Independent living skills

Habilitation

For specific individuals, Gwynedd and Anglesey ALN&I Service commissions the input of a Qualified Habilitation Specialist (QHS).  The leaflet explains the following: 

What is ‘Habilitation?
• Mobility, Orientation and Independent Living Skills (ILS)
• Why Habilitation?
• The Qualified Habilitation Specialist (QHS)
• Transitions

See the 'Resources' section at the end of the page to download the Habilitation information leaflet.

                         
It is important for pupils with a visual impairment to develop skills which promote them to be as independent as possible in the future. Here are some useful ideas.

1. Equipment. Useful and adapted equipment to aid independence in the links below

https://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/

https://shop.rnib.org.uk/

2. Cooking skills. Here are some useful links and videos.

Videos:

• Spreading butter on bread/toast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OeVFNdGgX4
• Making a sandwich How to make a cheese sandwich | Sight Scotland
  
• Organisation and adaptations How to organise the kitchen to make cooking easier for people with visual impairment | Sight Scotland
  
• Pouring a cold drink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhRa9hALYUg

Links: (General cooking skills)

• https://www.perkins.org/stories/eight-cooking-tips-for-people-who-are-visually-impaired
• https://www.rnib.org.uk/insight-online/kitchen-curriculum-children-vision-impairment
• http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/courses/vi&multi/vsep06a.html

3. Dressing skills. Links with advice about independent dressing skills and organisation.

Videos:

• Mr Tumble’s ‘Tying shoelaces song’ (for younger pupils) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biPlP4yiyQs
• Adapting shoelace tying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmsUZzZ8ysY
• Closing your zip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63w40NR1CCk

Links:

• General dressing tips (how to use zips, buttons and organising clothing) Zipping, Snapping, and Fastening—Lots to Learn About Dressing - ConnectCenter (aphconnectcenter.org)
• General dressing tips (Clothes identification, wardrobe organisation, dressing) Dressing & Clothing Identification - Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (teachingvisuallyimpaired.com)
  

4. Self-care, household and hygiene

Links:

• Look after glasses independently https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies/caring-eyeglasses
• Hygiene and self-care tips and advice Teaching Your Child Self-Care Skills - ConnectCenter (aphconnectcenter.org)
  
• Household chores tips and advice https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/housekeeping-instruction.html

Resources