Children with multiple disabilities and low vision: Identification, assessment and training through low vision services in South India

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the visual status of children with multi-handicap and possible low vision, including results of assessment and training. All children with multiple disabilities, i.e., 123, who were screened from July 2002 to July 2004 were included. They were mainly identified through disability programmes around Joseph Eye hospital's low vision service in Tamil Nadu, South India. A complete clinical and functional assessment and visual rehabilitation was done in all cases. All the children were screened by the same multidisciplinary team of eye care and rehabilitation personnel. Data such as sex, ages, causes and aetiology of low vision, devices prescribed and the use of flexible and multiple assessments are presented. Outcomes of use of devices, best use of vision and vision training, if needed, are outlined. The close cooperation between child, parents, and staff of training programmes and the low vision services is seen as a vital ingredient for success. Finding, assessing and training the children are not possible otherwise.