Blind/Visually Impaired Resources

The Oregon Checklist

The checklist has been updated and is now available as an online tool whereby programs pay for it's use online.

The INSITE Checklist

This checklist has been completely updated to reflect more current practice in assessment, goal setting, and early intervention planning for young children with Sensory Impairments and Additional Disabilities (0-5). Domains has been expanded to include more items in order to more specifically assess child skills and set more appropriate goals. Some domains have been consolidated into fewer domains for ease of use, with special notes added under “Notes for Complex Needs”. Every domain has expanded discussions about the unique challenges of children with sensory impairments and additional disabilities. The cost of the Instructional Manual is $25 and the Test Booklet is $12.

Communication Matrix

Staff at the New Mexico School for the Blind have been working on intervention guidelines and activities to go with the Communication Matrix.

The West Virginia Department of Education has some excellent training modules online for this tool. It has videoclips, printed material, lectures, etc.

New resources on Cortical Visual Impairment

CVI for the TVI provides free monthly webinars on the latest topics in Cortical Visual Impairment that one can sign up for. Each is about an hour long and they are excellent.

Perkins has developed a new assessment tool for preschool through school age entitled the CVI Protocol.

There is some new research on the incidence of CVI in children with Down Syndrome. A video and article about that is also available on the Perkins site.

American Printing House for the Blind also has a new resource with information and observation guidelines for use with the birth to three population.

There are several CVI screening tools from Teach CVI that are worth looking at along with some handouts on interventions and adapted materials for use with these children.

Dr. Fazzi in Italy has developed a screening tool for use in the NICU to screen for infants at risk for CVI. It is being used in a research project in Colorado out of the Anchor Center for Blind Children. Utah, New Mexico, and many other states are also participating. For more information contact csmyth@anchorcenter.org.

Other Resources