Jacob started at InFocus age 12 after his final year of mainstream primary school. He was diagnosed with neonatal seizures, microcephaly, autistic spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. Jacob is also registered blind.
Until year 6 Jacob was being supported by his mainstream primary school to the best of their abilities. Despite this, many of the activities and resources provided were not accessible to Jacob, or anyone with vision impairment. Some of the things Jacob would need to make learning accessible were not required by other pupils in his class so he would have to learn in isolation. The decision was made for Jacob to join InFocus so that he could enjoy learning in a bespoke environment with the company of peers that he could relate to.
With the support of teachers, enablers, mobility specialists, occupational therapists and our work skills programme, Jacob has completed his secondary and college education and now lives independently in InFocus’s supported living accommodation within the community.
“Everything at College really helped me to learn my own way of doing things, like using my smartphone to help me communicate, or the special software on my laptop that helps me see what’s going on when I’m DJ’ing.”
Jacob
Jacob’s Work Opportunities at InFocus
Upon completing his education, Jacob started work experience within InFocus’s Estates department and has been an amazing asset. Jacob went on to complete a supported internship and a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Customer Services, and speaks highly of the encouragement from the other staff in his department:
“I don’t think they’d supported anyone with a vision impairment before, but they really quickly made me feel like a part of the team, just like everyone else”
Jacob
Despite being registered blind and unable to perceive depth, speed and distance, Jacob navigates the campus with ease, delivering goods and cheerfully showing around visitors. He has even adapted some of the equipment to make up for some of the challenges of his vision impairment:
“I use my own special markers on the fire alarm panel. These raised plastic dots help me to quickly find the buttons I need to do the weekly testing of the alarm for the whole site”.
Jacob
Jacob’s fantastic work ethic and ability to overcome any challenge with a smile on his face was nationally recognised when he received Radio Exe’s Outstanding Apprentice of the Year award.
Promoting Independence
At InFocus we believe in promoting independence. Each student is encouraged and supported to develop their individual skills and abilities using bespoke assistive technologies to allow them to overcome every barrier they face living in a world that is not always suited to their needs.
The things I learned at InFocus have definitely helped me to be more independent. Things like learning routes around the city, and how to catch a bus, have made a massive difference. I can now choose to do whatever I want to, and go where I like. I’ve even travelled up to London on the train!”
Jacob is enjoying life as a paid-up member of the staff team, but still has big plans, including following his dreams, including getting to DJ at some of the biggest venues around the south west.