Jul 29, 2026 · 2 hr 6 min · 12 segments
In this episode of the VICTA Parent Voice Podcast tackles one of the most highly debated and emotionally challenging topics parents face when raising a vision impaired child: the battle for education.
Suzanne HollingsheadGuestCharlotteHostSuzanne, do you want to just start by telling us a little bit about yourself and Zach and his disabilities and vision impairment condition?
Like most parents with a SEND child, you know, we live and breathe their journey as they're growing up.
His primary need is his vision impairment, but he has quite a rare genetic condition that affects all sorts of things like his coordination.
And he does have some learning disabilities, but really important to say that he's very cognitively able.
This might resonate because obviously in the early days when your young person is diagnosed with a vision impairment and other complex needs, you are going from pillar to post to really try and understand what's going on and how you can best help them.
You know, when they're entering the education system, it can sometimes be a very softly, softly approach just to see exactly how they're going to be able to access education.
Zach has had an EHCP, Educational Health and Care Plan, since he joined school at five.
And I think for us, in those early days, we're in a three-tier school system.
Yes, he was quite isolated because he wasn't able to run around a playground.
Suzanne, do you want to just start by telling us a little bit about yourself and Zach and his disabilities and vision impairment condition?
Like most parents with a SEND child, you know, we live and breathe their journey as they're growing up.
His primary need is his vision impairment, but he has quite a rare genetic condition that affects all sorts of things like his coordination.
And he does have some learning disabilities, but really important to say that he's very cognitively able.
This might resonate because obviously in the early days when your young person is diagnosed with a vision impairment and other complex needs, you are going from pillar to post to really try and understand what's going on and how you can best help them.
You know, when they're entering the education system, it can sometimes be a very softly, softly approach just to see exactly how they're going to be able to access education.
Zach has had an EHCP, Educational Health and Care Plan, since he joined school at five.
And I think for us, in those early days, we're in a three-tier school system.
Yes, he was quite isolated because he wasn't able to run around a playground.
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