We asked Andrea Midgen, the CE for Blind Low Vision to give us her top 10 reasons why we should register children with Blind Low Vision NZ. She writes the following:
- Children’s programme
Our children’s programme is designed to enable families to adjust to sight loss and help the child develop vital short and long-term life skills and build their self-esteem. If a child in your care is blind, deafblind or has low vision, our specialists can work with you through the various stages of your child’s development. Together, we will support you and your child to develop skills and strategies to help them make their way confidently in the world. By teaching necessary developmental skills when the child is young, they are well equipped for transitioning to adult life.
- Understanding the Emotional Journey of Families
Raising a child with a disability can be an emotional journey, often involving stages such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. Early registration for services is crucial, as it provides families with access to emotional support and guidance throughout this process. Registered families can benefit from specialized services designed to help them navigate these challenges, offering them hope and motivation when they need it most.
- Support from Independent Life Skills Specialists (ILS)
Registered children receive assessments and training from our ILS team, which specializes in equipping visually impaired children (ages 0–21) with essential life skills. These include orientation and mobility, personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, communication, time management, basic medical care, physical activities, and more. Our goal is to promote independence and self-determination, preparing children for adult life and enhancing their daily living skills.
- Collaborative Approach for Comprehensive Care
We work closely with medical providers, therapists, educators, and community leaders to ensure comprehensive support for registered children. This collaboration helps address each child’s unique needs and ensures a smooth transition into adult services when the time comes. Open communication with parents and stakeholders ensures that care is coordinated and family centered.
- Peer Support and Social Opportunities
Registered children can participate in peer support activities, including holiday programs and camps. Our Sport and Leisure coordinators work with families to offer guidance on adaptive recreational activities, fostering social engagement and relationship development.
- Seamless Transition to Adult Services
Registration facilitates a smoother transition into adult services once the child finishes school. By establishing relationships with our services early on, families can ensure a more supportive and seamless shift into adulthood and related support services. This may include the need for an updated eye report.
- Access to Additional Resources and Opportunities
Registered children may qualify for funding through resources like the Pearson Fund or Henderson Fund, depending on residence. They also have access to essential equipment and services, such as library resources (e.g., Alexa devices), newsletters, and other forms of communication to keep them informed and connected.
- Voting Rights and Strategic Involvement
Families of registered children have voting rights and the opportunity to participate in strategic planning meetings, allowing them to have a say in the direction and development of services.
- Special Children’s Extravaganza Parties
In some regions, organizations such as Sky run Christmas parties for children aged 3–12. BLVNZ is asked to share the names of children who meet the criteria, provided parental consent is given to share this information.
- Overcoming Resource Constraints
Although our current ILS services are concentrated in some regions like, we strive to provide high-quality support across New Zealand. In cases where our ILS services are not available, members of our adult services team can step in to support children as needed, ensuring no child is left without care due to location or resource limitations.
You can email Andrea Midgen, CE for Blind Low Vision NZ, on amidgen@blindlowvision.org.nz
