Accessible Test

NewT: New Tools for Use with FV/LMA

(New)
Purpose

FV/LMA, a set of protocols for conduction of functional vision and learning media assessments requires a set of tools for practitioners to use. The protocols within FV/LMA often require such tools as colored markers, print samples of varied sizes, photos, pictures, cartoons, rulers, etc. In the past, practitioners have been responsible for the development of their own set of tools. However, there is value in standardization. When tools are standardized, other practitioners, optometrists, teachers and all people of a student’s vision care/educational team understand how the results of the functional vision and learning media assessments were gathered and analyzed. They all understand what the results mean. With the development of NewT, practitioners across the country will be able to interpret results from their colleagues’ reports when a child moves to a different state, for example.

Project Staff

J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader

LaRhea Sanford, Consultant

Darlene Donhoff, Technical Research

Background

FV/LMA became available in 2008. Dr. LaRhea Sanford, one of the originators of FV/LMA has done several workshops through the National Instructional Partnership. After each of her presentations, practitioners, teachers, and early interventionists call APH to request sets of tools such as NewT would provide. They are very interested in having the tools to complement their FV/LMA products.

Work During 2009

The project leader and consultant met together in June of 2009, to determine the scope of the product, and to specify each item that would go into the array of tools in NewT. The project leader then met with the technical research specialist assigned to the product and talked over the projected specifications. The project leader then identified which items in the tool array would be made within APH walls, and which ones would need to be procured outside APH. The project leader then examined several items procured outside APH to determine if they would be suitable for use in the NewT array.

Work Planned for FY 2010

The project leader will continue to evaluate items for inclusion in the NewT array. The consultant will work on a short informational booklet for use by the consumer. A search for an appropriate carrying case will take place. Specifications will be updated and finalized immediately after tooling is completed.

Program to Develop Efficiency in Visual Functioning

(New)
Purpose

Revise to current APH and educational (best practices) standards the long time selling and very successful product created by Dr. Natalie Barraga in 1978.

Project staff

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Millie Smith, Lead Consultant

Natalie Barraga, Project Advisor

Monica Vaught-Compton, Research Assistant

David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager

Advisory Panel/Contributors

Bill Daugherty

Amanda Lueck

Deborah Orel-Bixler

Rona Pogrund

Cecelia Robinson

Christine Roman-Lantzy

L. Penny Rosenblum

LaRhea Sanford

Irene Topper

Background

In 1978, Dr. Natalie Barraga demonstrated that school-age children with low vision could learn to use their vision more efficiently within a program that taught visual perceptual skills. She wrote, “Experience has shown that many persons with low vision do not employ their usable vision. If they are accustomed to functioning as if blind, they do not understand how to look. Others who have tried to use vision in the past may have stopped trying because of negative experiences. A basic assumption is made that efficiency in the use of vision is desirable for all low vision learners. The major portion of the program focuses on effective use of low vision.”

Dr. Barraga and APH agreed that now is the time to update the product. Millie Smith, a former graduate student of Dr. Barraga’s, is the lead consultant on the project. Dr. Barraga sits on the advisory panel that was created to guide this revision.
Work done in FY 2009

The Project Leader and Smith reviewed the existing product. They established an advisory panel whose members represent teachers of the visually impaired, university professors, and optometrists. The panel had a very productive work session in Austin, TX. The panel created an outline of the new product and assigned preliminary tasks to panel members.

Work planned for FY 2010

The new guidebook will be written. Field test sites will be identified.

Tadpole

(Continued)

Purpose

To provide teachers of students with low vision and other disabilities with a standardized array of classic tools, strategies, and graphics to conduct functional vision assessments and vision development activities with learners of the developmental ages of 0-2 yrs. Guidelines for the uses of the tools and materials are to be included.

Project Staff

J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader

Millie Smith, Consultant

Erica Rucker, Research Assistant

David McGee, Technical Research

Frank Hayden, Technical Research

Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer
Background

Numerous and ongoing requests from practitioners in the field led to a project named ToAD that provides a standardized set of toys, reflective materials and lights commonly used by practitioners to conduct functional vision evaluations and/or vision development activities with young children. Practitioners stated that toys and lights developed by toymakers come and go according to fads. If APH made the array and materials, they would not go out of style or become unavailable. The array would also be available on quota. An array of objects and print/graphic materials was developed and field tested along with a practitioner’s guidebook. During the field test stage, teachers who worked with students with severe, complicating disabilities in addition to low vision commented that the ToAD activities as well as the two-dimensional graphic materials were not appropriate for the population they served. They also commented that many of the tools were very appropriate, but needed to be used in a simpler and less-complicated way, to serve the needs of their students. The project leader, with approval of PARC, and with advice from the project consultant, developed a sequence of activities and visual materials for use by this special population. The project leader developed activities to accompany Tasha Tadpole’s Puzzle Book and sent them to the consultant for her review and comments. The project leader made changes based upon the consultant’s feedback.

Work during FY 2009

Additional activities were developed as a result of field testing. Editing was also completed on practitioner’s guidebook of appropriate foundation activities for multi-handicapped students, to accompany the ToAD array of tools. Editing of the text for Tasha Tadpole’s Puzzle Book was also completed and additional images were added. Additional TADPOLE cards were developed as was a report form. Specifications were drawn up.

Work planned for FY 2010

Documentation and specifications are complete. The product files will be transcribed for braille. HTML, DAISY and Braille-ready files will be developed to provide accessibility for users with visual disabilities. TADPOLE will then go into production phase probably during the 2^nd quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.