Describes two federally funded projects designed to meet the demand for teachers who are trained to work with students with visual impairments. Collaboration between universities and school districts allowed 24 teacher participants to attend traditional on-campus programs two days a week while working in their local school districts three days a…

Providing service to visually impaired persons can provide a special challenge to librarians. This article provides suggestions on making libraries more accessible. Both technological solutions and staff training are addressed. (Author)

This article describes the cooperation between the Marriott International Worldwide Reservations Center in Santa Ana, California, the Braille Institute of America, and the California State Department of Rehabilitation that has resulted in at least 37 adults with visual impairments being hired as reservations sales associates. (CR)

Due to the nature of his or her handicap and the need for appropriate, innovative pedagogy, the blind college teacher engages in behaviors that may fulfill both the task and relationships dimensions of Lowman's model of effective teaching. Discussed are teaching techniques found to be effective by a blind professor. (MLW)

The Centre Computer Base is a list of hardware which can effectively operate the software of the Research Centre for the Education of the Visually Handicapped. Essential hardware contained on the list is described, along with a variety of "add-on" devices such as joysticks, touch-screens, speech synthesizers, braille embossers, etc.…

The article presents historical background and prevalence data on the population of visually impaired and blind children of India. The establishment of government sponsored and private programs is discussed. Integrated education, research, and priorities for the future are also addressed. (Author)

The education of children with visual impairments in Australia is compared to that in the United States. Educators in both nations often face similar philosophical concerns and issues, however Australia lacks national legislation and a strong research base. Decision-making in Australia tends to be regional. (Author/DB)

Discussed is the use of microcomputers, networks, speech synthesizers, and electronic mail to help impaired students and faculty communicate. A telecourse is described. Accessibility is emphasized. (CW)

The Department of Veterans Affairs VICTORS (Vision Impairment Center To Optimize Remaining Sight) Program emphasizes individual independence through the use of low vision devices and training. The social worker's role combines traditional counseling with administrative responsibilities, such as interviewing the patient to identify needs and…

The Low Vision Service of Perkins School for the Blind (Massachusetts) developed a model project to provide comprehensive vision evaluations and follow-up services to 169 children with dual sensory impairments throughout New England. This article describes the project's objectives, the population served, and the procedures for implementing…

Describes services available through the National Library Service (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress that provides books on cassette, disc, or in braille for students with learning disabilities and/or visual impairments. The history of the NLS is described, and cooperation with regional libraries is explained. (LRW)

This article discusses issues and difficulties encountered in efforts at the University of Birmingham (England) to standardize a new psychometric assessment tool, a tactile speed-of-information-processing test for children with blindness. The problem of defining the population on which the test is standardized is seen as particularly difficult.…

VITAL (Vision Impaired Task and Assignment Lexicon) is an integrated computerized system that performs workplace design tasks for visually impaired workers. VITAL consists of three modules: ergonomics consultation, disability index, and work measurement. Evaluation indicated that VITAL could be used as a tool to help nonprofessional vocational…

Queen Alexandra College of Further Education for Blind and Partially Sighted in Birmingham, England, is one of six rehabilitation centers to be involved in an initiative aimed at improving the training of disabled people as part of the HELIOS (Handicapped People in the European Community Living Independently in an Open Society) program.…

Describes some of the adaptive technology that is useful in a library. Highlights technologies that accommodate persons with low vision, those with learning disabilities, and the deaf and hard of hearing, and discusses screen readers and voice-output mechanisms, the Internet. Includes a selected list of adaptive-technology vendors and products and…