Spreading the Word Research - VI Teenagers

The following points summarise the research findings amongst families with a teenager who has a visual impairment.

• Parents found that there was lots of available information early on in their child's diagnosis
• Parents rated available information on 'Education' as 'Good' or 'Excellent'
• Parents found that there was a 'Gap' in information once their child had entered into school age and this was thought to be due to the fact that the majority attended mainstream school
• Information on 'Computers' and 'Grants' was rated as 'Poor' or 'Very Poor'
• There was a lack of information surrounding 'Social Activities' according to the majority and this was thought to be due to the fact that most of the 'specialist' clubs and social activities set up in the area were unsuitable for visually impaired teenagers without any other physical or mental disabilities
• There was an overall negativity about information sources
• Parents' main contacts were the 'Hospital' and 'GP.' However, both these sources were rated as 'Poor' or 'Very Poor.' 'Other parents in a similar situation' was favoured most as an information source as there was an understanding among other parents of the issues.