Lack of accessibility in the design of e-learning courses continues to hinder students with vision impairment. E-learning materials are predominantly vision-centric, incorporating images, animation, and interactive media, and as a result students with acute vision impairment do not have equal opportunity to gain tertiary qualifications or skills…

This report investigates the use of the graphical user interface (GUI) in computer programs, the problems it creates for individuals with visual impairments or blindness, and advocacy efforts concerning this issue, which have been targeted primarily at Microsoft, producer of Windows. The report highlights the concerns of individuals with visual…

Three studies are presented which explore the perceptions of New Zealand mainstreamed secondary students who are visually impaired and those of their parents and teachers. The three case studies examine services provided by the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind via: (1) advisory/itinerant support within the Auckland metropolitan area; (2)…

A two-phase study investigated the employment opportunities for visually impaired computer programers and the practicality of training them at a community/junior college. Activities during phase 1 included an employer survey to determine employment opportunities, a department chairperson survey, a blind programer survey, development of profiles…

This issue contains articles on characteristics of the older adult population and how one museum program addressed them; an analysis of sensory changes in older adulthood and their implications for museum facilities and programing; what older adults can contribute to the museum; older adults as museum volunteers; and case studies of museum…

Blind children are entering the Nation's schools in larger numbers than ever before. In addition to those blinded by usual causes, a new eye condition primarily affecting prematurely born infants swept the Nation between 1945 and 1955, leaving thousands of visually handicapped children. Most of these are attaining school age at this time. There…

This study measured the impact of vocational rehabilitation services on New Jersey Hispanics with blindness/visual impairments. Findings suggested that Hispanic clients had limited participation in rehabilitation programs aimed at career development, compared to Black and White clients. Hispanic clients were also less likely to be gainfully…

This project investigated the provision of a set of core tactile and large print diagrams and supporting materials for degree level psychology study, containing diagrams that are central to the majority of UK psychology courses, as an alternative to providing many different bespoke diagrams for individual students. Interviews with 12 blind and…

A 3 year project was initiated to develop, implement, and evaluate a program for training personnel to work with visually handicapped/multiply handicapped children. The ecological systems model proposed by N. Hobbs was examined as the primary consideration in the development of the program. Teachers under the project were prepared for roles which…

This article describes an experimental system for administering multiple-choice math tests to students who are visually impaired or have other print disabilities. Using a new audio-tactile computer peripheral device called the Talking Tactile Tablet, a preliminary version of a self-voicing test was created for eight participants. (Contains…

A survey of orientation and mobility specialists (N=26) was conducted to determine the mobility devices currently being used with visually impaired and elderly clients. These results were then used to design and develop an effective, commercially manufacturable adaptive-mobility device prototype which was tested with elderly individuals, multiply…

This article describes the results of the VIISA Outreach Project, a well-received in-service training model for personnel who work with infants and young children with visual impairments, which has been in existence since 1991 in 23 states. The program combines home study with on-site courses taught by experienced instructors. (Contains 11…

The American Indian Rehabilitation Project aimed to provide older American Indians with vision problems useful skills for carrying out daily activities as independently as possible and for preventing unnecessary dependence on others and premature and unwarranted institutionalization. The project goals were to: (1) develop a 5-day, seven-module…

This paper examines research and literature related to the education of Virginia students who are deaf or hearing impaired, blind or visually impaired, or multihandicapped. The paper discusses legal considerations such as least restrictive environment and other variables required to be considered when determining appropriate service delivery…

This study of the transition experiences of 102 college students with visual impairments (blindness or low vision), and of the services offered for students with disabilities at 66 colleges, found that the colleges provided most of the services students need to be successful. Students also identified areas in which visually impaired high school…