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Anchor Center for Blind Children Referral and Intake Process
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To qualify for Anchor Center for Blind Children services:
- Child must have vision impairment or dual sensory loss of vision and hearing.
- A medical report from an ophthalmologist or neurologist verifying vision impairment is required.
Referrals:
- Referrals can be made to Anchor Center by pediatric ophthalmologists, neurologists, early intervention specialists, service coordinators and family members.
- A child with a determined vision loss, whether a known diagnosis or not, should be referred to Kivanc Ozer-Afsar, Family Specialist, by completing an online referral form and then e-mailing to kivanc@anchorcenter.org
- Kivanc will process all the information necessary (including an ophthalmology or neurology report).
- If a parent has concerns about their child's visual development, Anchor Center for Blind Children recommends they see a pediatric ophthalmologist prior to beginning the referral process.
- We see children in area hospitals.
Intake Process:
- After an appropriate referral is made to Anchor Center for Blind Children, a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) will conduct a Functional Vision Assessment (FVA):
- An FVA looks at how a child's vision relates to his/her learning style and development;
- An FVA provides suggestions on maximizing use of the child's vision, touch and hearing;
- An FVA also emphasizes development of safe and independent orientation and mobility.
- Eligibility for the infant or toddler program will be determined depending on the severity of the vision loss and its impact on the child's development and access to learning.
- Monthly home visits may be appropriate in situations where the child is too medically involved to go to the center or there are transportation/work challenges for the parent(s).
- Parents are encouraged to attend either the infant (9:30 - 11:00) program or toddler (11:45 - 1:30) program on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the school year.
- A commitment to attending class on a regular basis benefits not only the child with vision loss but the parents as they meet other parents facing similar challenges (See Parent Resources).
- Requirements for a child age three to five years of age are handled on an individual basis in conjunction with local school district.
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