Envision Conference - Low vision rehabilitation & research news

Speaker Spotlight: Ava Bittner, OD, PhD

The Envision Conference 2012 program schedule is coming together. With over sixty clinical education and research sessions to attend, you will see why Envision Conference is the multi-disciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research conference to attend. Our faculty includes over eighty international experts presenting the latest education in rehabilitation and research. Today's Speaker Spotlight is Ava K. Bittner, OD, PhD.

Dr. Ava Bittner received her Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, and her PhD in clinical investigation from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She completed a clinical research post-doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, and then joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Bittner is involved with research examining the relationships between patient-related factors and health behaviors among visually impaired patients with retinal degeneration, and she designs and conducts clinical trials involving interventions for these patients. Dr. Bittner was an invited fellow at the NIH sponsored 11th annual Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials last summer. She currently has 14 publications in peer reviewed vision science journals and also co-authored a book chapter on 'visual perceptual effects of long-standing vision loss.'

Dr. Bittner's Envision Conference 2012 contributions include: Beyond the Amsler: Current Trends in Vision Self-monitoring Approaches for Age-related Macular Degeneration and as Moderator and research panel organizer for Modern Medicine: Development of Mobile Device and PC-based Vision Testing, Assessment and Education. Check the Envision Conference website Sessions & Events page to review updates to the complete program.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the leaders in low vision rehabilitation and research. Register today! Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Envision Conference 2012 Sneak Preview

The peer review committees have made their final program selections and the schedule for clinical education and research sessions is now underway. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect at this year's conference:

Pre-Conference Workshops, Wednesday September 12

Addressing the Psychosocial Impact of Vision Loss, Diane B. Whitaker, OD. Historically, the psychosocial impact of vision loss has been overlooked or ignored by the eye care community, even though it has a tremendous impact on an individual’s functional performance. Recent studies have shown that vision rehabilitation may improve functional ability, and, therefore, lessen the frustration, anxiety, and sense of loss associated with visual impairment. However, identifying and addressing the underlying psychological issues related to loss are critical to ensure an optimal vision rehabilitation outcome.

Treating Older Adults With Dual Sensory Impairment, Jean-Pierre Gagné, PhD. This session will address the effects and consequences of acquired hearing loss in older adults and present strategies than can be used to optimize communication.The psychosocial effects of hearing loss in older adults will be presented.The effects of hearing loss on older adults with visual impairments will be discussed.

Just in Time - News about the Aging Brain: How it Works; How we can Work with It, Colleen O’Donnell, OTR/L, CLVT. The scientific community’s latest research is just in time for booms in the aging population, aging eye diseases and dementia. This workshop will review new research on the aging brain and brain health. Specific techniques to enhance the vision rehabilitation program using this information will be illustrated through case studies.

Kitchen Skills 101: Envisioning Independence, Debra Sokol-McKay, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, CVRT, CDE, CLVT. Is your patient unsafe or having difficulty with meal preparation tasks? Teach him or her to use “marked” settings on a stove, identify canned beans, and utilize a talking food thermometer. Discover low vision and non-visual techniques and adaptive equipment ranging from reading food directions to food identification, preparation and cooking.

Clinical Education Session Highlights, September 13-15

A VA/VCE Perspective on TBI-Related Vision Impairment and Dysfunction. Gregory Goodrich, PhD , Felix Barker, OD, Kia Eldred, OD, Ronald Schuchard, PhD. TBI-related vision loss has been highlighted by troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this session we will address the types of loss, services for veterans, the coordinating role of the Vision Center of Excellence, and current research efforts relevant to evidence based practice in veteran and civilian clinical settings.

Bioptic Telescopes for Wheelchair Mobility: A Continuum of Evaluation & Training Tools. Erika Andersen, LVT,  Shannon Kessler, OD, Douglas Muir, ABO, COMS, Jaqueline Wolz, PT. Bioptic telescopic spectacles (BTS) provide hands-free access to the environment potentially facilitating community mobility for users with low vision of manual or power wheelchairs. This presentation addresses integration of visual skills, orientation and mobility skills and propelling or driving skills. Participants will learn protocols for evaluating and training a continuum of skills from basic component visual skills for BTS use to integration in a dynamic, uncontrolled community environment including practices to enhance effective referral to and collaboration with multidisciplinary seating professionals. Evidence-based and best practices will be referenced throughout the presentation with identification of strength of evidence based on general consensus rating scales.

Beyond the Amsler: Current Trends in Vision Self-monitoring Approaches for Age-related Macular Degeneration. Ava  Bittner, OD, PhD, Gislin  Dagnelie, PhD. This course will review of the importance of early detection of vision changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), include discussion of recently developed tools for home vision monitoring for AMD, and the role of the low vision provider in fostering patient education regarding self-referrals immediately following new onset vision loss.

Driving with a Visual Impairment: Is this a Contradiction? Mark Wilkinson, OD. Concerns about whether an individual can drive with decreased central acuity or a reduced visual field can be a source of anxiety for the individual, their family and the ophthalmic practitioner. Although extensive research has been done concerning vision and driving, there is still much controversy surrounding this subject. This presentation reviews what should be considered when determining who should and should not drive. New testing procedures and case examples will be reviewed.

Visual Search Training for Hemianopsia and Visual Inattention. Lind Stevens, OTR. This course will look at various techniques used by occupational therapists to improve visual search in those with hemianopsia and visual inattention. Emphasis will be placed on the use of the Dynavision for assessment and treatment in order to promote critical thinking and encourage further inquiry into its use in the clinic.

Evaluation and Treatment of the Child with Vision Impairment. Dawn DeCarlo, OD. This course will cover clinical vision testing that goes beyond the basic acuity tests to fully evaluate the visual function of children with vision impairment. Common etiologies for pediatric vision impairment as well as their medical and rehabilitative treatment will be discussed.

The Importance of Multi-Disciplinary Care in Low Vision Rehabilitation: Benefits to Patient Care vs. The Challenge in Implementation. Tara LeBlanc, OD, OT. This presentation describes various models of low vision rehabilitation and the team members that are included in the rehabilitation team and the roles and goals of each. This will be demonstrated by case examples of a patient in each setting type. The advantages and barriers to patient care will be discussed for each model of practice. Also, for each practice modality described, challenges in implementing true multi-disciplinary care will be discussed.

Vision Research Sesssion Highlights

Modern Medicine: Development of Mobile Device and PC-based Vision Testing, Assessment and Education. Moderator: Ava Bittner, OD, PhD. This panel includes research presentations on:

• A new method for testing letter contrast sensitivity in a clinical setting: Comparing M&S smart system II letter contrast test with Pelli-Robson chart. Manokaraananthan Chandrakumar, MSc.
• Handheld Shape Discrimination Hyperacuity Test on a Mobile Device for Remote Monitoring of Visual Function in Maculopathy. Yi-Zhong Wang, PhD.
• Telerehabilitation for Artificial and Low Vision Rehabilitation. Amy Nau, OD.
• A new PC-based pediatric vision-screening test. Tomohiko Yamada, OD.
• A Survey of Smartphone Usage in Low Vision Patients. Raman Bhakhri, OD.
• Calibration system for PC-based vision testing. Gislin Dagnelie, PhD.

What Does Eye-Tracking Research Teach Us about the Use of Residual Vision? Moderator: Olga Overbury, PhD.This panel includes research presentations on:

• Investigating eye movements during tasks of daily living. Aaron Johnson, PhD
• Understanding the impact of central field loss on eye-hand coordination. Laura Renninger, PhD
• Eye-tracking on the go: Navigation in a shopping mall by people with low vision. Caitlin Murphy, MSc
• Fundus-guided eye tracking: Advantages and disadvantages. William Seiple, PhD
• Tracking the learning process involved in visual rehabilitation: Use of an eye-tracker. Marie-Chantal Wanet-Defalque, PhD

New Methods and Approaches to LV Rehabilitation. Moderator, Walter Wittich, PhD. This panel includes research presentations on:

• Dual Sensory Impairment and Deafblindness: Terminology in Clinic and Research. Walter Wittich, PhD
• Developing Traditional Chinese Characters-version Macular Mapping Test Using Contrast-Based Thresholds Properties for Letter Discrimination. Li-Ting Tsai, OT, PhD
• Evaluation of a recently implemented clinical eccentric viewing training program. Josée Duquette
• Investigating the legibility of prescription medicine labels. Susan Leat, OD, PhD
• Rehabilitative approach with MP1-microperimeter in patients with visual field defects following lesions of the central visual pathways: preliminary results. Francesca De Rossi, MD

This is only a sampling of the more than sixty sessions to choose from. Check the Envision Conference website Sessions & Events page to review updates to the complete program.

Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Low Vision Practitioners: Help Celebrate Occupational Therapy Month!

The broad and comprehensive educational preparation of occupational therapy practitioners enables them to address multiple dimensions of disability that prevent children and adults from engaging in meaningful daily occupations. Each year in April, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students in practice, education and research host a month long observance of the occupational therapy profession. This month is a good time to reflect on the role occupational therapists play in providing low vision rehabilitation services.

Occupational therapy practitioners use the term "occupation" to represent activities that individuals need and want to do and that are meaningful to them. The American Occupational Therapy Association defines occupational therapy as “helping people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.”

In low vision rehabilitation, occupational therapists (OTs) use their training in activity analysis and environmental modification to assess how vision impairment has limited the person’s ability to complete specific daily tasks. Modifications to tasks and the environment are made to minimize or remove those limitations. For example, the OT may recommend adding lighting and contrast to increase visibility in the home or work environment, or removing an environmental hazard to reduce the risk of falls.

Occupational therapists also use their expertise with adaptive aids and assistive technology to enable older adults to use optical and non-optical devices to complete activities of daily living (ADLs). The OT may work with the person to use a prescribed optical device such as a hand-held magnifier to complete shopping, or a non-optical device such as a talking glucometer to complete diabetes self-management. OTs also work with persons to use their remaining vision as efficiently as possible to complete ADLs. This may include teaching a person with central vision loss how to use another part of the retina to see letters more clearly when reading, or teaching a person who has lost vision on one side from a stroke to scan the environment more quickly and completely on the vision loss side to avoid missing objects that hinder safety or the ability to read print.

Occupational therapists work as members of a multi-disciplinary team of vision rehabilitation experts that may include optometrists, ophthalmologists, certified low vision therapists, certified orientation and mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation therapists, teachers of the visually impaired and other vision rehabilitation professionals involved in comprehensive patient care. The role of occupational therapy in vision rehabilitation has been a frequent topic addressed in learning sessions at previous Envision Conferences, and continues to be an area of continuing education training that focuses on developing best practices in patient care.

Envision Conference at AOTA. April is Occupational Therapy Month. Come celebrate with us and stop by booth #26 at the AOTA Annual Conference & Expo April 26 - 29, 2012, Indianapolis, Indiana. Learn what is new in continuing education for occupational therapists and receive the latest information on Envision Conference 2012.

Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Exhibit at the Low Vision Showcase

On behalf of Envision Conference, we invite you to take part in the seventh annual Envision Conference, to be held September 12-15, 2012 in historic St. Louis, Missouri. The Envision Conference is a multi-disciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research conference dedicated to improving the quality of low vision care through professional collaboration, advocacy, research and education. Our focus this year is “Excellence in Education,” and we are excited to meet the hundreds of attendees who serve as advocates on behalf of individuals who are blind or low vision.

By sponsoring, exhibiting or advertising, you have the rare opportunity to share your message or products and services with hundreds of low vision professionals involved in the clinical and research arenas.

Conference attendees include:

• Family practice doctors
• Optometrists
• Occupational therapists
• Ophthalmologists
• Vision research scientists
• Teachers of the visually impaired
• Vision rehabilitation professionals

You can meet face to face with industry and field leaders. In addition to your exhibitor fee, you also have the option to register for sessions and workshops, giving you the opportunity to expand your knowledge about the important field of low vision rehabilitation and research. Please mark your calendars and consider making St. Louis your destination in September 2012. For exhibit rates and details, see Exhibitor Information.

Your company is invited to co-sponsor the Envision Conference or to sponsor specific conference events, such as receptions, luncheons, breakfasts, and coffee breaks. Please see Sponsorship Information for details.

Your company is invited to advertise in the Envision Conference program, include flyers in the attendee packet, and distribute advertising materials via a "Take One" display. See Advertising Information for options and pricing.

To apply for exhibit space, advertising, or sponsorship, use the Online Application form.

If you would like to explore other opportunities for supporting the Envision Conference, please don’t hesitate to contact the Envision Conference Exhibit Manager at (316) 440-1526 or email shelly.chinberg@envisionus.com.

Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Low Vision Knowledge

Call For Presentations: Whether you are a vision scientist, an OD in private practice, an OT in a rehab hospital, an O&M at a private agency for the visually impaired, a TVI from a school district or an MD retinal specialist, we want to hear the challenges you've faced and solutions that have worked for you.

Multi-Disciplinary Topic Areas:

• Assistive Technology
• Optical Devices and Prescribing
• Contact Lenses as Component of Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Low Vision and Driving
• Geriatrics
• Vision Loss and Fall Prevention
• Diabetes Management
• Traumatic Brain Injury and Vision Loss – Neuro-Visual Rehabilitation
• Practice Management - Professional Issues
• Pediatrics, Early Intervention
• Orientation & Mobility
• Vision Replacement Strategies
• Clinical Practice Applications
• Employment for people who have vision loss or blindness
• Psychosocial Issues in Vision Loss
• Eccentric Viewing
• Disease Etiology
• Multi-Disciplinary Models of Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Adding Low Vision Rehabilitation to Your Practice
• Low Vision Research

 See "How To Submit a Presentation or Abstract" for more detailed information.

Submissions Deadline: Submit your proposals to Envision Conference 2012 Call for Presentations, addressing clinical interventions or research abstracts, now through March 19, 2012 via the online submissions form.

Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Share, Learn and Earn in 2012

Share your knowledge. Help address current practice gaps in standards of care for low vision rehabilitation. We want want to hear the challenges you've faced and solutions that have worked for you. Submit your proposals to Envision Conference 2012 Call for Presentations, addressing clinical interventions or research abstracts, now through March 19, 2012 via the online submissions form.

Learn from leaders in the field. Envision Conference 2012 is the place to learn from internationally known researchers and clinicians. Choose from over 100 hours in clinical education and research sessions. Network with colleagues and industry representatives. Online registration is now open.

Earn valuable continuing education units. Envision Conference is the only multi-disciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research conference, offering accreditation for occupational therapists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, ACVREP-certified professionals and rehabilitation counselors in one venue. Last year, Envision Conference 2011 attendees were able to receive up to 27 hours of continuing education. Learn more information about continuing education units and accrediting bodies on the Continuing Education page.

Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference, visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

2012 "Excellence in Education" Keynote Announced

Envision Conference is pleased to announce the Envision Conference 2012 "Excellence in Education" Keynote, Mary Warren, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA.

Mary Warren, is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Director of the Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the editor of a self-paced clinical course on low vision and co-editor of the textbook Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults with Low Vision, both published by the American Occupational Therapy Association Press. She chaired the AOTA panel that developed specialty certification in low vision rehabilitation for occupational therapy practitioners. She has presented numerous workshops on low vision rehabilitation and on visual perceptual dysfunction following acute brain injury, and is an internationally recognized authority in this area. Her research has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and she has contributed chapters to several rehabilitation textbooks including Occupational Therapy: Practice Skills for Physical Dysfunction. She is also the author of the Brain Injury Visual Perceptual Battery for Adults. Warren is a 2010 recipient of the UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The Envision “Excellence in Research” Award will be presented to the individual, individuals or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding career, program, research outcome or effort in low vision research with national or international impact for people who are blind or low vision. The “Excellence in Research” Award will be presented at Envision Conference 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. Please give an example of this research effort. Deadline for nominations is October 28, 2011. Nominate a colleague today!

Continuing Education Certificates Now Available: Envision Conference 2011 continuing education certificates are now available for download. Visit the continuing education page. You will need to enter your name and either registration number or badge number to download your records.

Envision Conference Call For Presentations: Submissions for clinical and research sessions are open now through March 19, 2012 via the online submissions form.

Register Today. Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Envision Conference On the Road

Envision Conference is hitting the road this week to promote our next annual meeting scheduled for September 12-15, 2012 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri.

First stop, Boston, Massachusetts for the 89th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, October 12 -15. Stop by booth #1834 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center to say hello. In addition to Boston, you will also find us at the Missouri Optometric Association annual conference October 13 - 15 at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri. Whether you find yourself in Boston or Branson, be sure and visit our booths to find out the latest information about Envision Conference.

Nominations: The Envision “Excellence in Research” Award will be presented to the individual, individuals or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding career, program, research outcome or effort in low vision research with national or international impact for people who are blind or low vision. The “Excellence in Research” Award will be presented at Envision Conference 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. Please give an example of this research effort. Deadline for nominations is October 28, 2011. Nominate a colleague today!

Continuing Education Certificates Now Available: Envision Conference 2011 continuing education certificates are now available for download. Visit the continuing education page. You will need to enter your name and either registration number or badge number to download your records.

Envision Conference Call For Presentations: Submissions for clinical and research sessions are open now through March 19, 2012 via the online submissions form.

Upcoming Professional Education: 

• Low Vision Grand Rounds: Vision Rehabilitation for Neurological Vision Loss, Thursday, October 27, 2011 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Wichita, KS. Bradley K. Farris, MD. CE- COPE, AOTA, ACCME.
• Behavioral Health and Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach, Saturday, November 12, 2011 8:00 AM - 12:45 PM, Wichita, KS. CE- AOTA, KS Behavioral Sciences Board.

Register Today. Envision Conference 2012 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Envision Conference 2011: Resounding Success!

Thank You to everyone that made Envision Conference 2011 a resounding success for vision rehabilitation and research! Many hours of planning and executing went into designing the leading venue for low vision clinical education and research.

This conference is unique in its focus on low vision.The combination of research and workshop platforms is critical to those of us in the teaching field who are required to use information and strategies that are "research based". -Envision Conference 2011 attendee 

Send us Feedback. Your feedback can help Envision Conference continue to grow and better serve you as an attendee. Please take 10 minutes to complete our post-conference survey. To say thank you for your time, you can enter your email address into a drawing for $50 off Envision Conference 2012. Deadline for entry is Friday, October 7. Access the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EnvisionConference2011.

This was my first experience with Envision. It was a very rewarding experience and will help me in my efforts to provide the best low vision services to my patients. The team effort of disciplines was embraced by this conference and it was a great opportunity for networking and professional growth! The Envision Conference will be on my list of must attend conferences!  - Shirley Anderson, OTR/L, CLVT, Envision Conference 2011 attendee.

Exceptional Speakers. Many thanks are also due to the skilled presenters in clinical education and low vision research who helped to make this year's program the best to-date. Additional thanks to the Envision peer review committees who reviewed the hundreds of clinical education and research abstracts, that ultimately lead to the first rate program.

The quality of the speakers at Envision was exceptional. Many times it was difficult to choose between sessions occurring at the same time. -Envision Conference 2011 attendee.

One-Stop-Shop for Low Vision Resources and Services. Thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors, the Envision Conference 2011 Exhibit Hall was the place to be for special events and in between sessions. Leading edge low vision technologies were on demonstration for attendees to experience and add to their practices.

Ready for Envision Conference 2012. Registration for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors is already underway as we make plans to return to St. Louis, Missouri, September 12 -15, 2012. See you in St. Louis for Envision Conference 2012!

Important Dates

• March 19, 2012 – Deadline for Clinical Education and Research Submissions
• June 29, 2012 – Deadline for Early Bird Registration
• July 6, 2012 - Deadline for Advance Price Exhibitor Registration
• August 17, 2012 - Hotel Room Block Deadline
• September 12-15, 2012 – Envision Conference 2012 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark

Register Today. Envision Conference 2011 will take place September 12-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. To register or learn more about Envision Conference visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com. For updates from Envision Conference, follow us on Twitter (@EnvisionConf) or find us on Facebook.

Envision Conference 2011 is Only One Week Away!

The finishing touches are taking place behind the scenes now for the sixth annual Envision Conference, September 21 - 24, located in the Gateway Arch City of St. Louis, Missouri. We hope you will be joining us for what promises to be a state-of-the-art low vision rehabilitation and research conference.

Online registration is now closed. You can still register onsite during the following times:

• Tuesday, September 20: 3-7 pm
• Wednesday, September 21: 7 am-6 pm
• Thursday, September 22: 7 am-6 pm
• Friday, September 23: 7 am-5:30 pm
• Saturday, September 24: 7 am-5:30 pm

If you have questions about your current registration, please contact Erika Turner at erika.turner@envisionus.com or (316) 440-1529.

Before you arrive: Plan your itinerary and download copies of the session presentations and handouts by visiting our Sessions & Events page.

Check-in: When you arrive, check-in at the Envision Conference Registration desk in the Grand Foyer of the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark during the hours listed above. Upon check-in you will be given your badge and attendee packet.

Stay connected: Keep up to date on Conference happenings via Twitter and Facebook. You can follow EnvisionConf on Twitter, or receive tweets automatically on your mobile phone by texting “follow EnvisionConf” to 40404. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/EnvisionConference.

CME/CE/CEUs: Envision offers CEUs from five accrediting organizations; ACCME; ACVREP, AOTA, COPE and CCRC. Because we are the only multi-disciplinary low vision conference, every effort has been made to maximize the available credits for our attendees. When planning your attendance, be sure to refer to the session number and CEU key in the conference program to maximize your accrual. Visit the Envision Conference continuing education page after October 14, 2011 to retrieve your continuing education certificates. All participants are required to have their badge scanned in each session attended. CEU credit will be prorated according to documented attendance. Evaluations are included in your attendee materials. Complete and return an evaluation at the end of each session attended. You will receive an email once all certificates are available online. If we are missing any continuing education evaluations from you, you will be prompted to complete those for each session attended prior to accessing your certificates. If you have any questions about continuing education credits from Envision Conference 2011, contact us at the registration desk.

Questions? If you need to reach Envision or meeting personnel while at Envision Conference 2011, call (314) 259-3387 or visit the registration desk during registration hours. See you next week!

Envision Conference 2011 will take place September 21-24 in St. Louis, Missouri. To learn more about Envision Conference visit the website at www.envisionconference.org or contact Michael Epp, Director, Professional Education, at michael.epp@envisionus.com.