Abstract Submissions - Envision and VisionServe Alliance Conference 2027

Presentations of 1 hr. or 2 hrs.
Clinical Education Courses
- Incorporate practical information that low vision practitioners and educators need to succeed professionally. Clinical education submissions should include concrete examples of closing practice gaps in vision rehabilitation and should incorporate the principles of evidence-based practice.
Panel/Symposia (Clinical Intervention OR Research Symposia focus)
- Panel submissions incorporate information that encourages discussion of professional concerns and views. These special panel events carry themes that are current topics in the profession’s lexicon and often include expert speakers that include both researchers and clinicians. Submitted by a moderator, and presented by the moderator and panelists in 1 hr. or 2 hrs. Must include confirmed co-presenters/panelists at time of submission.
Hands-On Workshop Courses
- Hands-On Workshops are interactive learning experiences that allow participants to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical setting. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice new skills in hands-on, simulated or real-world scenarios. Presented by the author(s) in 1 hr. or 2 hrs.

Click the "Make an Envision Clinical Education Submission" button for further instructions and to submit your proposal.

Presented by the author(s) for 20 minutes in moderated, topical panels.
- Research Abstract submissions contain a clear statement of hypothesis, an explanation of methods, and a report of data that unequivocally test the hypothesis and a brief discussion of their implications. Include original results that will advance the field.

Note: For a 1 hr. or 2 hr. Research Symposia Panel or Research Papers presentation panel, please use the Clinical Education Submission.

Click the "Make an Envision Research Abstract Submission" button for further instructions and to submit your proposal.

Lead by a facilitator for 1 hrs. or 2 hrs.
Small discussion groups are an integral component of our low vision rehabilitation and research conference. These interactive, facilitated sessions bring together professionals and practitioners from diverse disciplines to address critical practice gaps in low vision care and rehabilitation.
Small discussion groups are structured learning experiences designed to:
- Connect participants across disciplines (occupational therapy, ophthalmology, education, rehabilitation, research, and more)
- Reflect on current practices, challenges, and evidence-based approaches
- Spark Innovation through collaborative dialogue and the sharing of homegrown solutions
- Close Practice Gaps by addressing specific, timely topics relevant to low vision rehabilitation
The interdisciplinary nature of low vision care means that practitioners rarely have formal spaces to learn from colleagues with different expertise. Small discussion groups intentionally create these spaces by
- Leveraging Diverse Expertise: Participants bring different professional backgrounds, clinical settings, and years of experience, creating rich learning opportunities
- Moving Beyond Presentations: Rather than passive listening, participants engage in active dialogue and collaborative problem-solving
- Building Professional Networks: Participants develop connections with colleagues who share their interests and challenges
- Contributing to the Field: Group discussions often generate insights that inform future research, tools, frameworks, and best practices
Group Parameters
- NOT a didactic lecture
- Maximum Participant Capacity: 20
- Duration: 60 or 120 minutes
- CME Credit: CME credit will be awarded to participants for their attendance and participation
- Setting: Interactive, discussion-based (not lecture-based)
- Discipline Diversity: Expected to attract practitioners from multiple disciplines with varying levels of expertise in low vision
- Tangible Outcomes: Abstract Submission will include a description of the tangible outcome(s) you expect this small discussion group to produce. Focus on what will exist after the session that did not exist before (e.g., a draft tool, clinical decision pathway, plan, or workgroup), and how it can help close a specific practice gap.

Click the "Make an Envision Small Group Abstract Submission" button for further instructions and to submit your proposal.

Presentations of 1 hr. or 2hrs.
Speaker Presentation
- One to three speakers. Presentations should provide practical, actionable insights for professionals working in blindness and low vision services. Presentations highlight best practices supported by evidence-based principles and include concrete examples. Sessions are 1 or 2 hours long and led by clinical or administrative experts in the topic being presented.
Panel Presentation
- Three or more presenters. Presentations should promote engaging discussion on timely professional topics. Sessions are 1 or 2 hours long, submitted and facilitated by the moderator, and must include confirmed co-presenters at the time of submission. Must include confirmed co-presenters/panelists at time of submission
Interactive Workshop
- One or more presenter(s). Presentations will offer hands-on learning experiences where participants actively apply knowledge and practice new skills in simulated or real-world scenarios. Sessions are 1 or 2 hours long and presented by one or more subject matter experts.
Small Group Discussion
- Note: To submit a Small Group Discussion proposal, please submit through the Envision Small Group Discussion Abstract Submission proposal portal above.

Click the "Make a VisionServe Alliance Submission" button for further instructions and to submit your proposal.

Notes:

Each presentation/proposal/abstract track submission will need to create a new account for this event by selecting login; then select Need to Create an Account? Each event has a new submissions account. This new account will not affect your other Envision or VisionServe Alliance accounts; it is only for the Envision and VisionServe Alliance Conference 2027 submissions.
All Submissions are peer-reviewed and scored for consideration of inclusion in the 2027 program.
All submission proposals and presentation selection notifications will conclude by January 17, 2027. Notifications will be to Approve, Decline or Re-submit (with suggested edits). All correspondence, including notification of abstract acceptance and details for presentations, will be sent to the corresponding (submitting) author via email. The corresponding presenter/author shall be responsible for informing all contributing authors of any related correspondence. All presenting authors and co-authors must register for the conference in order to present.
Envision and VisionServe Alliance reserve the right to assign the day and time that accepted proposals will be scheduled. The lead presenter/moderator will receive an Accepted email notification serving as speaker agreement outlining these details and will be required to reply/sign in the affirmative and return in a timely manner, along with all required program documents (i.e. PowerPoint presentations, handouts etc.).
All presentations must be made in-person at the conference physical location.

Help address current practice gaps in standards of low vision rehabilitation patient care, through clinical education or breaking research. We want to hear the challenges you've faced, solutions that have worked for you or innovative research proposals. Multiple submissions by a single author or multiple authors are accepted in all categories. Submissions are now open.

Envision Proposal Topics: The following topics were selected from needs assessment surveys by professionals in the field as highly desirable for education and research (See Clinical Education Topics Guide and Research Topics Guide and Small Discussion Group Facilitator Framework Guide for more details):

Age-related macular degeneration; diabetes & diabetic retinopathy; glaucoma and rehab interventions; Neuro-visual deficits; Evaluating Pediatric vision loss and interventions; Vision loss with comorbid conditions
Tele-health
Practice administration; coding and billing and staying updated on changes in reimbursement policies from Medicare
Creating clinical pathways
Emotional and psychological adjustment to vision loss
Lighting, eccentric viewing, and new technology
Keeping current on new research and tools in field (evidence-based practices)
Referrals from other eye care professionals and/or other healthcare professionals
Methods of diagnosis or treatment
Strategies for improving client engagement and follow-through
The need for national and international exchange of low vision evidence-based practices among individuals, groups, and institutions
Competence in performing rehabilitation interventions
Technology training for all age populations
Recruiting more optometry, occupational therapy, vision researchers and special education students interested in LV
Driving with low vision
Case studies demonstrating how assessments were performed, optic device chosen and why, how was magnification calculated, etc.
Enhancing Service Delivery in Vision Rehabilitation
Leadership Development in the Blindness and Low Vision Community
Sustainable Fundraising and Resource Development
Advocacy and Community Engagement for Vision Services
Innovative Models to Expand Employment for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Innovative Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Staff
Innovative Practices in Vision Rehabilitation Administration
Leveraging Evidence-based research and data
Strategies for Educational success for students living with blindness and low vision

VisionServe Alliance Topics: All compelling presentations will be considered. Presenters are encouraged to submit proposals on the following topics:

Addressing Mental Health and Adjustment to Blindness and Low Vision
AI and the Role of Technology in the Blind and Low Vision Community.
Board Excellence: Governance Best Practices and Effective Bylaws Management
Nonprofit Talent Management, Compensation, and Benefits
Leadership Development in the Blindness and Low Vision Community
Enhancing Service Delivery in Vision Rehabilitation
Sustainable Fundraising and Resource Development
Advocacy and Community Engagement for Vision Services
Innovative Models to Expand Employment for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Innovative Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Staff
Innovative Practices in Vision Rehabilitation Administration
Leveraging Evidence-based Research and Data
Strategies for Educational Success for Students Living with Blindness and Low Vision
Other

Conference 2025/2026 Clinical Education Peer Review Committee Chairs

Kaitlyn Cremer, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV, CAPS, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Baylor University
Erin Kenny, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor - Salus at Drexel University Health, Chief - William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center, The Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Sara Barnard, MSEd, TVI, COMS, CLVT, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS), Audie L. Murphy VA Health Care System, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, San Antonio, TX
Steven Whittaker, PhD, OT, CLVT, SCLV, Whittaker Consulting, past Adjunct Professor, Salus University
Kierstyn Napier-Dovorany, OD, FAAO previous Associate Professor, Western University College of Optometry; current candidacy for PhD in Vision Science, Indiana University School of Optometry and The Hassan Low Vision and Mobility Laboratory

Conference 2025/2026 Research Abstract Peer Review Committee Chairs

Aliasgar Kutiyanawala, PhD, Software Engineer, Meta
Caitlin Murphy, PhD, CLVT, Study Director, Ocular and Neuroscience, River Laboratories, Senneville, Quebec, Canada
Atul Jaiswal, PhD, OT, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; FRQS Post-Doctoral Fellow in Vision Science, Wittich Vision Impairment Research Laboratory, University of Montreal
Callie Victor, PhD, MOT, OTR/L , Program Director, MSOT, Division of Occupational Therapy, Associate Professor, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA
Rebecca Deffler, OD, MS, FAAO, Clinical Instructor and PhD candidate, The Ohio State University, College of Optometry

Envision Clinical Medical Education Advisory Panel 2026/2027

Ashley Deemer, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Southern College of Optometry, Fullerton, CA
Dawn Ciccarone, MS, OTR/L, CLVT, Instructor, Salus at Drexel University Health, Philadelphia, PA
Erika Andersen Ko, CLVT, Low Vision Beyond the Clinic LLC., Denver, CO
Bradley Dougherty, OD, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University, College of Optometry, Columbus, OH
Anne Riddering, PhD, OT, CLVT, COMS, Director of the Henry Ford Health System, Center for Vision and Neuro Rehabilitation & Research at Henry Ford Health System; Program Coordinator and Instructor, Western Michigan University Graduate Certificate Program in Low Vision Rehabilitation for OT, Livonia, MI

Call for Submissions Deadline is December 12, 2026