The development of electronic aids for the visually impaired is aimed at meeting the various needs of visually impaired individuals in business and educational settings. The need for evaluation of equipment and instructional programs is discussed. (Author)

Under a research and development project entitled Reducing Isolation in the Mainstream, classroom teachers who had hearing impaired or vision impaired students in their classes were recruited to join special educators in investigating how to promote integration of handicapped students. (SBH)

Reviews the literature on teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to, and research on the acquisition of first and second language by, students with visual impairments and sighted students. The need for close cooperation between vision teachers and ESL teachers is discussed. (Author/CR)

This article reviews the socioeconomic data collected in the National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students, which involved interviews with parents of students (aged 13-21) with visual impairments during the 1986-87 school year. Family characteristics are described, including the family income level and the educational level…

This article discusses future directions for wireless cell phones, including personal computer capabilities, multiple input and output modalities, and open source platforms, and the benefits for people with visual impairments. The use of cell phones for increased accessibility of the Internet and for electronic books is also discussed. (Contains…

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…

Relevant orientation and mobility (OM) skills for visually impaired infants foster sensory, motor, and conceptual development. OM personnel need to consider alternative teaching models, personnel preparation needs, sensory aids issues, and research issues. (DB)

Discusses providing culturally competent services to individuals with visual impairments and seven cultural values: communication, health beliefs and practice, family structure, attitudes toward authority, etiquette, expectations of "helping," and time orientation. Provides suggestions for meeting cross-cultural challenges through skills used in…

Examines exhibits and discourses about three prominent groups of disabilities at the 1904 World's Fair: individuals with blindness or deafness; individuals with mental retardation; and babies who were premature. The identification of disabled who could improve and the use of education and science to control disabled are discussed. (CR)

Adaptive technology offers people with disabilities the opportunity not just to use computers, but to use computers to complete tasks that were previously not possible for them. Computers can be used to assist individuals with speech or writing impairments, physical or mobility impairments, visual impairments, and learning disabilities. (Author/JL)

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…

This booklet presents information regarding the history, incidence, and effects of Down Syndrome. The first chapter, presenting an historical perspective of the condition, provides information on counseling parents of Down Syndrome children, and the chromosome structures seen in Down Syndrome patients. The next chapter discusses medical aspects in…

Research in the United States and abroad has led to advances in rehabilitation technology that enables blind and visually impaired persons to compete with sighted persons for employment. Relatively inexpensive devices such as pocket calculators, transistor radios, cassette recorders, and digital watches have become aids for the blind; some…

The report examines issues involved in mainstreaming handicapped students in Sweden. M. Soder analyzes concepts, research, and research needs in the first paper on mentaly retarded students. He suggests that the major problem is lack of cooperation among teachers. In the second paper, K. Norden and T. Ang review the concepts of integration and…

Although several vision screening techniques are available for infants, none is routinely used. Visual deficits are often first detected through required preschool vision screenings, which vary in their comprehensiveness. No standardization for testing or administration exists. Some of the testing procedures used may have inappropriately high…