Building Consensus about the Functional Vision Assessment Process: A Delphi Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 461-474
Author(s):  
Justin T. Kaiser ◽  
L. Penny Rosenblum ◽  
Tina S. Herzberg
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Vision Assessment ◽  
Visual Skills ◽  
University Instructors ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Functional Vision Assessment

Introduction: Within the field of visual impairment, there is no set of standards that guide teachers of students with visual impairments as they conduct, report, and share functional vision assessment (FVA) results with other educational team members, and university instructors vary in how they teach the assessment process to preservice teachers. Methods: In parallel, a group of teachers of students with visual impairments and a group of university instructors completed three rounds of a Delphi study. After providing background information in Round 1, they rated 84 statements about the FVA process. The level for consensus was set at 80%. Results: Of the 84 statements, consensus was reached for 45 statements regarding the level of importance by both groups. Participants rated 11 of 22 visual skills (e.g., near acuity, distance acuity) as extremely important to include in the FVA process. Discussion: There continues to be a need to build consensus on when FVAs should be conducted, what visual skills should be included when conducting them, what should be included in reports, and with whom assessment information should be shared. The importance of conducting such assessments for all students, including students under the age of 5 years and those with additional disabilities, needs to be recognized by the field of visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: University personnel need to work together to develop consistent curricula that focuses on the FVA process. Future studies that examine the FVA practices of individual teachers are necessary.

An Analysis of Data Collection Tools Used When Completing Functional Vision Assessments

2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
Justin T. Kaiser ◽  
Tina S. Herzberg
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Color Perception ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Near Visual Acuity ◽  
Functional Vision

Introduction: This study analyzed 39 data collection tools used by teachers of students with visual impairments when completing functional vision assessments (FVAs). Methods: In 2017, teachers of students with visual impairments submitted data collection tools used in the FVA process. These tools were then compared with the 23 FVA components suggested by two established resources, Erin and Paul and D’Andrea and Farrenkopf. Results: The most commonly assessed skills and abilities were near visual acuity, distance visual acuity, and color perception. Only five of the submitted data collection tools contained at least 80% of the FVA components identified by the established resources. Fewer than 25% of the tools incorporated an orientation and mobility (O&M) screening. Discussion: There was considerable variation in the background information, medical data, and visual skills information that was collected. Variability in the data collected during the FVA process may impact a teacher’s recommendations, including referrals for specialized evaluations such as O&M and clinical low vision evaluations. Implications for practitioners: Since FVA reports are used by Individualized Education Program teams, it is essential that data collection tools used during the assessment process are complete and address key areas such as near visual acuity and color perception. Teachers should carefully review their tools to determine whether the data collected are sufficient to make informed recommendations regarding accommodations, goals, and referrals. If the data collected are not sufficient, then the tools should be revised or additional data should be collected.

scholarly journals FLORA™: Phase I development of a functional vision assessment for prosthetic vision users

2015 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duane R Geruschat ◽  
Marshall Flax ◽  
Nilima Tanna ◽  
Michelle Bianchi ◽  
Andy Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Vision Assessment ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Functional Vision Assessment

Communication Programming Implications for Individuals With Genetic Causes of Severe Disability and Visual Impairment

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-105
Author(s):  
Susan M. Bruce ◽  
Chris Brum ◽  
Allison Nannemann
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Daily Schedule ◽  
Cortical Visual Impairment ◽  
Functional Vision

This article discusses genetic syndromes that are etiologies of severe disabilities that include the characteristic of visual impairment. Information provided about refractive errors, field loss, cortical visual impairment, and ocular issues is intended to support the practitioner outside the field of visual impairment to collaborate with the teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI). This article provides an overview of the responsibilities of the TVI who can advise others about appropriate enlargement of materials, positioning for optimal use of functional vision, and adaptations to lessons such as the individualized daily schedule. Additionally, the TVI is familiar with instructional strategies to support the use of functional vision and to develop tactile skills. This article concludes with a discussion of the importance of interprofessional collaboration.

scholarly journals Presumed congenital infection by Zika virus: findings on psychomotor development - a case report

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carla Gomes Botelho ◽  
Luana Valeriano Neri ◽  
Marina Queiroz Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Thaisa Teixeira de Lima ◽  
Karla Gonçalves dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Vision Assessment ◽  
Motion Range ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Functional Vision Assessment

Abstract Introduction: the identification of Zika virus (ZikV) in the amniotic fluid, in the placenta and in newborns' brains suggests a neurotropism of this agent in the brain development, resulting in neuro-psycho-motor alterations. Thus, this present study reports the assessment of children diagnosed by a congenital infection, presumably by ZikV, followed-up at the Rehabilitation Center Prof. Ruy Neves Baptist at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP). Description: as proposed by the Ministry of Health, the following instruments were used to evaluate the neuro-motor functions of four children with microcephaly aged between three and four months: The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP); the functional vision assessment; the manual function scale development; and the clinical evaluation protocol on pediatric dysphagia (PAD-PED). Discussion: the children evaluated presented atypical motor performance, muscle tone and spontaneous motricity which encompass the symmetry and the motion range of the upper and lower limbs proven to be altered. The functional vision showed alterations which can cause limitations in the performance of functional activities and the learning process. Regarding to the speech articulator's functions observed that the maturation and coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing did not yet encounter the appropriate age maturity level.

Procedures and Tools Used by Teachers When Completing Functional Vision Assessments with Children with Visual Impairments

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin T. Kaiser ◽  
Tina S. Herzberg
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
The United States ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
Visual Skills ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
K 12

Introduction This study analyzed survey responses from 314 teachers of students with visual impairments regarding the tools and procedures used in completing functional vision assessments (FVAs). Methods Teachers of students with visual impairments in the United States and Canada completed an online survey during spring 2016. Results The majority of participants reported that they primarily assess pre-academic and academic students in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12). More than 95% of all participants indicated that they assess near and distance visual acuity. Other commonly assessed skills and abilities were tracking ( n = 298; 95%), peripheral visual fields (n = 296; 94%), and color perception (n = 293; 93%). Approximately 50% of survey participants indicated that they use a screening tool in determining the need for an orientation and mobility (O&M) evaluation. Discussion The procedures and tools used by participants in completing FVAs varied based on the specific student being assessed. There was also considerable variation in visual skills assessed, as well as in what was included in the assessment report by the participants. Based on comments from participants, it appears that there are complex factors that influence the decision-making process regarding possible referrals for an O&M evaluation or a clinical low vision evaluation. Implications for practitioners Teachers should reflect on their own practices and procedures to determine whether they are including all pertinent information in their FVA reports, as well as explore whether they should assess additional visual skills in order to provide a rich description of how the student uses his or her vision throughout the day in a variety of environments.

scholarly journals Vision improvement with low vision aids and functional vision assessment among children studying in schools for the blind in North-East India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (0) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
Daamaris Magdalene ◽  
Harsha Bhattacharjee ◽  
Pritam Dutta ◽  
Amzad Ali ◽  
Shyam Sundar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Vision ◽  
Low Vision Aids ◽  
North East India ◽  
North East ◽  
Vision Assessment ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Functional Vision Assessment
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