What support is available for parents whose baby has been born with vision impairment?

Babies and young children want to find meaning in what they experience from the earliest days. Parents have a very important role in making the world meaningful for their child. 

Your child’s Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI) and Habilitation Specialist (RQHS) may be able to offer you tailored advice on how to play and interact with your baby. Both roles sit within your local authority or education authority’s sensory services and should be contactable during school term time. You can use RNIB's Local Offer directory to find the contact details of your local service. 

Further information on support for families of babies and young children with vision impairment can be found on RNIB Early years webpage and on Guide dogs Early years development and habilitation webpage. 

We also offer a course for parents of babies and children who have recently been diagnosed with vision impairment called Parent Pathways. 

Speak to your Health Visiting Team as they might be able to recommend other local services and support groups for parents of babies born withvision impairment. Your GP should be able to put you in touch with your local Health Visiting Team. 

RNIB Specialist Advice Service Advisors can give further information on this topic