Evaluated with 30 trainees (age 12 - adult) was the Stereotoner (a chest-worn, ink print reading aid for the blind) in order to develop specialized instructional materials; coordinate a program of instruction; evaluate candidates, processes, and outcomes of training; and make available the basic course materials developed during the study. The…

This study examined the personal networks and social supports of 316 blind and visually impaired youth, ages 14-23, in the Netherlands. The average participant had a personal network of 15 people (compared to 15-20 for sighted adolescents.) The oldest adolescents had the largest networks and blind adolescents had the smallest. For all adolescents,…

This article discusses the unique contribution of orientation and mobility instructors and rehabilitation teachers in enhancing employment opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired. The ability of these professionals to complement the rehabilitation counselor's role by identifying consumer's interests in employment is explained and…

Developed and evaluated long cane mobility computer simulation as visual rehabilitation training device and research tool in graduate students assigned to instruction (BI) (N=10) or enhanced instruction (EI) (N=9). Found higher percentage of EI students completed simulation task. Concluded that students registered positive understanding changes,…

Through seriation, verbal seriation, and conservation tasks, investigated blind, partially sighted, and sighted children's understanding of quantity. Subjects were 81 children equally dispersed through these 3 groups. Age range was 4 to 17 years. Found similarity in concept acquisition among three groups that extended beyond quantity conservation…

This case study examines the effects of a systematic functional communication training program on the self-injurious behaviors of an 8-year-old girl who is blind and has severe disabilities. The girl was offered choices among preferred activities and learned to use a communication board. Self-injurious behaviors decreased. (Author/SW)

Analysis of responses of 76 consumer members of the American Council of the Blind to an employment concerns questionnaire found that their primary needs were for more help in developing job search strategies, in obtaining information on career opportunities, and in financing assistive devices. (Author/DB)

Tests Weiner's (Bernard) attribution-affect-help judgment model in the context of nine stigmas and ascribed each to either a controllable or uncontrollable factor. Finds that higher controllability was linked to greater anger and less pity, greater pity was predictive of a greater willingness to help, and anger did not predict help judgments. (CMK)

This study compared which braille-related communication skills 233 teachers of students with visual impairments taught and which 531 adults with visual impairments actually used. Teachers taught use of braillewriters, computers, audiocassette recorders, and typewriters, but rarely taught use of slates and styli and sighted readers' services, which…

The Census Bureau's 1999 Survey of Income and Program Participation found that Internet access and computer use by people with visual impairments is substantially (30 percent) less than that for people with no disabilities. Age, employment, and the presence of additional impairments also affected computer use. Results suggest over a million…

A survey of the use of technology and multimedia presentations by 410 teachers of students with visual impairments found they were more at ease with general technology than with technology designed for students with visual impairments. When adapting traditional materials, teachers tended to use simpler, less technological solutions. (Contains 6…

A study of athlete members of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (n=159) assessed factors affecting sport participation and sport attitudes. Those who received physical education in junior high school or high school were more likely to participate in school or college sports than were those who did not. (Contains references.)…

This case study illustrates one of the many possible ways to implement Kaufman's Organizational Elements Model (1992, 2000) for identifying and aligning organizational results and the means to achieve them. The model was applied in the context of a needs assessment effort between the Florida State University's Office for Needs Assessment &…

Although research strongly suggests that individuals who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) experience alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) disorders at rates higher than those expected within the general population (NAADD, 1999), less is known about specific barriers that influence AODA treatment for these consumers (Koch & Nelipovich, 1999).…

Telesensory Systems, Inc. (TSI) was awarded a contract to design, develop, and test Optacons (Optical-to-Tactile Converter) and perepheral equipment. Optacons are direct-translation reading aids for the blind. The text summarizes the engineering design, manufacturing activities, field test procedure and results, and it provides recommendations for…