Definitions of Services and Providers

in the Field of Blindness and Low Vision

 

 

Rehabilitation - Adjustment Counseling

 

Rehabilitation counseling plays a central role for the consumer by insuring that the consumer is prepared for entering and/or re-adjusting to employment.
The adjustment counselor’s primary focus is to provide individual, family, and group counseling and other support services to the blind person with blindness or visual impairment in coping with the anxiety, depression, fear, or grief that may accompany vision loss.

Rehabilitation Teaching

Rehabilitation teaching is provided by a professional whose primary goal is to instruct persons with visual impairment to utilize adaptive skills to help them cope with the demands of everyday life, primarily in the areas of communication, personal management, leisure time, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

Placement Counseling

This service assists those who are seeking employment to find meaningful positions in the work force. The placement counselor identifies employer needs throughout the community and matches consumers to appropriate job openings. He/she provides consumers with training in job search techniques, job development, and provides continued support services for job retention.

Vocational Training

Vocational training prepares persons who are either seeking employment or who need additional skills to maintain employment. This training may take several forms: formal classroom instruction, such as that provided by a vocational or trade school; work adjustment; on the job training; or specific skill training, such as computer training, typing, phone usage, and Braille instruction.

Orientation and Mobility Instruction (O&M)

O&M involves instruction in concepts, skills, techniques necessary to safely travel through diverse environmental conditions and situations. This service is offered by the O&M specialist.

Low Vision Evaluation

The low vision evaluation is an assessment of the eye and vision system with recommendations to enhance remaining vision for both general and specific tasks through the use of low vision devices and vision therapy. This service is offered by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in low vision rehabilitation.
Low vision devices include microscopes, telescopes, high powered magnifiers, specialized lenses, prisms, specialized reading eyeglasses, high powered lighting systems, CCTV’s (closed circuit television), and other electronic devices such as voice readers.
 

Teachers of the Visually Impaired

 

Teachers of the Visually Impaired help children with visual impairments compete with their normally sighted peers. In addition to tutorial help, TVIs also provide large print books and materials for the students. Magnifiers, book stands, and tactile devices are made available as needed for VI students to use in school. Braille books and materials are provided for blind and low vision students. Specialized instruction from a TVI also helps VI students achieve their academic goals.

Recreational / Social Activities / Peer Support / Advocacy Services

Interaction and networking with others who are blind or visually impaired to improve the individual’s quality of life through participation in leisure time activities, hobbies, sports, recreational, social, and peer support activities.

 

Occupational Therapy

 

The focus of occupational therapy is rehabilitation, enabling people with low vision to be as independent as possible. This includes maximizing remaining usable vision by using special techniques, devices, and adaptations. This service is covered by insurance companies and needs to be prescribed by your eye doctor.