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Department of Occupational Therapy School of Health Professions

Curriculum

You only need five courses to earn your Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate. You will only take one course per semester – which allows you to continue to meet your family and work obligations.

All course materials are available through the Internet and required texts. A high-speed Internet connection is strongly encouraged.

Students are required to come to campus one time during their final semester. Held in the summer, all students attend an intensive 2-day seminar in preparation for graduation.

Course List

  • First Fall Semester

    OT 677 - Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I (3 credit hours)

    Introduces the field of low vision rehabilitation and addresses core knowledge required for the subsequent courses. Topics include: demographics of low vision; settings and reimbursement; anatomy of the eye and visual system; medical conditions causing low vision; psychosocial adjustment to vision impairment; communication and health literacy; administration and interpretation of low vision exams and environmental assessment and modification.

    • Elective

      Foundations in Blind Rehabilitation* (Listed as "OT 692 - Special Topics in OT" in the UAB Catalog)

      This three-credit hour course is an elective that establishes the knowledge needed to understand and implement non-visual intervention strategies. Topics include: occupational therapy approach to blind rehabilitation; influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on occupational participation; intervention strategies; non-visual strategies for environmental adaptation; development of professional interactions; and evaluation of occupational performance to support safe, effective participation in daily activities.

      *This course is not a requirement of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate program. Individuals not enrolled in the certificate program can apply as a non-degree seeking student through UAB’s Graduate School. The deadline for non-degree seeking applicants is August 14.

  • First Spring Semester

    OT 679 - Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation II (3 credit hours)

    Focuses on intervention strategies to improve occupational performance. Students learn to use information from evaluations to design appropriate interventions. Topics include: optics and prescribed optical devices, visual skills training, assistive technology, computer modification, reading, writing.

  • Second Fall Semester

    OT 690 - Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation III (3 credit hours)

    Focuses on intervention strategies to improve occupational performance. Students learn to use information from evaluations to design appropriate interventions. Topics include: Activities of daily living with and without vision, functional mobility, diabetes self-management and driving.

  • Second Spring Semester

    OT 689 - Foundations in Treatment of Visual Impairment from Brain Injury (3 credit hours)

    Focuses on adults experiencing occupational limitations due to visual processing impairment from acquired brain injury. Topics include: visual system neuroanatomy; evaluation and intervention for deficits in visual acuity and focusing; hemianopsia; oculomotor impairment; hemi-inattention and neglect.

  • Second Summer Semester

    OT 691- Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation IV (3 credit hours)

    Focuses on ensuring the student is prepared for practice. Students must attend an intensive 2-day seminar on campus to review/demonstrate competence in evaluation and intervention.

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