Vision Rehabilitation and Research Submission Topics
In the recent issue of Visibility, Walter Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO, succinctly described the interdisciplinary nature and challenges of vision rehabilitation: "From low vision specialists to occupational therapists to psychologists, we all must acknowledge the fact that we can't be all things to all patients. Vision rehabilitation specialists must work together to provide our patients with the best of all our services." The Envision Conference strives to meet the following outcomes through multi-disciplinary educational programing:
- Provide opportunities to build collaborations between low vision researchers, practitioners, educators and health care organizations.
- Identify strategies for addressing eye health at the local level.
- Facilitate a national and international exchange of vision rehabilitation information among individuals, groups and institutions.
- Explore diverse and innovative ways of translating vision research into action.
- Develop strategies for strengthening the role of low vision on the public health agenda.
- Address disparities in access to low vision care.
- Identify practice gaps in low vision care delivery methods.
- Provide opportunities and training to address national eye health epidemics (e.g. diabetes and diabetic retinopathy).
Multi-Disciplinary Topic Areas
Many program topics are selected to help meet these outcomes. Here is a partial list:
- 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
The above topics cover many of the areas we receive submissions to the Envision Conference 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.
Submission Deadline Approaches
Submissions are open through March 28, 2011. We invite you to share your valuable field experiences, research proposals and clinical applications with your colleagues. Submission is easy via the online submissions form. See "How To Submit a Presentation or Abstract" for more detailed information.
Mark your calendars for Envision Conference 2011, September 21-24 in St. Louis, MO. 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.
