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ASCERTAINMENT OF BLIND AND PARTIALLY-SIGHTED PUPII5. The medical examination for
the ascertainment of blind and partially sighted pupils is carried out by a medical officer
of the Authority in the same way as for any other category of handicap. As a preliminary
step the recommendation of an ophthalmic specialist must be obtained, the specialist
completing at the same time the revised form B.D.8.
Form B.D.8, used for blind and partially sighted pupils, was revised in March, 1955
and the Minister of Education in his Administrative Memorandum No.4-93 dated 2nd March,
1955, hoped that local education authorities would normally ensure that a report on this
revised Form by an ophthalmologist of consultant standing is available to them when they
are considering the provision of special educational treatment for any pupil whose eyesight
is thought to be defective. The former "certificate" in form B.D.8 has been supplemented
by a "recommendation" as to the educational needs of a child under 16 years of age. The
Minister, however, made it clear that this recommendation was only one factor, though a
most important one, in deciding what special educational treatment was appropriate to a
particular child. The responsibility both for ascertaining which children require education
as blind or partially sighted pupils and also for the provision of special educational
treatment, rests with the local education authority.
For children whose visual acuity will have a bearing on the appropriate methods of
education, the following represent the modern standardsj-
(a) severe visual disabilities - to be educated in special schools by methods
involving vision - 3/60 to 6/24 with glasses;
(b) visual Impairment - to be educated in ordinary schools by special consideration
better than 6/24 with glasses.
When the form B.D.8 Is received by the School Health Service two copies are made. One of
the copies is retained in the School Health Service and Inserted In the child's dossier;
uhe original and the other copy is passed to the Chief Welfare Officer. This document is
sent to the Chief Welfare Officer irrespective of whether or not the child is considered
to be a handicapped pupil and irrespective of whether or not it is considered likely that
the child would qualify for inclusion in the Blind Register after leaving school.
If the ophthalmologist's opinion indicates that the child is likely to be ascertained
as blind or partially sighted the normal procedure under Section 34 of the Education Act,
1944, is put into operation.
In addition to the revised form B.D.8 the Local Education Authority have before them
advice from the School Medical Officer and information from teachers and others who have
known the child, and will consider his age, attainments and intelligence and qualities of
character which may influenza his suitability for one school or another.
The Authority has no schools of its own for the education of blind and partially
sighted pupils owing to insufficient numbers, but where possible arrangements are made
for these children to be admitted to day or residential schools conducted under other
auspices.
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