Outgoing SeeAbility chair Gordon Ilett reflects on his part in improving eye care for people with learning disabilities

After highlighting our survey of parents using the special schools eye care service, we’re very grateful for this blog from James Coney, who is dad to Charlie. Charlie has his eye tests in his special school.

SeeAbility has released the results of a satisfaction survey, showing overwhelming parental satisfaction with the special schools eye care service.

Hello I’m Scott Watkin BEM, Head of Engagement for SeeAbility and a self-advocate. A big report out today shows disabled people struggle around the world to get equal access to health. I am passionate about health equality and people with learning disabilities having the same rights as other people, as I feel we are always bottom of the pile. I’ve written this as I’m going to talk about one particular issue. 

Parents have been sharing their views on how the Service has helped overcome the challenges of getting suitably adjusted eye care, with some children being able to see properly for the first time in their special education. With the future of the Service uncertain, it is important that parents voices are heard. 

Having an eye test is something I never got round to doing. I didn’t think it was important especially as I thought my eyes were fine. But since joining SeeAbility in 2019, when I was 19 years old, I learnt how important having an eye test was and especially as I’m promoting eye care, I needed the experience for myself.  

As this is National Eye Health Week, I want to tell you why eye care is important to me and why it matters for everyone who has a learning disability.  

The Easy Eye Care service lets people have longer eye tests or several shorter appointments if they need them with local opticians who have had special training.  

Today for National Eye Health Week the theme is Kids' Vision. It’s a great chance to highlight the vital importance of supporting children with learning disabilities, who are 28 times more likely to have a sight problem than other children, but much less likely to get the eye care they need.  

Our message to the new government.

As the school year ends, the SeeAbility special schools eye care team has been gathering evidence on the impact that eye care makes for children with learning disabilities.