To provide specialist eye care to children with disabilities attending special schools in London and the South East, as stated by SeeAbility.
Approach:
Service Expansion: The Special School Eye Care Service will roll out in September 2026, reaching nearly 30,000 children in London and an estimated 40,000 across other regions, according to SeeAbility.
Service Features: The service includes comprehensive sight tests, free glasses, support for wearing glasses, and written reports on visual abilities and eye care needs, as outlined by SeeAbility.
Key Findings:
Children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to experience sight problems, according to SeeAbility.
Over 40% of pupils had no recorded history of eye care, and half had an eye or vision problem, as reported by SeeAbility.
At least one-third of pupils required glasses, based on data from SeeAbility.
Interpretation:
The contract aims to address the unmet eye care needs of children with disabilities, ensuring they receive necessary assessments and support.
Limitations:
Participation by special schools is optional, requiring individual contact with SeeAbility, as noted by the charity.
Conclusion:
The initiative follows years of campaigning and aims to prevent avoidable sight loss among children with disabilities.
