Instructor
Stephen G. Whittaker, PhD, OT, CLVT, SCLV
Low Vision Specialist
Earn: .3 CEUs (3 contact hours/3.75 NBCOT PDUs)
Description
Note: Please complete the first course in this series, An Introduction to Low Vision Rehabilitation: Screening for Visual Disability, before beginning this second course.
Courses 1-4 in the low vision series cover the continuum of care for low vision and will provide you with the knowledge to initiate the “First Response for Low Vision Rehabilitation.” The first response occurs when a professional performs a functional vision evaluation and develops first response rehabilitation interventions. This level of intervention includes available materials that can compensate for vision loss while the client waits for the services of a certified low vision or blindness rehabilitation specialist.
Course 2 includes evaluation and first-response interventions compensating for impaired acuity (including smartphone and tablet computer modifications), impaired contrast sensitivity (including lighting modification), and central field loss.
When you have successfully completed courses 1, 2, 3 and 4 in this sequence in addition to the required essentials courses, you will have the opportunity to request a digital badge and let others know that you can provide the “First Response for Low Vision Rehabilitation” on your electronic correspondence and CV. Please note, that this designation is NOT a certification and therefore does not provide a set of initials to use after your name.
In course 4, you learn how to become a certified low vision or blindness rehabilitation specialist and how to fit into the low vision and blindness rehabilitation service delivery system within the USA. These four courses should give you a solid foundation should you decide to specialize.
It is very important that colleagues within your setting, particularly in settings that work with older adults, take the minimum of course #1 in order to learn to screen for vision disability. This will not only benefit clients who have difficulty engaging in occupations, it will also provide you with a referral base.
Materials Required
To apply the evaluation and treatment that you are taught in courses 2 & 3, the following is required:
1) A laser pointer
2) A greater than 500-lumen flashlight
3) The FRAST* (a bound calibrated version may be purchased from www.lowvisionsimulators.com)
4) The visual assessment handbook*
5) Sample vision evaluation forms*
6) Instructional Handouts for clients*.
* available as free downloads. The downloaded FRAST must be calibrated and printed using a high-resolution printer.
Topic Outline
Overview the occupation-focused clinical reasoning.
Meaningful performance, not visual goals
An evaluation based on visual science using validated tests and everyday
objects.
Documentation and Billing
Evaluation and first-response interventions for
Impaired acuity
Impaired contrast sensitivity
Restricted lighting requirements
Central field loss.
Audience: Occupational Therapy Practitioners (OT/OTA)
Content area: Evaluation: OT Process
Educational level: Intermediate -should have general knowledge of topic area