Instructors: 

Megan Fessler, PT, DPT

Emily Townsend PT, DPT

  • Megan Fessler has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Brooks Rehabilitation; Honorarium and does not have any non-financial relationships to disclose.
  • Emily Townsend has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Brooks Rehabilitation; Honorarium and does not have any non-financial relationships to disclose.

Course Location:
3599 University Blvd South
Jacksonville, Florida, 32216

Course Description:
The intersection of vision science, sensory reweighting, and mobility rehabilitation remains one of the most underrepresented domains in physical therapy education. Low vision affects more than 12 million Americans, and its consequences for gait mechanics, postural control, fall risk, and overall quality of life are profound, measurable, and with appropriate clinical intervention addressable.

ADAPT LV is a specialized physical therapy framework developed at the convergence of rehabilitation medicine and orientation & mobility science. This 12-hour continuing education course (4 hours online + 8 hours hands-on laboratory) trains clinicians to assess a patient’s specific visual profile and integrate that information into every clinical decision: identifying which postural compensations warrant priority intervention, grading sensory challenges safely and progressively, determining appropriate timing for mobility device recommendation, and recognizing when referral to a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist is indicated.

The patient population is broad. From pediatric patients with cortical visual impairment presenting with delayed motor milestones, to working-age adults with retinitis pigmentosa managing elevated fall risk, to older adults with macular degeneration gradually withdrawing from meaningful activity these individuals are already presenting in rehabilitation clinics. ADAPT LV provides the clinical framework to assess, treat, and advocate for them effectively.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

  • Differentiate fundamental vision principles including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, etc.
  • Classify common visual impairments (inherited retinal, congenital, neurologic, age-related).
  • Describe roles within the vision rehabilitation continuum and analyze collaboration between physical therapists and orientation & mobility (O&M) specialists in functional mobility training.
  • Explain key systems underlying gait and balance to analyze the effects of vision loss on mobility, variability, and fall risk.
  • Apply the ADAPT LV framework to develop individualized, evidence-informed balance and mobility interventions across the lifespan.
  • Demonstrate the ability to instruct basic mobility techniques, including human guide, protective strategies, trailing, and wayfinding.
  • Identify most beneficial mobility aids used by individuals with low vision or blindness including long white cane and other emerging assistive technologies.

Course Education Level: Introductory

Intended Audience:
The information presented in this course is clinically relevant for licensed Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), Occupational Therapist (OT), and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) designations.

Disclaimer: Registrations from individuals with clinical designations not listed in the intended audience for this course may be subject to removal from the course roster without a full refund. If you are unsure or have questions related to the intended audience, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to help clarify!

Contact Hours:
The pre course content  has been approved for 4 contact hours by the following boards:

  • Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
  • Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

The in person course has been approved for 9 contact hours by the following boards:

  • Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
  • Florida Board of Occupational Therapy

Continuing Education credit for each participant who meets the satisfactory course completion requirements (licensed in FL) will be automatically uploaded to CE Broker, which means the Florida Boards will have record of your attendance, even if you do not have your own personal CE Broker account. Course certificates will be provided at the completion of the course for those that meet the course completion requirements. Certificates will be mailed for courses that include a post-course test.

Enrollment:
If you are a Brooks Clinician and want to pay by cost center, please fill out this registration form and return the check and form to the Brooks IHL.

Satisfactory Course Completion:
Participants must complete the full course, including signing the attendance sheet each day, actively participating in performance demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions, and successfully completing the required post assessment.

Course Evaluation/Survey:
Within 48 hours of course completion, you will receive a post course survey. The IHL values your feedback and we thank you in advance for taking the survey.