Vision loss - occupational therapy

Occupational therapists are health professionals trained to help people work around their limitations so they can live more independently. For children and adults with vision impairment, occupational therapy aims to make the most of existing skills and to offer alternative, easier ways to do everyday things. An occupational therapist can also suggest changes to the home and workplace and provide training in the use of adaptive equipment.

These services are available to people of all ages and with all degrees of vision loss.

Practical changes at home and work#

An occupational therapist may suggest practical changes to the home and work environment, such as:

• Aids such as magnifiers
• Audio equipment, including training in how to use it
• Identification tags (colour-coded or tactile) fitted to equipment and household items
• Increased lighting and the use of contrast
• Removing clutter that could be a safety hazard, such as items stored on the floor or on benches

How programs work#

Programs are goal-focused and tailored to each person’s needs, helping them learn new skills and strategies. They can range in length from a single day to several weeks and may take place at a training centre or in the person’s own home. Where appropriate, training involves family members and other rehabilitation professionals.

To help a person reach their full potential, their existing abilities are assessed in the context of work, school, home, leisure, general lifestyle and family situation. Assessments may include:

• Sensory assessments, to work out how the person uses their remaining vision and other senses
• Motor assessments, to define strength, coordination, range of movement and dexterity

These assessments also help make sure that, for safety reasons, any new skills offered fall within the person’s capabilities.

Daily living skills#

Training programs are individually tailored and may cover:

• Personal care, such as showering, dressing, identifying clothes, grooming, shaving and applying make-up
• Managing medication
• Domestic skills, such as meal planning, cooking, laundry, cleaning and how to respond to emergencies
• Community skills, such as budgeting, banking, handling money and shopping
• Communication skills, such as telephone use, computer skills, reading and writing
• Social skills, including listening for conversational cues and presenting oneself confidently
• Personal wellbeing, including fitness and relaxation
• Life planning and goal setting, such as moving out of home or starting a new job or leisure activity

Orientation and mobility#

Occupational therapy can be combined with mobility programs. Orientation and mobility instruction helps a vision-impaired person move confidently, safely and independently in their environment, including home, school, workplaces and the local neighbourhood.

Mobility programs are offered to people of all ages on a one-to-one, group or consultancy basis. A program may cover:

• Self and senses, including understanding your own body and movement, and using all your senses to identify objects and places
• Thinking and problem solving, using planning, memory and insight
• Communication, including social skills, body language and verbal communication
• Safety, including how to ask for help and recognise unsafe situations
• Moving purposefully from one place to another, including straight-line travel and timing
• Traffic and travel, including strategies for crossing the road and using footpaths and kerbs
• Using mobility aids such as canes and monoculars
• What to expect in different places, such as school, shops, workplaces and community services

Where to get help#