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…

The study evaluated the touch sensitive screen, providing computer access to students with severe learning disabilities, with visual impairments, and with physical handicaps. Results indicated the apparatus to be a valuable tool for individual or group work in a variety of skills by children of various ages and disabilities. (DB)

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…

Psychological variables influencing adjustment to acquired visual loss are examined conceptually and empirically, to clarify their role in skill acquisition and to develop a testable model of adjustment. The Nottingham Adjustment Scale, which measures anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and other characteristics, is presented, along with analysis of…

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…

A survey of 60 teachers of students with visual impairments in Illinois evaluated student use of assistive technology. Findings indicated that only 40 percent of students requiring alternative reading media used assistive technology and that students served by itinerant teachers were less likely to use or receive assistive technology training than…

This article describes an innovative year-round program for students who live at a distance from San Francisco State University and examines its strengths and weaknesses based on feedback from instructors and students. The goal has been to develop a high-quality sustainable program without the need for substantial outside funding. (Contains…

Physical activity is an important component of a positive quality of life for all individuals. Lack of physical activity can lead to increased risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. For all children, physical activity that includes fitness (cardiovascular and muscular endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, and…

This article reviews recent research on perception of tangible pictures in sighted and blind people. Haptic picture naming accuracy is dependent upon familiarity and access to semantic memory, just as in visual recognition. Performance is high when haptic picture recognition tasks do not depend upon semantic memory. Viewpoint matters for the ease…

Research during the past decade lends support to the notion that visual as well as phonological deficits are significantly correlated with reading and learning disorders. However, from the variety of visual anomalies discussed, it soon becomes evident that vision, itself, is not a unitary disorder. In this review, the multifaceted nature of…

This state-mandated study examines the manner in which Braille instruction is being offered to Virginia's children with visual disabilities. The study sought to determine the need to require school divisions to offer Braille instruction; the role of Braille instruction as a viable method of promoting literacy; the number of students who could…

A summary of a conference session addresses issues involved in determining and evaluating competencies in teachers of visually handicapped children. Four papers are presented on the implications of a project initiated in 1978 at the University of Michigan that established 70 teacher competency statements in 10 goal areas. The first paper,…

The report is an outgrowth of a study of three residential schools operated by the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). The schools are the Illinois Children's School and Rehabilitation Center (ICSRC), for severely physically handicapped or health-impaired, the Illinois School for the Deaf, and the Illinois School for the…

The document presents the final report of the Model Vision Project (MVP) Outreach Phase, funded to demonstrate appropriate educational, diagnostic, training, and other services to severely multihandicapped, visually impaired children. Roles of various staff are reviewed, and individuals serving as consultants are listed. Summarized are the goals…