Every health care practitioner or educator should know how to screen for what is often a hidden vision disability which can be mistaken for a cognitive problem and put an older person at significant risk for falls. If the screening test indicated a possible vision disability you refer to a staff member who can perform a functional vision evaluation and suggest first response or stopgap interventions to keep a person functioning while waiting for an eye doctor or certified low vision and blindness rehabilitation professional.
This course also includes "sighted guide"or human guide technique for helping a person who is blind with mobility. The 2 hour screening course which can be purchased also includes a section on visual pathology. ENROLLMENT KEY: freecourse. If you cannot access the course, please email visionedseminars@verizon.net
The presentation will involve an interactive power point presentation, richly illustrated with graphic and video demonstration where you view the world through the eyes of people with different types of vision impairment. Participants will apply techniques using videos of real patients.This course enrolls you in all four courses in the course sequence "Introduction to Low Vision for Adults: First Response Interventions" for a discount. You will learn how to perform a functional vision evaluation and provide "first response interventions" to compensate for low vision while a person is waiting for advanced treatment. Included are:
1. Screening for Vision Disability
2. Evaluation and First response Interventions Part 1
3. Evaluation and First response Interventions Part 2
4. Beyond the First response.
This course sequence provides information that is immediately applicable using equipment available in typical rehabilitation settings, as well as an excellent starting place for advanced education in low vision rehabilitation. Inexpensive evaluation materials are required (see "recommended equipment" download on this page).
Participants will learn how to screen for vision disability by careful observation of a person’s behavior as well as learning how to provide proper sighted-guide for the blind. This is necessary information for any health-care provider or educator. This course is Section 1 of the full course or can be taken by itself. 2 hrs (0.2 CEU). This course includes the free 1 hour course but has an additional section on pathology.
- Teacher: Amber-Joy Boyd
- Teacher: Steve Whittaker
Participants will learn functional evaluation of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and central vision that indicate "first-reponse" interventions (no special equipment or optical devices required). The presentation and workshop is rich with illustrations and videotape of real patients. The covered principles and techniques form the foundation of advanced practice. Course 2 in the 4 course introductory sequence. (2hrs)
- Teacher: Amber-Joy Boyd
- Teacher: Steve Whittaker
Participants will learn how to evaluate and provide first response interventions for visual field loss and oculomotor problems. Differentiating field loss from visual neglect will be discussed in detail in addition to treatment for visual inattention. By request, this course now discusses advanced treatment. "First Response" interventions will be presented that do not require special equipment for oculomotor dysfunction.
- Teacher: Amber-Joy Boyd
- Teacher: Steve Whittaker
Participants will learn how to get started and apply the material taught in the prior courses. Making a proper referral is the most important intervention when a vision disability is found. Included will be an overview of service delivery in the USA, the many professional involved in managing vision impairment and typical practice settings. We will also tell you how to obtain advanced certifiation as a blindness and low vision professional.
- Teacher: Amber-Joy Boyd
- Teacher: Steve Whittaker