It was a real privilege to represent InFocus at the 10th ICEVI European Conference in Padova last month. The event brought together educators, clinicians and researchers from across Europe to explore the theme: “Supporting children and young adults with visual impairment: What can we do? What can be done?”
It was an inspiring few days, and a valuable opportunity to share some of the work taking place at InFocus, particularly in the area of cerebral visual impairment (CVI). It also provided a chance to connect with others just as committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with visual impairment and complex needs.
Spotlight on Eyelander and Functional Vision
We presented research on how teenagers and young adults with CVI can enhance their functional vision through structured, multidisciplinary support. This approach draws on the collective expertise of our teachers, enablers, therapists and our specialist vision impairment advisory team. The key message was that while early intervention is essential, young people in their teens and early twenties can still make significant gains in functional vision when supported with the right strategies, tools and environments.
A standout moment was Professor Els Ortibus’s keynote, which referenced Eyelander. Eyelander is a therapeutic video game originally developed between 2015 and 2018 at InFocus in collaboration with the University of Lincoln, Mutant Labs, and D2 Creative. It helps young people with a specific type of CVI, hemianopia, improve their visual search skills through engaging, interactive gameplay. It’s encouraging to see that the game continues to receive recognition for its ongoing relevance in clinical and educational contexts.
Strengthening Connections in the CVI Community
During the conference, Dr Jonathan Waddington from the VI Advisory Team at InFocus joined the European Professional Network on CVI. It’s a dynamic and growing community of researchers, educators, and clinicians working to improve understanding and support for people with CVI. Becoming part of this network enables us to both share our practice and learn from others who are deeply engaged in improving understanding and practice around CVI.
A Visit to the Robert Hollman Foundation
The event was hosted in cooperation with the Robert Hollman Foundation, an organisation recognised across Europe for its holistic approach to supporting children with visual impairments. A visit to their rehabilitation centre offered valuable insights into their inclusive, family-centred work, which echoes many of the values we champion at InFocus.
The Foundation also shared their document 10 Key Principles for Professionals Working with Children and Young People with Vision Impairment, which outlines a best-practice, child-focused model of support that resonates strongly with our own approach.
Bringing It Home
Being part of the the ICEVI Conference was a reminder of the positive impact made every day at InFocus. From developing tools like Eyelander, to delivering structured, person-centred support, and contributing to wider professional networks, our focus remains on improving outcomes for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.