Rehabilitation Workers
Professional Network

The professional body for Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation Specialists

RWPN is the professional body for Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Vision Habilitation Specialists


  


Our purpose is to:

  • Set and maintain professional standards for the workforce to safeguard them and the people they work with
  • Promote the value of vision rehabilitation and habilitation  for blind and partially sighted people
  • Support the workforce in the day-to-day execution of their role by providing information, advice, guidance and learning opportunities

Whether you are a qualified or student Vision Rehabilitation or Habilitation Specialist, sensory assistant or qualified deafblind specialist, we are here to represent you. To read about the benefits of joining, click here

Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Vision Habilitation Specialists can join as Full members/registrants. Sensory assistants and Deafblind specialists can join as Associate members, and managers can join as Manager members. Student, associate and manager membership is free.                        

We hold the accredited register of professionals working in the field. In this capacity we can investigate concerns and complaints about our registrants.

image shows a woman using a white cane to cross a zebra crossing, reaching the tactile pavement, next to her is a VRS observing

Photo of Elaine Hawkswell, VRS at Essex Cares Ltd teaching a client with a long cane as they cross a zebra crossing

Freelance Professionals

If you are looking for a freelance VRS to provide support, you may find one from our Freelance Register 

Upcoming events

  • No upcoming events

RWPN's 2023 online professional study day will take place on Thursday 26th October,  The programme will be sent to registrants and members in the first week of October, along with online registration details.

RWPN's last professional study day took place on Monday 7th November.  Recordings of all 5 sessions are now posted in the members section of the website in Professional Study Day 2022.

What is a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist?

Vision Rehabilitation Specialists are professionals who are qualified to support visually impaired adults to enable and empower them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. We support adults who have acquired or have congenital vision impairment to live independently. In addition, we help our clients to access support and adapt new skills with mobility, life skills in the home (including personal care), communication skills, use of technology, housing, finance and social activities which are important to the individual. We support our clients to develop and maintain the independence and confidence they need to progress through life in the home, at work, socially or in higher or further education. Our work includes delivering training, support and coaching to develop the life skills needed to live independently, communicate effectively, travel safely and to build and maintain relationships.

Find out more about what Vision Rehabilitation Specialist do?

A day in the life of a rehab worker read the Guardian article here

A client's perspective: listen to Roger's experience of sight loss and vision rehabilitation support

A service perspective: watch a video describing Hertfordshire County Council's vision rehabilitation service.

This site is operated by the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network Ltd

Registered in England & Wales no. 9179719

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