The article discusses influences on the development of education for the visually impaired in Nigeria including the contributions of voluntary agencies, the traditional community, and the government. All three influences must be considered in evaluating the development of educational services for this population. (Author/DB)

Based on visits and teaching experiences in more than 15 different countries, the differences in philosophies of education, changing attitudes in regard to persons with visual impairments, and service delivery systems are discussed. Stressed is the development of low vision services in recent years. (Author)

Considers the benefits of incorporating library outreach programs into regular ongoing library services, based on experiences at the Chicago Public Library. Highlights include literacy programs; recognition of cultural diversity, including special services and collections for various ethnic groups; and services for deaf, blind, and physically…

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 article discusses factors related to individuals with sudden blindness, focusing on the visually impaired client's readiness for rehabilitation, the reactions of family members and friends, and personality variables. Two cases illustrate the adjustment process and eventual rehabilitation. (DB)

Recent research into the use of articulatory movements by the deaf has revealed the significance of this visual input, but research into the speech perception of the blind has demonstrated the significance of its loss. The implications of these findings for teaching and testing foreign language listening skills are considered. (Author/JL)

A nurse educator specializing in diabetes recounts her own experience with vision loss resulting from diabetic retinopathy, considers the roles of rehabilitation specialists and diabetes educators, and urges the two professional groups to work together more closely. (DB)

Describes a teacher's experience after losing her sight. Explains how she incorporated audiocassettes into her classes--students recorded their assignments and listened to them with her during 20-minute interview sessions. States that in using the cassette, students improved their skills as readers, became more aware of the rhythms of the English…

Describes a proposed computer system with voice synthesis for reading Arabic and English textual information for the visually impaired that is an alternative to Braille. The conversion of textual alphabet character information to geometrical shape symbols is explained, and peripheral equipment--including scanners and special keyboards--is…

The literature on the effects of congenital blindness on infants' development of motor functions and concepts of object permanence is reviewed. The article questions the idea that infants must first develop an object concept before sound clues alone will elicit reaching. Possible interventions to redress the effects of congenital blindness on…

The article suggests abandoning a subject area approach to the rehabilitation of blind persons and proposes a generic approach that would teach transferable problem-solving techniques. Nine possible curriculum components include auditory interpretation of the environment, spatial concepts, tactile identification, and identification of materials.…

The paper summarizes the reasons given for the decrease in Braille literacy and analyzes them as indicators of faults in the system of educating children with visual handicaps. Reasons include undercounting visually handicapped children, emphasizing use of vision, attitudes toward Braille, teacher competency, service delivery via itinerant…

The article asserts that books on tape with sound illustrations (accurate narrative descriptions of graphics and photos) and tactile books stimulate visually impaired and blind children to better understand the physical world. (Author/DB)

This point/counterpoint feature evaluates braille literacy instruction in three commentaries by A. J. Koenig, J. E. Olmstead, and E. J. Rex. The commentaries indicate that itinerant instruction of braille skills can be effective with adequate student motivation and requisite skills, school staff and family support, vigilant focus on student needs,…