Episode 4 • September 29, 2026

Low Vision Practice Gaps: Inching Forward

Michael Epp Discusses New Models for Learning

About This Episode


In this episode, Erika interviews Michael Epp, manager of professional education at Envision University, about how Envision's multidisciplinary CE addresses clinical gaps. Michael shares how the first Envision Conference in 2006 grew out of a needs assessment, and how it keeps evolving in response to the field. He gives details on the two most recent initiatives. Envision's partnership with VisionServe Alliance now brings together administrative leadership and low vision clinicians for the joint conference. The small group discussion track that debuted at the 2026 conference, Collaborative CE, becomes a recurring live virtual offering beginning fall 2026.

 

About the Guest


Michael Epp is manager of professional education at Envision University, where he is responsible for Envision's programs in multidisciplinary continuing clinical education and research. These events include quarterly offerings of Low Vision Grand Rounds, Collaborative-CE, continuing education online course development, and the annual, multidisciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research Envision Conference. 


Michael has over twenty years of experience with organizations dedicated to community services and education, and has worked at Envision since 2001. He received his undergraduate degree in history from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, and a Master of Science in Health Care Leadership from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Michael is widely recognized in the community for advocating for people with vision loss and educating rehabilitation professionals.


Topics & Timestamps

You can use the chapter markers in the podcast player to jump to these topics.

01:43 — Michael Epp's Path to Envision


04:51 — How a Needs Assessment Started Envision


11:42 — Envision University and the Collaboration Gap


14:08 — Why Envision Partnered With VisionServe Alliance


18:58 — A Book Club of Two, Small Groups Begin


24:11 — Small Group Topics: CVI, Telerehab, Driving


33:48 — What to Do Today and How to Join


Resources & References

Stalin, A., Miller, A., van der Aa, H. P. A., Turco, S., Labreche, T., Fortini, S., Lalla, C., Amore, F., Crossland, M. D., Virgili, G., Thompson, B., & van Nispen, R. (2026). The evolving landscape of vision rehabilitation: Current status and future directions. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44402-026-00088-2 


Rubin, G. S., Crossland, M. D., Dunbar, H. M. P., et al. (2024). Eccentric viewing training for age-related macular disease: Results of a randomized controlled trial (the EFFECT study). Ophthalmology Science, 4(2), Article 100422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xops.2023.100422


Episode 1: Dr. Michael Crossland on the EFFECT study


Parker, P. (2018). The art of gathering: How we meet and why it matters. Riverhead Books.

Envision Collaborative CE small group, Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Central Field Loss Care Across Disciplines: Examining Variability and Exploring a Draft Framework. 

https://www.envisionuniversityevents.com/CollaborativeCE-OCT20-2026


Envision University: https://www.envisionuniversity.org (the address Michael gives on air; confirm it points to registration)

Envision and VisionServe Alliance Conference 2027, Houston, Texas, May 11 to 14, 2027 (per VisionServe Alliance newsletter; confirm with Michael)

VisionServe Alliance: https://visionservealliance.org (confirm URL)

Smith-Kettlewell Low Vision Rehabilitation Study Group, San Francisco (held each February)

Dr. Bittner's research on low vision telerehabilitation (confirm first name and which study to cite)

Episode 2: Dr. Donald Fletcher on multidisciplinary collaboration

Episode 3: Practitioner Diaries: What I Got Wrong About Eccentric Viewing Training