University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Optometry and Vision Science has established a new Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment that is open to students from all disciplines.
The postgraduate program has been designed to address the needs of an increasing proportion of the Australian and global community living with vision impairment. The aim is to provide students with knowledge and expertise in vision impairment, so they may work effectively in service roles to profoundly enhance the lives of people living with low vision or blindness.
Vision impairment has many causes (e.g., macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cortical damage) and has serious implications for the lives and wellbeing of those affected of an increasing proportion of the Australian and global community.
The program provides graduates with the ability to engage more effectively to work better in governance around visual disability, whether it’s in the government or private sector
Unrestricted Bachelor’s Entry Pre-requisite
Because vision impairment has the potential to impact all government and private sectors in Australia, the Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment has completely unrestricted bachelor’s entry pre-requisites to cater for students from any educational background.
“The Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment is purposefully constructed to provide students from diverse industry backgrounds with the ability to upskill and enhance their knowledge and expertise in vision impairment as well as vision rehabilitation,” said Associate Professor Juno Kim, Program Lead.
The program provides foundational coursework study in a flexible online learning environment, where students will gain an understanding of the causes of vision impairment, and how they impact disability, diversity, and social inclusion. Students will also learn about the fundamental principles of vision rehabilitation as part of their core learning.
Additionally, students can tailor their qualification to their interests with elective coursework, including assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering (offered face-to-face), as well as online study options in public health for enhancing health promotion or effectively navigating the ethical and legal considerations when developing public health policy.
“The program provides graduates with the ability to engage more effectively to work better in governance around visual disability, whether it’s in the government or private sector,” Assoc Prof Kim said.
This multidisciplinary qualification can be completed full-time or part-time, enabling students to balance their studies with work while gaining valuable, practical skills.
Developed with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, this qualification equips students with evidence-based skills that prepare them to address real-world challenges in the field.
“This is a very unique program – there is nothing else like it in Australia,” said Assoc Prof Kim.
Find more information about this program (commencing in Term 1, 2025) and the Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) here.
