This monograph reports on a study concerning client acceptance and rates of rehabilitation in vocational programs for individuals who are blind. In this study, a national survey of state agencies for the blind examined characteristics of different agencies and developed classification criteria to distinguish agencies into logical groups based on…

The report documents activities of Project Outreach, U.S.A., a 1-year outreach project designed to provide assistance and inservice training to promote the development or improvement of programs for blind and visually impaired young children. The project's goals are reviewed along with project staffing planning and preparation, and types of…

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 article describes the collaborative process as defined in the special education literature and specific collaborative functions of the teacher of visually handicapped students (such as providing information, obtaining materials, acting as advocate). Finally it provides recommendations for effective consultation in the field. (Author/DB)

A visually-impaired 17-year-old was videotaped in a work setting before and after vocational training. The videotape was shown to 35 graduate students and student teachers, whose ratings of the student's vocational competence validated behavior changes (e.g., job task accuracy) resulting from the training as being clinically important. (Author/JDD)

Mobility training refers to activities that will better help the sightless move within the environment with a minimum amount of assistance. Activities that have been successfully used with blind students in self-contained classes are described. (JN)

Children who are blind are among the most easily mainstreamed of children with handicaps. The child with visual impairments is in need of an educational program which will meet all the students' needs, including those resulting from the visual condition. (JN)

Evaluates the adequacy or inadequacy of the services provided by the public, state, and school libraries for the handicapped in Nigeria. The scope, objectives, methodology, recommendations, and conclusions of the study are described, as are the institutions surveyed. (FM)

This study examined the perceived essential behavioral leadership qualities necessary for effective leadership by principals and superintendents in schools for students with visual impairments. Findings of a survey of administrators at 25 schools in 25 states suggest that people-oriented leadership qualities are perceived to be better suited for…

This survey of local education agencies (N=40) examines educational placement of visually impaired students and related factors that might be helpful in development of placement procedures for day school programs. Widespread acceptance of multiply handicapped children in day school programs appears to be affecting educational placement and related…

The study assessed the efficacy of a method of quantifying observations of blind clients made by orientation and mobility instructors. Client problems were observed for street crossings, bumps, stumbles, orientation, and drop-offs. (DB)

This study surveyed the use of laptop computers by 10 college students with visual impairments. Students used the computers about 10 to 15 hours a week to complete assignments as well as to take notes in class. The laptops fostered students' independence and improved their efficiency. (Author/DB)

Sixteen visually impaired children (aged 2-6) were exposed to a specially prepared visual stimulation video, and their vision attention was rated quantitatively and qualitatively. The results suggest that this technique could be useful in stimulating functional vision in young children. (Author)

A model is proposed for the clinical synthesis of data from psychological tests of persons with visual impairments. The model integrates the concepts of the ideal type and Bayesian probability and compares actual test scores with ideal scores through use of a pattern similarity coefficient. A pilot study with Business Enterprise Program operators…

Screen readers allow visually impaired students to read periodicals online, do research projects, and communicate easily with others via e-mail. However, the growing stress on graphics poses real challenges. Also, screen readers and Braille printers are expensive. Suggestions from two deaf and blind schools are provided. (MLH)