As a nationwide institution, Synscenter Refsnaes provides services for some 1,800 blind and partially sighted pupils aged 6-15 throughout Denmark. Founded in 1898, Synscenter Refsnaes has more than a century of experience to draw upon.
In addition to catering for the needs of integrated visual impaired children, the centre offers boarding school facilities for blind and partially sighted children, many of whom with additional disabilities. At present, 46 places are available for boarding school students at the centre. These places can equally be allotted to children who are staying at the centre for observation. In connection with the boarding school department, Synscenter Refsnaes provides services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Furthermore, an outpatient clinic is available at the centre, and a team of psychologists are working at Synscenter Refsnaes, observing children individually as well as in groups. The psychological competencies are also made available to parents and teachers through courses offered at Synscenter Refsnaes.
The school department at Synscenter Refsnaes provides primary and secondary education in accordance with Danish educational legislation. Pupils who attend the school at Synscenter Refsnaes typically have additional disabilities. In addition, the centre works as a continuation school for integrated visually impaired youth. Professionals with immense experience are teaching pupils and produce materials in alternative formats such as Braille, audio, DAISY, large print, tactile graphics and soundscapes.
Short courses in various skills relating to visual impairment are provided for integrated schoolchildren. During these courses, which typically last around five days, children are taught subjects such as Braille, math, geometry, and deciphering tactile materials. Furthermore, great emphasis is placed on teaching children to manage in daily life, and exercises such as mobility training and cooking are carried out as part of the courses.
The centre equally offers courses to parents, siblings, grandparents and teachers to raise their awareness about visual impairment and the nature of difficulties visual impairment entails.
For decades, Synscenter Refsnaes has spearheaded the Danish research and development efforts of tools and technologies for the visually impaired. In order to provide efficient means of producing educational materials in alternative formats while at the same time safeguarding Braille and other tactile media through innovative technologies, Synscenter Refsnaes has pioneered the development of Braille notetakers, electronic Braille books, automated Braille translation software and computerised Braille math. An example is the RoboBraille service, capable of automatically producing Braille and digital audio from text documents in multiple languages. RoboBraille is currently being validated in several European countries with financial support from the European Commission.
International collaboration is of crucial importance to Synscenter Refsnaes, and the centre participates actively in organisations such as NOVIR, ICEVI and MDVI. In order to maintain a high professional level and to share experience with international partners, staff at Synscenter Refsnaes are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues on an international scale.