Cortical Visual Impairment: An Overview of Characteristics & Phases, Christopher Russell
- 3:30 pm Eastern, March 27, 2025
- online via Zoom
- please register here: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0od-uoqDIqEt2QPzH-MohJKXcDg64jDsR7
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of childhood visual impairment in the United States, and there is a critical need for a strong base of knowledge and skills amongst educational teams working with students who have CVI. Children with CVI present with unique visual behavioral characteristics, across a range of visual functioning and adaptive needs. Due to the nature of this neurologically-based visual impairment, children/youth with CVI can achieve significant progress in visual functioning–given the appropriate supports and meaningful interventions. This session will focus on an updated, current understanding of the unique impact of CVI through an exploration of Characteristics and Phases, as well as an overview of approaches to assessment and student-centered intervention.
Participants will increase their knowledge and skills in:
- Identifying common causes of CVI and the unique differences between CVI and ocular forms of visual impairment
- Understanding the unique behavioral characteristics associated with CVI
- Describing the features of each of the CVI characteristics and phases
Christopher Russell. M.S. Ed., TVI
Chris currently works as a special education teacher and teacher of students with visual impairments in New York City Public Schools, Hospital Schools Department. He previously served as Project Coordinator for the New York DeafBlind Collaborative for eight years. Chris holds an adjunct faculty position at Hunter College in graduate programs for Blindness/Visual Impairment and Severe & Multiple Disabilities including DeafBlindness. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Queens College.