The Yuan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All (YTLF) has implemented a science camp for students with visual impairments in central Taiwan since 2009. The implementation of the camp serves as an informal science education practice model that informs curriculum design and development, personnel preparation and organization, as well as…

This work showcases specific adaptations used to make cybersecurity accessible to high school students with visual impairments and blindness (VIB). The rapidly growing field of cybersecurity demands a diverse workforce; however, barriers exist which can deter students with disabilities from studying cybersecurity, let alone pursuing a career in…

Introduction: Children with visual impairments (that is, those who have low vision or blindness) often demonstrate lower levels of perceived and actual motor competence and physical activity compared to peers who are sighted. The purpose of this study was to assess the way in which seven-day sports camps specially designed for children with visual…

Introduction: The current work probes the effectiveness of multimodal touch screen tablet electronic devices in conveying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graphics via vibrations and sounds to individuals who are visually impaired (i.e., blind or low vision) and compares it with similar graphics presented in an embossed format.…

Students with disabilities have significantly lower graduation rates in four-year postsecondary institutions than students without disabilities. Although there are many barriers associated with persistence and graduation, for students with vision loss, additional accessibility challenges exist. This paper describes a pilot study that examined the…

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine students' self-efficacy level prior to participation and after participation in an inquiry-based science camp to determine if self-efficacy levels changed as a result of participation. A validated instrument, the 30 item Morgan-Jinks Student Self-Efficacy Scale (MJSES) (Jinks & Morgan, 1996) was…

Hands-on science enrichment experiences can be limited for students with blindness or low vision (BLV). This manuscript describes recent hands-on summer enrichment programs held for BLV students. Also presented are innovative technologies that were developed to provide spoken quantitative feedback for BLV students engaged in hands-on science…

Students with blindness or low vision are often discouraged from full participation in laboratory science classes due to the inadequacy of current methodological approaches and the lack of sophisticated adaptive technologies. Consequently, these students rarely go on to pursue advanced studies and employment in the sciences. In response to his own…

The Texas School for the Blind offers a six-week summer Talented and Gifted program for approximately 15 secondary students, featuring critical thinking and problem solving, mentorship, counseling, creative dramatics, outdoor risk-taking activities, and independent living. Another program for 150 elementary and secondary students focuses on…

Describes a three-week summer institute which provided seven blind students (grade 10 to college level) with musical training that included Braille music, keyboard and theory, computer skills, and independent college-living skills. (DB)

Six of seven adolescents who attended a summer rehabilitation program at the Vacation Camp for the Blind (VCB) reported they were performing the majority of skills two months after they completed training at VCB. Parents' responses confirmed self-reports and noted the performance of new skills or skill improvement. (Contains eight references.) (CR)

This article describes a summer work experience program for seven blind rural high school students in Ohio, consisting of two weeks of work evaluation/adjustment and eight weeks of paid work experience using job coaches. Results indicated success in improving participants' understanding of work-related issues in general. (Author/PB)

This article describes the establishment of Individual Development through Employment, Assessment, and Learning (IDEAL), a summer transition program for adolescents with blindness or visual impairments in Pennsylvania. The program emphasizes independence, work exploration, and social skills development. Data from participants, parents, and staff…

A survey of 41 residential schools for blind people found a variety of services offered to local day school programs including professional development services, special intervention programs, preschool services, summer school programs, and book, equipment, and supplies services. (DB)

This issue of "Illinois Libraries" is designed to serve as a general reference tool on services for special populations, with a focus on the blind and physically handicapped. It is organized in three sections: general articles; reports on three Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funded projects; and listings of resources to…