Observation Assignment

All students are required to complete 16 hours of observation of low vision practice to graduate from the program. The observation assignment is not due UNTIL THE LAST COURSE (OT 691), which you will take your final semester. You may complete your observations at any time before you take OT 691 and you may observe at multiple sites-if desired. You may observe support groups, other low vision rehab professionals, ophthalmologists, optometrists, VA vision rehab services, community programs etc. The only requirement is that the setting represents some aspect of vision rehabilitation. Support groups can constitute 2 hours of your observation experience. You will need to obtain a signed verification of hours for each setting (see page 2 of the assignment). When you finish your observations, choose one setting and write up your observation using the provided template. A detailed description of the assignment and the template is located in the Resource Folder.

To repeat-you will submit the clinical observation summary during OT 691-your final course in the program and it will be due in mid July. However, many students like to complete the observations early and submit them early. You can submit this assignment as an email attachment to Beth at bbarstow@uab.edu before OT 691 and I will save it in a file and grade it during OT 691. You may scan the verification form and attach it to an email, fax it to Beth at 205-975-7787 or send it to Beth Barstow PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy, UAB, 1702 2nd Ave South, SHPB 350, Birmingham, AL 35294-1212.

Advocacy Assignment

All students are required to complete an advocacy assignment. The final advocacy assignment is not due UNTIL THE LAST COURSE (OT691). The assignment entails undertaking a project that positively influences services for persons with low vision through independent or collaborative education or advocacy. For details about the assignment review the Advocacy Project Assignment Description. This and other assignment documents are also located in the course Resource Folder.

Prior to engagement in this project, it must be approved by the course instructor. Choose your project and fill out the Advocacy Project Approval Form. Email the form to me, Beth Barstow, at bbarstow@uab.edu by the Monday of the last week of this course, OT679. I will respond to you via email to acknowledge receipt of the approval form and let you know if the project is approved. If the project is approved, you can begin work on the assignment. If the project is not approved, I may suggest modifications to the existing project or suggest a new project. In either circumstance, you will be required to modify and turn in a modified Advocacy Project Approval Form. If you have specific questions, please post these on the Advocacy Assignment Discussion Board.

You will submit the final assignment form, Advocacy Assignment Template during OT 691-your final course in the program. However, many students like to complete the assignment early and submit early. You can submit this assignment as an email attachment to Beth at bbarstow@uab.edu before OT 691 and I will save it in a file and grade it during OT 691.