Services for children and young people | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

Welcome to Vision Australia’s Life Ready program

At Vision Australia, we support children and young people who are blind or have low vision to participate in all aspects of life and learning.  

Our services are designed to help each child build the foundational life skills they need to thrive – now and into adulthood. 

Through our Life Ready program, we focus on building confidence, independence and meaningful participation at home, in school and out in the community.
 

The three stages of the Life Ready program

Haya, a girl with dark curly hair, is sitting in front of a studio microphone and wearing headphones, glasses and a white long-sleeved top.

Testimonial: Haya, age 11

Question. How would you describe the Life Ready Program in three words?

Belong - I have a group of people that don't judge me where I can be myself.

Freedom - I now believe I can choose the future I want, rather than being told what I can do.

Rights - I now know I can stand up for myself and what I want. I feel more.

How we approach working together

Our Life Ready Program gives your family access to a team of paediatric experts, trained specifically for helping children and young people who are blind or have low vision. You can engage with our experts with confidence as Vision Australia is a registered NDIS provider.

Get to know the experts who'll support you
A woman with long blonde hair has her toddler son on her lap. They are both smiling at the camera.

Family first

Our inclusive, whole-of-family approach addresses the emotions, challenges and opportunities that come with the diagnosis of a vision condition for your child.

A girl wearing glasses is operating a program on a tablet.

Online content

We offer a wide range of online resources for children and families through the Vision Australia Learning Hub, Spotify and the Vision Australia Library.

A Vision Australia staff member wearing a navy polo is standing beside a teenage boy who is holding a cane. They are both looking at the camera.

Experts on hand

Access to a team of paediatric experts trained in unique strategies for blindness and low vision, in the one place, working together.

Access Vision Australia’s online resources for families

Vision Australia offers a wide range of online learning resources designed specifically for parents and guardians of children who are blind or have low vision. You can access Vision Australia’s online resources for children and families through the Vision Australia Learning Hub, Spotify and the Vision Australia Library.

Visit the Vision Australia Learning Hub

Browse our complete catalogue of resources for families.

Visit the Vision Australia Learning Hub

How to use Vision Australia Learning Hub

Find out how to register and access our suite of resources.

How to use Vision Australia Learning Hub

Resources on Spotify

Listen to all of Vision Australia's online learning resources on Spotify

Resources on Spotify

Vision Australia Library

Easily access Vision Australia's resources through the Vision Australia Library

Vision Australia Library

Children with complex needs

Q. Does Vision Australia work with children with multiple disabilities?

A. Absolutely. It is not uncommon for kids with low vision or blindness to have additional needs. We take pride in working with teams of specialists inside and outside of Vision Australia to address all of your needs and ensuring that your child is future ready. You may be interested in accessing our experts who have experience and knowledge in working with cortical/cerebral visual impairment.

Q. Does Vision Australia work with children with deafblindness/dual sensory loss?

A. Some children with low vision or blindness are also hard of hearing or deaf, and may identify as a child with deafblindness. At Vision Australia, we consider it essential to view your child holistically, not just looking at their vision. You may be interested in accessing our experts who have experience and knowledge in working with deafblindness. We are also piloting new services to improve our support for children with deafblindness.

 

Child reaches for ping pong ball, handed to her by a Vision Australia worker.

Frequently asked questions

Services from Vision Australia incur a fee. There are several ways you can fund services, supports and products for your child. Vision Australia can support you every step of the way with your child's funding application. Speak with us on 1300 84 74 66 to find out more.

Our team of experts work in partnership with you and your child to ensure your family understands your child's vision condition. We work with you to help proactively identify opportunities to support your child's learning and development so you feel confident in your conversations in education settings about your child's needs.

We also facilitate a free online parent community where you can share your experiences and learn from others, as well as parent/guardian groups to provide an informal opportunity to meet other families, socialise and share or learn new skills such as making tactile books. 

Vision Australia offers a wide choice in how services are delivered. Services can be delivered as individual sessions or group sessions, face-to-face in your home or community or at your nearest Vision Australia office. Services may also be delivered online or via phone.