FVLMA Kit Materials

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 14, 2025
​When preparing for a Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessment (FVLMA), it's helpful to assemble two separate assessment kits:
  • One for pre-readers and students with multiple disabilities
  • Another for readers of various ages and academic levels
Each kit should contain a mix of formal and informal tools to assess a student’s use of vision in functional contexts. Select materials that are age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, and gender-neutral.

FVE Kit for Readers

Writing Tools
  • Black markers, 20/20 pens, and felt-tip pens of varying thicknesses
  • Ballpoint pens in assorted colors
  • Colored markers, pencil crayons, crayons, paint, and chalk
  • Pencils of varying diameters (e.g., jumbo, standard)
  • Black-lined paper with varying line spacing
  • Regular blue-lined paper
  • Plain white paper (for drawing or coloring)
  • Colored paper in a range of hues (to assess contrast preferences)
Reading Tools
  • Print materials from children's books featuring varied font sizes, styles, and complexity
  • Printed materials on different colored backgrounds
  • High- and low-quality photocopies
  • Large-print and standard-size maps
  • Math and dictionary pages (from elementary through adult levels)
  • Telephone directory samples
  • Visual perception pages (e.g., mazes, dot-to-dots, hidden pictures)
  • Visual support tools (e.g., color filters, Bright Line Reading Guide)
Distance Eye Charts
  • Good-Lite LEA Symbols Distance Chart: Suitable for both readers and pre-readers; includes a matching response card
  • Good-Lite LEA Flip Chart: Displays one line at a time; excellent for students with visual clutter sensitivity
  • Good-Lite HOTV Folding Chart: Offers a more age-appropriate option for older or academic-level students
Near Visual Acuity Tools
  • Good-Lite LEA Symbols Near Card: Appropriate for readers, pre-readers, or emergent readers
  • LEA Numbers Near Card: For students who recognize numbers
  • Sloan Letter Near Vision Chart: For students confident in letter identification
Color Vision Testing
  • Color Vision Testing Made Easy: Uses shape symbols and is appropriate for preschool-age children
  • Pseudo Chromatic Color Test App: Free iOS app that detects color vision issues and provides interpretation tips
  • Paint Swatches: Use cut swatches in various hues for color matching and discrimination tasks
Miscellaneous Items
  • Penlight, flashlight with colored filters, glow sticks, or glitter lights (for tracking and light response)
  • Common school tools (e.g., glue stick, scissors, crayons, markers, slate & stylus)
  • Occluders or alternatives (e.g., dark glasses, cloth) for monocular testing
  • Visual games (e.g., Memory, Lotto, playing cards, color-matching swatches)
  • Picture cards in black & white, color photographs, and magazine images
  • Bold-outline shapes and scissors (for hand-eye coordination and tracking)
  • Tape measure (for mid-range and distance measurements)
  • 18-inch ruler (for near tasks)
  • Stopwatch (for timed visual tasks)
  • Mirror (to assess self-recognition and visual imitation)
  • Stickers (as reinforcers or for marking locations)
  • Black felt board (to assess figure-ground perception and contrast sensitivity)
  • Slant board and tray or tabletop display space

​FVE Kit for Pre-Readers or Students with Multiple Disabilities

  • Light-reflective or shiny objects (e.g., mirror, metallic pom-poms, glitter paper)
  • Objects in a range of sizes (½”, 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”)
  • Objects in various colors (pastel, primary, neon)
  • Objects with motion (e.g., Slinky, Bumble Ball, pull-back cars, wind-up toys)
  • Light-up toys and toys with sound (and some without sound for contrast)
  • Bubble-making toys
  • Matching sets (e.g., pairs of the same object)
  • Real-world materials (e.g., cups, spoons, coins, socks, buttons)
  • Dark and light-colored cloths or backdrops for visual contrast
  • Slant board for displaying items at eye level
  • Simple form board puzzles

​Recommended Kit from APH

  • NewT Kit (APH): Includes tools such as acuity charts, colored pictures, line drawings, environmental print, and reading passages—essential for completing a comprehensive FVLMA.

Final Notes

This kit material list is also available as a printable reference on the FVLMA Printables page. When assembling your kits:
  • Regularly check materials for wear and cleanliness
  • Store items in organized containers or compartments for ease of transport
  • Update materials periodically to remain relevant and engaging for the students you serve
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