This article addresses the unique assessment needs of young blind children and discourages dependence on standardized tests for this population. Principles of one assessment approach (involving observation; clinical examination of mobility, language, play, socioemotional development, and academic skills; and interviews with mother and social…

This article explores issues related to the use of supported employment and time-related transitional employment for blind and visually impaired persons. It defines the concepts; describes the characteristics that distinguish these services from others; and discusses the need for these services from ecological, philosophical, fiscal, and learning…

This summary of a seminar meeting on organization of the field of visually impaired rehabilitation addresses: restructuring of medical and rehabilitation services, rival accrediting agencies, effect of service provider mergers, problems in providing effective services, and possible solutions. (DB)

This summary of a seminar meeting on consumer concerns in services for people with blindness and visual impairments addresses the future of services, an ideal model of the blindness system, goals of rehabilitation services, a mission statement, differential evaluation of system criteria, and strategies to implement goals. (DB)

This summary of 1987 and 1988 seminar meetings on service delivery to people with blindness or visual impairments addresses: (1) service delivery systems (principles, the population served, and providers of services); and (2) the services provided, focusing on the blindness system as a system under siege. (DB)

This summary of a seminar meeting on the demographics of blindness or visual impairments addresses demographic data as "hard facts" (three studies are compared) and implications of the demographic "facts" related to the nature and location of clients, barriers to service receipt, independence versus interdependence, and the need for greater…

This state-mandated study examines the manner in which Braille instruction is being offered to Virginia's children with visual disabilities. The study sought to determine the need to require school divisions to offer Braille instruction; the role of Braille instruction as a viable method of promoting literacy; the number of students who could…

In 1979 the National Research Council established a panel to study testing of handicapped people for selection and placement purposes in educational and employment settings. The study involved the review of relevant literature, solicitation of pertinent information from organizations representing handicapped persons and from professionals involved…