• Specialism:
  The education of learners with a visual impairment
• Residential/Day:
  day, weekly and termly
• Course Start Dates:
  Courses in local sector colleges start September; courses delivered on site throughout the year
• Course Length per Year in weeks:
  38 weeks
• Maximum Student Numbers:
  80
• Age Range:
  16 - 14

General Description of College:
General Description of College: The West of England College offers a unique learning experience for visually impaired learners aged 16-24. The college offers a programme of flexible study on a wide range of courses, over one, two or three years. Learners can mix and match elements from our courses. Our friendly and supportive atmosphere encourages learners to thrive and achieve. Based in Exeter, the regional capital, the college is a great place to live and learn.

The Curriculum:
Each learner has a personalised curriculum with their own learning goals. Our specialist, multi-professional staff offer the expertise and encouragement to meet the educational needs of the learners on their educational journey. We provide a wide range of academic and vocational courses both on and off site and work in partnership with other colleges of further education in Devon. Programmes contain Employability and Work Experience modules and are supported by work placements in our own social firms or with partner organisation. A successful transition into adult life is ensured through specialist support and training, including therapy, mobility, and independent living skills.

Specialist Facilities:
The spacious campus has a therapy centre, swimming pool and fitness suite. ICT and braille facilities provide learners with access to information, while mobility maximises opportunities for independence.

Statements:

1. expertise in working with learners who are blind or visually impaired
2. expertise in working with learners with multi-sensory impairment
3. expertise in working with students who have specific learning difficulties
4. a personal development programme
5. a range of vocational courses with opportunities for accreditation.
6. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
7. opportunities to experience real work situations
8. a work placement scheme with local employers
9. opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
10. comprehensive support in the learning and use of Braille and/or Moon
11. extensive use of assistive and adaptive technologies
12. opportunities to experiment with sound, touch, smell and sight in order to aid learning
13. in-house speech and language therapy
14. a range of therapeutic services
15. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
16. specialist orientation and mobility training to enable independent travel
17. specialist staff to meet personal care requirements
18. nursing services available 24 hours a day
19. waking night residential staff
20. a programme to enable students to learn more about themselves and how to form relationships