Daily communication journals are a powerful tool to promote communication development in children with severe disabilities. Each page of the daily journal features three parts: a print or braille label, a recording device, and a tangible symbol. Children should participate in both the preparation of the daily journal and its review, thus gaining…

The implementation of high quality and carefully individualized educational programs carried out by qualified professionals has been shown to largely mitigate the impact of visual impairment on development. Research has also shown that, in the absence of high quality, specialized intervention, children who are blind or have visual impairments may…

This document updates "Accommodations: Assisting Students with Disabilities. A Guide for Educators," published by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in 2003. This document is written to assist school district personnel and parents when making decisions about the use of accommodations by students with disabilities in instructional…

The author, a university professor, describes his experiences in teaching language to his autistic-like son who also has visual impairments. "Experience Language," an adaptation of Language Experience Approach (LEA) is described, and its contributions to the child's reading, writing, and talking are noted. Suggestions are made on the importance of…

The report describes a visit of a Saudi Arabian educator to four programs for visually handicapped students in the United States in order to determine the feasibility of introducing these programs or some aspects of them in Saudi Arabia. Advantages and disadvantages of four types of programs are considered: (1) a residential school, (2) an…

A special project was designed to develop and implement an inservice training strategy for community and school recreation on the inclusion of visually impaired children into existing community recreation programs. The project resulted in inservice workshops for 90 trainer/consultants, a book, and a self instructional study guide. Listed among…

This report describes Project MAVIS (Materials Adaptations for Visually Impaired Students in the Social Studies), a three year project of the Social Science Education Consortium in Boulder, Colorado. The purpose of the project was to adapt social studies curriculum materials for use by visually handicapped students in grades K-6 in both integrated…

Current literature reveals little with regard to the delivery of programs and services to the visually handicapped by university and college counseling centers. Philosophically and logistically counseling centers are in the position to not only sensitize the academic community to the needs of the visually handicapped, but also to support the…

Eye diseases of the aged include diabetic retinopathy, senile cataracts, senile macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Environmental modifications such as better levels of illumination and reduction of glare can enhance an individual's ability to function. Programs to screen and treat visual problems in elderly persons are called for. (Author/JDD)

A specially designed problem-solving process was used with 16 visually handicapped high school students and their parents to develop plans for the students' transition from school to employment. The program involved a weekend of presentations and workshops and was a joint effort of education and rehabilitation personnel. (Author/DB)

Describes ways in which speech synthesizers and adaptive software for microcomputers enable visually impaired office workers and professionals to use computers in much the same way as their sighted colleagues. Several speech synthesizers and computer programs are described, as well as experiences of blind persons in a variety of positions. (MBR)

Describes a workshop on teaching high school geometry to the blind. Includes general suggestions for teachers with a blind student in their classes as well as suggestions related to lecture assignments, homework, and testing. Information on equipment and resource materials is also included. (JN)

Five articles focus on school-to-work transition issues from the perspectives of administrators, consultants, and parents of visually handicapped and multiply impaired/blind students. Programs described include community-based training, state-sponsored vocational training, one-day training seminars, and a job readiness clinic. (Author/CL)

A college teacher with a recently developed visual impairment discusses four aspects of living and working with the disability: reading problems (research, preparation of course materials, and written assignments); the classroom (replacing the lecture method); lighting problems; and the attitudes of those around him. (MSE)

While a nationwide study of vision problems in children has not been conducted in over 30 years, the most recent NHIS (National Health Interview Survey) study shows vision problems are common in children, with an estimated 13.5 million children ages 0-17 affected. As of 2002, 30 states plus the District of Columbia "required" vision…