Twilight Talk: Supporting Learning Through Vision

Webcasts
11 Nov 2026

Twilight Talks

SeeAbility’s Special Schools Eye Care Service: Supporting Learning Through Vision

The NHS in England has committed to providing specialist eye care services in all special schools in England. This session will explore how equitable eye care can be delivered effectively within special schools and colleges, and why vision is a critical but often overlooked factor in learning, behaviour and engagement for children and young people with SEND. Drawing on experience from delivering specialist eye care across 57 special schools in London, the talk will share key learnings from implementing a school‑based eye care model at scale, including what has worked well and the challenges encountered along the way. The focus will be on practical, real‑world strategies that schools can recognise and relate to—such as reasonable adjustments, partnership working and embedding vision needs into everyday support—with clear takeaways for educators, support staff and SEND professionals to reflect on within their own settings.

Short film: Seeing clearly for the first time in 20 years - Terence's story

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You can read more about our Twilight Talks sessions on our dedicated page.

This resource was first published in November 2026 and was last reviewed in November 2026.

Suitable for: A parent/carer, Administration Staff, Assistant Head Teacher, Consultant, Deputy Head Teacher, Early Years Practitioner, Educational Psychologist, Governor, Head Teacher, Inclusion Manager/Leader, Newly Qualified Teacher, SENCO, Senior Leader, Student, Support staff, Teacher, Tutor, Young person, Other

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Dr Malvi Patel

Malvi Patel is the Clinical Lead for SeeAbility’s Special Schools Eye Care Service, overseeing the delivery of equitable, specialist eye care across special schools for children and young people with learning disabilities and autism. She works closely with schools, families, multidisciplinary teams and hospital eye services to ensure vision needs are identified early and supported through school‑based care pathways. Alongside her leadership role, Malvi remains clinically active, spending one day a week delivering eye care directly in schools.

Grace McGill

My name is Grace McGill. I am an eye care champion and have lived experience of learning disabilities, autism and sight loss.

I have been employed by SeeAbility for seven years, helping to get the Easy Eye Care Pathway for people with learning disabilities and autism commissioned – which has been successful across SE London - and promoting its use. I am passionate about making things better for people with a learning disability.