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DLA HR mobility for a child registered blind
Child iro Middle rate care. Has registered blind certificate. Opinthalmologist report states Visual acuity 0.850 at 3 metres both eyes. Can anyone convert this to the 0/60 test? Tribunal has put it back for us to find out
I have tried all what you say before posting this on rightsnet.
I have just had opthamologist state in a letter that she has 4/60 vision but is too young to be tested on Smellen for the peripheral, any arguements?
I have done twice and he is refusing to say she has complete loss of peripheral as she is too young to be tested. The tribunal is this afternoon and I am at a loss. I have a copy of her support plan for nursery and one of the things they recognise is she shys away from the children as she becomes rather startled when they interrupt her play and suddenly appear in her visual field. Nursery staff are trained to help her use a dome magnifer and Oregon skills. The parents are my only hope that they can explain her vision problems to tribunal and a sympathetic judge, but without the actual statement from Opthamologist I think we will lose.
This is probably too late if tribunal hearing this afternoon—-
anyway, the regs for high mobility on basis of of ‘severe visual impairment’ rely on an accurately measured assessment of both visual acuity and visual field loss, and you already have evidence from consultant that child is too young to be assessed to that degree of accuracy.
When the rules were first introduced DWP had a dedicated conversion section, with DMs who had been trained in some of the practical difficulties around sight loss assessments. They were aware that is is often not possible to assess younger children to the required level, and were advised to accept a consultant’s opinion on likely level of sight loss.
In practice the ‘complete loss of peripheral field’ test is a pretty high barrier to pass, and small area of perception in the peripheral field would not be unusual .... even though it may not be of much practical use in navigating around or avoiding obstacles.
an adjournment to get a written opinion from the consultant (and maybe ask for a second opinion - does the consultant ophthalmologist specialise in children?) might be the best action
contact RNIB’s helpline or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) —they’ll have experience of gathering evidence in cases like this
Yes it was a little too late but the case was heard. I thought we were wining withthe doctor but the Judge stuck to the law and apologised but she required written evidence. Thanks for all your help
May still be worth asking for a statement of reasons, and contacting RNIB legal rights.
I used to work there and around February 2012, just before I left, was successful at first tier tribunal with a case that sounds similar to yours (but consultant was willing to make a helpful guess on level of visual field loss).
Last I heard the DWP had statement of reasons and had requested leave to appeal— not sure what happened since
alban