Course Description
The Gift of Seeing: Ocular Impairments and Interventions discusses various conditions of the eyes and ways to support a young child with visual challenges. The course is designed to give learners an understanding of frequently encountered ocular impairments. The learner will be introduced to performing vision screenings, identifying and accessing resources for children with visual impairments, and implementing adaptations to help those with visual impairments thrive. These strategies will support children with delayed visual skills or eye impairments.
The Lessons included are: Introduction to the Little Light House, Ocular Impairments: Low Vision and Blindness; Support, Interventions, and Assistive Technology for Children with Low Vision and Blindness, Orientation and Mobility Skills, Educational Interventions, and U.S.Based School and Community Resources for the Visually Impaired. There is a quiz at the end of each lesson and a final quiz at the end of the course. To receive a Certificate of Completion from Little Light House, a score of 85% or higher is required on the final quiz. The certificate will be issued after the learner successfully completes the final quiz and submits the feedback form. Quiz completion is not required if a certificate is not desired.
Recommended Prerequisite Courses:
Who is the Child with Special Needs?
Intro to Vision: The Gift of Seeing
What You'll Learn
- Understand low vision as compared to typical vision.
- Gain a basic understanding of the difference between low vision, typical vision, legal blindness, blindness, and conditions of the eye that cause them.
- Recognize common observable behaviors in children often generated from low vision.
- Understand the importance of enhanced lighting for children with visual challenges.
- Develop skills to perform a simple vision screener for an individual with suspected low vision.
- Learn how to access resources for extensive eye examinations specifically in low vision.
- Gain knowledge about various intervention tools used to assist individuals with fine visual detail and pre-braille readiness skills.
- Recognize how high-contrast materials and interventions support vision and affect daily living skills, mobility, access to fine visual detail, and the achievement of developmental goals.
- Understand how to locate or create community services for children with vision impairments.
Example Curriculum
Primary Authors
Lynda Crouch, MS CLVT/ATP/MOT Perkins-Roman CVI Specialist
Lynda Crouch is a certified, low vision therapist and assistive technology professional. Along with working at Little Light House, Linda contracts with school districts, therapy clinics, and the Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services to serve individuals of all ages with vision impairments. She has also worked for 3 years at a low vision clinic with a low vision optometrist. Lynda holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University and is licensed in the State of Oklahoma. She has received Perkins-Roman cortical vision impairment endorsement. Additionally, she holds a low vision therapist certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) and certification as an Assistive Technology Professional from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Additionally she served as a contributor for standardizing the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills 4th Edition. For over 30 years, Lynda has served individuals of all ages with vision impairments throughout the community, in therapy and low vision clinics, and in school settings. It is her passion to help teachers, therapists, and parents understand vision impairments and interventions that can help individuals reach their full potential.
Julia Wilson, PT Physical Therapist
Julia B. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma in 1973 and is licensed to practice physical therapy in the State of Oklahoma, USA. Her pediatric focus is in Certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment of Children with Neurological Disorders and NDT Advanced Baby Treatment. She also pursued advanced training in lower extremity orthotics and gait disorders. She is a lifetime member of American Physical Therapy Association and Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association, and has held multiple leadership positions and appointments. Julia spent over 35 years in pediatric private practice as an owner/therapist prior to joining Little Light House’s therapy team in 2007. Over the years, she has served in the Children’s Services area as a Physical Therapist, Director of Therapy Services, and Senior Director of Children and Family Services prior to stepping into her current role as the Academy Coordinator and Trainer. She was awarded the Pediatric Provider of the Year in 2018 by the Oklahoma Association of Neonatal and Pediatric Therapists (OANAPT). Along with these roles, Julia has participated in multiple overseas training trips to the Sunbeam Center in Johvi, Estonia through the LLH National & Global Impact program, to train and consult with other professionals around the world.
Hannah Jimenez, MS
Hannah Jimenez graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education. She also holds credentials as a Master IEP Coach and was voted Teacher of the Year at Cedar Ridge Elementary in 2020. Prior to joining Little Light House, Hannah taught Special Education in the public school and community college settings and assisted with the “His Heart” special needs ministry at CrossPoint Church in Sand Springs, OK. Hannah currently serves as the Special Education Teacher & Trainer on the National and Global Impact team at Little Light House. She provides training to churches on how to offer special needs services, writing courses for the Online Academy, and teaching Early Intervention evening classes at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. Hannah’s greatest passion is helping individuals with disabilities access their community, school, and church.
Ann Chinworth, BA in English, Editor
Ann Chinworth graduated with Bachelor degrees in English Education and Spanish from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK in 2017. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings, teaching Language Arts in the public schools, working locally and overseas with youth, and expanding her online content creation skills. Ann joined Little Light House’s Department of Development in 2018 as the Grant Writer and later assisted with fundraising on the events team. Since then, she has transitioned to the National and Global Impact department, serving as the Outreach Coordinator. She works with the team to compile information from Little Light House’s 50 years of experience into helpful resources and trainings for professional contacts, parents and educators worldwide through the online Training Academy and Church Collective program. Ann has a passion for people and helping connect them with the resources they need to feel confident, happy, and ready for the future.