Exeter College extends opportunity to staff to find out more about experience of VI students

Staff at Exeter College put themselves in the shoes of blind and partially sighted learners and visitors to the campus as part of two sight loss awareness sessions held during annual staff training week.

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) visited the college on Monday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 10 to deliver the one-hour sessions.

Around 45 people -the entire learning assistance team, who provide specialist help to students requiring additional support with their studies- attended the first session.

RNIB’s Community Connections South West team were joined by Laura Eggins, who is a visually impaired student at the college and sits on the student council. Laura was able to share her first-hand experience of attending lectures at college to highlight things that work well and other aspects that could be improved.

The session began by providing an introduction to some of the most common sight loss conditions, before setting off on a walk around the college, with participant wore ‘simulation specs’ which replicate the effects of sight loss conditions to give a sense of the challenges faced in a busy college environment.

The second session later in the week was opened up to college staff from a range of departments, including those with experience of accessibility. Additional RNIB staff from a home workers event taking place at the college also dropped in to join the event, along with one friendly guide dog.

Richard Shuker, RNIB’s Community Connections Manager for South West and Wales said: “Sessions like these sight loss awareness introductions are a great way for us to share some of the ways that staff and students can empathise with and understand how blind or partially sighted people might want to be assisted in a new environment.

“From what is the best way to open a door when guiding someone with sight loss to what information to share when faced with a flight of stairs, we covered lots of practical issues and everyone was very engaged throughout. We are grateful to Exeter College for inviting us along and giving staff the chance to get involved.”

Discussions are now being held about potentially delivering these sessions on an annual basis and RNIB is also speaking to the health and social care faculty about broadening students’ understanding of sight loss.