eSight Community News

ACVREP Approved Content Areas

1. The Visual System and Vision Loss: visual system and visual functioning, the etiology of visual impairments and the effects of these impairments on visual functioning, the pathology and effect of systemic health conditions on vision, basic optics of the eyes, basic optics of refractive lenses, and basic optics of low vision devices.

2. The Auditory System and Hearing Loss: auditory system and functioning; effects of hearing loss and impairment; communication systems used by persons with auditory impairments; loss of hearing so severe that it is nonfunctional for the ordinary activities of daily living; and concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which may present unique communication, learning, developmental, orientation and mobility, and social needs.

3. Psychosocial Aspects of Visual Impairment: cultural and psychosocial factors affecting adjustment to visual loss; the resources for addressing student, family, and community responses to visual impairment; and systems and professionals in counseling.

4. Professionalism in Vision Education and Rehabilitation: professional roles and functions, professional goals and objectives, professional organizations and associations, professional history and trends, ethical and legal standards, professional preparation standards, and professional credentialing.

5. Professional Information: sources of professional literature and new information related to the practice of vision rehabilitation and education professionals, evolving practice developments, legislation, public policy, research findings, current issues, and trends and public policy that affect the quality of life for consumers.

6. Individuals Who are Visually Impaired With Additional Disabilities: including sensory, sensorimotor, and physical impairments; mobility impairments not related to visual impairment; developmental disabilities; learning disabilities; diabetes; organic brain damage; and challenging behaviors.

7. Aging and Vision Loss: normal age-related changes in vision and visual functioning, other prevalent age-related health changes, prevalent visual impairments associated with aging and their functional consequences, service delivery systems in aging, geriatric and gerontological health practices and professionals, and service delivery in visual rehabilitation relevant to older persons.

8. Sensory and Motor Functioning: sensory and motor systems, the manner in which these systems affect orientation and locomotion and other daily activities and functions, and the effects of visual impairment on sensory and motor functioning.

9. Human Growth and Development over the Lifespan: the effects of visual impairments and multiple impairments on affective, psychomotor, and cognitive development and processes; and characteristic and atypical developmental patterns of persons with visual and/or multiple impairments.

10. Assessment of Persons with Visual Impairment and their Environments: strategies and methods used to conduct assessments of persons who have a visual impairment and their environment, and the development of individualized education and rehabilitation plans.

11. Instructional Methods: teaching and therapeutic strategies and interventions to promote independence and coping skills, including instruction in the use of visual and non-visual techniques, Braille and other tactual systems, auditory systems, environmental modifications, computer technology, adaptive mobility devices, low vision devices and innovative technology for use by individuals who are visually impaired.

12. Development, Administration, and Supervision of Programs Serving Persons with Visual Impairment: service delivery systems; strategies for organizing and administering programs; quality indicators of services; the role of the vision rehabilitation and education profession and other personnel in the provision of quality educational, rehabilitation, public and private services to persons who are visually impaired; major legislation and policies affecting services for persons who are visually impaired; and local, state and national resources for the provision of services.

13. Communication, Team-Building, Consumerism, Cultural Diversity, And Working With Families: developing strategies for effective communications (spoken and written); fostering and supporting consumers in self-advocacy; and principles and strategies for effective teamwork among professionals, consumers, and significant others in vision rehabilitation and education, including issues related to cultural diversity and working with families.

Submissions should include the name of the presenter(s), mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, title and brief description of the presentation, required equipment (e.g., audiovisual, laptop, etc.).

Applicants will be asked to complete an ACVREP Continuing Education Presenter Information Sheet.

Please mail or e-mail presentation information by July 15, 2005 to:

Lori Cassels, COMS, Conference Chairperson Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. 350 Los Ranchitos Road San Rafael, California 94903-3606 LCassels@guidedogs.com

Questions? Call Lori at (415) 492-4118.