Visually impaired users are hampered by current PC software written for graphical user interfaces. Screen readers that vocalize displayed text require standardization that remains missing in the programming industry; the readers cannot interpret many cues in the Windows environment. More programming standards and adaptive technology for computers…

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…

The responses of two experts in the field of visually impaired education to a recent council position paper address aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, alternative placements, local school district versus residential school placement, supportive integration, and a rationale for the maintenance of both special and regular…

Examines the areas of visual and physical efficiency that are important to reading and writing braille or large print and conditions and modifications that may be used to make the selected media effective for individuals who have both visual and physical impairments. (Author/DB)

Some of the problems the Americans with Disabilities Act is causing for individuals with visual impairments are discussed in this article, including the status of the process of accommodations and difficulties with the process of requesting accommodations. The need for rehabilitation professionals to understand the obstacles to requesting…

This report provides an overview of multimedia access barriers and solutions for people with sensory disabilities, including recommended public policy interventions. A letter of transmittal to the President and both houses of Congress precedes the main body of the report. An executive summary groups recommendations under the following categories:…

The basis for socially mainstreaming handicapped children as well as changing attitudes toward the handicapped are discussed; and a list of teaching activities and resources for introducing students to the mentally retarded, the visually impaired, the physically handicapped, the hearing impaired, and the learning disabled is presented. A summary…

Presentations and discussions held during the 3-day meeting center on the education of librarians to meet the needs of handicapped individuals. The keynote address reviews legislation and agencies dealing with disabled persons, as well as library education on services to the handicapped. Other presentations include a historical review of the…

This paper summarizes discussions that took place twice weekly between January 1979 and March 1980 among five teachers and an educational psychologist from New York City elementary schools, and an educational researcher. The purpose of the discussions was to find out what the participants considered to be the major educational problems, and what…

As there is uncertainty surrounding black light safety, caution should be exercised in using it as a vision training tool with visually handicapped students--particularly aphakic and albino students, young students, and those taking photosensitizing drugs. The use of ultraviolet-blocking filters or lenses is recommended during black light…

Describes the production of fiction (writing and recording) for children who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise physically unable to read printed material. Character development, vocabulary selection, and volunteer readers are noted. Sample titles of children's literature suitable for adaptation to the talking book format are included.…

This paper examines the goal of providing transparent computer access to people with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments. First, four basic strategies to provide this population with access to technology are identified: (1) building features into the computer, operating system, or application programs; (2) using adaptive…

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 article presents guidelines developed by the American Association of Diabetes Educators concerning adaptive diabetes education for visually impaired persons (ADEVIP). The article discusses definitions, values, and assumptions; recommended professional educational background; role delineation; and process and content of ADEVIP. (DB)