This article describes the Diabetes Education/Support Group Program for people with diabetes and visual impairment. It analyzes some of the common problems that participants have reported (such as fear of insulin reactions and of long-term complications) and discusses methods of reducing anxiety and depression related to the two conditions.…

A group counseling approach was used to enhance the self-concept of 10 congenitally visually impaired adolescents. Group sessions focused on such topics as self-perception, assertiveness, friendship, familial relationships, and independent living skills. Evaluation found significant improvement in self-concept, attitudes toward blindness, and…

A nurse educator specializing in diabetes recounts her own experience with vision loss resulting from diabetic retinopathy, considers the roles of rehabilitation specialists and diabetes educators, and urges the two professional groups to work together more closely. (DB)

This document updates "Accommodations: Assisting Students with Disabilities. A Guide for Educators," published by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in 2003. This document is written to assist school district personnel and parents when making decisions about the use of accommodations by students with disabilities in instructional…

This reference circular lists organizations that provide a variety of direct services to blind and visually impaired persons, including advocacy and employment programs, assistive devices, and publications offered in special format. Many of the organizations also offer guidance to families of blind and visually impaired persons and training for…

Three short articles about large type transcribing are provided for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. The first article lists general suggestions for simple typewriter maintenance. The second article reviews the guidelines for typing fractions in large type for mathematics exercises. The third article describes a…

Three short articles about music braille are presented for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. The first article discusses new rules and signs added to the braille music code with the publication of the 1980 American Addendum. Examples illustrate key signatures, time signatures, accumulating arpeggio, doubling, and chant…

The author, a university professor, describes his experiences in teaching language to his autistic-like son who also has visual impairments. "Experience Language," an adaptation of Language Experience Approach (LEA) is described, and its contributions to the child's reading, writing, and talking are noted. Suggestions are made on the importance of…

Presented are examples of auditory training procedures using toys, environmental sounds and speech with visually impaired, multiply handicapped children. (CL)

This directory provides details on 100 agencies and organizations which provide services and information concerning the disabled. Listed in alphabetical order by name of organization, each citation includes the organization's address, officers, and publications. The organization, purpose, and principal programs are briefly described. Also listed…

Designed for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped, this document consists of two short articles about textbook format braille. The first article describes some recurring print format problems and suggested solutions for dealing with them. Topics include special page numbering systems, the use of tab indexes, the preferred…

Successful approaches employed by a principal of a school for blind students in supporting regular class teachers of mainstreamed visually handicapped students are reported. Four factors of importance in evaluating the environment are described: (1) appropriate work space (height of chairs); (2) color contrast problems (work surfaces of adjacent…

This manual reviews the use of work samples in the vocational assessment of blind and visually impaired persons and suggests improvements in their use. The information in the manual was gathered through a literature review, a national survey of vocational evaluators in rehabilitation facilities and schools for the blind, and ideas developed by the…

Experiments with adapted apparatus which allow blind children to discover principles are described. Individualized experiences, specifically designed, are developed in four curricula and a sample lesson is presented. (EB)

An instrument which affords blind students opportunities for direct observation, experimentation, and discovery is described. Accompanying the light sensor is a manual containing 25 experiments. (EB)