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

Printable Resource

The following pdf is available on the Premium Printable page.
FVLMA Kit Materials Handout
FVLMA Kit Materials Handout
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