Obstacles to full access to electronic information-based technology and assistive devices for people who are blind or visually impaired include: high costs and limited financial assistance sources for assistive technology, insufficient resources for providing instruction in the use of new technology, and developments such as the graphical user…

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…

A court case comment traces establishment clause educational debates in cases leading to a Supreme Court decision in which it was found that a blind student otherwise eligible for financial aid could not be denied the aid just because the funds were to be used for religious education. (MSE)

This article maintains that educators of students with visual impairments, especially those with additional problems served in residential schools, need to give priority to habilitation, to identify habilitation needs in the individualized education program, and to implement strategies to meet these needs. (DB)

Presented are the recommendations of the Committee to Develop Guidelines for Literacy on the selection of appropriate learning media for visually handicapped students. Sixteen basic principles are listed as the basis for future development of more complete guidelines. The recommendations stress that equal access to education implies equal access…

This report describes special education in Anguilla (British West Indies) and in particular the work of one volunteer special needs teacher with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) British charity. Introductory material describes the island's demography and reviews major facts of the island's primary and secondary education system. The work of…

This overview of adaptive technology for computers and networking identifies issues that must be addressed for people with disabilities to participate fully in online activities. Discussion includes adaptive equipment; Internet access; and graphical user interface (GUI) concerns. Contact information for vendors for adaptive technology and…

Papers on library services and developments in reading materials for the blind, which were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, include: (1) "Reading Programs for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Public Libraries of the Polish People's Republic" by Franciszek Czajkowski…

An orientation and mobility (O&M) instructor presents a case study of a blind 14 year old with mild cognitive deficits and emotional and behavioral problems. The case study demonstrates the importance of individualizing the O&M curriculum, including changing the usual sequence of instruction. (DB)

This summary of a seminar meeting on reorganization of the field of rehabilitation for persons with blindness or visual impairment addresses the need for a national coalition, formation of a national agency for blind persons, consolidation of services, the use of paraprofessionals, the need for separate state plans, agency accreditation, and…

This document examines the various factors that affect library services in New Jersey, projects the status of the statewide system in the year 2000, and examines the implications for action by the State Library and the Department of Education. Listings of members of the State Board of Education and the Division of the State Library Advisory…

This position paper of the Council of Executives of American Residential Schools for the Visually Handicapped calls for stronger emphasis on instruction in literacy skills; individualized selection of the mode of reading, writing, and computing; technical assistance; continuing education; emphasis on literacy skill teaching methodology; and…

Allan Ridley has many interesting qualities, not least his determination. Though he is totally blind, he doesn't let that stop him pursuing his interests, whether he is water skiing or learning database design. When asked to tutor blind learner Allan Ridley, the author had to give a lot of thought to making the curriculum accessible. This article…

Papers on library services and developments in reading materials for the blind and disabled presented at the 1984 IFLA general conference include: (1) "The Establishment of a Library Service to Visually Handicapped People in African Developing Countries" (Paulli Thomsen, Denmark); (2) "Sources of Assistance for Establishing Braille…

Outlines existing library materials and services for blind students in Botswana, describes efforts made in the past to educate blind persons, and presents a proposal for the development of an educational library service for the blind at the primary, secondary, and university levels. (Author/CLB)