The investigation's purpose was to revise E. Hill's test for assessing the development of spatial concepts among visually impaired children, "Concepts Involved in Body Position and Space;" establish the test's validity and reliability; and collect normative data. (Author)

Auditory tests were administered to 30 blind, partially sighted, and sighted children. Overall, the blind and sighted were equal on most of the measured abilities. Blind children performed well on tonal memory tests. Partially sighted children performed more poorly than the other two groups. (MH)

An attempt was made to enhance large muscle control and balance in congenitally blind children (ages 5-to-10 years) by exposing them to a program of creative dance movement. (Author/PHR)

A survey of 440 professionals working in the field of education and rehabilitation of individuals with blindness or visual impairments collected information about educational background; employment history; clients served; job responsibilities; salaries; and differences in earnings among center-based and itinerant positions, private nonprofit and…

Twenty students and 45 adults with visual impairments or blindness were administered a test of tactile concentration and short-term memory involving the reproduction of the order of finger stimulation using the Finger Knocking Box. Reliability and validity scores indicated encouraging results with use of the instrument. (JDD)

Assessment of psychosocial and academic adjustment of 30 undergraduates with visual impairments and 43 nondisabled undergraduates revealed no intergroup differences on psychosocial adjustment. The mean grade point average of subjects with visual impairments was higher than that of nondisabled subjects. Blind/low vision students scored higher than…

This survey of 34 residential schools for students with visual impairments presents a demographic snapshot of residential schools in 1990, highlights important changes that occurred between 1985 and 1990 and discusses the critical needs that school administrators project for the future. (Author/JDD)

This experimental study compared the use of Belcastro rods with the use of traditional methods in teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers to five blind students. Results showed a significant difference favoring the use of Belcastro rods. (Contains 30 references.) (MKR)

A study involving 38 specialized preservice programs for teachers and orientation and mobility instructors working with children and adults with visual impairments found that they teach their students how to teach a range of social skills through offering courses or infusing social-skills concepts into existing courses. (CR)

Describes, through the experiences and development of a young Ethiopian boy with congenital blindness, some of the cultural differences between Ethiopians living in Israel and Israelis, the complexity of cultural transition, and the importance of respecting and learning from different child-rearing practices and values. (Author/CR)

A survey of 1,663 teachers of students with blindness examined their attitudes about braille literacy. This article summarizes their comments concerning teaching braille, making the print-braille decision, use of technological devices, the importance of braille as a learning medium, use of slate and stylus, teachers' braille skills, legislation,…

Two levels of education (high school or less, or training beyond high school) and nine content scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 were used to predict employment-related outcomes of 109 blind adults. Education, anger, cynicism, obsessiveness, and family problems were significant predictors of employability. Self-esteem,…

A survey was conducted with 45 instructors from teacher training programs for teaching students with visual impairments. Respondents evidenced a strong commitment to Braille literacy and teacher preparation, however, findings indicate a lack of consistency in Braille courses with respect to standards and criteria for competence in Braille…

A study involving 17 individuals (ages 17-55) who were blind examined the use of a prototype testing system that employs synthesized speech to deliver questions on reading and listening comprehension tests. In general, the usability of the system was evaluated positively. The most serious problem was synthesized speech quality. (Contains 2…

This case study describes the Internet correspondence using MOO, a multiuser, object-oriented site, that was developed between six third-grade girls and TCC, an adult with blindness. The changes from the students' original attitudes toward blindness, that blindness posed a barrier to communication and relationship-building, into their acceptance…