Provides methods for making instruments and supplies accessible to the visually impaired student in the chemistry laboratory and classroom. (CS)

The procedures used in planning and writing a primary reading program designed specifically for visually handicapped students who will use braille as their reading medium are described. The selection of a vocabulary, including a list of categories such as alphabet abbreviations, is discussed. Teaching methodology and the basis for the design of…

A career education program for visually impaired elementary school children is presented. The rationale and brief descriptions of units in foods, construction, hand tools, entertainment projects, and other careers are included. (Author/PHR)

This article discusses the future of wayfinding technologies for individuals with visual impairments and the need for environmental literacy. It describes smart computer chips that can be embedded into the environment, robots that can assist individuals with disabilities, and GPS wheelchairs. Recommendations for advancing these technologies are…

This article describes Speech Assisted Learning (SAL), a portable, interactive Braille learning station that combines synthesized speech, full-page paper Braille exercises, and bar-code technology. Findings from field-testing of SAL with 25 individuals with visual impairments (grades K-adult) and 12 teachers indicate students acquired new…

A survey examined attitudes of teachers toward children with visual impairment and implications for inclusion. Teachers with direct or indirect experience with students with either low vision or blindness held a more positive attitude toward inclusion than randomly selected teachers, but only toward students with low vision. Teachers demonstrated…

This interview with Berthold Lowenfeld focuses on his educational and professional background, his contributions to the education of blind children, and the contributions of other educators in the field. Lowenfeld comments on the role of residential schools, least restrictive environment, and teacher training. (JDD)

The article examines: the process used by visually impaired individuals in composing, the difficulties in using braille, and the importance of text access for editing. The adequacy and effectiveness of computer tools is discussed, focusing on selection of alternative display formats, word processing software, and other software. (Author/JDD)

The report provides an overview of recent population figures, types of educational programs, and current issues in the education of blind and visually impaired students in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Trends in early intervention, educational placement, and personnel preparation are noted. (DB)

The article describes the development of a visual assessment and training program designed to predict initial and final low-vision mobility performance. The program's tasks were determined to be better predictors of visual performance than existing clinical measures, and task learning could be transferred to real-life mobility situations.…

Surveys the human factors literature that focuses on self-report evaluations of visual fatigue resulting from use of a visual display unit (VDU). Highlights include viewing distance, color, user demographics, duration of VDU use, physiological measurements, and suggested guidelines for VDU use. (Author/LRW)

This article considers implications of two British government initiatives for training teachers of children with sensory impairments or severe learning difficulties. The first is the draft Code of Practice which provides guidelines on the identification and assessment of pupils with special educational needs. The second is an Education Bill which…

This article discusses the development of state licensure standards for specialists in orientation and mobility by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, outlines efforts to obtain licensure in Tennessee, and presents a strategy for pursuing state licensure in other states. (Author/DB)

The AccesSports Model allows professionals with basic knowledge of visual impairments and mainstream sports to analyze any sports activity and design adaptations needed for targets or goals, boundaries, and rules to enable individuals with visual impairments to participate. Suggestions for modifying baseball, table tennis, swim racing, wrestling,…

This report examines why parents of visually impaired children in India sometimes fail to assume appropriate roles in the rehabilitation process. It describes the media available to educate parents and discusses two direct training programs in rural villages, which teach rehabilitation techniques to parents and children. (Author/DB)