Our 2025 Annual National Conference will bring together leaders and practitioners to share ideas for supporting the education and development of children and young people with vision impairment.
Don’t miss this chance to expand your knowledge, connect with others in the sector, explore the latest tech, tools, and solutions, and discover new approaches to your work.
We’re excited to invite you back for two days of learning, collaboration, and professional development. Every March our community of delegates, expert presenters, and exhibitors come together to share insights, exchange ideas, and professional skills.
Booking information
You can book online using the online form – overnight spaces are now sold out. Day spaces are still available and there are plenty of hotels in the area e.g.) Travelodge Birmingham Dudley, or Premier Inn, Dudley (Kingswinford).
When?
13th and 14th March 2025
Where?
The Earls Suite of the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill, Brierley Hill, Dudley, DY5 1UR
Draft Programme
Keynotes
- The emotional wellbeing of children and young people with vision impairment: perspectives from clinical practice and research: Dr Ian McCubbin, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Teaching Positive Self-advocacy Skills – Where do I start? Sarah Hughes, QTVI and Head of Vision Impairment Education, and Lisa Reynolds, QTVI, SenCom (SE Wales)
- Working collaboratively to ensure the VI child with complex needs can best meet their educational outcomes within the mainstream nursery environment: Michelle Jones, Head of Sensory Support, Seashell
- The QTVI as practitioner-researcher: importance, ideas and impact (a panel discussion): Anna Pilson, Lecturer in Vision Impairment Education, University of Birmingham
- The importance of play and social interaction to nurture self-regulation and autonomy in Children and Young People with vision impairment: Joao Roe, QTVI and Head of Sensory Support Service, Bristol
- Celebrating The Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI). Caireen Sutherland, Programme Lead and Senior lecturer MQ MSI Seashell
- My career in Social Science, Liz Clery, Freelance Social Scientist
Workshops
- LOOK UK – Engaging with Families. Charlotte Milburn, Mentor Project Officer, LOOK UK
- Assistive technology session (topic to be confirmed): Rupert Ephithite, QTVI, Virtual School Sensory Support, Norfolk County Council
- Struggling Readers – Strategies and Resources. Jean Weiss, Vision Impairment Team Lead, Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service
- PE and access for severe VI. Simon Kerrigan, QTVI, RNIB.
- Making Science Accessible Judith Boal, QTVI, Jordanstown School and Will Stark, Assistant Principal: Curriculum, Teaching & Learning, New College Worcester
- *(Morning slot): Heads of VI Services discussion forum. TBC.
*(Afternoon slot): Nystagmus-friendly learning materials for Key Stage 1 Sue Ricketts, Executive Information and Development Manager, Nystagmus Network - Cortical Vision Impairment / Cerebral Vision Impairment – a new assessment tool to support practitioners to reduce barriers to learning (a discussion around the CVI protocol as developed by the Perkins School for the Blind). Sarah Hovington, QTVI, Telford and Wrekin
Further information about speakers and workshops will be made available on the website as soon as we have it!
How to book
Please fill in the VIEW Conference 2025 online booking form – we appreciate your use of this form, as it helps us process your request more efficiently. However, if you are unable to use the form, please feel free to email us with your requirements at: conference@viewweb.org.uk
Booking online indicates acceptance of our booking terms and conditions which includes the cancellation policy. Please ensure you have read them prior to booking.
Conference rates
*Please note, membership discounts can only be applied if delegates are members at the time of booking and at the time of the event.
- Whole conference (residential) non-members: £410 (sold out – Thursday and Friday day spaces still available)
- Whole conference (residential) members: £320* (sold out – Thursday and Friday day spaces still available)
- Whole conference (residential) plus VIEW membership annual subscription (QTVI): £380 (sold out – Thursday and Friday day spaces still available)
- Whole conference (residential) plus VIEW membership annual subscription (concession): £360
- Day delegate daily rate non-members: £205
- Day delegate daily rate members: £165*