Tartu Emaje School is only special school for the visually impaired students in Estonia.

During last years the visually impaired children have more complex needs. At the teacher
training there is a need of special attention to these skills and strategies which address the
unique learning needs on multidisabled visually impaired (MDVI) children. In Estonia there is
no special course for the teachers, who work with the MDVI children. There is lack of
knowledge how to teach children with complex needs. Opportunity to visit other schools for
visually impaired children and resource centres is very important. My visit to Primary School
for Children with Visual Impairment at ChildVision was supported with Comenius grant.
ChildVision-National Education Centre for Blind Children in Dublin is the coordinating
organisation on field MDVI children in Europe. My objectives to visit ChildVision were to
have knowledge and experience in the implementation of activity-based intervention for
students with multiple disabilities including visual impairments. I was specially interested
about topics how to analyse the target person`s present situation, planning future activity,
making priorities and defining main goals. Also I was interested about different methods and
tools used teaching children with complex needs.
During the job-shadowing I learned many new methods, techniques and strategies to work
with with my often challenging students. I saw a lot of different tools and equipment which
can be used teaching MDVI students. After training I have knowledge and tools to plan
intervention for students with multiple disabilities including visual impairments based on
real life activities; develop Individual Educational Plans and activities designed especially for
the MDVI children.
After training there was and will be workshops at Tartu Emaje School and group homes in
Estonia for teachers working with MDVI students and for their parents.
Job-shadowing in ChildVision gave me lots of ideas how to develop our program to meet
better of needs of MDVI children and their families. Now I also have opportunity to
participate in developing teacher training programs for the teachers working with MDVI
children. After training I will have the more opportunities to participate on European
network for MDVI practitioners to share good practice.
I am very thankful for Mr Robert Jones for giving me a great opportunity to visit his school. I
would also like to thank all staff members and students.