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Learning Disability Today 2006

SeeAbility's eye 2 eye team exhibited at the Learning Disability Today Conference in London in November 2006 to raise awareness of the importance of eye care and vision for people with learning disabilities.
 
During the conference we asked people with learning disabilities, and those who supported them, to tell us about the things that create the most difficulties for people with learning disabilities when they are having their eyes tested. 

We asked 89 people to choose 2 of the most difficult areas from a list of 8. This what they said:

 Access for people who use wheelchairs  5.6%
 Tests for people who cannot talk or use Makaton   22.5%
 Longer appointment times for people who need it  4.5%
 A written report from the Optometrist at the end of the appointment  0%
 Optometrists knowing how to talk to and test people with learning disabilities  36%
 Waiting a long time for an appointment  1.1%
 Being scared or worried about what will happen during the eye tests  24.7%
 Spare pairs of glasses for people who need them  5.6%

The eye 2 eye Campaign is working with optometrists and people with learning disabilities to solve these problems - and improve the future of eye care and vision for people with learning disabilities across the UK.