Support Measures
In general, subject to the assessment and recommendations of professionals and with the consent of parents, the Education Bureau (EDB) will refer students with moderate visual impairment (VI) or below to the schools for students with VI for intensive support:
Special schools
- Ebenezer School provides educational services for students with moderate VI or below so as to help them overcome the barriers in their learning and develop their potential to the fullest. For students with VI and moderate intellectual disability, parents may consider admission to Ebenezer New Hope School.
- The premises, facilities and curriculum of these two schools are specially designed to facilitate effective learning of the students.
- These two schools provide students with specialised training, such as use of Braille, Tactile Diagrams Reading, Orientation and Mobility, so as to equip them with the skills to overcome the learning difficulties caused by VI.
These two schools also provide boarding sections to those students who are in need of the service. The boarding sections arrange training for students on life skills to enable them to live independently.
Ordinary schools
Students with mild VI are enrolled in ordinary schools. The schools provide the following support in accordance with the needs of the students:
- Schools devise plans to help students with VI adapt to the schools settings and facilitate their effective learning.
- Schools provide accommodations on learning materials, teaching strategies and assessment to support students with VI to learn effectively according to the advice from relevant professionals.
- Schools jointly formulate long-term learning plans with the parents and students concerned in accordance with individual abilities, visual conditions, interests, etc. to facilitate the development of competence.
- Schools provide counseling services for supporting the emotional needs of students with VI.
- Schools may purchase special furniture and assistive aids or carry out minor conversion works to meet the needs of students with VI.
Professional support
(1) Resource Support Programme for Visually Impaired Students (RSP)
- The resource teachers (RT) of Ebenezer School provide support for students with moderate VI or below who are studying in ordinary or special schools other than the schools for students with VI.
- The RT visit schools regularly to help students learn and conduct training for them. They also provide professional advice for schools to help teachers cater for the needs of students with VI.
- Braille Production Unit of Ebenezer School provides Braille transcription of learning materials, as well as test and examination papers, for the ordinary or special schools receiving support. The Unit also transcribes the homework and answer sheets completed by students with VI from Braille into print format in order to facilitate marking by their teachers.
(2) Braille Textbook Transcription Service
- Funded by the EDB, the Centralised Braille Production Centre of the Hong Kong Society for the Blind provides Braille textbook transcription service for students with VI. The Centre also provides the students with Braille books, Braille e-books, tactile graphics, etc.