Description:  This panel discussion will give an overview of how families are impacted as their loved one experiences and adjusts to life with vision loss. Specific strategies and resources will be discussed as well as what family can do to support and encourage independence and adjustment.  

ACVREP credit will be available for the live presentation.

Instructor: Sylvia Stinson-Perez, CVRT, MSW, MA, MBA 

Instructor’s Title: Project Director, Older Individuals Who are Blind  

Technical Assistance Center, Project Director, Vision Specialist Program 

National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision  

Instructor’s Affiliation: Mississippi State University 

Panelists:  Cheryl Rayburn, Curtis Rayburn, Tammy Roussell, Mary Worstell, Debbie Stowe 

Primary Core or ECC Area:  N/A 

Target Audience: Family/Friends/Caregivers of adults with vision loss, Professionals, Adult Consumers 

Pre-requisite knowledge:   None 

Materials Needed:  None 

Lesson Plan Goal:  N/A 

Learning Objectives:   

1)      Participants will learn 3 implications of vision loss on loved ones of the visually impaired individual. 

2)      Participants will receive 3 practical recommendations for including family members in the independent living skills training. 

3)         Participants will learn about at least 3 resources that can help loved ones more effectively cope with vision loss of their loved one.