Visio International

Tempus IV: Curriculum and Skill Development in Vision Rehabilitation

The Tempus project improved services for people with visual impairment in Jordan and the West Bank.

Focus: Services on visual impairment in Jordan and the West Bank

Funding programme: European Union: Tempus IV

Project coördinator: German Jordan University (Jordan), Vision Rehabilitation Centre

Partners:

  • Hungary: Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Special Education

  • Jordan: University of Jordan, departments of Ophthalmology and Occupational Therapy;

  • Netherlands: Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute; Royal Dutch Visio

  • Palestine: An-Najah National University, Department of Optometry; Bethlehem University, Department of Occupational Therapy; Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation

  • UK: Aston University, Optometry Department; Focus Birmingham

Total Funding: € 536,409

Duration: December 2013 – November 2016

Info about the project

In this project, a consortium of universities and non-governmental organizations in Europe and the Middle East worked together to improve the quality and quantity of the services for persons with visual impairment in Jordan and Palestine. The project included several components.

Curriculum development

It helped upgrade the curricula in vision rehabilitation and early intervention for students of ophthalmology, optometry and occupational therapy at universities in Jordan and the West Bank. Through workshops, practical assignments, and study visits and practical training, the lecturers and clinical instructors gained knowledge and experience to upgrade the existing curricula and provide services to the community.

Rehabilitation

A series of meetings and workshops in Jordan and Palestine raised awareness of other universities, professionals, parents and teachers on the needs and possibilities to rehabilitate persons with visual impairment.

Training centres. A vision training centre was established at German Jordan University, and a low vision centre at An-Najah National University.

Training materials

The project produced the following courses and materials: