Raising awareness of Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) through the use of educational videos: One size does not fit all

Abstract

Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is a leading cause of childhood visual impairment in Western countries. This complex condition impacts affected children’s ability to see and process visual information, affecting their learning and development. Although early intervention is beneficial, many children with CVI live with this condition without this being identified. This is, in part, due to unfamiliarity with the condition among health care and education professionals. In recent years, more information has become available, and attempts have been made to explain this condition in accessible formats, such as educational videos. For this study, students and professionals in health care and education were asked to rate their knowledge about CVI, to watch three short educational videos about CVI, and to complete a survey about the use of these videos as a tool to raise awareness and to increase understanding of the condition. The study shows that educational videos can be used effectively to raise awareness of CVI among educational and health care students and professionals. Furthermore, the study shows that there is a mix of understanding, confidence and learning styles across the key professionals supporting children with CVI. As a result, different videos are effective for different audiences and therefore no one size fits all.