Blind-Low Vision
Early Intervention Program

What We Offer

The Blind-Low Vision Program is available for children with low vision or blindness from birth to school entry. Services can take place virtually, in the child’s home, childcare, and community settings. Our goal is to build your knowledge about your child’s learning style and build your capacity to respond to their developmental needs.

Team

The Blind-Low Vision team is based out of Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre and comprises of two Early Childhood Vision Consultants and a Family Support Worker.

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Services

We provide support to the family and child with low vision/blindness, including direct intervention; consultation to your child’s healthcare team and daycare; and support with school transition.
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Resources

Learn about the social, financial, educational, and community resources available for families of children with low vision or blindness.
*Coming Soon*
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Team Member Roles

  • Family Support Worker (FSW)

    The Family Support Worker (FSW) provides holistic support tailored to the families’ needs. Support can include, but is not limited to: facilitating coping and family adjustment to child’s diagnosis; grief counselling; applying for financial resources; connecting with community and social resources; and organizing school transition meetings for the child with vision loss or blindness.

  • Early Childhood Vision Consultant (ECVC)

    The Early Childhood Vision Consultant (ECVC) builds a caregiver’s capacity to promote the development of their child with vision loss or blindness. Vision therapy is not provided to the child. Rather, the ECVC provides information and resources to caregivers; consultation to the child’s daycare providers and healthcare team; and support for transitioning the child to school. The ECVC provides strategies for the child to “optimize the use of vision and all other senses to facilitate purposeful learning opportunities.” (Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program Guidelines, Sept. 2013)

Our Services

  • Intervention
    • ECVCs provide bilingual, family centered services in the home and community settings frequented by the child (e.g. daycare, nearby park) 
    • ECVCs work with the family to develop Family Service Plans outlining families’ priorities, goals and action steps to meet their child’s needs 
    • ECVCs conduct functional sensory assessments capturing the child’s use of senses for learning. 
  • Consultation
    • ECVCs provide consultation to the child’s healthcare team and daycare providers 
    • ECVCs help build the capacity of the daycare providers and healthcare team to meet the child’s unique developmental needs 
  • School Transition
    • ECVC and FSW support the family to register the child in school and complete the required paperwork  
    • FSW organizes a school transition meeting to ensure seamless transition of services from BLV program to the child’s school 

Is my child eligible for the Blind-Low Vision program?

A referral to our program can be made by anyone in your child's life (e.g. ophthalmologist, daycare provider, allied health professional, parent/legal guardian, etc.)


Our program can offer your family services before your child has been diagnosed with a visual condition. However, medical confirmation by an ophthalmologist or neurologist is required for the child to remain in the program.


Our program is available for children from birth to school entry who are living in Eastern Ontario (Ottawa; Renfrew County; Prescott-Russell; or Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.)

Request Blind-Low Vision Services

Don't wait.

If you have concerns about your child’s vision, don’t wait. Early intervention is important and gives your child the best opportunity for healthy development. For more information on services available to you: