Functional Vision Assessment

This section has links to information about Functional Vision Assessment, a crucial early step in planning for the education of a student with visual impairment. These resources explain the procedures, techniques, and importance of the assessment.

Below is a list of topics you'll find in this section. Click on a title to jump to a specific topic.

Functional Vision Assessment: Introduction

Functional Vision Assessment: Introduction

Assessment of Low Vision for Educational Purposes and Early Intervention, Lea-Test, Ltd.
The importance of understanding functional vision when selecting techniques for early intervention and classroom strategies.

Functional Vision Assessment (2006), Provincial Centre: Special Education Technology
An overview of the essential components of a functional vision assessment, with helpful examples. Includes printable assessment worksheets.

Functional Assessment, Low Vision Online
Includes a definition, a list of eight areas for assessing functional vision, including color vision, contrast sensitivity and lighting needs.

Functional Assessment of Vision, Scottish Sensory Centre
Lists the seven functions that comprise the spectrum of visual functioning. 

Functional Vision Assessment (FVA), Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Includes links to assessments; discusses the role of teachers and tests.

Functional Vision Assessments, Vision Australia
A functional vision assessment helps parents understand their child's visual abilities and how to make the most of them in various settings.

Functional Vision Assessment Workshop, Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired
http://www.prcvi.org/files/workshops/FVAhandouts.pdf (Handouts)
http://www.prcvi.org/files/workshops/FVAslideshow.pdf (Slide show)
Darick Wright's workshop on functional assessment includes a slide show and print-outs.

Functional Vision Assessment Second Workshop, Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired
Darick Wright explains the essential components of a functional vision assessment and illustrates them with specific examples.

On the LOOK OUT for Functional Vision Assessment/Evaluation, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Helps determine eligibility for services for students with visual impairments; available in English and Spanish.

Specific Assessments for Students with Low Vision, American Foundation for the Blind
Explain the importance of comprehensive evaluations by members of the student's multidisciplinary team, including assessments of functional vision, expanded core curriculum, appropriate learning media, and ophthalmologic and optometric evaluations.

Suggested Items For A Functional Vision Evaluation Kit, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Bulleted list of suggested items for a functional vision evaluation kit.

Vision Assessment, Nebraska Department of Education
Explains the areas of assessment: general health, eye health, low vision examination, functional vision, visual working distance, learning medium, reading rates and accuracy, and much more.

What is a Functional Vision Assessment? SESA (Special Education Service Agency)
An overview of the functional vision evaluation and training of staff to implement the program modifications and adaptations.

Functional Vision Assessment: Organizations and Resources to Explore

Assessment of Functional Vision for Educational Purposes and Early Intervention, Lea-Test
Information useful in assessment of impaired vision for planning of services and for educational decisions.

Functional Vision Materials, National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
A bibliography of materials on functional vision; some include online text.

Functional Vision Assessment: Research

Use of a Structured Observation to Evaluate Visual Behavior in Young Children, Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness
Evaluates the usefulness of a structured observation method guided by a checklist.

Functional Vision Assessment & Multiple Disabilities

Functional Vision Assessment, Colorado Services to Children with Deafblindness
A fact sheet on functional assessment.

How Functional Vision Assessments Help IEP Teams, Missouri Deafblind Technical Assistance Project
Understanding the degree of functional vision is important in planning the educational program for students with deafblindness.

Assessing Functional Vision in Young Children with Multiple Disability and Visual Impairment, Scottish Sensory Centre
Assessing vision as part of an early intervention program for infants and children who have additional or multiple disabilities and visual impairment (MDVI).

Assessment of Vision of Deafblind Persons, Lea-Test
Focuses on communication and the interpreter's role when assessing the vision of a person who is deafblind; includes tests and techniques for conducting the assessment.

Functional Vision Checklist for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
A checklist for assessing a student's ability to use an alternative communication system that requires some vision.

The Assessment of Deafblind Access to Manual Language Systems (ADAMLS), DBLINK: The National Information Clearinghouse On Children Who Are DeafBlind
A resource for developing appropriate adaptations and strategies for teaching manual language systems to children who are deafblind.

Follow the Child – Approaches to Assessing the Functional Vision and Hearing of Young Children with Congenital Deaf-Blindness, California Deaf-Blind Services
Child-driven educational techniques for working with children who are congenitally deafblind. The author discusses the importance of knowing about the development of vision and hearing skills and possible implications of clinical findings.

Functional Vision Assessment for Children Who Are Young and/or Multi-Disabled, National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
A review of functional vision assessment for children with multiple disabilities. Includes philosophy, preparation and strategies, and the unique assessment needs of the population.

Issues Regarding the Assessment of Vision Loss in Regard to Sign Language, Finger spelling, Speech reading, and Cued Speech for the Student with Deafblindness, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Topics covered include assembling the assessment team, observations, assessment questions and possible adaptations.

Testing Vision of a Child with Down Syndrome, Lea-Test
Video of clinical examination of a child with Down Syndrome after she has received her first pair of glasses.

Functional Vision Assessment Forms

Functional Vision Assessment, California School for the Blind
Forms for documenting how a student sees under a variety of situations and describing the visual and non-visual techniques.

Illinois Functional Vision Screening Form, Hearing and Vision Connections
Guides the practitioner through initial observations, developmental milestones, and functional screening items.