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| Department of Ophthalmology Children's Vision Rehabilitation
To provide comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired school aged children throughout the state of West Virginia regardless of their ability to pay. The goal of this project is to provide children with tools to become independent and employable by optimizing visual function both at home and school. CVRP's mission is to provide access to the visual environment for children with incurable vision loss through medical eye care, optical devices, assistive technology, educational recommendations and support to local school systems. In pursuit of these goals, a multi-disciplinary team of professionals trained in ophthalmology, optometry, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy and education execute a comprehensive evaluation, treatment plan and follow-up for each student. CVRP Clinics The Children's Vision Rehabilitation Project (CVRP) was established in 1996. CVRP is a "needs-based" project that responds to individual needs of visually impaired children, teachers, parents and related professionals in West Virginia. CVRP evaluated six children in the first year and now CVRP evaluates over 100 children per year throughout the state of West Virginia and continues to have a waiting list. The program continues to evolve with new projects based on the needs of the students. When teachers, parents or administrators need assistance, the State Department of Education refers them to CVRP. The Summer Institute provides a forum for children of the visually impaired to receive direct instruction on specific skills (i.e. braille, independent living, assistive technology, orientation Camps for 2008 will be held in Bridgeport, Charleston and Parkersburg. To register for a camp download our application packet. St. Lucia Project
CVRP made its first mission trip to St. Lucia in November 2003 and returns annualy. Children on the island received surgery, low vision evaluations, optical devices, glasses and interventions in the school settings. Medical and Educational professionals participated in training sessions. The team will return annualy to follow-up on patients and new patients. The outcome of this project is to create a foundation and provide tools and materials to maintain this project in the absence of CVRP. Follow this link to see a slide show of our team in action. Mentor Program The "Retain, Retrain and Recruit" program provides education, training, support and technical assistance in an effort to maintain and recruit qualit For more information or to make a tax deductible donation to the Children's Vision Rehabilitation Project please download our brochure. For further information about CVRP or to refer a child for evaluation please contact: Rebecca Coakley, Program Director Paula Lang, Program Coordinator Mailing Address: Please feel free to download our printable information phamplet.
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Clinical vision evaluations, teacher education and mentoring, parent assistance and support, site visitation/student follow-ups, summer camps, and a lending library for optical devices and technology are components that have been identified by teachers and parents that will assist in meeting these needs. The project serves school-aged children, parents, and professionals in the state of West Virginia. CVRP's staff consists of a Pediatric Ophthalmologist (Medical Director), Low Vision Education Specialist (Program Director), Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Low Vision Optometrist, Occupational Therapist, Assistive Technology Specialist, Program Coordinator and other administrative support staff. 
and mobility and self help skills). Throughout the school year, teachers are focused on subject content and keeping the child current in academics in the regular classroom. Some of the specific skill may not be addressed, thus creating a need for the institute to address specific skills the children would not get during the school year. This need was also identified through a task force that was set up through the West Virginia State Department of Education in 2000. Additionally, Summer Institutes provide an opportunity for students, parents and teacher from different counties to network and establish support systems. CVRP offers 2 summer institutes per year throughout West Virginia for children ages 6-13 years of age.
CVRP was first introduced to Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association at the Vision '99 conference as a seminar topic, which addressed needs of the low vision students. A team from CVRP, led by Dr. Terry Schwartz, agreed to assess the needs of low vision students (ages 4-12) from St. Lucia and lead workshops (assessments, optics, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy and educational needs). Low vision is one aspect of Eye Health that needs to be addressed in St. Lucia. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that addressing low vision will be the greatest up-coming challenge in the eye-health world. 
y professionals in the field. Vision professionals in a geographically challenged state such as WV are frequently isolated, with limited professional development and peer networking opportunities. This project would include but not be limited to educational seminars; literature-based resources, technical assistance, conferences and a website/list serve to access current vision related information.