Low Vision Rehabilitation

							                    Low Vision Rehabilitation
Losing your vision doesn’t have to mean an end to your independence.
Vision loss is not incapacitating, but it does have an impact on nearly
every daily activity. There is life after sight loss, and it can be rich and
fulfilling. There is hope.

Low vision rehabilitation teaches a person who is blind or visually
impaired adaptive ways to eat, play, make a bed, use a computer,
navigate safely through a community, read, enjoy an activity, participate
in social activities and much more.

Low vision rehabilitation is special training that helps an individual with a
visual impairment to live independently. Low vision rehabilitation also
helps a person living with a visual impairment make the most of their
remaining sight.

This specialized rehabilitation might include the use of adaptive aids,
similar to the ones in this kit. Low vision rehabilitation training might
include instruction on how to use optical devices that look similar to eye
glasses. The specialists will often instruct the visually impaired person on
proper lighting, how to control glare, how to use contrast, and proper
magnification. Another component of a low vision rehabilitation program
is training in activities of daily living. A person who is visually impaired
can maintain his or her independence by learning adaptive ways to safely
and effectively cook, clean, manage personal finances and enjoy leisure
activities such as reading, games and sports.
Examples of low vision rehabilitation include:
       Eccentric viewing – learning to use the best area of vision you have
       in your eyes
       Orientation and Mobility – using a guide dog or white cane
       Assistive Technology Instruction– computer training for persons
       who are blind or visually impaired




                  CCTVs are an example of Assistive Technology
            Low Vision Rehabilitation Activities
Activity: Daily activity exercise

Time: 20 minutes

Supplies needed: pitcher of water, 4 sturdy cups and paper towels.

Supplies from the kit: bandana and liquid level indicator.

Instructions: 1) Fill the pitcher with water and place 4 empty cups on a
              sturdy platform like a flat desk.
              2) Have a student wear a bandana and fill two glasses of
              water.
              3) Show the students how the liquid alert works.
              4) Have the same student pour 2 more glasses of water,
              using the liquid alert.

Lesson objective: With the use of the liquid level indicator, individuals
who are visually impaired can still pour a drink without fear of
overflowing a cup. If they do not have a liquid level indicator, they will use
their index finger to determine how full the cup is.


Activity: Daily activity exercise
Time: 10 minutes
         needed:
Supplies needed blank sheets of paper, writing instrument (pencil or
pen).
              kit:
Supplies from kit signature guide and the writing guide.

Instructions: 1) Instruct a student wearing a bandana to sign their name
              and write two or three complete sentences.
              2) Have the student repeat the procedure on another sheet
              of paper while using the signature and writing guides.

Lesson objective: Even with extreme low vision or blindness, individuals
who are blind are able to sign their name, which is vital to independent
living.
Activity: Daily activity exercise

Time: 10 minutes

         needed:
Supplies needed remote control, telephone or any other similar item
with a tactile center point of reference.

Supplies from kit: bump dots, bandana

Instructions: 1) Instruct a student wearing a bandana to use an
              appliance or common electronic item in your room.
              2) After a few minutes, take the item and mark the center
              of the remote or item with the bump dot.
              3) Return it to the student, and indicate where the bump
              dot is located and ask them to use the item again.
              4) Discuss with students how much easier the task was
              with the bump dots. Ask where else a bump dot could be
              used to help an individual who is blind or low vision.

        objective:
Lesson objective Students will learn they can still navigate around items
used everyday with just a little help like a bump dot. The dots orientate a
blind or low vision individual to the center of a key pad, a dial or any
particular setting on an appliance.




A bump dot is used here to mark a button on a microwave.