Visual difficulties among students with learning disabilities take two forms: visual-processing dysfunction and deficits in basic visual skills. Students with a visual-processing dysfunction have problems interpreting visual information even when the visual information is clear. Students with basic visual disability have problems obtaining…

Details the use of measuring instruments, computer terminals, and other high technology laboratory aids for the visually handicapped chemistry student. Use of these aids at East Carolina University is also described. (CS)

Focuses on the efforts of Northern Kentucky University to improve the academic skills of a visually handicapped student and simultaneously discover which deficiencies were handicap and which were academic; discover course requirements impeding student development and alternative methods of instruction; provide a self-evaluation method; and…

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Human Development Program (HDP) and the Developing Understanding of Self and Others (DUSO) program used with visually impaired children. Although HDP and DUSO affected the behavior of visually impaired children, they did not have any effect on children's attitudes toward school. (RC)

The paper addresses computer-based augmentative writing systems for physically disabled and visually impaired students and augmentative communication systems for nonverbal speech-impaired students. Among the components described are keyboard support systems, switch systems, alternate interface systems, support software, voice output systems, and…

The article describes various models of educating blind and visually impaired students in Israel, including residential schools, resource rooms, itinerant teachers, and joint and individual initiatives. Noted are the policy of encouraging mainstreaming and the autonomy of special educators in program planning. (Author/DB)

The article describes correspondence courses offered by the University of Birmingham, England, to train teachers of visually handicapped children. Experience indicates that much of, but not all, the information, skills, and attitudes needed by such teachers can be acquired through correspondence courses. Critical elements in implementing such…

The paper describes a software system which uses microcomputers to aid in the assessment of functional vision in visually impaired students. The software also aims to be visually stimulating and to develop hand-eye coordination, visual memory, and cognitive abilities. (DB)

This article discusses the development of an orientation and mobility screening measure suitable for use with children having severe visual impairments (and possibly additional impairments) from birth through five years of age. Twenty instructors rated the measures as being useful. The two forms of the measure (for either ambulatory or…

This paper describes computer-based optical character recognition (OCR) systems, focusing on their components (the computer, the scanner, the OCR, and the output device); how the systems work; and features to consider in selecting a system. A list of 26 questions to ask to evaluate systems for potential purchase is included. (JDD)

This article discusses technology available in Sweden for visually impaired and deaf-blind people. It describes systems for stop announcements on buses and trams, queuing systems in shops and banks, text telephones, synthetic speech or braille displays of newspapers and other information sources, and home computers. Ideas for the future are also…

This article describes the Vision Outreach Project--a pilot project of the University of Alabama at Birmingham for training teachers of visually impaired students. The project produced video modules to provide distance education in rural and urban areas. The modules can be used to complete degree requirements or in-service training and continuing…

A program developed by George Peabody College (Tennessee) to increase the supply and quality of teachers of visually impaired children in rural areas involves recruiting regular and special education teachers currently residing in rural areas; restructuring class schedules to allow teachers to remain fully employed; and rural practicum experiences…

Though the Constitution of India guarantees the right to be educated and to work, only a minority of visually handicapped/blind citizens attain these rights. A new education policy includes integration of blind children at every educational level, followed by vocational training and job placement. Problems, possible solutions, and progress are…

A one-week inservice program on mental retardation was provided to 24 teachers of students with visual impairments in India. Emphasis was on community based rehabilitation and the teaching of children with mental retardation who also have visual impairment. Testing revealed participants had gained knowledge and their evaluations indicated they…