Low Vision Rehabilitation Services (LVRS) is established to help persons with a vision loss be able to continue to read, write, sew, see TV and faces better, and do other things that are difficult because of their eye condition. LVRS is directed by Bryan Gerritsen, a low vision specialist. Bryan works in conjunction with ophthalmologists and optometrists in 4 doctor’s offices in major cities in Utah to provide this low vision care.
Bryan received his Master’s Degree at Western Michigan University in 1975 in Orientation and Mobility for the Blind. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in 1974 in Special Education for the Blind. He has done post graduate work at San Francisco State University and Utah State University.
He has worked as a low vision specialist at doctor’s offices and eye centers since 2002, serving persons of all ages with a vision loss, assisting them to use the vision they have to be able to do the tasks they enjoy. Prior to that, he worked as a low vision therapist for the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired for 14 years, and for 11 years at the Utah School for the Blind as an orientation and mobility specialist. Bryan also worked at the Atlanta Area Services for the Blind from 1975 to 1977 as an orientation and mobility specialist, and trained in their low vision clinic.
Bryan has authored several articles for professional journals on various aspects of low vision care. He has been a speaker on low vision at numerous international, regional, and state conferences, produced two online courses on low vision care, done webinars, and provided training on low vision in numerous states across the country.
Bryan has served as a consultant to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) on lighting for the visually impaired. He wrote, narrated and is featured in two DVD’s by them on lighting for persons with low vision, as well as a third video on enhancing contrast in your home for the visually impaired.
Bryan is the former chair of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), an international organization of professionals serving the visually impaired. He served for 20 years in various positions at the international level, and for 6 years as the chapter president of the Utah organization. He also served for several years on an advisory board with the National Eye Institute (NEI), and was asked to speak at the National Press Club in Washington, DC for the kickoff of their national low vision education program. He taught a course on low vision for teachers at the University of Utah for 25 years.
Bryan is the recipient of AER’s prestigious international award for “Outstanding Contributions for Direct Services to Individuals with Low Vision.” This award has only been given to 13 recipients internationally in the past 26 years. In 2000 Bryan was asked to travel to Indonesia to help their President in his palace, due to his vision loss. Bryan has enjoyed working with thousands of persons who have low vision, to help them with seeing and doing the things they thought would not be possible again. Low Vision Rehabilitation Services is organized to help people with a vision loss remain independent, to assist them with the challenges and struggles they face, and to give them help and hope.
Bryan and his wife, Becky, returned in late July, 2018 from serving a humanitarian services mission to the poor in Cape Verde, which are 10 islands off the coast of west Africa. It was a life changing experience and an immense delight. Bryan and his wife have 7 children and 25 grandchildren.