Eligibility criteria for the technology offer for children

(a) Be a resident of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey.

(b) Demonstrate that the child or young person who will be the recipient of services has a vision impairment by submitting one of the following to us at the time of application including the child or young person’s first name, surname and their date of birth:

i. In England, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)

ii. In Northern Ireland a CVI (Northern Ireland) form

iii. In Scotland either a letter confirming notification to VINCYP (Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People) or a CVI Scotland.

iv. Letter from an ophthalmologist stating that the child or young person’s sight is at a level which makes them eligible to be registered if desired (we will accept this if a young person is not yet registered).

v. Letter on NHS headed paper from a consultant showing the child’s name, date of birth and vision impairment diagnosis which makes them eligible to be registered if desired.

vi. Letter from a Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) stating that the child or young person’s sight is at a level which makes them eligible to be registered if desired (we will accept this if a young person is not yet registered). The letter must include the contact details for the QTVI.

vii. A registration card issued by or on behalf of local authority stating the child/young person’s name alongside a birth certificate or passport showing the child or young person’s full name and date of birth. Please upload these as one document.

viii. Letter from a Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist confirming status of vision impairment registration.

(c) Your application needs to be supported by a VI professional, working directly with the applicant at the time of the submission. Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialists can only support sensory applications. This evidence should be provided via a supporter letter and must be:

i. On headed paper or from the supporter's professional email account

ii. Addressed to Guide Dogs

iii. Dated within the last 12 months

iv. Showing the professional's name, job title, organisation's name, organisation's address, professional phone number and email address

Types of VI professionals:

• Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist (sensory only)
• Local authority service providers, including QTVI teachers who work directly with your child
• Health workers (VI)
• Social workers

(d) For assistive and sensory equipment only: Your application needs to be supported by a VI professional, including:

i. Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist (sensory only)

ii. Local authority service providers, including QTVI teachers who work directly with your child

iii. Health workers (VI)

iv. Social workers

(e) Equipment and/or software provided by Guide Dogs is for home use only. When processing an application, we may contact another professional who works with the applicant to confirm the suitability of the items being applied for.

(f) Agree to the terms as stated in the ‘Your agreement’ section of the application form on our website. 

(g) Have not made a successful application for the same child or young person for the or applied through the Guide Dogs grant service within the last four years. 

(h) The child or young person who will be the recipient of services must be aged 3-18 at the date of the application for technology and 0-18 for Sensory equipment/bundles.

(i) Applications will be considered by Guide Dogs and assessed against the above criteria. Approval of an application will be at Guide Dogs' absolute discretion and subject to the availability of devices.