1. Functional Vision Evaluation
Introduction and
Direct Assessment Skills
Taken from: Step by Step developed by Dr. Dixie Mercer, Stephen F. Austin State University.

2. What is a Functional Vision Evaluation?
A process which is aimed at determining how a student with visual impairment typically uses their remaining vision (or other sensory channels) in educational settings.
Builds on eye-medical information to determine how the student uses their vision to function in their lives

3. What is a Learning Media Assessment?
A process aimed at determining the student’s:
primary sensory channel
level of competency in reading and writing
whether or not the student is functionally blind
whether or not on going assessment is needed
primary LITERACY medium
most appropriate LEARNING media

4. Literacy Medium
How the student is going to access the general curriculum
The basis for future decisions concerning the student
Braille, Large Print, Auditory (taped texts), and or symbols
Must address Braille as an option – It is more than a choice of braille versus print

5. Learning Medium Include instructional materials and methods
How the student is best taught
Support items and manipulatives
Curriculum

6. LMA Is required (along with the FVE) to determine eligibility
Must determine primary medium and if functionally blind
Best practices –
Should be updated as needed
Should involve ongoing assessment
Required annually for ECI students
Must address Braille
Can only be done by a TVI

7. Goals of an FVE/LMA
Provide information on how the child FUNCTIONS WITHIN THEIR EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS and IN REAL LIFE to:
Parents
Other teachers
Administrators

8. Goals (continued) Provide recommendations on:
How to maximize the student’s visual performance in educational settings.
How to adapt the learning environment to optimize visual performance.
Additional visual assessment which may need to be done.

9. Goals of an FVE/LMA To communicate Needs Functioning Abilities
Establish programming goals
Recommendations
Effective practices

10. FVE/LMA Rules Who can perform an FVE? VI Teacher O&M Specialist
Who can perform an LMA?
Only a teacher certified in Visual Impairment.

11. What must a FVE include?
Assessment of performance in a variety of environments.
Assessment of performance on tasks requiring near and distance vision.
Recommendations on:
Whether or not a clinical low vision evaluation is appropriate for the child
Whether or not an O&M evaluation is appropriate.

12. Steps involved in performing a FVE/LMA
Preview Observation
Collection and Analysis of Relevant Information
Parent Interview
Teacher Interview
Observations (three 45 minute observations in a variety of environments, one of which should include food)

13. Steps involved in performing a FVE/LMA (cont.)
Initial FVE/LMA Protocol completion
Direct Assessment
Completion of FVE/LMA Protocol
Recommendation Writing
Report Writing

14. FVE/ LMA Is a living document – and will travel with the student
Next to direct services – is the most important part of your role
Should be useful and easy to understand
Free from jargon

15. TIPS
You are required by law to evaluate under different conditions and in different settings
Start early
Don’t rush
Do the observations
Don’t ever do one in couple of days – if you do you will be done ALL of them that way
Don’t determine if the student will “qualify” after one visit – collect data and then judge