Mark visited an exhibition in the House of Commons, hosted by the charity Blind Children UK, which promoted the importance of training in mobility and independent living skills, known as habilitation, for children with sight loss. The exhibition also featured an Easter-themed art competition for children with sight loss.
Staff from the charity who work directly with children told MPs that early intervention through habilitation was crucial in enabling young people with a vision impairment to fulfil their potential as adults. But the charity’s recent report Time to Move found that provision of training across English local authorities was patchy.
Senior Campaigns Manager James White said: “Children with sight loss need to learn certain key skills as early as possible to help them get around, orientate themselves in the world and eventually live independently as adults. We were delighted to meet with Mark Pritchard and give them an opportunity to find out more and ask us questions on this important issue.”
Mr Pritchard commented:
“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Blind Children UK and learn more about the important work they do. The charity does excellent work supporting children with sight loss and I will continue to support them in any way I can.”