The promise of novel technological strategies and solutions to assist persons with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) is frequently discussed and held to be widely beneficial in countless applications and daily activities. One such approach involving a tactile-vision sensory substitution modality as a mechanism to…

Visual processes undoubtedly play an important role in print reading as well as in spelling. In the present study we intend to compare the spelling performance of visually impaired individuals (both individuals who are blind and individuals with low vision) with that of their fully sighted peers. An analysis of errors (misspelled words and…

This study assessed the efficiency of a model of a familiar urban area for enhancing knowledge of the spatial environment by adults with visual impairments. It found a significant improvement in knowledge of spatial configuration after exposure to the model, suggesting that models are powerful means of developing cognitive mapping in people who…

Behavior problems such as aggression, property destruction, stereotypy, self-injurious behavior, and other disruptive behavior are commonly observed among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and epilepsy residing at state-run facilities. However, it is unknown how these populations differ on behavior…

This article draws upon data from a large scale project called "Network 1000". Network 1000 seeks to survey the changing needs and opinions of visually impaired adults. Data have been collected from 1007 visually impaired people across Great Britain. This analysis focuses upon a sub-sample of approximately 250 adults aged between 18 and…

Social skills deficits and excesses are defining characteristics of intellectual disability (ID). Despite this, there is an unfortunate lack of research on the patterns and profiles of social behavior, particularly with adults who are severely intellectually disabled. This paper provides an analysis of social skill patterns for adults living in…

The study examined the ability to estimate the number of dots in Braille symbols by 21 legally blind and 21 sighted adults. Results indicated that this task was difficult for both blind and sighted subjects with little improvement over trials. Errors of underestimation exceeded errors of overestimation. (DB)

This article reviews the literature on the various components of long canes and reports on a study of the knowledge and preferences of 100 adults with visual impairments regarding the various components and types of canes. Results indicated that the terrain of a route, weather conditions, mobility demand, and purpose of an outing are important…

The article reviews experiences of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in implementing supported employment rehabilitation programs. Results to date include referral of 37 clients to the contracting agencies and placement of 10 multiply handicapped clients in competitive work situations earning above minimum wage…

The study to determine rehabilitation feasibility of blind and visually impaired disability beneficiaries found that successfully rehabilitated clients were likely to be older and better educated, to require more money to be spent on case services, to receive a higher number of services, and to spend less time on agency rolls. (Author/DB)

To serve adults with disabilities without a high school diploma, the federal government and states have funded adult education and literacy programs that provide services to accommodate the needs of those adults. In addition, the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) provide adults with disabilities with testing accommodations to…

This study explored multiple aspects of social support and their links to the well-being of working-age adults with visual impairments. Instrumental help from family members was the most frequent type of positive support that was received, and underestimation of the participants' capabilities was the most frequent type of negative support that was…

Dyskinesia, abnormal involuntary movements associated with long-term neuroleptic drug use, was evaluated with 344 institutionalized profoundly mentally retarded adults using the Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale. Results indicated performance deficits on activation tasks associated with intelligence quotients, neuroleptic…

The employment conditions of Swedish adults, aged 25-45, with recent onset of visual impairments were examined. A qualitative study identified phases in the rehabilitative process of adapting to work environments. Interviews with 261 persons found that the majority returned to work after onset but in many cases were underemployed. (Author/JDD)

A project developed and evaluated an intermediate form of presentation that provides a virtual dynamic tactile display for use with computers that could complement static tactile displays of graphical material. The device is a two-dimensional extension of the tactile mouse and provides contour and slope information to the user. (Contains nine…