Do you want to feel more confident supporting clients with vision impairment

Haven’t had to think about vision impairment since your uni days?

This workshop offers a practical, evidence-informed introduction to blindness and low vision, helping Occupational Therapists understand key eye conditions, how they affect daily function and what strategies and supports are most effective.

Designed specifically for OTs, this workshop builds foundational knowledge around common visual impairments, the way these impact function and how to communicate effectively and confidently with people with low vision or blindness.

What will you learn?

Understanding Vision Impairment

• What is low vision vs. blindness?
• How do acuity and visual fields affect function?
• Legal definitions of blindness (e.g. DSP eligibility)

Common Eye Conditions

• Macular degeneration, retinal dystrophies, glaucoma and more
• Secondary symptoms such as glare sensitivity, delayed light response and Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Functional Impact

• Understanding how changes in vision affect mobility, safety and participation
• Practical examples of what different vision levels look like in daily life

Communication Strategies

• How to interact respectfully and effectively with people with vision loss
• Dos and don’ts for guiding, giving directions and describing the environment

Foundational Strategies for Support

• “Bigger, Brighter, Bolder” framework
• Sensory substitution using auditory and tactile input
• Simple AT suggestions and environmental modifications

Referral Pathways

• When and how to refer to O&M specialists, orthoptists, low vision clinics, and more
  
  

Who is this workshop for?

• Occupational Therapists working in paediatrics, aged care, rehab or community settings
• OTs supporting NDIS participants with blindness or low vision
• Allied health professionals seeking foundational knowledge in vision loss
• Anyone wanting to strengthen their understanding of how vision affects occupational performan
  
  

Why attend?

• Build confidence when working with clients with vision impairment
• Learn foundational strategies that can be implemented immediately
• Gain insight into how vision loss affects function, communication and safety
• Understand how to work collaboratively with vision professionals
• Walk away with links to visual simulators and practical resources