Applications will be considered for children and young people who are registered or are registrable as blind (SSI) or partially sighted (SI) up to and including the age of 29 years and who reside permanently in Sussex
All items supplied through our grants service are for home use only and not to be used within an educational setting such as a school or college, unless special arrangements are made.
All applications must be supported by a QTVI or another professional if the applicant is over 16.
Successful applicants will be asked for a contribution towards the grant – generally, this is 10% for most equipment and 20% for iPads or 50% if the child is under the age of 7. However, this can vary at the discretion of the board of Trustees and will be different when equipment is joint funded by the local authority/sensory needs service and Blatchington Court Trust.
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- Laptops will only be funded if there is a need for access software e.g. JAWS, Supernova, Guide, NVDA, Zoom Text
- Applicants will be requested to contribute towards the cost of an Apple computer if the cost is more than a standard laptop with access software
- Only one grant for equipment e.g. computer, electronic magnifier or sensory equipment will be awarded to an applicant within a two year period
- iPads are subject to either a 20 or 50 percent contribution if the applicant is under the age of seven years of age
- There must be at least three years gap between applying for a replacement computer or iPad
- Funding will only be granted for an iPad and laptop if there is at least a one year gap between applications and the need for having both is fully supported.
- Braille note takers are only considered for applicants over the age of eleven
- Only one Braille note taker can be supplied to any one applicant
- Only one grant of up to £3000 can be made towards the cost of any specialist technology (except for a Braille note taker) and in these instances, evidence of additional funding must be provided.
- An individual may receive a maximum of 50 1:1 swimming, music or similar lessons or
- A maximum of two years additional 1:1 support at nursery if statutory
funding is not available
The following items will not be considered.
- Mobile phones
- iPods, Kindles or similar
- Daily living equipment e.g. talking scales, easy grip cutlery, talking microwaves, talking clocks and watches
- Household white goods
- Vehicles
- Building or garden maintenance or adaptations
- Travel costs to and from school/college or hospital appointments
- Funding for respite care
- Funding for child care
- Family holidays
- Payment towards subscriptions, maintenance, insurance or extended
warranties
- Education fees
- Nursery or holiday play scheme fees
- Wheelchairs or other equipment which is not specifically to support the child’s/young person’s vision impairment
- Any individual item of equipment under £100
- Any repairs to equipment e.g. replacement power supply, screens etc.