Multi-sensory Impairment
Multi-sensory impairment refers to a combination of vision and hearing impairments which affect communication, access to information and mobility. The Sensory Support Service support educational settings and families in order to maximise opportunities for learning and inclusion.
Although most people with multisensory impairment will have some useful vision and/or hearing, the barriers created by the combination of the impairments can lead to more difficulty than could be expected from each impairment separately. Many children and young people with multisensory impairment also have additional medical, physical, and cognitive disabilities.
The advisory teacher for multi-sensory impairment supports children and young people aged 0-25 years in a range of settings including, at home, in nurseries, and in mainstream and specialist schools and colleges.
Children and young people are usually referred to the service through clinical settings (ophthalmology and audiology), and levels of support offered are guided by the nature and severity of their visual and hearing impairment, and the impact this has on their learning and development.
