WICHITA, Kan.—For the first time since its inception in 2006, Envision Conference will be split into two events in 2019, according to an announcement from the organization. The format change will expand the reach of Envision Conference, making accredited continuing education more accessible to a greater number of students and professionals around the country, Envision said. Envision Conference East is slated for March 22 to 23, 2019, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala.; and Envision Conference West is scheduled for Oct. 5 to 6, 2019, at the College of Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif.

Both of the educational institutions are known for their premier programs focused on vision and/or vision related rehabilitat ion, the announcement noted.

Michael Epp, manager of professional education at Envision, said, “We’re very excited about this new approach. We have strong partners throughout the United States and abroad with highly sophisticated programs in optometry, ophthalmology and occupational therapy. This strategy will enable us to have an even greater impact in advancing and disseminating knowledge about the causes, impact and rehabilitative opportunities tied to low vision that will ultimately improve patient care.”

Envision Conference is the only multidisciplinary conference around with the goal of closing practice gaps and providing the latest advancements in low vision rehabilitation, research and technology, Envision noted in its announcement. Attendees can earn continuing education accreditation through The Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

For 2019, the Envision Conference Planning Committee is seeking intermediate and advanced content, particularly presentations involving the following: Collaborations between low vision researchers, practitioners, educators and health care organizations; co-management models of interdisciplinary care; pediatric vision loss and rehabilitation; neuro-visual deficits; applied research in assistive technology, clinical practice outcomes measures and vocational accessibility and outcomes; national and international exchanges of vision rehabilitation information among individuals, groups and institutions; patient communication and dual sensory loss; strengthening the role of low vision on the public health agenda; disparities in access to low vision care; practice gaps in low vision care delivery methods, and addressing national eye health epidemics (diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration).