Mobility and Independent Living Skills

Kitchen

Priestley Smith School is also home to the Education Mobility Service, which offers mobility and independence skills to visually impaired children and young people across the city. Pupils have access in school to individual mobility lessons and independent living skills, as well as the possibility of group Life Skills lessons and extracurricular activities. There is a specially designed mobility teaching room, with high contrast units and a wide range of specialist equipment for teaching independent living skills.

What is Mobility?

Mobility is the skill to move through the environment independently. Training enhances this ability by teaching special skills and strategies to help children cope. Each child is individually assessed and identified needs are met through one to one mobility lessons to help them become safe independent travellers, both indoors and out. Great emphasis is placed on safety and work appropriate to the age and ability of each individual child. Pupils will be assessed in school and also in the surrounding area. Mobility sessions will normally take place at school, but Mobility officers work throughout the year including school holidays, when home visits can be arranged. Parents are encouraged to be involved so they can support their child and will be provided with regular reports on their progress.

Topics covered will vary depending on age and ability, but may include:

Body awareness – understanding body parts and how the body moves
Listening skills – how to listen and what to listen for
Orientation – knowing where you are and how to get to where you want to be
Maximising vision – making the most of residual vision and using appropriate low vision aids
Basic personal safety – keeping safe and seeking help
Road safety – including special strategies and techniques to improve safety
Social and life skills – dealing with others, shopping, money and using the telephone
Independent travel – may range from 5 metres to 50 kilometres depending on the individual. It may include learning cane skills before proceeding to specific routes which may be round school, or between home and school, or home and work experience or college placement.

What are independent living skills?

tea

The Mobility Service aims to prepare pupils for safe independent living in the future. By the time pupils leave school, the majority should at least be able to make a simple snack and drink for themselves. Independent living skills may be one to one lessons or students may take part in small group sessions. Some pupils may be entered for the ASDAN Life Skills qualification.

Topics covered will vary depending on age and ability, but may include:

Social and emotional development – asking for assistance, including contacting the Emergency Services, social conventions, manners, confidence and motivation
Independent living skills (ILS) – e.g. kitchen skills, including Snack Attack, a progressive course in basic food preparation, eating, personal hygiene, money handling, dressing.

Extra Curricular Activities

climbing

The Education Mobility Service also offers a range of out of hours activities at Priestley Smith School, which are open to visually impaired pupils across the city. This includes a one week Summer Activity Scheme for primary aged pupils, an after school Sportsability club for pupils aged 10 plus, Stop for Tea sessions and Summer Lunch clubs that run by arrangement.

Further information

The Mobility Service offers a range of leaflets to help support mobility and independence skills at home and at school. If you would like copies of leaflets, any more information on any of the above activities, or specific information regarding your child’s mobility or independence, please contact the Mobility Team using the details below. Application forms for Summer Activity Schemes, Sports Club and Lunch Clubs will be circulated at the appropriate time to those who have expressed an interest.

Further Contact Details