DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has pledged her support to children and young people with a vision impairment through the Guide Dogs’ All Things Equal campaign.
At a Parliamentary event hosted by the charity Guide Dogs, Liz Saville Roberts MP met children, young people, and their families to talk about the challenges they face in the education system.
Recent research conducted for Guide Dogs found that 69 per cent of teachers lack confidence that they have the right skills to support disabled children, including those with a vision impairment, to reach their full potential.
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This is reflected in outcomes for children with sight loss, who are significantly behind their peers in terms of academic attainment.
Supporting the campaign, Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “I was delighted to join Kelsey the guide dog and hear directly from young people about some of the barriers they face in their day-to-day life.”
“All children with visual impairment need the support of a qualified habilitation specialist wherever they live.
“It is important that all governments act to provide an equitable and appropriate service for children living with vision-impairments, irregardless of their postcode.
“It's always a pleasure to attend Guide Dogs events here in Westminster and support the sterling work they do for the blind and partially sighted across the UK.”
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Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said: “Children and young people with vision impairment tell us they want to grow up enjoying the same opportunities as their classmates.
“But all too often, they’re being let down by the education system that fails to give them the support they need.
“We know that the lack of support in childhood can have a far-reaching impact.
“Just one in four working age adults with a vision impairment are in employment.”
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