OSH is improving its vision and hearing programs to ensure that all children are screened, and that children with serious vision or hearing problems receive the evaluation and treatment they need. National data indicate that about 25% of students need glasses by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, about 3% of children suffer from amblyopia, a condition that may result in blindness in one eye if not detected and treated before age seven.
Vision Screening
New York City Department of Education school staff are responsible for vision screenings of all students not screened by DOHMH as well as for entering the results on the appropriate Automate the Schools (ATS) screen. Chancellor’s Regulations require that vision screenings be performed for the following students:
Priorities
Results of Vision Screening Letter Arabic Bengali Chinese Haitian Creole Korean Russian Spanish Urdu
Results of Vision Screening Follow-Up Letter Arabic Bengali Chinese Haitian Creole Korean Russian Spanish Urdu
Hearing Screening
As of September 2005, school staff are no longer required to conduct hearing screenings. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) teams will perform the elementary school hearing and vision screenings for students in kindergarten and first grade. However, some schools that have appropriately trained staff and a calibrated audiometer may still perform the hearing screening as well as the vision screening. Results of Hearing Screening Letter Arabic Bengali Chinese Haitian Creole Korean Russian Spanish Urdu
Results of Hearing Screening Follow-Up Letter Arabic Bengali Chinese Haitian Creole Korean Russian Spanish Urdu
Schools must be aware of their ongoing responsibility to ensure that all students not screened by DOHMH staff continue to be screened by Department of Education school staff. Early identification, referral and follow-up intervention for students who have failed these screenings are imperative. Personnel and or support staff assigned to do the screenings must receive special training. Training is available by contacting your Health Director or Julia Sykes from the Office of Related and Contractual Services at (212) 374-2144.