Striving to change the lives and aspirations of Children & Young People with a visual impairment
Mission Statement
We are the professional body for Habilitation Specialists in the UK, providing leadership and setting professional standards. We aim to support our members to help maximise the mobility and independence skills of children and young people with vision impairment. We facilitate and promote research into the field of habilitation and mobility training, promote better education and training of habilitation specialists around the UK and provide information for our members and the public about the work we do. Habilitation VI UK hold the register for Qualified Habilitation Specialists (RQHS) who meet the required National Quality Standards for habilitation training. As part of registration RQHS are required to undertake regular relevant continued professional development, which keeps them apprised of legislation changes, good practice and developments in the field.
Membership Benefits
- Access to a wide range of curriculum resources, through the website member pages
- Access to a broad range of local and national HAB VI UK approved CPD
- Opportunities to attend a national conference at a reduced fee
- Access to advice, help and support from a Regional Executive who also organises local CPD training and meetings each year. Local issues are then discussed at the National Executive meeting.
- Access to a Mentoring Service for those professionals working in isolation and need advice, help and support
- Access to the current and previous issues of the British Journal of Visual Impairment.
- Opportunity to be placed on the Register of Qualified Habilitation Specialists once the probationary period is completed and the relevant qualifications attained
- Opportunity to become part of the largest network of Habilitation Professionals in the UK
- To help promote the profession and influence policy
- Student and graduate networks
What is Habilitation?
Habilitation involves one-to-one training for children and young people with a vision impairment. Starting from their existing skills, it aims to develop their personal mobility, navigation and independent living skills.
At whatever age the training is started, the overriding goal is to maximise the child or young person’s independence, opening the way in the future, to further study, employment and an independent life.
About us
Habilitation VI UK are a group of professionals who work with Children & Young People (C&YP) who have a visual impairment.
We have many different titles such as Habilitation Specialists, Rehabilitation Workers, Mobility Officers and O&M Teachers, depending on the context in which we work.
Parents and Carers
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is best for your child. Here you will find information to help you support your child with a vision impairment in achieving their potential in mobility and independence skills.
Habviuk has a public presence on twitter and pinterest as well as open and closed facebook pages.
TRAINING COURSES TO QUALIFY AS A HABILITATION SPECIALIST
There are now two main entry qualifications into the profession of Habilitation Specialists. If you are coming from outside the field you may like to consider these.
Latest News
Hab VI UK Conference 2025 – Tickets selling fast! 29 Jan 2025 Do you need a bit of extra support/reassurance with how you teach independence skills or is it a breeze? Are you confident with zips through to air fryers and toilet training through to periods? Do you struggle to teach laces to a blind child, or can you do it with your eyes closed? Fiona Broadley's… Continue reading...
Research – Experiences of Mental Health and Education in Young People with Vision Impairment 14 Jul 2024 My name is Grace Sayers-Mcgowan. I am inviting you to take part in my dissertation research “Experiences of Mental Health and Education in Young People with Vision Impairment”. I am a master’s student at UCL’s Institute of Education, where I am studying Educational Psychology. I come from a teaching background and have worked with children… Continue reading...EVENTS
Habilitation VI UK Conference 2025
Tickets are selling fast! Book by Friday 14th February 2025.
We are pleased to annouce that the 2025 Hab VI UK Conference will be held on Wednesday 5th March at the Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill – Dudley DY5 1UR.
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Suzy McDonald
Treasurer
We would like to welcome all Habilitation Specialists and those students in training, to join our membership. We are a team of professionals who are very passionate and motivated about the work we do. The executive committee work jointly with partner organisations, universities and stakeholders to strengthen our voice to build a national and equitable programme of habilitation services within education. As a valued member of HAB VI UK you will be an integral part of our vision to embrace a cohesive and professional unity that strives to change the lives of children and young people with vision impairment, to help support the families and ensure best practice across the UK.