ILOTA Live Virtual Event: "CVI for the Curious OT Practitioner"

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

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Do you serve individuals with Cortical Visual Impairment? Do you think that some of your students or clients may have CVI . . . but you’re not sure, or not sure what to do? Welcome to the club! This workshop is designed for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner who has heard of CVI and wants to take a deeper dive into the details. The course will cover the definition of Cortical Visual Impairment and how to identify individuals who may have or be at risk for this type of visual disability, including how CVI is different from traditional ocular-based visual disabilities. Participants will learn about the characteristics of CVI and some practical strategies for environmental adaptations to support visual access, and ideas for collaboration and team-based approaches to implementing those strategies.

This event will be the first in a series of continuing education events discussing CVI. Future event topics will be established based on your feedback. Please join us for this valuable learning opportunity. 

1. Define Cortical Visual Impairment, identify risk factors for CVI and how it differs in presentation from ocular-based visual disabilities. 

2. Identity the original 10 characteristics of CVI and their alignment with the 16 visual behaviors now associated with CVI. 

3. Identify basic environmental interventions and strategies to implement them using a collaborative, team-based approach.

Jean Deptolla

Jean Deptolla has worked in the field of Visual Impairment and Blindness for 38 years.  She spent her first four years as an itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired in the East Aurora School district, and after completing her Masters Degree in 1990 Orientation and Mobility and obtaining an endorsement in Special Education Supervision, she moved to the Northwestern Illinois Association. There she supervised Vision Teachers and Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and began her tenure as a DeafBlind Specialist with the Illinois DeafBlind Project.  

Since 1990, Jean has served on state committees and presented at local, regional, Illinois, and out-of-state conferences.  She has taught classes at Northern Illinois University for the Vision teacher training program, served as Chair of the Illinois Vision Leadership Council, and served on the ISVI Advisory Council. Over the years Jean has worked with children from early intervention through transition age, trained and coached teachers, and supported families. 

Jean’s passion is advocating for the underserved and underrepresented and improving services to children with visual disabilities, including DeafBlindness, through educating professionals, empowering families, and effecting systems change. Not a day goes by that she does not learn something new, often from the students she serves.

(Not a member? Join here!)

(Zoom meeting link will be emailed to all registrants prior to the meeting.)

Register here!