TOPIC 6.
Research on Technologies or Strategies for All Aspects
of Early Intervention in Infants, Toddlers, and Small Children

• Testing Vision in Young Deaf Children

SPONSORING OFFICE:
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Abstract:
Very little attention has been paid to vision in deaf children, even though this is the sense that replaces hearing for most communication and learning tasks. To maximize a deaf child's potential, it is necessary to not only make full use of residual hearing, but also to make sure there are no vision problems. It is extremely important that deaf children with vision problems be diagnosed as early as possible, so that the condition can be dealt with and its impact can be minimized. Unfortunately, there are no modem, computerized vision screening tests available to parents and schools that are specifically geared for young deaf children.

It is proposed that two computerized vision screening systems for deaf children be developed. The first will be a simple computer software system that can be marketed for under $50. This Simple Vision Screening (SVS) system will be aimed at parents and others who wish to do simple home vision screening. The second system will be much more sophisticated and will be for use by trained school personnel. The Advanced Vision Screening (AVS) system will be based on computerized eye tracking equipment.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
Phase I of this project will result in a marketable SVS system and a preliminary version of the AVS system. The simple vision testing system will be designed for use on an ordinary home computer and will be marketed by IDRT at the end of Phase I. The feasibility of the advanced vision testing system will be shown using eye movement equipment already available at IDRT.

In Phase II, the SVS system will be revised and improved based on the feedback from users of the Phase I version. A marketable version of the AVS system will be developed around the EyeGaze Development System available from LC Technologies.

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