partially sighted readers.

Touch Tours
Provided by cultural establishments – like theatres, galleries or museums – offering visually impaired people an opportunity to touch things like a theatre set, props, exhibits, costumes, artwork etc.

Tracking
Ability to follow a moving object smoothly with the eyes and/or hands.

Transition Support
Help for young people with visual impairment moving between stages, such as going from primary to secondary school, or into adult services.

Travel Assistance
The term for staff at any TFL stations to help people onto trains and when changing between trains.

Uveitis

An inflammatory disease affecting the inside of the eye.

Visual Acuity
How clearly you can see details, like letters on an eye chart.

Visual Field
Everything you can see around them without moving their eyes.

VEP (Visual Evoked Potential)
A test measuring brain response to visual stimuli.

VIP (Visually Impaired, or Vision Impaired, Person)
A commonly used term in education/health settings to describe someone with vision impairment.

VI (Visual or Vision Impairment)
A general term for reduced vision not correctable by standard means.

WayMap
A navigation software that supports accurate navigation without needing GPS or a mobile signal.

XLRS (X-Linked Retinoschisis)
An inherited retinal disease, affecting boys and men.

Young Carer
A child or young person who helps to care for a family member.

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