Knate's story

RIDBC's support now means Knate is ready for school

Four-year-old Knate’s vision impairment came as no surprise to his family. “We knew the minute he opened his eyes,” said Knate’s mother, Julie. “We were waiting for our baby’s eyes to focus but they just never did.”

Like his older brother Nikolas, Knate has congenital motor nystagmus. For Knate that means he has clear vision for about a metre. From then on, however his world is just a blur.

Now four, Knate attends RIDBC Nepean Preschool. “It has been a fantastic experience,” said Julie.

“At RIDBC Nepean, Knate learns so much – the program is so detailed. I get a daily report so I feel like I know where Knate is up to with his language and literacy development, and they provide me with photos so I get a really clear sense of the activities he is engaged in.

“RIDBC has been a fantastic support in preparing Knate for school next year. He has been using technology to make sure that he has full access to his environment.”

Knate has been busy learning to use a CCTV system that magnifies his work and projects it onto a screen at a size that’s more comfortable for him.

Knate has also started learning how to use an iPad.

“ RIDBC has been a fantastic support in preparing Knate for school next year. He has been using technology to make sure that he has full access to his environment. ”

“Many find it a great surprise to discover that an iPad is a fantastic device for children who are blind or have vision impairment, but when you see a child using an iPad their eyes light up. They don’t even realise they’re learning,” said Knate’s RIDBC Early Childhood Teacher, Joanne Fickel.

“Straight out of the box an iPad has so many useful features and it’s great socially because it helps a child with a vision impairment to ‘fit in’ with the other children at school – perfect for any child with a vision impairment who wants to use the same technology as their peers.”

School will be a huge next step for Knate but one that Julie wholeheartedly believes he is ready for, thanks to the support of RIDBC. “I’d feel lost without RIDBC, it’s such an amazing place.”

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