Birmingham
B15 2RS
This event is free to attend and will be CPD-accredited. Attend in-person in Birmingham and network with colleagues, or online.
This year’s event will include specific sessions for ECLOs, rehabilitation and habilitation specialists, low vision/optometrists and QTVIs.
Highlights include:
• From innovation to independence: assistive technology for inherited sight loss
(Barrie Lane, Tech Advisor at Beacon Centre. Keith Dear, Tech Advisor at Sight for Surrey. Mark Baxter, Information and Support Coordinator, Retina UK. Anna Holloway and Ellie Dowdy, Retina UK Tech Peer Support Group volunteers).
• Strengthening genetics conversations in IRD care – community and clinical perspectives
(Kate Arkell, Research Director, Retina UK. Sian Sperring, Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor, Oxford Eye Hospital. Rob Sears, who is living with inherited sight loss).
• Approaching difficult conversations, a framework
(Professor Susan Downes, Consultant Ophthalmologist Oxford Eye Hospital and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Oxford University. Dr Amanda Salisbury, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. Claire Abbott, Senior Eye Clinical Liaison Officer)
• Learning from lived experience: in conversation with our community
(Paula McGrath, Deputy Chief Executive, Retina UK, leads a panel session)
Plus afternoon in-person sessions for
• An overview of Usher Syndrome and Stargardt’s Disease and how ECLOs can best support those affected (Darren Paddick, RNIB ECLO Service Manager (South Coast) and Angela O’Kane, RNIB ECLO Service Manager (Northern Ireland).
In-person for ECLOs and ECLO Service Managers
• Family dynamics and the timing of services for people with IRDs (Richard Bounds, CEO of Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network)
In-person for rehabilitation and habilitation specialists
• Experiential learning activities workshop (Winne Smith, Training and Development Manager, Health and Social Care Training Team, RNIB)
In-person for low vision/optometrists
• Working with CYP with inherited retinal conditions to support their emotional needs and advocacy skills. A QTVI perspective (Caireen Sutherland, Programme Lead and Senior Lecturer for the Mandatory Qualification (MQ) in MSI/deafblindness at Seashell Trust)
In-person for QTVIs
• Nothing about us without us – supporting research participation (Kate Arkell, Research Director, Retina UK, Mark Baxter, Information and Support Coordinator, Retina UK. James Moore, who is living with sight loss).
Non-role specific session for available online and in person.
