Neurological and Visual Impairment (NAVI) Program

Vision Forward’s Neurological and Visual Impairment Program educates and empowers individuals impacted by vision loss and neurological disorders throughout their lifespan by providing multi-disciplinary (medical and educational) services, so they can become as independent as they want to be in their home and community.

Partnerships with Vision Forward help to ensure all patients with neurological conditions and visual impairments are receiving comprehensive, individualized services!

Program Goals

• Partner with an individual who has co-existing neurological and visual impairments and their family to reach desired outcomes through ongoing assessment, instruction, and therapy.

• Provide comprehensive services in a clinic setting with carryover into the home and community based on the individual’s goals, interests, and strengths.

• Coordinate care across disciplines on a consistent basis by implementing a team-based approach from a variety of professionals who specialize in the complexities associated with co-existing neurological and visual impairments.

Multi-Disciplinary Team

Core Evaluation Team:
• Physical Therapist (PT)
• Occupational Therapist (OT)
• Speech & Language Pathologist (SLP)
• Optometrist (OD)
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

Secondary Evaluation Team:
• Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS or O&M)
• Certified Low Vision Therapist (OTR/CLVT)
• Music Therapist (MT)
• Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS)
• Social Worker
• Special Educator

Related Research

7 out of 10 children with a visual impairment have additional disabilities or medical conditions.

Nearly 65% of kids with visual impairments have a concurrent neurological condition.

Neurological visual impairments account for 32% of children under the age of 3 with a visual impairment.

Source: Snyder, D., Rife, D., & Lyle, L. (2022). Babies Count National Registry of Children with Blindness or Visual Impairment, Aged Birth to 36 Months: 2022 Results. Babies Count.

Contact Us

To request additional information, contact Colleen Kickbush, TVI, Director of Children’s Services at ckickbush@vision-forward.org.

For Professional Referrals, click here.