StudyQA — Diploma: Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight Children and Young People

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Description Contents Requirements

Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight Children and Young People at University College London is a comprehensive postgraduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to support children and young people with visual impairments. This specialized course focuses on understanding the complex needs associated with sight disabilities, including the physical, psychological, educational, and social aspects that influence the development and well-being of affected individuals. Throughout the program, students will engage with a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from optics, education, psychology, and healthcare to develop effective strategies for assessment, intervention, and support.

The curriculum covers core topics such as the anatomy and physiology of the visual system, causes and classifications of visual impairments, and the latest methods in early diagnosis and management. Students will learn about the educational approaches tailored for children and young people with sight disabilities, including specialized teaching methods, communication techniques, and the use of assistive technologies. The program also emphasizes hands-on practice through placements and practical sessions, enabling learners to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings under professional supervision.

A key component of the program is the development of research skills, encouraging students to critically analyze current literature, participate in relevant research projects, and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field of visual disabilities. Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for careers as specialists, educators, clinicians, or policymakers dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and young people with sight impairments.

With access to UCL’s world-renowned faculties, extensive resources, and a vibrant academic community, students will experience a rigorous and enriching educational journey. By the end of the program, they will possess a deep understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of habilitation and disabilities related to sight, positioning them as leaders in the promotion of inclusive practices and effective habilitative strategies for young individuals with visual impairments.

The programme provides students with the opportunity to benefit from our links with Habilitation VIUK (formerly MISE UK), obtaining a qualification that matches the initial quality standards-based registration requirements for habilitation practitioners in the UK. Students work with eminent practitioners in the field of visual impairment, gaining experience of working in a variety of habilitation settings and environments.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of four core modules (45 credits).

Students are able to exit with a Graduate Certificate on successful completion of modules one and two (taken in this order and worth 90 credits) and all other first-year assessment elements.

Core modules

Passes in all four core modules, taken in order, and successful completion of all the various assessment elements of the programme are required for an overall pass for the programme.

Policy and Practice in Habilitation Studies
Habilitation in Educational Contexts and the Extended Curriculum
Habilitation at Home, In Public Contexts and During Transitions
Habilitation, Professional Practices and the Service Setting: The Extended Assessed Placement

Teaching and learning

Both face-to-face and virtual learning environment elements will inform the pattern of teaching on the programme. It is assessed by written assessments, coursework assignments, practical skill assessments, skill observations, self-videoed practical assessment activities, presentations, placements, and a portfolio which is matched against the Quality Standards for Habilitation Work with Children and Young People (2011).