Visually Impaired A Practical Guide

The purpose of this book is to provide practical information that is directly applicable to the lives of individuals with visual impairments. This book brushes aside abstract talk on the subject and focuses on concrete issues that are common to people who are visually impaired. Throughout the book, I draw on mainly two types of information to give the reader a more holistic view on how to tackle these different issues. The first type of information can be called objective, and consists of portraying a factual snapshot of what sort of information and resources are available for the visually impaired. This includes information on what kind of assistive technology is available, procedures to get accommodations in school, federal aid programs, and more. The second type of information can be called subjective, and consists of providing valuable insight learned from many years of experience with being visually impaired. For example, what accommodations can work best in the classroom, tips for interacting with others, drawbacks associated with certain pieces of technology, and more. These two types of information work together to provide a more nuanced perspective on tackling different issues relating to being visually impaired, and can be a useful guiding hand in the reader's own journey. Chapters Chapter 1: Assistive Technology Chapter 2: Early Education Chapter 3: College Chapter 4: Life After School Chapter 5: The Social World

This Second Edition of Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists provides current, evidence-based information on low vision rehabilitation that contains several new and expanded chapters on ADLs, IADLs, and recreation, as well as new online resources and the latest in accessibility devices. Low vision rehabilitation is rapidly growing as a specialty practice for occupational therapists. This growth requires practical, evidence-based information on the evaluation and treatment of the effects of low vision on occupational performance. Responding to this need, Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists, Second Edition blends standards of practice that have been developed for over 50 years by low vision therapists and optometrists, with the latest scientific research and the unique perspective of occupational therapists. This text is written to introduce the student and general practitioner to low vision rehabilitation as commonly encountered in medical rehabilitation as well as provides a conceptual approach to evaluation and treatment that will enrich an advanced practice. Authors Stephen Whittaker, a low vision researcher, certified low vision therapist and occupational therapist, Mitchell Scheiman, an optometrist and researcher, and Debra Sokol-McKay, an occupational therapist with specialty certification in low vision as well as certification as a low vision therapist, vision rehabilitation therapist and diabetes educator, have carefully selected evidence-based evaluations and treatments that focus on clinical practicality and meaningful occupational goals in adults. New to the Second Edition: A focus on occupational performance using “whatever works,” whether visual, non-visual, or a combination of these different devices and adaptive techniques The “EPIC” Framework, a general strategy to organize a treatment plan for daily activities using visual and non-visual techniques Access to a companion website designed as a handy clinical reference, with solutions to clinical problems easily searchable and cross-linked to related content The “Success-Oriented Approach” to interventions based on the most recent research on cognitive disability and depression associated with low vision Applications of the latest electronic accessibility devices including smartphones, tablets, and magnifiers that read aloud Incorporates the AADETM 7 Self-Care Behavior framework of the American Association of Diabetes Educators Incorporates concepts from the latest edition of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process A chapter devoted to field loss, spatial neglect and perceptual impairments resulting from acquired-brain-injury. The latest in Medicare documentation standards including outcome to G-code conversions and ICD-10 diagnostic coding for low vision. Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. Features Included: Recommended practical evaluation and treatment methods such as a 1 hour evaluation protocol, how to write observable and measurable goals and document outcomes, and specific instructions on how to implement treatments Prepares therapists for the ACVREP certification as a low vision therapist or vision rehabilitation or AOTA specialty certification in low vision Emphasizes intervention and low vision rehabilitation treatment including: modification of the environment adaptive visual and non-visual techniques selection and use of non-optical assistive devices selection and use of electronic and optical devices and use of computer technology including smartphones and tablets Comprehensive case studies on vision impairment resulting from eye disease to head injury and more Provides valuable information on how to start an independent practice in low vision rehabilitation Includes a chapter on diabetes management Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists, Second Edition employs an interdisciplinary perspective that is unique, practical, and credible and will benefit Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students, as well as practicing clinicians interested in specializing in low vision or other health care practitioners for patients with vision impairment.

"A Practical Guide to the ADA is designed to be a practical companion to the law--a clearheaded alternative to much of the confusion and misinformation about how the ADA can be implemented for people who are blind or visually impaired"--Back cover.

Millions of people, in the US and other parts of the world, face the grim prospect of losing their driving privileges, their mobility, and to a great extent their freedom, due to a deterioration in their eyesight or a disabling eye disease. "Driving with Confidence" is an empowering tool. Its message is simple: In many cases, people with low vision can and do receive, retain and safely exercise their driving privileges.

Presents an emerging model in which occupational therapists practice as part of a team of vision rehabilitation professionals serving adults with low vision. Occupational therapists offer a unique contribution to the vision rehabilitation team, with a focus on meaningful occupational goals, the incorporation of occupation into therapy, and the orchestration of environmental, social, and non-visual personal factors into a treatment plan. The authors have developed a practical and straightforward text outlining an evaluation approach to interventions that focus on recovering occupational performance in adults.

Bursting with practical advice, suggestions and handy tips, providing readers with a positive starting point for sharing ideas and good practice, this is a key practical guide to making learning accessible for primary and secondary school pupils with visual impairment. This user-friendly book shows how, with appropriate support, pupils with visual impairment in mainstream schools can have as rewarding an experience of education as their sighted peers. The majority of contributors are qualified teachers for visual impairment, with many years' experience working with pupils in a variety of settings. Covering the curriculum and each subject area in detail, Teaching Pupils with Visual Impairment includes guidance on: activities within and outside the classroom making the school's physical environment accessible inclusion within the school's social environment. Teachers and support staff will have immediate access to a wealth of ideas, supported by invaluable resources on the accompanying CD/website, including a complete electronic version of the book in large print, allowing older pupils to take a more active role in the learning process.

Using the practical advice from itinerant teachers within the US, each chapter develops strategies for working with students with visual impairments. It discusses the rights, expectations and demands of itinerant teaching, as well as the provision of services within a variety of environments.