Vision Rehabilitation Provides Help & Hope

What is Vision Rehabilitation?

Vision Rehabilitation is training, assistive devices, and other services and tools that help people of all ages experiencing blindness and low vision live more safely, confidently, and independently.

Millions of People in the US live with Blindness and Low Vision

According to the Big Data Project Report on Working Age Adults, 8.7 million people in the US (about 4.7% of the population) between the ages of 18 and 64 report blindness or low vision. The Big Data Project Report on Adults 65+, confirms that significant vision loss increases with age, with about 4 million (approximately 7% of) adults 65+ reporting blindness and low vision, increasing to almost 10% for adults 80+. Vision loss also impacts children and can be the result of genetic factors, injuries, and illness.

Significant Vision Loss Impacts Mental Health & Chronic Health Conditions

Blindness and low vision can profoundly affect the critical activities of everyday life — at home, work, school, and in the community. Adults living with blindness and low vision face a diminished health-related quality of life, and increased rate of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, and hearing impairment. Depending on their age, people with blindness and low vision may be twice as likely to face anxiety and depression compared to their fully sighted peers. Blindness and low vision are also highly correlated with reduced employment opportunities, lower income, higher poverty rates, and diminished overall quality of life.

What is Vision Rehabilitation?

Vision rehabilitation is a therapeutic process of techniques, devices, and interventions designed to help people living with blindness and low vision live safely, confidently, and independently. Guided by Certified Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, these life-enhancing services vary and are tailored to the needs, abilities, and goals of each person learning to live with blindness and low vision.

How Can I Get a Vision Rehabilitation Referral?

An eye doctor specializing in low vision can conduct a low vision eye exam. This comprehensive exam (with dilation) will include a discussion about the cause and impact of your vision loss, family history of vision issues, an assessment of remaining vision, and possibly an exploration of beneficial devices, training, and support, including a referral to a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. You can also contact us directly to get started.

What Do Vision Rehabilitation Therapists and Specialists Do?

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Specialists are highly trained, skilled, and compassionate professionals who work with people living with low vision and blindness to chart the road back to rich and productive lives. They possess a broad range of certifications, including Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS), Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT), and Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialist (CDBIS).After reviewing a client’s low vision exam report or comprehensive eye exam results, the vision rehabilitation specialist develops a personalized plan to meet the unique needs and circumstances of each client, maximizing the use of remaining vision and introducing compensatory skills, techniques, and devices.

Vision Rehabilitation Transforms Lives – What are the Benefits of Vision Rehabilitation?

Vision Rehabilitation is an important step in the continuum of care that employs many tools and techniques, including but not limited to:

Orientation & Mobility training helps facilitate safe and confident navigation and travel outside the home. It may feature white cane training or guide dog partnership, techniques for travel on public transportation, and identifying landmarks and obstacles.
Independent Living Skills training introduces ways to maximize remaining vision and employ compensatory strategies for performing daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and paying bills.

Assistive Technology tools may include magnifiers, screen readers, Braille reading and writing, and speech recognition software, enabling those with low vision to perform daily tasks confidently and efficiently.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services provide solutions to vision-related workplace challenges within an existing position or in a new capacity or career.
Adaptive Devices and specialized low-vision aids include magnifiers, special glasses, and talking devices such as clocks and household appliances.
Support Groups and counseling services offer a secure path out of the isolation and alienation often experienced by people newly faced with a low vision diagnosis.

How Long Does Vision Rehabilitation Last?

The length and frequency of training, as well as the most effective tools, devices, and techniques, depend on each client’s specific goals, needs, and abilities.