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Volume 3
Optometry: Open Access
ISSN: 2476-2075
Optometry 2018
October 08-09, 2018
October 08-09, 2018 | Edinburgh, Scotland
3
rd
International Conference and Expo on
Optometry & Vision Science
Social capital, human capital and flight paths to opportunity and employment for visually impaired
John A Patterson
St. Vincent’s School for Sensory Impairment, UK
Statement of the Problem:
High unemployment amongst visually impaired (VI) young people remains a global concern; as
does the connected impact on health and wellbeing attached to the lack of opportunity and meaningful engagement. This
study documents how linking schools, universities, and businesses to mobilize resources and support for career choice for
VI students (Patterson and Loomis 2016) in Liverpool, England has developed and is progressing with measurable outcomes
attached to friendship group generation and employment opportunities on a local, national and international platform.
Driven through participation in sport and the raising of self esteem, we connect Science Technology Engineering and Maths
(STEM) and research development and innovation surrounding the making and sharing of VI access technologies with the
international VI community through the physical SIGHTBOX medium
(www.sightbox.org.uk) Connecting with community ,
VI engagement in sport and making reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’S) throughout, we
present our outcomes focussed formula for the research community consideration in seeking to connect more closely medicine
with education through teaching and learning i.e. social/human capital + reverse inclusion + service learning + creativity =
outcomes.
Recent Publications:
1. Hewett, R., & Keil, S. (2015) Investigation of data relating to blind and partially sighted people in the Quarterly Labour
Force Survey: October 2011-September 2014. University of Birminghamwith Royal National Institute of Blind People,
England.
2. Patterson, J., Loomis, C (2015) Teacher Education for Equity and Sustainability Network (TEESNet) Eighth Annual
Conference 9
th
July 2015, Liverpool Hope University From CurriculumMakers to World Shapers: Building Capacities
of Educators for a Just and Sustainable World. Post conference paper 'Education and Enterprise' Village: supporting
visually impaired (VI) learners locally, nationally and internationally through ‘values’ education and service-learning.
3. Patterson, J., Loomis, C (2016) Manuscript ID BJVI-15-0044 British Journal of Visual Impairment "Linking schools,
universities and businesses to mobilize resources and support for career choice and development of students who are
visually impaired”.
John A Patterson, Optom open access 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2476-2075-C1-008