Learn about CVI
Access webinars, presentations, and research-backed resources to deepen your understanding of cerebral visual impairment and how to support children with CVI.
Looking for comprehensive CVI information? Our partner CVI Scotland provides extensive evidence-based resources, guides, and information about cerebral visual impairment.
NEXT WEBINAR
Understanding and Assessing CVI from a Neuropsychological Perspective with Dr Kathleen Vancleef
Dates | Times
• USA (PDT): Wednesday 23 September, 12:00-1:00pm
• USA (EDT): Wednesday 23 September, 3:00-4:00pm
• UK: Wednesday 23 September, 8:00-9:00pm
• New Zealand: Thursday 24 September, 7:00-8:00am
For: Individuals with CVI, parents, educators, therapists, clinicians
Have you ever wondered how to tell which part of a child's visual system is actually behind their difficulties - and how you'd even begin to check that, one function at a time? This free webinar takes you through the neuropsychology of CVI, from how the visual system is built to how you can start teasing its functions apart in practice.
We'll walk through the hierarchical visual system and link each stage to the behaviours it produces, then turn to the practical side: the assessments, screening tasks, and observations that can help you check each visual function separately, or as close to separately as CVI ever really allows. Kathleen Vancleef will bring this to life with real case studies of children, showing how these ideas play out beyond the theory. We'll also be honest about the limits of current assessment - because in CVI, no single tool tells the whole story, and knowing what you can't yet separate out is as useful as knowing what you can.
In this webinar you will:
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Build your understanding of the hierarchical visual system and how its stages link to real-world behaviour.
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Learn assessments, screening tasks, and observations for checking visual functions as separately as possible.
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See these ideas illustrated through real case studies of children with CVI.
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Get a clearer, more practical sense of what current assessment can and can't tell you.
Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, clinician, or researcher, this webinar will deepen your understanding of CVI assessment and how it can shape support, strategies, and advocacy.
Webinar library
Access recordings to all our previous webinars here:
An Introduction to CVI Assessment with Professor Ravenscroft
April 2026 | 60 mins | For individuals with CVI, parents and professionals supporting children with CVI (teachers, therapists, clinicians).
How do we truly understand the visual world of a child with cerebral visual impairment - and what does meaningful assessment actually look like in practice?
A conversation about CVI with Professor Gordon Dutton
May 2026 | Two videos: One 55 minute recording and one 35 minute recording
For individuals with CVI, parents and professionals supporting children with CVI (teachers, therapists, clinicians).
An enlightening conversation with Professor Dutton about all things CVI. The highlights include hearing how the understanding of CVI has transformed over Professor Dutton's remarkable career, why empowering parents of children with CVI is so vital and the important role lived experience should play in CVI research and practice.
This was a pre-recorded conversation over two parts.
Understanding the Brain Behind the Vision
with Dr Corinna Bauer
June 2026 | 60 mins | For individuals with CVI, parents and professionals supporting children with CVI (teachers, therapists, clinicians).
Have you ever wondered what's actually happening in the brain when someone has cerebral visual impairment? This free webinar will take you inside the neuroscience of vision — making complex brain science accessible and directly relevant to understanding CVI.
Beyond Vision: Understanding the Wider Wellbeing of individuals with CVI with Dr Nicola McDowell and Professor John Ravenscroft
July 2026 | 50 mins | For individuals with CVI, parents and professionals supporting children with CVI (teachers, therapists, clinicians).
Watch this webinar to:
• Hear about international research into the mental and physical wellbeing of individuals with CVI
• Understand how everyday environments can affect individuals with CVI beyond their vision
• Explore what the findings mean for families and professionals
• Be part of an important and growing conversation
Presentations and speaking
Dr Nicola McDowell is available for presentations, workshops, and speaking engagements for organisations, schools, conferences, and professional development events.
Topics available
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Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment
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CVI in Mainstream Educational Settings
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The Austin Assessment: Research and Application
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Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting CVI
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The Lived Experience of CVI
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Vision Rehabilitation and Education
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Inclusive Education Practices
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Custom topics tailored to your needs
Format options
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Keynote presentations
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Professional development sessions
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Conference presentations
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Panel discussions
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Customised content for your audience
Interested in booking a presentation?
Contact us to discuss your organisation's needs, available dates, and customised presentation options.
Research and publications
Dr Nicola McDowell's research explores the many facets of CVI, from screening and identification to educational support, lived experience, and impacts on mental and physical wellbeing. Her work spans children and adults, mainstream and specialised settings, combining rigorous academic research with insights from lived experience.
Validation of the Austin Assessment: A screening tool for cerebral visual impairment related visual issues
Plos One, 2023
This peer-reviewed research validated the Austin Assessment as a screening tool for CVI-related visual issues, filling a critical gap in early identification. The study screened 270 children aged 5-13, established age-specific thresholds, and identified 17 children with clinical findings potentially indicative of CVI who had not previously been identified. The Austin Assessment demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity, making it effective at distinguishing children who need further evaluation from those with typical vision.
Hiding in plain sight: Children with visual perceptual difficulties in schools
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2024
This review explores why children with visual perceptual difficulties are often 'hiding in plain sight' in schools, unidentified and unsupported despite affecting up to 3.4% of children in mainstream education. The article proposes practical solutions to ensure these children receive the support they need to thrive.
Children with cerebral visual impairment related visual issues in the classroom
Kairaranga, 2023
This study investigated the impact of CVI on children in mainstream classrooms, finding that the vast majority experienced learning difficulties (82%), emotional challenges (100%), and social interaction difficulties (91%). The research identified promising support strategies including CVI education for teachers and parents, classroom decluttering, and calm breaks, though further study is needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness.
Hemianopia and features of Balint Syndrome following occipital lobe hemorrhage: Identification and patient understanding have aided functional improvement years after onset
Case reports in Ophthalmic Medicine, 2019
This case study documents how CVI, including hemianopia and dorsal stream dysfunction, can remain unidentified for years—in this case, 17 years following a brain haemorrhage at age 16. The turning point came when the patient, now Dr Nicola McDowell, recognised her own symptoms while learning about CVI in children, leading to proper assessment and the development of strategies that significantly improved her visual functioning and quality of life.
For a complete list of publications, research projects, and academic presentations, visit Dr McDowell's institutional profile.
Join us in creating change
Whether you're a parent, professional, researcher, or supporter, there's a role for you in improving outcomes for children with CVI.
Education Disclaimer
The Austin McDowell Foundation provides educational information only. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or clinical support. Webinars and resources are for educational purposes only and do not replace professional medical or educational services. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns.
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