The purpose of this study was to examine differences in early intervention (EI) referral and service frequency for children with blindness or visual impairment (BVI) and gather information about the practices and experiences of vision professionals across the United States. The study focused on obtaining data from certified teachers of students with visual impairment (CTVI) and certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS) in the United States. Information collected included descriptive statistics and professional information about EI for children with BVI, and information about the referral process and service frequency for children with BVI during EI. Thirty-three states were represented in the collected data. Of these states, 26 had responses from four or more professionals, the criteria for inclusion in the analyses. Participants provided information based on a researcher-developed survey requesting information related to the procedures used to provide EI services for children with BVI. Questions were adapted from established instruments where possible. Across states, there were some statistically significant differences in CTVIs and COMS reports of procedures regarding the role of professional collaboration, parent/caregiver participation in IFSP meetings, strengths/resources utilized by vision professionals, and challenges parents/families encountered when accessing EI services for their child with BVI. No statistically significant differences were identified across states for type of referral method, most commonly initiated by health care professionals, or method by which service frequency was determined. Results will be used to inform future research to further examine EI for children with BVI in the United States.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1808342 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Bishop, Audra Lea |
| Contributors | Middlemiss, Wendy, Mitchell, Yolanda, Boesch, Miriam, Barrio, Brenda, Armentrout, Julie |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | vi, 65 pages, Text |
| Rights | Public, Bishop, Audra Lea, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
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