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Introduction: Occupational therapists working in low vision rehabilitation make recommendations for assistive technology (AT) and provide training in AT use for people with vision impairment (PVI) to support participation and independence. Smartphones and apps are an important AT for PVI, yet little is known about the training needs of PVI or what training is currently provided. Research exploring PVI's learning and training experiences is required to inform training development., Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perspectives, needs, and recommendations of PVI from Australia and Singapore on smartphone training methods., Methods: An online survey collected data between November 2020 to February 2021. Participants were recruited from Australia and Singapore using purposeful sampling. The survey had three sections: (i) demographics, (ii) use of smartphones and apps, and (iii) training. It consisted of 26 closed and open-ended questions. The quantitative results from the survey were analysed descriptively, and responses to open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis., Results: Sixty-eight PVI responded to the survey, with 34 (50%) participants from each country. There were more Australians (n = 19/34, 55.9%) who had accessed formal training compared to Singaporeans (n = 11/34, 32.3%). Participants valued both formal and informal training, and self-training was the most used method for informal training (Australia: n = 29/34, 85%, Singapore: n = 22/34, 64.7%). Participants stated they preferred individualised formal training that caters to their learning needs and is provided by patient and knowledgeable trainers. They also preferred formal training, which is flexible and convenient to access, including online training with peers., Conclusion: Findings such as providing individualised training, ensuring increased awareness of formal training, and using both formal and informal training methods can be considered by occupational therapists to enhance and develop training for PVI in the use of smartphones and apps., Consumer and Community Consultation: Consumers were involved at the development stage. Three people with vision impairment reviewed and provided feedback on the survey's accessibility and content., (© 2024 The Author(s). Australian Occupational Therapy Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Occupational Therapy Australia.)

Introduction: Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists assess the functional vision and O&M skills of people with mobility problems, usually relating to low vision or blindness. There are numerous O&M assessment checklists but no measures that reduce qualitative assessment data to a single comparable score suitable for assessing any O&M client, of any age or ability, in any location. Functional measures are needed internationally to align O&M assessment practices, guide referrals, profile O&M clients, plan appropriate services and evaluate outcomes from O&M programmes (eg, long cane training), assistive technology (eg, hazard sensors) and medical interventions (eg, retinal implants). This study aims to validate two new measures of functional performance vision-related outcomes in orientation and mobility (VROOM) and orientation and mobility outcomes (OMO) in the context of ordinary O&M assessments in Australia, with cultural comparisons in Malaysia, also developing phone apps and online training to streamline professional assessment practices., Methods and Analysis: This multiphase observational study will employ embedded mixed methods with a qualitative/quantitative priority: corating functional vision and O&M during social inquiry. Australian O&M agencies (n=15) provide the sampling frame. O&M specialists will use quota sampling to generate cross-sectional assessment data (n=400) before investigating selected cohorts in outcome studies. Cultural relevance of the VROOM and OMO tools will be investigated in Malaysia, where the tools will inform the design of assistive devices and evaluate prototypes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch modelling, cluster analysis and analysis of variance will be undertaken along with descriptive analysis of measurement data. Qualitative findings will be used to interpret VROOM and OMO scores, filter statistically significant results, warrant their generalisability and identify additional relevant constructs that could also be measured., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Swinburne University (SHR Project 2016/316). Dissemination of results will be via agency reports, journal articles and conference presentations., Competing Interests: Competing interests: LD reports personal fees from Bionic Vision Australia (2014) and Guide Dogs Victoria outside the submitted work and is an executive member of the Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Aim: To investigate characteristics associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms among older adults accessing low-vision rehabilitation and eye-care services and to determine client acceptability of depression screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) in these settings., Methods: One-hundred and twenty-four older adults (mean = 77.02 years, SD = 9.12) attending low-vision rehabilitation and eye-care services across Australia were screened for depression and invited to complete a telephone-administered questionnaire to determine characteristics associated with depressive symptoms and client acceptability of screening in these settings., Results: Thirty-seven per cent (n = 46/124) of participants screened positive for depressive symptoms, and the majority considered the new depression screening method to be a 'good idea' in vision services (85%). Severe vision loss (<6/60 in the better eye) was associated with an increased odds of screening positive for depressive symptoms (odds ratio 2.37; 95% confidence interval 1.08-6.70) even after adjusting for potential confounders. Participants who screened positive had a preference for 'talking' therapy or a combination of medication and 'talking therapy' delivered within their own home (73%) or via telephone (67%)., Conclusion: The PHQ-2 appears to be an acceptable method for depression screening in eye-care settings among older adults. Targeted interventions that incorporate home-based or telephone delivered therapy sessions may improve outcomes for depression in this group., (© 2014 ACOTA.)

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the potential unmet need for hearing services among older people attending low-vision rehabilitation, and pilot a "Hearing Screening and Education Model" (HSEM) of intervention to promote use of hearing services and aids among these individuals., Design: In the Vision-Hearing project, 300 clients attending low-vision clinics in Sydney, Australia, participated in baseline interviews and the HSEM (2010-2011). The HSEM consisted of: (1) standard pure-tone audiometry; (2) discussion of hearing loss and implications of dual sensory impairment; and (3) provision of information on hearing services and facilitated referral. Those with hearing loss who did not own hearing aids, reported low use (<1 hr/day), or used a single aid with bilateral loss were referred for full assessment by an audiologist and to the follow-up arm of the study (n = 210). Follow-up interviews were conducted within 12 months to ascertain actions taken and audiological and other health outcomes., Results: Of 169 participants in the follow-up study, 68 (40.2%) sought help for hearing loss within 12 months. Help-seekers had higher mean hearing handicap scores at baseline compared with non-help-seekers. The majority of help-seekers (85.3%) underwent a complete hearing assessment. Fifty-four percent (n = 37) were recommended hearing aids and the majority of these (n = 27) obtained new hearing aids. Seven participants had existing aids adjusted, and 3 obtained alternate assistive listening devices. Almost half of those receiving new aids or adjustments to hearing aids reported low use (<1 hr/day) at follow-up. Among help-seekers, 40% were unsure or did not believe their audiologist knew of their visual diagnosis. Of concern, 60% of participants did not seek help largely due to perceptions their hearing loss was not bad enough; the presence of competing priorities; concerns over dealing with vision loss and managing hearing aids with poor vision., Conclusions: Hearing- and vision-rehabilitation services need to better screen for, and take account of, dual sensory impairment among their older clients. If audiologists are made more aware of visual conditions affecting their clients, they may be better placed to facilitate access to appropriate technologies and rehabilitation, which may improve aid retention and benefit.

Purpose: To determine the proportion of people with low vision who can be adequately managed at a secondary level low vision clinic where only low to moderate magnification low vision devices (LVDs) and basic rehabilitation services are provided., Methods: A retrospective study of clinical records of participants who attended low vision rehabilitation services (Vision Australia) for the first time between 2000 and 2002 was conducted. Information regarding main cause of vision loss, goals of vision rehabilitation, types of LVDs purchased, and type of services received was examined., Results: Of the 192 participants studied, 65% were female and the mean age was 76 years (range, 19 to 100 years). Most participants had mild (35%) to moderate (49%) vision impairment. Seventy percent (134) of participants purchased some type of LVDs. Near adds of low magnification (1 to 2×) were the most common aid preferred by participants (n=54) followed by handheld magnifiers of moderate magnification (2.5 to 5×; (n=52). Only 10 of the 134 LVDs (8%) purchased were of high magnification (>5×). In addition, only 46 of the 192 participants (24%) attended tertiary level rehabilitation with orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors and/or occupational therapists. Along with the six participants who required high magnification LVDs but no O&M or OT services, in total, 27% (52/192) required tertiary level low vision care., Conclusions: A secondary level low vision clinic is likely to meet the needs of >70% of people with vision impairment. It would play an important role in vision rehabilitation especially in countries where a wide range of services are available., (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Optometry)

Background: The current mismatch between the need for and uptake of low-vision services has been attributed to various barriers including different service delivery models and referral pathways. This study evaluates the referral pathway and low-vision service provision of the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) in South Australia., Methods: All new referrals from the 2008-2009 financial year to the RSB were reviewed. Initially, patients were contacted by a triage officer within one week of referral. Initial appointments were made in the Low Vision Clinic with a multidisciplinary team. Reasons for declining the appointment or non-attendance were tracked via telephone., Results: There were 1116 patients referred over a 12-month period and 1082 (97 per cent) were reviewed in the Low Vision Clinic. Most attendees (92 per cent) lived within 50 kilometres of the clinic. There were 34 referred patients, who declined or did not attend the assessment. All non-attendees also lived within 50 kilometres of the Low Vision Centre. Concurrent major health problems (27 per cent) and patients not feeling the need for low-vision rehabilitation (27 per cent) were the most common reasons for not accessing the service. Only 125 patients (11.6 per cent) accessed volunteer transport services and only 24 patients (2.2 per cent) needed an interpreter service., Conclusion: The attendance rate is significantly higher than in other published studies. The distance to travel or transport difficulties were not significant barriers. Patient perception that either the service was not required or would not help them was the main barrier. The referral and triage process appeared to be a major enabler of low-vision service uptake., (© 2010 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2010 Optometrists Association Australia.)

Aim: To investigate barriers to accessing low vision services in Australia., Methods: Adults with a vision impairment (<6/12 in the better eye and/or significant visual field defect), who were current patients at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), were interviewed. The questions investigated self-perceived vision difficulties, duration of vision loss and satisfaction with vision and also examined issues of awareness of low vision services and referral to services. Focus groups were also conducted with vision impaired (<6/12 in the better eye) patients from the RVEEH, listeners of the Radio for the Print Handicapped and peer workers at Vision Australia Foundation. The discussions were recorded and transcribed., Results: The questionnaire revealed that referral to low vision services was associated with a greater degree of vision loss (p = 0.002) and a greater self-perception of low vision (p = 0.005) but that referral was not associated with satisfaction (p = 0.144) or difficulties related to vision (p = 0.169). Participants with mild and moderate vision impairment each reported similar levels of difficulties with daily activities and satisfaction with their vision (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the level of difficulties experienced with daily activities between those with mild-moderate and severe vision impairment (p < 0.05). The participants of the focus groups identified barriers to accessing low vision services related to awareness of services among the general public and eye care professionals, understanding of low vision and the services available, acceptance of low vision, the referral process, and transport., Conclusion: In addition to the expected difficulties with lack of awareness of services by people with low vision, many people do not understand what the services provide and do not identify themselves as having low vision. Knowledge of these barriers, from the perspective of people with low vision, can now be used to guide the development and content of future health-promotion campaigns.