What is a Certificate of Visual Impairment?

What is a Certificate of Visual Impairment?

A Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) is your document stating that your child has a significant sight problem affecting both eyes that is not correctable with either glasses or contact lenses.

The process of registration is completely voluntary. However, if your child qualifies for registration, you may find that it is the key that unlocks services for your child. This is not to say that you will not receive services without the key but it may make it easier with one. Only your ophthalmologist can complete the certificate. Your child’s registration document (CVI) is held locally by the social services Sensory Team. A copy is sent to your child’s GP, and is included in your child’s hospital record. You will also be given a copy.

Your child can decide when they are older if they wish to be removed from the register or be added to it. You may be asked by other parents or professionals if your child is registered with their visual impairment. You may not know if they are or not, or how to find out if they could be.

The process of registration is completely voluntary and not a necessity. However if your child qualifies to be registered you may find that it acts as a key that unlocks services for your child. It is not to say that you cannot receive services without it but it may be easier with the key.

To find out if your child is registerable with their visual impairment you will need to ask at your child’s next eye appointment. It is only an ophthalmologist who will be able to sign the Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI). The CVI is the form that says your child is registerable; this form is then sent to your local Sensory Impairment Team who will formalise the registration and send you a card stating that your child has been registered.

Your child will either be registered as Partially Sighted (PS)/Sight Impaired (SI) or Blind (B)/Severely Sight Impaired (SSI). In order for your child to be registered they must have sight loss in both eyes that is not correctable with glasses or lenses.

Things to remember

· Being added to the register is voluntary

· It is possible to have a letter from your child’s ophthalmologist stating that they are registerable without formalising the registration with your local Visual Impairment Team

· Your child can decide when they are older if they wish to be removed from the register or be added to it

· Registration can act as a key to services

· If there is a change in vision the registration status can easily be updated

· By being registered it is possible to see how many visually impaired people live in an area so services can be improved

· If your child is eligible for registration they will be protected under the Disability Discrimination Act

For further information please contact 0800 781 1444