Monday, November 9, 2026

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Ballroom 1 and 2

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Overview

Dr Foruhar Moayeri

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Details

Background: Orthoptic services have an expanding role in supporting people with permanent vision impairment and neurological disabilities within Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, many participants, families, support coordinators, clinicians and NDIS planners have limited understanding of when orthoptic support is required and how it can be integrated into NDIS-funded supports to maximise functional outcomes. The role of orthoptists in low vision rehabilitation is also inconsistently recognised within NDIS guidance and decision-making processes, contributing to an absence of or inconsistent access to appropriate orthoptic services. To address this gap, a collaborative industry project developed an evidence-informed practice resource package translating contemporary evidence and NDIS policy into practical guidance for orthoptists, participants, and NDIS stakeholders. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of final-year orthoptic students, academic supervisors from La Trobe University, and industry partners from Orthoptics Australia (Low Vision Advisory Clinical Group) developed a comprehensive practice resource through a narrative review of contemporary evidence in low vision rehabilitation and functional vision assessment, current NDIS operational guidelines and clinical expert resources. The information was designed around person-centred care, capacity building, functional goal setting, and evidence-based orthoptic interventions. Content addressed eligibility, funding pathways, assessment processes, intervention strategies, outcome measurement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical recommendations for efficient use of NDIS-funded orthoptic services. Real-world case studies were incorporated throughout the resource to illustrate clinical reasoning and demonstrate the practical application of these principles into everyday practice. The resource underwent iterative review by academic and clinical stakeholders to ensure clinical relevance and alignment with current NDIS practice. Results: This project produced a comprehensive evidence-informed prospectus supported by a concise fact sheet and web-based educational content for participants, clinicians, and NDIS stakeholders. The resources introduce measurable functional goals, minimum effective therapy programs, participant education, assistive technology trials, multidisciplinary care, and evidence-based reporting to support future funding applications. Clinical case examples demonstrate how targeted orthoptic interventions can improve quality of life while reducing long-term reliance on support services. Conclusions: This project addresses an important knowledge translation gap by providing the first comprehensive evidence-informed resource describing the role of orthoptists within the NDIS framework. The resource has the potential to improve awareness, promote consistent evidence-based practice and reporting, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and facilitate equitable access to appropriate NDIS-funded vision rehabilitation. Future evaluation will assess its impact on referral pathways and clinical practice. Keywords: Orthoptics; National Disability Insurance Scheme; NDIS; Low Vision Rehabilitation; Functional Vision; Allied Health; Disability; Capacity Building.

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Speaker