Striving to change the lives and aspirations of Children & Young People with a visual impairment

  • getting on a bus
  • crossing the road
  • going to the shops

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
Shoes

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.

READ MORE

Habilitation VI UK logo

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.

READ MORE

Parents graphic

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.

READ MORE


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.

Find out more

bcu logo
ucl logo

Latest News

A woman home schooling her child Home School Transport Changes 8 Feb 2024 It came up in the HabVIUK Knowledge Exchange on Tuesday, that a number of local authorities are planning to remove or restrict access to home school transport for pupils of non-statutory school age. This would apply to children 0-4 in EYFS and post 16 pupils -16-18 going into sixth form. If the pupils you support… Continue reading...
The RNIB logo text reads see differently Getting Started with the CFVI: Sharing Good Practice and Experiences (part 2) 19 Jan 2024 On Wednesday 7th February 4pm - 5.30pm you are invited to join us for the next in the series of CFVI focused CPD events: Getting Started with the CFVI: Sharing Good Practice and Experiences (part 2) Feedback from participants in our last CFVI CPD in November was very positive, and identified a strong desire for… Continue reading...
A light blue graphic featuring the Habilitation VI UK eye logo on the right side. Text reads march 06 Hab VI UK conference 2024 Hab VI UK Conference 2024 – Tickets on sale now! 20 Dec 2023 We are thrilled to announce that tickets for the Hab VI UK Conference 2024 are on sale now! This event will be taking place in-person on Wednesday 6th March at the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill - Dudley. Please note that this is a change to the originally published venue due to unforeseen issues at the… Continue reading...

EVENTS

Details on our upcoming events can be found here.

l

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.