The Visual Process

1
The Visual Process Implications of Visual
Disabilities

• Robyn D. Fillman, Ph.D.
• The Ohio State University
• College of Education
• School of Teaching and Learning

2
What is Low Vision?

• Legal Blindness
• Partial Sight
• Functionally Blind
• Low Vision
• Visual Function Efficiency

3
Demographics

• 70 population of visually impaired are elderly
• 10 of blind have no vision at all
• 60 of visually impairment in U.S.
• Third leading cause of impairment in U.S.

4
A Team Approach

• Individual with low vision and family members
• Eye care providers
• Education/Rehabilitation specialists
• Human service/allied health personnel

5
Service Providers

• Clinical Services
• Educational Services
• Rehabilitation Services

6
Psychological and Social Implications of Low
Vision

• Attitudes that affect adjustment
• Initial reactions to low vision
• Fear of losing vision
• Issues related to personal identity
• Use of optical devices
• The dilemma of driving

7
Environmental Manipulations

• Lighting
• Contrast
• Color
• Distance
• Size

8
Visual and Nonvisual Techniques

• Use of optical devices
• Use of computers
• Nonvisual approaches

9
Factors That May Affect Choices

• Type of visual impairment
• Fluctuating vision
• Stamina
• Self-advocacy self-perception

10
Model to Increase Visual Functioning

• Arrange environment
• Target specific visual attending behaviors
• Foster use of visual behaviors in specific tasks

11
Low Vision and Literacy

• Braille legislation
• Issues of definition
• Emphasis on use of vision
• Lack of assessment procedures
• Print media
• Confounding factors

12
Issues for Adults

• Congenital or adventitious
• Biggest losses are reading and driving
• Many not referred to low vision clinics
• Many already lack adequate literacy skills

13
Three Types of Literacy

• Emergent literacy
• Academic literacy
• Functional literacy