Steve Winyard, Head of Policy and Campaigns at RNIB, said:
"It is positive the Government is prioritising reforms which will benefit children and young people with SEN and disabilities but of course the devil is always in the detail. Working in partnership through the Special Educational Consortium, our priority is to guard against a reduction in the legal entitlements available to blind and partially sighted children and young people.
"There are an estimated 22,000 blind and partially sighted children and young people aged 0-16 years in England. Research shows that pupils with sight loss are more likely than those with no SEN to experience disadvantages, so it's essential that these needs are picked up early and support put in place as soon as possible.
"The principle of integrating education, health and care provision is sensible but we remain concerned about the 'local offer', which unless adequately defined in law, will fail to serve thousands of families who cannot get an education, health and care plan.
"Services which children and young people with sight loss typically need include regular input from a qualified teacher of pupils with VI (QTVI), specialist equipment, and ongoing adaptation of resources. Without this type of support the 'local offer' will ring hollow and potentially spell worse outcomes for children and young people with sight loss."
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Cafferty in RNIB's Public Relations Team on 0207 391 2043 or 0207 391 2223, email rachel.cafferty@rnib.org.uk
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk