VIDBE-Q Volume 66, Issue 2
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with hearing loss. Moreover, from 2015 to 2018 the NYDBC reflected an increase
from 3% (2015) to 28% (2018) in the total percentage of children and youth
registered with NYDBC documented as having CVI. Through the progression of
the Cohort and expansion to include additional agencies, such as the Hunter
College Programs in Blindness and Visual Impairment, Lavelle School for the
Blind, VISIONS Services for the Blind, and the NYCDOE's Hospital Schools
Department, student referrals to initiate educational vision services and requests for
support from NYDBC increased both inside and outside of the NYCDOE.
A 2020 impact survey of 15 members from the current 7 organizations/
departments in the Cohort estimated the Cohort's collective outreach to over 350
colleagues (i.e., resource sharing, mentoring, coaching). At that point, 84 new
children had been identified as having CVI in NYC, with 33 new children
identified as having both CVI and hearing loss (deafblindness) and referred to
NYDBC. The 2020 survey additionally addressed the impact of the Cohort on self-
identified professional knowledge and skills of members in meeting the unique
educational needs of their students with CVI. Respondents reported the following
significant gains:
● (86% of respondents): My skills and knowledge in identifying children with
CVI have increased as a result of my participation in the Cohort.
