Inspirations

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica J Otis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Research Assistant ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The University

This chapter is a collection of stories from those who do not let anything keep them from achieving their goals and who inspire us. These individuals show us there is hope and that anything is possible. My name is Eric, and I am 27 years old. I was born with familial (hereditary) aniridia. I also have nystagmus, beginnings of a cataract in my right eye, lens implant in my left eye, and corneal keratopathy in both eyes (but it is worse in my left eye). I am married to my lovely wife, Amber, and we have four children. They are: Joseph (ten years old), Sarah (seven years old), Aniston (four years old), and Christopher (two years old). The two oldest have normal vision and the two youngest have aniridia (how’s that for the law of randomization?). Currently, I work as a research assistant at the University of Florida as part of my doctoral degree. I also own my own company where I work as an occupational therapist with blind and low-vision individuals of all ages. Initially when I went to occupational therapy school, I was not interested in working with people who have vision impairments. Instead, I specialized in working with older adults. After working in the field for several years with older adults, I began to notice that many of my elderly patients had vision problems. Although I grew up with a visual impairment, I did not feel professionally qualified to address their vision issues because learning how to adapt to a visual impairment is different for someone born with a visual impairment than someone who acquires a visual impairment later in life. So I went back to school to gain additional training in working with people who have visual impairments. Part of my job as an occupational therapist is to evaluate patients for specific assistive-technology needs, recommend products that would increase their independence, and to teach patients with multiple disabilities how to use these devices.

Low vision rehabilitation services: Perceived barriers and facilitators to access for older adults with visual impairment

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 466-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kaldenberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Coordinated Care ◽  
Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽  
Vision Rehabilitation

Introduction The aim of this study is to describe the barriers and facilitators to accessing low vision rehabilitation services in Massachusetts, USA, and determine differences between communities with and without existing low vision rehabilitation services for older adults with visual impairment. Method A sample of older adults with visual impairment ( n = 64) from both communities participated in the study. Barriers and facilitators to accessing the services were explored through focus groups and prioritized during one-on-one interviews, which allowed for comparison between communities. Results Twelve themes were identified: (a) bureaucracy and funding (public policy); (b) public awareness and stigma (community); (c) services available, knowledge of providers, care coordination, transportation (organizational); (d) people and lack of awareness of family/friends (interpersonal); and (e) income, health status, knowledge, self-advocacy, and time (individual). Conclusion This study provides insights into the perceived barriers and facilitators of accessing low vision rehabilitation services for older adults with vision impairment living in Massachusetts, USA. Key findings indicate the need for improved awareness of these services at the provider and consumer level, coordinated care, increased education on the efficacy of occupational therapy low vision rehabilitation services, client-centered care provided when the client is ready to accept services, and service provision that addresses sociodemographic factors.

scholarly journals Tinkering with Teachers: The Case for 3D Printing in the Education Library

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Elrod
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Research University ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The Future ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The University

Opportunities to utilize 3D printing in the K-12 classroom are growing every day. This paper describes the process of implementing a 3D printing service in the Education Library of The University of Florida, Gainesville, a large, doctoral-degree granting, research university. Included are examples of lesson plans featuring 3D printing, creation of 3D models, how to find existing models, and examples of how to integrate 3D printing into the K-12 curriculum. The author addresses the benefits and challenges of this process for library staff and patrons as well as potential uses for the future.

Low Vision and Aniridia

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Bulmann
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Peripheral Vision ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Normal Person ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Functional Changes

Aniridia affects many visual aspects of one’s life. This chapter will highlight many of these effects. Functional changes that occur due to aniridia will be discussed. Once the patient’s vision is assessed and goals are established with a thorough eye examination, numerous avenues can be taken to ensure the support of all the patient’s health care providers. Referrals can be made to appropriate professionals to ensure full understanding and management of the ocular condition. Visual acuity is the measurement used to determine vision levels. Normal vision is 20/20, which means that what a normal person sees at 20 feet, the patient sees at 20 feet. If their vision is 20/40, they would need to be at a distance of 20 feet to see what someone with normal vision can see at 40 feet. The decrease in visual acuity in those with aniridia usually ranges from under 20/60 to as low as approximately 20/400. This is due to the lack of development of the macular area, or fovea. The fovea is responsible for our clearest, most precise vision. Those with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse that is best corrected while wearing spectacles or contact lenses in the better-seeing eye are considered legally blind. While most people who suffer from aniridia are not legally blind, they are visual impaired. Visual impairment is defined as visual acuity of 20/70 in the better-seeing eye when optimally corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The designation of “visual impairment” also has a functionality factor. If a person has a reduction in the ability of the eye or the visual system to perform to a normal ability, he/she is considered visually impaired. Visual field is the measurement of peripheral vision. Those with aniridia may have decreased peripheral vision. This is not directly due to aniridia, but rather to glaucoma, which may develop due to structural changes in the eye. Glaucoma is explained in detail in the glaucoma chapter of this book.

Acceptability and Identification of Scooped Versus Molded Puréed Foods

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (03) ◽  
pp. 145-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamila R. Lepore ◽  
Charles A. Sims ◽  
Nancy J. Gal ◽  
Wendy J. Dahl
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Magnitude Scale ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sensory Studies

Purpose: Although puréed foods are commonly recommended for individuals with dysphagia and the acceptability of these foods is often a concern, few sensory studies on puréed foods have been carried out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of serving style (i.e., scooped vs molded), on identification and acceptability of puréed foods in younger and older adults. Methods: Acceptability of scooped versus molded puréed meats and vegetables was evaluated using the hedonic general Labeled Magnitude Scale. The younger adult panelists (n = 97; 55 F, 42 M) were recruited from the University of Florida staff and students, and the older adult panelists (n = 70; 59 F, 11 M) were recruited from the community. Results: The younger panelists correctly identified a higher percentage of puréed foods than did the older panelists. Scooped puréed foods were more acceptable than molded. Conclusions: The results suggest that puréed foods may be more acceptable and identifiable when served without molding for both younger and older adults.

The Effect of Visual Impairment on the Strength of Children's Hip and Knee Extensors

1997 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wyatt ◽  
G.Y. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Lean Body Weight ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Body Build ◽  
Blind Children ◽  
Congenitally Blind ◽  
Leg Extensors

A test of the strength of children's hip and knee extensors found that children who were congenitally blind or had low vision had weaker knee extensors than did sighted children, but that after the correction for lean body weight (LBW), these differences were not significant. The children who were blind or had low vision also had weaker hip extensors, but after LBW correction, only the blind children's hip extensors were weaker than those of the children with normal vision. The findings indicate that congenitally blind children may be prone to develop weak leg extensors because of poor body build or the constraints of blindness and that they require extensive physical intervention during infancy.

scholarly journals Mild Visual Impairment and Its Impact on Self-Care Among Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel O’Conor ◽  
Samuel G. Smith ◽  
Laura M. Curtis ◽  
Julia Yoshino Benavente ◽  
Daniel P. Vicencio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Care Systems

Objective: To determine the prevalence of mild visual impairment (MVI) among urban older adults in primary care settings, and ascertain whether MVI was a risk factor for inadequate performance on self-care health tasks. Method: We used data from a cohort of 900 older adults recruited from primary care clinics. Self-management skills were assessed using the Comprehensive Health Activities Scale, and vision with corrective lenses was assessed with the Snellen. We modeled visual acuity predicting health task performance with linear regression. Results: Normal vision was associated with better overall health task performance ( p = .004). Individuals with normal vision were more likely to recall health information conveyed via multimedia ( p = .02) and during a spoken encounter ( p = .04), and were more accurate in dosing multi-drug regimens ( p = .05). Discussion: MVI may challenge the performance of self-care behaviors. Health care systems and clinicians should consider even subtle detriments in visual acuity when designing health information, materials, and devices.

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