The history and current state of educational support services in regular education for students with visual impairments in West Germany is outlined, drawing on a literature review and national survey. Conclusions are drawn from practical experiences and corresponding research. (MSE)

Describes a social skills training package for the treatment of depressed, visually impaired older adults. The treatment focuses on increasing the frequency and level of assertiveness with which visually impaired older adults interact with one another. Employs standardized assessment measures to evaluate therapeutic progress. (JPS)

This article describes the first phase of a project to develop an empirically based scale to help multidisciplinary teams decide whether individual children need to start or continue braille instruction. Teachers and other practitioners (n=225) rated child characteristics on the extent to which they reflected the need for braille instruction, and…

Israeli programs that have been used to teach children to read Hebrew braille are described, and a reading scheme called "Secrets and Surprises" is presented. The method uses an eclectic approach, emphasizes comprehension and the communicative element of reading, and offers a variety of presentation modes to meet individual students'…

This article describes the Summer Work Experience Program developed by 3 agencies in Dallas, Texas, for students (ages 14-18) with visual impairments. The article describes student training; expectations for employees; attitudes of students, parents, and employers; and problems encountered. (JDD)

A model was developed to prepare specialists in orientation and mobility (O&M) who work with people with visual impairments, with the specialists in turn training and supervising O&M assistants. The project developed curriculum guidelines, training methods, a national workshop, and regional seminars. (DB)

This article reviews the history of traditional service delivery systems for students with visual handicaps, demonstrates the need for change, and defines and describes the structure of the consultative/collaborative teacher model. The model stresses shared communication and joint problem solving between teachers and vision specialists. (DB)

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides outreach services for students with visual impairments throughout the state. Outreach services staff serve families and agencies by providing on-site consultation, workshop presentations, resource and referral, and technology loan services. (JDD)

An egg incubation project for students with severe visual impairments is described as an integrated curriculum project. Tactual aids were used to illustrate stages of fetal development. Objectives and activities including a farm visit, cooking, related arts, writing projects, and literature are described. (PB)

The Synscentral (the institute for visually impaired people) in Vordingborg, Denmark, offers rehabilitation, teaching, and support in the home, the school, and the workplace. Regional centers such as the Synscentral provide expert advice, teach low vision people, and test special equipment. (Author/JDD)

This article presents information on nonvisual adaptive devices for measuring insulin and offers some suggestions for rehabilitation professionals who instruct and supervise clients with diabetes and visual impairment in the use of these devices. (Author)

Discusses the development and implementation of the low-vision-therapist certification through the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Credentials for professionals in low vision are described, along with required written examination, and the role of the low-vision therapist. (CR)

Discusses basic assumptions behind the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and suggests that often Web pages are not accessible to the visually impaired. Highlights several resources that deal with the issues surrounding adaptive technology and disabilities, as well as tools and utilities for checking Web services. (AEF)

This article presents two comparative case studies of young people with visual impairments that illustrate different degrees of success in integration into mainstream education in the United Kingdom. The cases illustrate a successful coordinated early integration versus a poorly coordinated and unsuccessful late integration effort. (Contains eight…

This paper describes meetings by a panel of travel, access, and public transit professionals to discuss detectable warning systems (devices to notify individuals with visual impairments of hazards along their path of travel). Recommendations of the panel for universal design standards and educating communities about detectable warning systems are…