Suchergebnisse

Introduction: Vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) carry out many specific job tasks. This study seeks to better understand the VRT profession by organizing many tasks into a few specific roles in which VRT practitioners are involved. Methods: Using the results of the 2017 online survey, a principle component analysis was carried out to extract clusters of specific job tasks. The reliability of the resulting job role constructs was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results from this analysis are compared to a similar analysis of VRT job roles conducted 28 years ago. Results: Four job roles are extracted from the survey's frequency data: (1) teaching activities, (2) case management, (3) technology, and (4) low vision and assessment. Seventy specific job tasks are retained under the four roles. Discussion: Extracted job roles of teaching and case management are similar to Leja's (1990) findings, indicating that these roles remain important aspects of the VRT job. Two new roles have emerged since Leja's examination, and they are related to technology and low vision and assessment. The advancement, availability, and affordability of technologies and low vision interventions has increased the need for teaching the use of access technologies across the daily living spectrum. The availability of low vision devices has expanded the role of the VRT in the provision of functional low vision assessments, strategies for reading and daily tasks, appropriate use of optical and nonoptical aids, and environmental assessment for safety and optimal visual performance. Implications for practitioners: VRT survey participants are performing additional job roles in technology and low vision and assessment. This presents challenges related to resources and training for practitioners who already provide instruction across a broad set of skill domains. Issues include access to new technologies, adequate time to learn new devices and software, and standardized assessment tools.

Introduction This study seeks to examine the association between the age of the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT) and the frequency at which they carry out technology job tasks. Methods A secondary data analysis was performed, using chi square to test for an association between the age of the VRT and the frequency at which they carry out 11 specific job tasks related to technology. Results Age of the VRT was shown to be negatively associated with the frequency at which 6 of the 11 technology job tasks are performed. Discussion Overall, younger VRTs are teaching access technology at higher frequencies than older VRTs. Newer specific technologies are being taught more often by younger VRTs, such as mobile technologies, voice-controlled devices, and social media. Older technologies such as keyboarding and OCR are being taught at similar frequencies regardless of age. Given the aging population of VRTs and the small number of university VRT programs, it may not be sustainable to rely on recent graduates or younger VRTs to fulfill access training needs for persons with visual impairment. With the availability, affordability, and quick emergence of new technologies, it is critical that all VRTs have access to continuing education to become comfortable and proficient in teaching newer technologies. Implication for Practitioners Technology training is critical for employment and independence for many persons with vision impairment. Continuing education for VRTs to be comfortable and competent in teaching emerging technologies may be important in ensuring that access technology training is available to all persons with visual impairment.

The relative effect of age and vision on medication management tasks (time and accuracy of entering the pharmacy phone number and interpreting dose) across four different prescription drug container shapes is examined. A mixed measures three-factor design was employed, with within-subject control. The repeated-measure independent variable of interest was container shape (four conditions), and the two between-subject independent variables were vision and age. Older age and decreased vision were found to be generally negatively associated with time and accuracy of entering the phone number and correct interpretation of dose. Container shape modified the effect of vision and age on the medication management tasks. Interactions between independent variables of age, vision, and container shape make it difficult to recommend one container shape for all participants. The results presented give credence for further examination of packing for label readability and other aspects of medication management, given the ease at which packaging can be modified.

Introduction: One way to understand a profession is to examine the job tasks undertaken by professionals within the field. The profession of vision rehabilitation therapy is examined by finding the frequency at which 100 specific job tasks are performed on average by current vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs). Fifty-one of the job task frequencies are compared to 1989 frequencies for changes across the last 28 years. Methods: An anonymous online survey was carried out with current and recently retired VRTs. Participants were asked to rate the frequency at which they perform 100 specific job tasks and 13 demographic questions. Results: One hundred eighty-nine practitioners completed the survey. Mean frequencies for the 100 job tasks fell between a low of 1.08 (slightly above "do not perform the task") for "writes grants for funding of agency services" and a high of 5.51 (above "perform 4 or 5 times a week") for "writes case notes and reports for documentation." Half of the 51 comparable job tasks indicated statistically significant changes in frequency across the 28-year period. Discussion: Statistically significant changes in job task frequencies occurred across job roles of teaching, case management, and professional or administrative activities, indicating that many aspects of the therapist's job have changed. Individualized teaching remains a common aspect of the job, personalizing the skills taught and the teaching methods, for the individual client. VRTs are less frequently providing consultation to medical and community organizations. Implications for practitioners: The results presented provide an understanding of current job tasks of a practicing VRT. Understanding the changing trends of job tasks may inform university personnel preparation programs to better prepare students for employment demands. Decreasing community outreach may negatively affect the visibility of blind rehabilitation services and inadvertently affect referrals for vision rehabilitation therapy services.

Introduction Transition-age youths with visual impairments have higher rates of unemployment than their peers without impairment, and factors associated with success after graduation have been examined; however, it is unknown whether these factors remain influential across the first decade after exiting high school. Methods Five waves of the 10-year National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 data were used for this analysis. The following factors—number of years since leaving high school, specific year exiting high school, paid work experience during high school, and high school completion— were examined for their longitudinal relationship with successful outcomes using generalized estimating equations. Results Specific year exiting high school, paid work experience during high school, and high school completion were shown to be predictive of successful outcomes (as measured by post–high school employment or enrollment in post-secondary school or both). Youths with visual impairments who left high school in 2000–2002 were 2.2 times more likely to be successful when compared to those who left in 2006–2008 ( p < 0.05). Youths who worked for pay during high school were 3.6 times more likely to be successful compared to those who did not work for pay ( p < 0.01), while those who completed high school were 3.3 times more likely to be successful when compared to those who aged out or dropped out of high school ( p < 0.001). The amount of time spent away from high school was not significantly associated with post–high school success. Discussion Completion of high school and paid work experience during high school are critical to long-term success for up to eight years post–high school. Taking into account specific years can be important in longitudinal studies. In this research, the recession appears to have significantly lowered success across all post–high school groups. Implications for practitioners Professionals and families should encourage and support students with visual impairments to complete high school and to seek paid employment opportunities during high school.

Blind people have been consistently underemployed in Nigeria. There have been recent policy initiatives, and programmes especially by the federal government and the Lagos state government, aimed at improving the unemployment situation of people with disabilities, but not much success has been recorded. This study explored the views of blind individuals about their (un)employment experiences to understand their challenges and proffer solutions. The study employed a qualitative approach, conducting one-to-one unstructured qualitative interviews with 22 blind and visually impaired adults aged between 18 and 55 years. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Four major themes emerged: describing participants' views on discrimination and lack of inclusive processes in recruitment; perceived gaps with policy enforcement; inadequate support systems for vocational skills training and entrepreneurship; as well as general views on life, society, and hopes for future employment opportunities. The most common barrier to employment mentioned by participants was the misconception by employers that being blind meant being unable to work. There was a general lack of confidence and trust in recent policies seeking to address structural barriers to visually impaired people's employment goals. Real solutions and specific policy changes were desired.

Introduction: The readability of prescription drug labels has been found to be faster with labels attached to flat surfaces compared to round surfaces, in persons with visual impairment. This study extends this finding by examining the readability of drug labels, as measured by speed and accuracy, as they interact with factors of age and vision acuity across different container shapes. Methods: A repeated-measure, three-factor design (container shape, age, and vision acuity) with within-subject control was used with 54 adults with vision loss. Participants read 3 unique prescription drug labels across four container shapes, for a total of 12 trials. The amount of time needed to locate and read aloud 6 pieces of label information and the number of errors made in reading were outcome measures. Results: A two-way interaction was found between container shape and acuity for the time it takes to read the label information (Wald χ2 = 22.836, df = 3, p < .001). The legally blind group required more time to read the label and had more variation in mean times across container type, compared to the low vision group. Both age and acuity showed statistically significant ( p < 0.001) main effects on reading accuracy. Discussion: Within the legally blind acuity group, cylinder-shaped containers took statistically significantly longer to read compared to the flat label by 18 seconds. Increased age and lower visual acuity negatively affected reading accuracy, across all container shapes. Implications for Practitioners: Individuals with legal blindness may need more time to read prescription drug labels and may benefit from labels adhered to flat surfaces over traditional cylindrical containers. As medication safety is a critical skill for independent living, practitioners should assess their clients' ability to access prescription drug label information, keeping in mind that these abilities may differ across different container shapes.

Introduction Adults with vision loss often have difficulties reading prescription drug labels. An aspect of label readability that has not been well explored is the effect of container shape on the readability of the label. The research question addressed is: Does container shape affect the readability of prescription drug labels for persons with reduced visual acuity? Methods A repeated-measure, single-factor design with within-subject control was used with 23 adults with visual acuity of 20/60 or less. Individuals were recruited from southwest Michigan. Participants read 3 unique prescription drug labels on 4 differently shaped containers (flat, box, small cylinder, large cylinder) in block randomized order, for a total of 12 trials. The amount of time needed to locate and read aloud 6 pieces of label information and number of errors made in reading were measured, as well as each participant's preference in container shapes. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the mean number of seconds required to read flat container labels (flat and box shape, M = 54.62 seconds, SD = 23.8) and round containers (small and large cylinder shape, M = 64.46 seconds, SD = 36.3). No statistically significant effect of container type was found on the number of mistakes made in reading the label information, Wald χ2(3) = .71, p = 0.871. Seventy-eight percent of the participants chose the flat container as their preferred shape. Only 1 participant selected the box as his or her top choice. Discussion Containers with flat surfaces (flat and box) were easier to read, measured by speed, compared to containers with round surfaces (small and large cylinders). Although the study participants overwhelmingly preferred flat containers to the boxes, little difference was found between the two shapes in the amount of time that was needed to read labels affixed to them. Implications for practitioners Individuals with vision loss may need more time to read prescription drug labels affixed to the more typical cylindrical containers compared to flat ones.

Introduction: The number of adults with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision) is increasing, especially with the aging of the population. Although awareness of vision loss as a public health problem is growing, public health budgets are decreasing. This study exemplifies the use of publicly available secondary data and geographic information system (GIS) mapping to spatially map areas of potential higher risk for vision loss and identify where specialized, low vision resources are located, by county, in Michigan. Methods: County-level, publicly available data on risk factors for low vision (health and demographic) and specialized low vision resources (medical, rehabilitation, and community) are extracted from existing public health data sets and information published on the Internet. GIS mapping is applied to visually examine potential areas of disparity between need and resources. Results: Broadly speaking, counties in Michigan with the highest number of risk factors for low vision are clustered in the center of the Lower Peninsula and on the eastern and western ends of the Upper Peninsula. Areas that have fewer resources for low vision are clustered in the thumb area and the middle to upper part of the Lower Peninsula. Resources are concentrated near the state's metropolitan areas (i.e., Detroit and suburbs, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids). Discussion: Maps can be helpful in locating areas of health disparities, but they need to be interpreted carefully such as by considering the county's population size. Understanding the eligibility criteria of available services can help to uncover groups of persons not being served. Implications for practitioners: With increasing need for services and shrinking budgets, strategic planning may help alleviate anticipated shortfalls in available services. Use of publicly available data and GIS mapping may be an affordable and efficient method to identify areas of need and resources, for targeted public health efforts in vision.

Introduction: The vision rehabilitation therapy (VRT) field is small in number and growing more slowly than needed to meet the expanding need for services for persons with vision loss. There has been little examination of how vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the profession. Methods: Statements of potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were developed through a Delphi process. The final survey consisted of 11 demographic questions and asked participants to rate their level of agreement with 29 statements concerning the field. Participants were also asked to indicate which statements they believed were most important or impactful. Results: Overall, there was strong consensus among participants, with 19 of the 29 statements receiving 75% or greater agreement (strong agreement), with the highest consensus (87.2%) across the opportunity category. Discussion: Respondents perceive that the discipline's greatest strengths are that VRTs are the most highly trained professionals to provide education and rehabilitation for people with visual impairments across the lifespan, and they are a bridge between the medical, education, and rehabilitation systems. The lack of awareness of the job title and the roles of VRTs in the community, medical field, and in the field of vision was identified as the most impactful weakness of the field of VRT. Other related professionals being asked by employers to provide VRT services beyond their training, was identified as the most important threat. Implications for Practitioners: VRTs who responded to the survey indicate a fairly unified perspective on the state of the VRT discipline. Understanding the identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the field of VRT may serve as a foundation for unifying the voice of VRTs, to help coordinate a more uniform and strategic direction for growth. There are opportunities for all VRTs to contribute to the advancement and health of the VRT discipline, with the ultimate goal of providing high-quality services for persons with vision loss.