An 18-month study of the use of the Blind Learning Aptitude Test at schools for visually impaired children in England and Wales found the test to be culturally fair and appropriate for use with children for whom English is a second language. Scores are compared with standardization data for visually impaired children in the United States.…

This article reviews the literature on the role of first-hand experiences, language, reading aloud, and scribbling on the preliteracy development of normal and visually impaired children. It describes a specific program developed by the American Printing House for the Blind which includes a handbook and 27 tactile-visual read-aloud story books.…

This review examines evaluation and treatment of adjustment problems in adolescents with visual impairments and describes a behavioral family treatment program. It considers the impact of the child on the family and the family on the child; assessment (psychopathology, social skills competence, family adjustment, and marital functioning); and…

This set of information sheets is intended to improve practice in special education through use of technology, media, and materials. The first information profile offers guidelines for using NCIP (National Center to Improve Practice) resources to effect change. Examples are given of how technology coordinators and others have used NCIP resources…

The SAVI/SELPH Program is the combined output of two projects funded by the United States Office of Education: Science Activities for the Visually Impaired (SAVI) and Science Enrichment for Learners with Physical Handicaps (SELPH). SAVI/SELPH is an interdisciplinary multisensory science enrichment program that has been used effectively with blind…

The word and picture processing abilities of 11 children (ages 6-10) with partial vision were studied in a variety of ways over a period of 14 months. The studies found that in processing words partially sighted children, like fully sighted children, used both lexical and nonlexical processing, though perhaps in difference balance. Recognition and…

Designed for teachers interested in therapeutic recreation, the document lists sources of adaptive recreational equipment and their homemade counterparts. Brief descriptions for ordering or constructing recreational equipment for the visually impaired, poorly coordinated, physically impaired, and mentally retarded are given. Specific adaptations…

This fact sheet provides guidelines on adapting testing situations for disabled postsecondary students. Discussed in the first section are considerations in determining when testing adaptations are needed including disability verification procedures, policy consistency, and maintenance of academic and technical standards. Facts about disabilities…

This handbook for literacy tutors and adult education instructors is a compilation of information about various handicapping conditions and suggestions for working with students with each of the handicaps. Seven handicapping conditions are considered: hearing acuity problems, visual impairments, deaf blindness, speech and language impairments,…

The curriculum guide sets forth the course of study at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped. An initial section presents the school's philosophy regarding the need for specialty skills to be incorporated into regular academic instruction. The content of the primary and elementary programs (kindergarten through grade 6) is reviewed in…

To develop a battery of tasks to predict and improve mobility performance, a series of functional vision tasks (texural shearing, degraded images, embedded figures, and parafoveal attention) were generated by a microcomputer. Sixty visually impaired subjects given either computerized task training or real-life training improved their low vision…

Describes the most recent innovations and advancements in computer peripheral devices and enhancements, computer software, captioning and other electronic devices, and computer languages designed to aid communication and learning in physically disabled, learning disabled, visually impaired, and hearing impaired students. (MBR)

Information is given on accessing community and school-based services at the local and county level for visually impaired students. Groups are identified that can provide services in the areas of education, employment, family support and advocacy, recreation, social/interpersonal development, medical needs, and financial needs. Contains 21…

Discusses the critical role of the early interventionist in working with young children with Down syndrome and their families. Reviews physical problems that the children may have, including growth and dental problems, medical disorders, and medical problems that need monitoring. (CR)

This monograph examines issues and problems involved in teaching geography concepts to visually and hearing impaired elementary school children. Some solutions are offered by providing a teaching unit for classroom use. The unit is designed to integrate and build upon the experiences and knowledge of all students in the class. The volume includes:…