Need: Children who have low vision or blindness comprise the smallest group among children with disabilities. Approximately 0.2% of the school-age population has vision so impaired that special education services are required. Approximately 85-10% of these children have functional vision and are, therefore, not considered functionally or totally blind. To be able to read standard print materials and information at a distance, e.g., on a whiteboard, as well as to have a positive impact on their literacy skills low vision educational services are needed.

Purpose: Providing Access to the Visual Environment (Project PAVE) offers comprehensive low-vision education services statewide to children ages 3 to 21.

Innovations: PAVE research explores how optical devices impact children’s literacy skills. PAVE researchers have found that children who received optical devices began to close the gap between their reading rates and those of children without visual impairments.

Description: Children who have severe visual impairments but are not totally blind receive clinical low-vision evaluations to determine if prescribed optical devices will enable them to “extend their visual reach” and see the standard-sized print in books and print at various distances. PAVE teachers provide instruction to students on how to use their devices. As students learn to use their optical devices, they have instructional materials available to read and they reduce their need for accommodations in the classroom. PAVE is funded by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Where: PAVE is based within Peabody College’s Department of Special Education and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, but services are provided statewide. PAVE also collaborates with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Project PAVE's web site

Faculty Director: Directed by Anne Corn, Ed.D, Professor of Special Education, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and a Kennedy Center Member

Contact: Anne Corn, (615) 322-2249