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Recorded Webinar: A Window of Opportunity for Healthy Visual Development (Birth to 3 Years)

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Early identification of vision concerns is vital to a child’s cognitive, motor, social, and communication development. Yet, in many Early Intervention (EI) programs, vision screening is not consistently applied. Dr. Perez will explain the importance of early vision screening, emphasize the vital role of EI service providers in early detection and referral, and describe a referral pathway for vision evaluation and follow up. She will introduce a structured, developmentally-appropriate approach to early vision screening and demonstrate how to use screening tools in EI settings.

Participants will learn to:

  1. Identify risk factors and red flags for visual impairment in infants and toddlers;
  2. Promote equitable access to vision services for high-risk children;
  3. Embed vision screening into their daily routines;
  4. Use evidence-based tools and techniques;
  5. Interpret findings within a developmental framework;
  6. Use data from screenings to inform IFSP goals;
  7. Engage families in supporting their child’s visual development.

Missed this webinar?  View the recorded presentation at:

https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/ovI3a2j9Mhp9wVsO2IAc9dT6PnIc-FfwGMf7F1HrPYjQjz8bSUL5CdbIKhfOoIL6.s9LWYbHP2WLivbbh?startTime=1758826794000

 

The slide is titled A window of opportunity for healthy visual development. A graphic shows a child dressed as a superhero and other children walking, reading, and writing. The graphic reads good vision = superpowers for kids. Clear eyesight, eye coordination, depth perception, color vision, visual processing, and healthy eyes are listed as superpowers.

Dr. Angel Perez has worked in the field of sensory disabilities and participated in the deafblind technical assistance network for over 20 years. Her education includes a baccalaureate degree in Special Education, a Master of Arts degree in Visual Impairments, and a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Deafness. Angel began her career as a Hearing & Vision Specialist and an Educational Interpreter in her home state of Alabama. She has worked as a Project Director and DeafBlind Specialist for the New Jersey Center on DeafBlindness, as an Adjunct Professor at The College of New Jersey, a host/instructor of the Open Hands Open Access (OHOA) deafblind intervener learning modules, and a mentor/reviewer for the National Intervener Certification E-portfolio (NICE). Angel has received honors as a Helen Keller fellow and a fellow of the National Leadership Consortium for Sensory Disabilities. Dr. Perez earned her PhD in Vision Science Research in 2021.

face only photo of Dr. Angel Perez

Date/Time: 3:00 – 4:30pm, Thursday, September 25, 2025