This article discusses the structure of a committee that evaluates assessments for students with visual impairments and the process by which the committee arrives at its recommendations to test developers and administrators. Concerns and preferred practices that have been revealed by the committee's two years of experience are discussed. (CR)

This article summarizes the early development of the visual system within the context of the other sensory systems and preterm birth and relates this information to early intervention. Retinopathy of prematurely, ocular defects, cortical visual impairment and potential impact of the neonatal intensive care unit environment are discussed. (Contains…

This article investigates the needs of the visually impaired over age 65 population and suggests rehabilitation services that could remedy the implications of age-related visual impairment. These include service-delivery programs that include peer support groups and one-on-one instruction, adaptive communication strategies, and orientation and…

This article explores how tactile experience books can be used to ensure that young children with visual impairments learn to read. It discusses making tactile experience books by collecting artifacts and gluing them to cardboard pages, and the benefits of tactile books. Descriptions of two tactile books are provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

Establishing community-based rehabilitation projects for visually impaired populations in developing countries in the South Pacific presents challenges in communication, logistics, security, and other factors. Program development must consider differences in geography, population distribution, resources, cultural and religious values, and needs.…

Offers directions for 10 play activities that enable young children with visual impairments (blindness or low vision) to practice moving and orienting themselves properly in relation to others and their surroundings and to prepare them for social interactions with sighted children. (DB)

Discussion of gifted children with disabilities notes that many such children are excluded from gifted programming due to a deficit in some aspect of development. The concept of global giftedness is critiqued. Examples of gifted individuals with learning, physical, sensory disabilities or with autism are offered and suggestions are given for…

This manual is intended for people who are preparing to work with older American Indians with visual impairments and who have limited or no training in this area. Emphasis is on basic orientation and mobility skills and daily living skills. Preliminary information covers the following: the eye, definitions, the visually impaired population, and…

This booklet provides step-by-step instructions for designing and constructing simple, individually tailored adaptive mobility devices for preschool-age children who are visually impaired. These devices are intended to enable children to begin to master independent travel, which precedes long cane training. How to introduce the mobility device to…

This consensus statement on best practices for choosing low-vision devices is a product of a 10-member expert panel which brought together a variety of disciplines as well as consumers for the purpose of synthesizing available scientific information to improve services to people with low vision. After an introductory section, the remaining…

Intended for parents of infants and preschoolers with visual impairments, this booklet encourages parent involvement in all aspects of educational programming for their children and provides guidelines for selection of a suitable program. The first section examines the stresses involved during transitions from one program to another. Parents are…

This guide describes adaptive technology for reading printed text and producing written material, to assist the student who has a visual impairment. The special technologies discussed include auditory text access, text enlargement, tactile text access, portable notetaking devices, and computer access. The guide concludes with lists of the…

Technical assistance is provided concerning documentation of functional vision loss for Florida students with visual impairments. The functional vision observation should obtain enough information for determination of special service eligibility. The observation is designed to supplement information on the medical eye examination, and is conducted…

Intended to help administrators and theatre teachers provide a theatre arts program accessible to disabled actors, technicians, and audiences, the guide focuses on ways to alleviate limitations in the theatre. The following topics are addressed (sample subtopics in parentheses): awareness (use of improvisations and simulations); acclimatization…

The report reviews assessment guidelines developed for visually impaired infants (birth-24 months). Project staff examined research on the assessment of infants with vision loss and identified material relevant to their needs. Following a review of existing assessment tools, guidelines were prepared in the following areas: social competence,…