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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Enhance visual functioning of persons with low vision to improve quality of life 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264958  Enhance visual functioning of persons with low vision to improve quality of life 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Inclusive Education 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 05 - Education, Training and Development Adult Learning 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
117089  Enhance visual functioning of persons with low vision to improve quality of life  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of this Unit Standard is to ensure that learners are able to facilitate the competencies of persons with low vision, in order to improve their quality of life.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Identifying needs of persons with low vision.
  • Selecting and apply techniques to enhance the use of residual vision.
  • Modifying environments to enhance the use of residual vision.
  • Facilitating the integration of skills to enhance the use of residual vision with independent travel/mobility through complex environments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 4.
  • Understand specific medical conditions that impact on the planning of independence training programmes for blind and partially sighted persons. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify needs of persons with low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Client needs are identified and explained in terms of specific contexts and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Client's functional use of vision is determined according to Orientation and Mobility practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Visual diagnosis and appropriate medical aspects are discussed with persons experiencing low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need for vision enhancement is identified in consultation with persons experiencing low vision. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Assess the impact of environments on the use of functional vision. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Environments in this context means the area/surroundings that the person with low vision travels. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Variables in the environmental that impact on the use of functional vision are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Variables include but is not limited to:
  • Lighting, contrast, visual clutter, movement patterns etc.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential hazards and environments are assessed in terms of the travel demands of persons with low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Clients are assisted in developing a thorough understanding of the environmental variables that enhance or decrease their functional level of vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cost effective modifications are made to to enhance safety and reflect the needs of persons with low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Modifications are reflected upon to identify areas for further improvements in consultation with persons with low vision. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select and apply techniques to enhance/improve the use of functional vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different techniques to enhance/improve the use of functional vision are identified and described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques includes but is not limited to:
  • Visual efficiency, basic visual motor skills, depth perception cues, use of visual landmarks, glare and light adaptation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    One or more techniques are selected in consultation with and according to suitability to individual client`s needs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Use of techniques is facilitated in a creative and appropriate manner in order to enhance/improve client's use of functional vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Use of techniques is modified when required to enhance specific client's use of functional vision and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Skills used are reflected upon and adapted for personal safety and preference. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Facilitate the integration of skills to enhance the use of functional vision with independent travel through complex environments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The identification, selection and use of techniques and methods to enhance functional use of vision is facilitated in consultation with, persons with low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The transferance and adaptation of techniques to enhance functional use of vision across a variety of environments and situations is facilitated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The execution of complex routes is facilitated to enhance the independence of persons with low vision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effectiveness of techniques and methods to enhance functional use of vision and independent travel is reflected upon in consultation with persons with low vision. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner will be able to understand and explain relevant aspects of the following:
  • Levels of visual functionality.
  • Techniques to enhance the use of residual vision.
  • Modification of environments to enhance the use of residual vision. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions regarding modifications of environments to enhance the use of residual vision. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to identify, select and use techniques and methods to enhance the use of residual vision in consultation with persons with low vision. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to assess environments in terms of potential hazards, the travel demands required of persons with low vision and the impact on the functional use of vision. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when discussing visual diagnosis clearly and empathetically. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when facilitating planning of independent execution of complex routes optimally for specific contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 117089, "Enhance visual functioning of persons with low vision to improve quality of life", Level 5, 12 Credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67373   National Diploma: Orientation and Mobility Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.