This booklet, in question-and-answer format, is intended to guide service providers in colleges and universities in supplying required special services to students who are hard of hearing. Introductory material explains the mission and objectives of PEPNet, which is to provide the coordination and collaboration in technical assistance to…

The article describes the neurolinguistic programing model and applies it to teaching orientation and mobility skills to congenitally blind students, who have access to only the auditory and kinesthetic primary systems. Understanding the effects on thought of limited representational systems can help trainers teach more effective cane or dog guide…

The Quality Circle Model of Planning is presented as a program evaluation approach for schools serving students with blindness. The model helps administrators solve problems using creative, innovative approaches; identifies human and monetary resources for successful implementation of the plan; and provides a framework for evaluating the plan's…

This article describes the whole-language philosophy of teaching reading and writing and its application to teaching braille reading to blind children. It suggests activities that are effective for enhancing the development of early reading behaviors in children who use braille and that integrate the critical components of literacy learning with…

This guide to making photography accessible to persons with exceptional educational needs contains several papers, a list of 27 organizational and bibliographic resources, a list of sources of adaptive equipment, and drawings of sample equipment modifications. Nine papers make up the text of the guide. In "An Adventure into Photography," Charles…

These California state guidelines are intended as a resource for parents, staff, and administrators in assessing, identifying, planning, providing, evaluating, and improving the quality and cost effectiveness of programs serving visually impaired students. Chapters have the following titles and sample subtopics: (1) "Introduction"…

Information sheets on resources, assistance, software, and hardware for visually handicapped (VH) students in England are collected in this document. The first information sheet, "Getting Help--What, Where, and Who," lists general sources of assistance, equipment, and books. The second information sheet, "Computer Hardware Used in…

Directed towards library staff members involved in public education, this manual provides guidelines for making community members aware of talking books and braille materials provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Guidelines are presented in three categories: (1) media relations, (2) preparing materials,…

Described are teaching strategies used to minimize visual communication gaps. Discussed are one-page outlines, outline spinoffs, and the management of a unit of material. A sample outline is included. (CW)

This article discusses the metacognitive approach of mediated learning theory and its application to orientation and mobility (O&M) instruction for individuals with visual impairments. The theory is explained, and the structure of a typical O&M lesson is outlined, followed by an example of using the approach in a trip to the drug store. (DB)

This article addresses teaching students with visual impairments metacognitive learning strategies to improve their academic performance. Topics discussed include intrinsic motivation and self-concept; structuring and activating schemata; using cognitive modeling and verbal self-instructional procedures; teaching self-regulatory procedures; and…

The article provides recommendations to personnel at residential schools for children who are blind and visually impaired, concerning (1) the impact of the difficult child (erosion of trust, increased demands on personnel); (2) the difficult child as policymaker; and (3) the role of consultants in helping the residential school and the difficult…

This article examines special problems in assessing young blind children resulting from their great heterogeneity. Case studies are offered to illustrate the irresponsibility of applying standardized tests developed for sighted populations to blind children who have very different experiential backgrounds. Positive principles for assessment of the…

This article presents a rationale for emphasizing discovery instruction over guided instruction in teaching cane travel skills to people with severe visual impairments. Discovery instruction is seen to facilitate the use of intrinsic feedback in developing perceptual-cognitive skills as well as promoting problem solving, retention, and transfer of…

Describes Web sites for special-needs students, parents, and teachers: The Bridge School, servicing students with severe speech and physical impairments; Overbrook School for the Blind; and Bruce Street School for the Deaf. Lists Web sites of special schools, resources on accessible Web design, and resources for special needs. Highlights…