Meet Dawn Pickering, OC(C), COMT, CLVT, Professional Practice Leader, Low Vision Services, CNIB (formerly known as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind)

Tell us a little about yourself. What is your background, education, and training? 

I was born in the beautiful province of Prince Edward Island on the East coast of Canada. After receiving a Biology/Neuroscience Bachelor of Science degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I did research on biological rhythms as affected by visual input and amblyopia, as well as other optics research, before entering the School of Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Medical Technology, also at Dalhousie.

(Editor's Note: Orthoptics is a discipline that evaluates, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision [using both eyes to see]. They are uniquely trained diagnosticians. Most orthoptists work primarily, although not exclusively, with children.)

I successfully certified, and have remained so, with the Canadian Orthoptic Council and the American Orthoptic Council, as well as with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. I worked in the Albany Medical Center ophthalmology department, in Albany, NY, as an orthoptist, researcher, and clinical instructor for many years. Because the medical center provided highly specialized (also called "tertiary") care, all of my patients were under seven years of age. I then returned to Canada to work as the research coordinator with a laser vision correction clinic before discovering the world of vision rehabilitation.

From working in the pediatric eye care field for many years, I had, of course, encountered patients with low vision and blindness. Because this was a field of eye care that had always interested me, I began to research related careers. Initially, I was interested in working as an ophthalmic technologist on CNIB's Mobile Eye Care Unit, and it was this information, thankfully, that helped me discover my first job at CNIB as a Low Vision Specialist.

On a personal note, my most important job is being the mother of an eight-year-old boy. I am a certified fitness professional and, being typically Canadian, I curl competitively, but mainly for fun!

 Was there a steep learning curve when you transitioned from the "medical model" to the "rehabilitation model" of service delivery?

Oh yes! At CNIB, my clients are mainly seniors. Prior to this, as I mentioned previously, I had not seen a patient over six years of age in more than seven years. That was quite an adjustment! Second, I had much to learn about the rehabilitation model of service delivery.

You see, in the clinical medical model, we diagnose and then prescribe treatment; in other words, we basically tell our patients what to do. In contrast, the rehabilitation model is client and parent/caregiver-directed. That switch, along with an increased emphasis on the psychological and emotional aspects of vision loss, were the two areas I had to work on the most. In this field, I continue to learn every day. 

Tell us about CNIB. What services does your agency offer?

Founded in 1918, CNIB, formerly known as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, is one of the world's largest non-profit agencies committed to providing Canadians who are blind or living with vision loss with the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life and in society. CNIB is the only organization offering vision support services across Canada and combines the strength of a community-rooted approach and a nationwide presence.

CNIB's National Headquarters in Toronto

CNIB's services include mobility training, counseling, specialized programs for children, computer training, employment programs, assistance with the tasks of everyday living, functional low vision assessment, and deafblind services. For more information, please visit www.cnib.ca.

What are your responsibilities at CNIB? Can you describe a typical working day?

I am the Professional Practice Leader (PPL) for Low Vision Services across Canada. As a PPL, my responsibilities include:

Providing leadership and subject matter expertise to service professionals

• For example, any of CNIB's 60 Low Vision Specialists can contact me to ask for assistance with research related to a client's eye condition

Reporting on outcome measurements and statistics, along with other members of our Service Quality Team

• One of my main responsibilities, along with my colleagues, is gathering data and information to ensure our services and programs are of consistently high quality.  

Collaborating on, and contributing to, research projects

• We conduct research to demonstrate that our programs really work and provide the results we say they do. Right now I am involved in a study with the University of Western Ontario Ophthalmology Department and the University of Waterloo Optometry School. 

Researching and establishing best practice standards

• For example, I am required to keep up-to-date with the professional literature in our field in order to be well versed in the best way to deliver our services.

Developing the capacity of service staff through mentoring and training opportunities

• I'm always looking for professional development opportunities, courses, workshops, and readings for all Low Vision staff. I also have a group of mentors who teach and guide all new CNIB Low Vision staff.

In addition to all of those responsibilities, I act as a liaison with the eye care community and serve as the Coordinator and Lead Instructor of the CNIB National Low Vision Specialist (LVS) Training Program. In that position, I design, manage, implement, and evaluate the training program for all Low Vision Specialists across the country; coordinate mentors, clinical instructors, teaching assistants, and LVS staff; and communicate program and policy change as needed as it pertains to the low vision program.

Dawn Pickering performing an orthoptic assessment

Dawn Pickering leads a low vision training session

Whenever new Low Vision staff are hired, I match him or her with a mentor and get them started on a one- to two-year internal training program. I have a group of amazing Clinical Instructors who are also involved in the teaching aspects of this program. 

As you can see, I do not have a typical working day! I may be in the Toronto office coordinating a teaching clinic or meeting with a partner optometrist or ophthalmologist. The next day, I may be on a National phone conference with our 60 Low Vision Specialists. The following day I may be working on a report of some sort. This is one of the many reasons I love my job. No hour, no day, and no week are the same.  

Is there a story you'd like to tell about a particular student or client who benefited from your agency's services?

Being a typical Canadian and a huge (ice) hockey fan, I will tell you a brief story involving my favorite sport. My young client was also a huge hockey fan. At the age of seven, he was able to name every Toronto Maple Leaf player, their position, number, and most of their stats.

He came to CNIB for the first time after experiencing many health and eye care issues. During our initial history-taking and goal-setting session, his father told me a story. Dad had attended a Leafs game and was fortunate enough to bring home one of the game pucks that had been deflected out of play. Upon arriving home, he handed it to his son, who asked, "What is this?" 

Dad was stunned. Then he realized he had erroneously assumed that his son, because he had vast knowledge of the facts surrounding hockey, also understood the concepts of the game equally well. A tactile and high-contrast model of a hockey rink, created by a Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist with knowledge of the game (that would be me!) soon remedied the situation.

I created the ice surface by using the top of a cardboard box, painted white. I drew the centre line, blue lines, goal lines, face off circles, and goalie crease with raised-line markers. A small wooden disk, painted black, served as a puck. I found a wooden letter "L" in a craft store that became the hockey stick, also painted black. I used the sides of the cardboard box to create the boards (the sides of the rink) and painted them navy blue to create contrast with the white ice surface. The nets and players were borrowed from a friend's tabletop hockey game.

Over the years, I have collected many wonderful stories about the individuals I serve. Anyone who works in this field has similar stories, I'm sure. Some bring tears of joy to my eyes, and others bring tears of sadness. I like to take every opportunity I can to tell a story that will reiterate the fact that concept development is so important to children in all aspects of their everyday lives.  

I also see from your credentials that you are certified. Why did you seek certification?

I believe my certification as a Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) attests to my professionalism and commitment to the profession. It motivates me to remain current in the field of low vision and blindness, and other eye care professionals and clients/patients alike will better understand my commitment to learning.

Being a CLVT helps me with my responsibility to teach and mentor others within CNIB. A professional designation gives more weight when approaching government, community partners, and funders. It also encourages colleagues and other professionals to pursue their own ACVREP certification. 

What do you like best about VisionAWARE? Do you have a favorite feature or section on the site?

I think the whole site is fantastic! It is an important resource for those thinking about seeking rehabilitation services and as adjunct for those who are receiving them. I especially like the section for Family, Friends and Caregivers. These individuals play a significant role in the rehabilitation of individuals who are blind, partially sighted, or living with vision loss. Providing information to them is very important. Thank you!

How can our readers learn more about your work or contact you?

Please visit www.cnib.ca or call 1-800-563-2642. My email address is Dawn.Pickering@cnib.ca.

Here are some additional links to help readers in other countries to locate vision rehabilitation services and instruction:

• Find state and local vision rehabilitation services
• International vision organizations and services
• What are vision rehabilitation services?
• A Day "On the Road" with Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Stephanie Stephens Van
• Independent living at home with vision loss
• Reading and writing
• Indoor and outdoor travel skills
• Find products for independent living
• What is a low vision examination?
• Reading with low vision optical devices
• What are the most common low vision non-optical devices?