Blind Low-Vision Early Intervention Program

Vision Services provides child and family centred education, services and support for parents of children who were born blind or with low vision so that they can support the healthy development of their child.

Services provided to children focus on acquiring skills needed to perform daily activities required for personal and social sufficiency at home, in early learning and care settings, and at school.

Referral Criteria

• Children 0 – 6 years with documented visual impairment
• Must live in Ministry Children, Community and Social Services Central West Region of Ontario

A referral is required to access this service:

• Intake Services

Note: as part of a completed referral or following a referral, a completed Vision/Eye Report is required for services to begin:

• Vision/Eye Report (PDF)

If you have concerns about a child’s vision, don’t wait. The sooner a problem is identified, the sooner the child can receive early intervention services that support the development of their functional vision and sensory skills. 

Potential Red Flags for vision concerns

• Does not make eye contact
• Does not watch or follow an object by 3 months of age
• Frequent wiggling, drifting, or jerky eye movements
• One or both eyes turning in or out
• Holding objects close to eyes
• Turning or tilting head when looking
• Closing or covering one eye when looking
• Senstivity to bright lights
• Staring at lights and windows
• Haziness or whitish appearance of the pupil
• Drooping eyelids

In addition, if your child is not meeting any of these vision milestones, talk to your family physician
or optometrist.

External Vision Resources

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
 


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