CVI COMPLETE

Setting the Standard in CVI Care, Education and Research

Through CVI Complete, Overbrook School for the Blind is advancing how cortical visual impairment is understood, assessed and supported. By bringing together specialized evaluation, education, family resources, professional training and research, we’re helping individuals with CVI access more meaningful opportunities to learn, communicate and thrive.

What is CVI?

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) stems from damage to parts of the brain that process vision.

CVI is considered the leading cause of pediatric visual impairment, though the abilities of children with CVI can vary greatly.

Teaching students with CVI requires unique skills and resources. To fully meet the needs of our students, Overbrook School for the Blind has worked to become a leader in serving children with CVI.

CVI Complete at OSB

Launched in 2022, CVI Complete brings together educators, medical professionals, researchers and service providers to support children with CVI.

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Comprehensive
CVI Assessments

OSB provides specialized CVI assessments designed to better understand each child’s visual functioning and educational needs.

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Educational Guidance

Families, educators and school teams receive recommendations that can help guide instruction, services and support.

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Training & Development

CVI Complete offers training for educators and service providers to strengthen understanding of CVI and improve support for students.

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Family Support and Resources

Families receive guidance, education and support to better understand CVI and advocate for their child’s needs.

The Rosenblatt Family CVI Center

In 2025, OSB received a $2 million donation to support a state-of-the-art center dedicated to students with CVI.

The Rosenblatt Family Cortical Visual Impairment Center, made possible by a generous donation from Board of Trustees Vice President Sid Rosenblatt, allows OSB to perform assessments and provide recommended educational plans in an environment designed specifically for students with CVI.

This center strengthens OSB’s ability to serve students, families, educators and community partners while advancing the school’s role as a leader in CVI education and support.

Meet our CVI Specialist

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Beth Ramella, Ed.D., TVI/COMS, is OSB’s Superintendent and CVI Specialist.

A recognized leader in Cortical Visual Impairment, Dr. Ramella leads CVI Complete and conducts comprehensive CVI assessments for enrolled OSB students and children from the community.

Dr. Ramella collaborates with the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Ophthalmology Department on CVI research, travels internationally to perform CVI assessments and has served as a consultant to the American Printing House for the Blind to help develop resources for children with CVI.

Dr. Ramella has more than 25 years of experience as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a Master’s degree in Special Education, TVI and COMS certifications, and a Special Education Supervision certification.

History of CVI at OSB

For generations, Overbrook School for the Blind has been a leader in educating students who are blind or visually impaired. As the number of children diagnosed with CVI grew, OSB educators recognized that these students required specialized strategies, assessments and support. That realization sparked a long-term commitment to becoming a leader in CVI education, training and research.

Building Expertise

Beginning in 2014, OSB educators developed a vision for expanding the school’s CVI services. Through professional development, graduate-level coursework and collaboration with experts in the field, OSB strengthened its capacity to meet the unique needs of students with CVI.

This work also established a foundation for partnerships between educators and medical professionals, helping connect families to educational services sooner after diagnosis.

From Vision to Reality

In 2018, OSB’s Board of Trustees launched a strategic initiative to establish the school as a regional, national and international leader in CVI.

The initiative focused on providing consistent, high-quality CVI assessments; increasing educator expertise and classroom support; improving educational outcomes for students with CVI; expanding services to children beyond the OSB community; and advancing collaboration between education and medicine.

Leading Today

In 2021, nationally recognized CVI expert Dr. Beth Ramella joined OSB full time to lead the school’s growing CVI efforts. Today, she conducts comprehensive assessments, supports teachers and IEP teams, provides professional training, collaborates with medical providers and researchers, and helps advance best practices in the field.

In 2022, OSB launched CVI Complete, bringing together education, clinical expertise, family support and research under one program. CVI Complete serves both enrolled students and children from the broader community while helping position OSB at the forefront of CVI education and innovation.

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Trusted by Families. Valued by Professionals.

Ashlee M. Brown, Ph.D., BCBA, Senior Director of Professional Development, Elwyn Children’s Services

“Beth has provided our Preschool Early Intervention teams with the knowledge they need to serve children with visual impairments effectively and in alignment with regulations and best practice.”

“We have so genuinely appreciated our professional development-focused partnership with Beth Ramella, CVI Specialist from Overbrook School for the Blind. Beth has provided our Preschool Early Intervention teams with the knowledge they need to serve children with visual impairments effectively and in alignment with the regulations and best practice. We hope to continue our partnership with Beth and Overbrook School for the Blind as we work to continuously improve the services we provide to children and families.”

The Dunne Family

“Beth called us within a few hours and spent almost an hour on the phone explaining CVI, the CVI assessment process, therapies that were available and most importantly, described a future where Brady would be able to utilize his vision.”

"When our son Brady was diagnosed with CVI, we didn’t know what to expect, how to help or what life would be like for Brady after his diagnosis. We found Beth Ramella through an internet search and reached out via email. Beth called us within a few hours and spent almost an hour on the phone explaining CVI, the CVI assessment process, therapies that were available and most importantly, described a future where Brady would be able to utilize his vision. We travel from Virginia to see Beth once a year and have done so for the past 9 years. Her assessments provide valuable insights into Brady’s abilities and recommendations for therapy."

Julie Harris, Director of Special Education, Pleasant Valley School District

"Dr. Ramella was thorough in her evaluation and provided the student, family and district with the information necessary to develop appropriate supports and services. I would not hesitate to enlist the help of Dr. Ramella or Overbrook School for the Blind in the future.”

"It was a great pleasure to work with Dr. Ramella on an evaluation for one of our district students who presents a complicated CVI disability. Dr. Ramella was thorough in her evaluation to provide the student, family and district with the information necessary to develop appropriate supports and services. I would not hesitate to enlist the help of Dr. Ramella or Overbrook School for the Blind in the future. It is nice to know they are there to support and provide guidance while also building a relationship with districts who reach out for assistance."

The Schwartz Family

"Beth not only guided us to improve Eli’s awareness of his vision but also helped come up with a plan to start his academic journey. He has made wonderful progress well beyond my expectations."

I am writing this with gratitude and love to Beth Ramella and the CVI Clinic at Overbrook School of the Blind. Beth has… given us a great framework to assist in Eli's vision. Beth not only guided us to improve Eli's awareness of his vision but also helped come up with a plan to start his academic journey. He has made wonderful progress well beyond my expectations. Thank you so much, Beth, and all at the CVI Clinic at Overbrook School for the Blind for helping us with Eli's development and giving us the strength and support to believe it is possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes CVI?

What are the common characteristics?

Do children with CVI tend to have other disabilities or health problems?

How is CVI diagnosed?

There is no single test to diagnose for CVI, which can mean it might be difficult to receive a quick diagnosis. However, the first step every parent or guardian should take is to get a comprehensive eye exam to see if there is a problem with their child’s eyes.

If that exam does not explain the symptoms your child is experiencing, that may be a sign that there is an issue concerning a neurological visual impairment.

Find an ophthalmologist who is familiar with CVI. Specialists such as a neuro-ophthalmologist or pediatric neurologist may be helpful in the diagnosis.

What interventions are available?

What resources can Overbrook School for the Blind provide?

OSB CVI Center inside: a red beanbag chair and black mats are on the floor, while the background features a desk with office supplies and a black wall.

Get Started with CVI Complete

To learn more about OSB’s CVI Complete program or inquire about a CVI assessment, contact Dr. Beth Ramella.

Phone: (215) 877-0313 ext. 327
Email: beth.ramella@obs.org

Inquire About a CVI Assessment

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