Astounding expertise, incredible personal journeys, new ideas, and a commitment to help more children with the leading cause of childhood blindness. That’s what came out of this year’s CVI: Collaboration for Change Conference!
Register below to access the recorded plenary sessions ($199) available in mid-July.
Full and partial scholarships available for families and individuals with CVI upon request.
Virtual Continuing Ed Credits: PDPs, ACVREP, CTLE, CE: 8 hours
Let’s collaborate to urgently confront the world’s leading cause of childhood blindness.
Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is a brain-based visual impairment, affecting over 150,000 children in the U.S. alone, a number that keeps growing. CVI is not new, it’s misunderstood and under-diagnosed. With timely diagnosis, early intervention and appropriate educational programs, we can help kids with CVI access their world.
Every person with CVI can learn and every person with CVI should define their own success. No matter their zip code, no matter how their CVI manifests, every individual has the right to access opportunities that will empower them to reach their full potential.
Meaningful collaboration across sectors improves the outcomes of individuals with CVI. The conference will be a gathering place of ideas representing diverse perspectives in the field. Join us and the wide range of stakeholders in the CVI community: individuals with CVI, families, medical professionals, educators, therapists, providers, and advocates.
Registration and tickets
Scholarships available
Families and individuals with CVI are welcome to apply for a scholarship to attend the conference.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) set CVI as a research priority in their Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future. This is a big moment for the CVI community.
“The condition [CVI] has historically been under-recognized.” -NEI Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future
Hear about how CVI is part of NEI’s mission that is centered around driving innovative research, fostering collaboration, and educating providers, scientists, policymakers, and the public.
Dr. Michael Chiang, M.D.
Director, National Eye Institute (NEI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Speakers
Brenda Allair, M.Ed., TVI
Infant-Toddler Coordinator, Perkins School for the Blind
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School; Ophthalmologist, Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology Service and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Program, Boston Children’s Hospital
Teacher for the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist; Education Coordinator, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Director, The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity. Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Schepens Eye Research Institute; Staff Optometrist, Vision Rehabilitation Service. Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Keynote by Dr. Michael Chiang, award ceremony, and cocktail reception to follow.
June 27 AM (in-person & recorded)
CVI Voices
Hear from individuals and families living with CVI about successes and possibilities that they experience.
June 27 AM (in-person & recorded)
A Data Driven Approach to CVI
Hear from Dr. Ellen Forte, a leading expert in the design and evaluation of assessment tools and education standards, on ways to use data to better understand and serve children with CVI.
June 27 PM (in-person)
Advocating Through System Barriers
Hear from parents and advocates with experience on the frontlines as they discuss the IEP journey, how to navigate system barriers, and build advocacy skills to drive outcomes for a post-secondary transition.
June 27 PM (in-person & recorded)
Perkins CVI Protocol
Ellen Mazel and Marguerite Tibaudo discuss the development of Perkins’ new digital assessment tool and the opportunity it provides to expand evaluation, learning, and further research into CVI.
June 27 PM (in-person)
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and CVI
This panel will discuss the importance of the Expanded Core Curriculum in the life of a child with CVI with a focus on math, literacy, and assistive technology.
June 27 PM (in-person)
Blending Systematic Instruction with Promising Practices
What comes after a comprehensive CVI Assessment? Learn about the essential components of educational programming for students with CVI.
June 27 PM (in-person)
Auditory Processing Disorder and CVI
It has been said that central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is to hearing what CVI is to vision. This session will dive into the diagnostic process and explore evidence-based strategies that can be used for children with CVI.
June 27 PM (in-person)
CVI Educational Assessment Guidelines
This panel will discuss the collaboration of educators and medical professionals in the process of developing the guidelines and ensuring inclusivity.
June 27 PM (in-person & recorded)
How I See the World
Tina, an adult with CVI, shares her photography and art to show what it’s like living with CVI. Tina calls her CVI “silent blindness.”
June 28 AM (in-person & recorded)
Research Updates: Collaboration & Study Design
Learn about recent advances in scientific research relating to the assessment of visual abilities in CVI and in other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The focus will be on the role of collaboration with respect to advancing research aims and the importance of incorporating scientific rigor.
June 28 AM (in-person)
Research Updates: Follow up Discussion
As a follow-up to the plenary session, a more personal account will be presented by clinicians and researchers on the value of collaboration in relation to advancing research initiatives and the delivery of clinical care.
June 28 AM (in-person)
Babies and CVI
Early identification and intervention are critical for infants born with CVI. Learn about strategies for supporting families so they can better understand CVI and interventions that will stimulate their child’s brain plasticity and development.
June 28 AM (in-person)
CVI and AAC
This presentation will review key collaborative steps in designing and implementing accessible Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) systems for individuals with CVI.
June 28th (in-person)
Let’s Talk About the Hard Stuff
We invite CVI families and individuals with CVI to a special breakfast to gather, share, and talk about the hard stuff. The conversion will be facilitated by Amanda Griffith-Atkins, family therapist and disability parent.
Planning for your conference visit
We are excited to come together, collaborate, learn, and urgently confront the leading cause of blindness. Here are a few resources to help you plan your visit.
Perkins School for the Blind is approved by the Continuing Education board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. See the course information for number of ASHA CEUs, instructional level, and content area. ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
A unique sponsorship opportunity for supporting businesses
There is power in meaningful collaboration. As a sponsor of the Collaboration for Change Conference, you’ll have the unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to improving the lives of children with CVI to an audience of 200 professionals and families; ensure that all families, regardless of financial need, can access the emerging research and promising practices at the conference; and align your brand with Perkins’ two-century legacy of educational excellence and innovation.
Together, we will foster meaningful collaboration and change the world for children with CVI.
Transformation Sponsor $10,000
Acknowledgment from the stage during opening remarks
Recognition on official welcome signage located at the entrance of the exhibit hall
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