The Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate is designed for working occupational therapists who want practical, clinically focused training they can apply immediately.
Students complete six courses for a total of 18 credit hours, taking one course per semester.
Coursework addresses key areas of vision rehabilitation practice, including:
- Low vision rehabilitation, including vision loss related to eye disease
- Blind rehabilitation and non-visual strategies
- Vision impairment related to acquired brain injury
- Evaluation, intervention, assistive technology, and environmental modification
- Functional skills, including mobility, daily activities, diabetes self-management, and driving
Online format: All course materials are available online and through required texts. A high-speed internet connection is strongly encouraged.
Single on-campus requirement: During the final semester, students come to campus for an intensive two-day summer seminar to help integrate learning and demonstrate clinical competence in evaluation and intervention.
Interested in taking only the blindness rehabilitation course? The curriculum includes OT 680: Foundations in Blind Rehabilitation, which is also available to individuals who are not enrolled in the certificate program. They may apply to take the course as non-degree-seeking students through the UAB Graduate School. The application deadline is August 1.
Course List
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First Fall Semester
OT 677: Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I (3 credit hours)
Individuals not enrolled in the certificate program can apply to enroll in this course as a non-degree seeking student through UAB’s Graduate School. The deadline for non-degree seeking applicants is August 1.
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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.
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First Summer 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.
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Second Fall Semester
OT 680: Foundations in Blind Rehabilitation (3 credit hours)
Introduces the field of blindness rehabilitation and strategies for implementing non-visual interventions. 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.
Individuals not enrolled in the certificate program can apply to enroll in this course as a non-degree seeking student through UAB’s Graduate School. The deadline for non-degree seeking applicants is August 1.
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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.
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Second Summer Semester
OT 691: Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation IV
Focuses on preparing students for vision rehabilitation practice. Students attend an intensive two-day seminar on campus to review and demonstrate competence in evaluation and intervention.
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