The Pepper Visual Skills for Reading Test was assessed as a measure of reading ability with meaningful text in 38 adults with macular degeneration; scores were compared with assessment made using the Gray Oral Reading Test, a previously standardized assessment. The test's validity was confirmed. (Author/JDD)

The final report describes a project to facilitate the efficiency with which legally blind persons use their remaining vision. The project developed a diagnostic assessment procedure, a design for instruction which includes 150 sequenced lessons, and a sourcebook on low vision. The reliability and validity of the diagnostic assessment procedure…

This study evaluated the Columbus (Ohio) Children's Hospital vision stimulation program, involving in-home intervention with 15 visually impaired infants. Comparison with controls indicated benefits of appropriate vision stimulation in increasing the neural foundation for vision and visual-motor function in visually impaired infants. (Author/DB)

The article describes the response of 55 blind and partially sighted teenagers to genetic counseling and outlines their knowledge of their disability and their attitudes towards marriage and parenthood. It was concluded that the counseling was not cost-effective though such services were welcomed by the teenagers. (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 questionnaire investigation was undertaken at a special needs school into pupils' knowledge of, and use of, the Internet following the general up-grading of ICT facilities, including the installation of a network providing high-speed Internet connection in every classroom, and prior to the development of a planned new and specific teaching…

Describes a qualitative study that explored 12 older adults' successful adjustment to vision loss. These individuals identified factors (internal and external resources) related to their successful adjustment and offered advice to others facing the challenges of visual impairment. (DB)

This article reports on information provided by 109 teachers regarding the use of large type and optical devices, discussing teachers' confidence in instructing students to use optical devices, the criteria used to choose reading modes for individual children, and other issues. Cost factors and availability of large-type materials are also…

Two groups of deaf college students, including 104 deaf from congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and 138 deaf from other reasons, received complete audiometric assessments and ophthalmological examinations. Degree of hearing loss did not differ between groups. However, 7 visual problems were found to be more prevalent with the CRS population.…

This is the second part of a two-part report of a study about the instruction of children who are learning or using both braille and print simultaneously (dual media). It explores the instructional methods and curricular decisions of teaching dual media to students with low vision and reports the students' current literacy levels and reading rates…

Interviews were conducted with 18 professionals and 33 parents in 23 families with a blind or partially sighted child to assess their perceptions and experiences in support groups. The study clarified the types of parents who participate in support groups and the life conditions associated with their involvement. (Author/JDD)

Seventeen visually impaired children, aged 7-11 years, were compared with sighted children on a test of facial recognition and a test of expression identification. The visually impaired children were less able to recognize faces successfully but showed no disadvantage in discerning facial expressions such as happiness, anger, surprise, or fear.…

Seven visually handicapped adolescents, literate in braille but with little or no visual reading experience, were trained in letter and word recognition by closed circuit television for two weeks. All subjects increased their visual reading speed; in some cases, visual reading speed surpassed that of braille. (SJL)

A survey was conducted of 48 state agencies and 55 private agencies offering vocational rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired persons. Survey findings and Rehabilitation Services Administration data indicated that agencies employing both rehabilitation counselors and placement specialists experienced higher placement rates than…

This study evaluated interfaces (menu-driven, natural language, or hybrid) for using the Computer Access Technology-Knowledge Based Expert System (CAT-KBES), which assists in the selection of appropriate computer access technology for clients with severe visual disabilities. Users (n=19, including 12 with visual impairments) preferred the revised…