This study investigated the use of reading activities in the enhancement of the lives of nursing-home patients. A special reading group was led by a reading specialist in weekly sessions. Patients voluntarily attended the one-hour sessions and read short selections supplied by the reading specialist. Patients ranged in age from 54 to 91. The…

Reviewed is an American Institutes for Research (AIR) study to identify predictors of Optacon success and to develop and field test appropriate Optacon training materials for use by 112 blind elementary and secondary students in 15 U.S. public and residential schools. Potential use of the Optacon (an optical to tactile conversion device that…

This paper discusses the development and implementation of the VISUNET:CANADA Partners Program, an innovative, cooperative model of library service for blind and print disabled Canadians. The ultimate purpose of the model is to advance information equity for blind and print disabled individuals, wherever they live, by positioning the local library…

This survey sought to assess progress in implementing health education programs in state residential schools for the hearing and visually impaired, to assess the extent that comprehensive school health education is required, and to compare implementation of health education with implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune…

Although color vision deficiency is a prevalent problem in childhood, little is known about the cognitive and social-emotional variables linked to this difficulty. A review of the literature revealed seven empirical articles exploring the psychological functioning of color-deficient children, with the results yielding contradictory findings. The…

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 Georgia Parent Infant Network for Educational Services (PINES) is a home intervention program currently serving over 300 hearing impaired, visually impaired, and multihandicapped sensory impaired (MHSI) preschoolers. The infant-toddler evaluation component is described, with sections on screening and diagnosis, parent education concerning…

Questionnaires were completed by parents and fifth- and sixth-grade children (1,180 healthy, 151 chronically ill, 54 hyperactive, and 54 with severe vision or hearing impairments). The instruments were designed to measure three types of value: utility value (how important success at a task is for achieving future goals); attainment value (the…

A congenitally blind boy 2 months old, a Down's syndrome girl 4 months old, and a cerebral palsied boy 14 months old were studied in depth to evaluate the impact of an early intervention program focusing on parent training. All three children progressed and achieved near or above normal functioning for their ages within a 4 to 5 month period.…

The Teaching Parents Program at a center for moderately retarded students (5 to 13 years old) who may also be visually handicapped, multiply handicapped, or emotionally disturbed allows parents to learn principles of behavior modification, task analysis, and data collection while working with a child in the classroom. Materials used in the program…

Evaluated was an intervention program designed to teach reasoning skills to 13 congenitally blind students (6-18 years old). Remediation was focused on classification, conservation and abstract operations, and mental imagery development. At the conclusion of 17 months, Ss' performance was compared with that of a control group matched for age and…

Vision problems occur at higher rates in the deaf and hearing impaired population than in the general population. When an individual has a hearing impairment, vision becomes more significant in the instructional and learning process, as well as in social and communicative exchanges. Regular comprehensive visual screening of hearing impaired…

The latest development to come out of ongoing research at Tate Modern, London's new museum of modern art, is i-Map art resources for blind and partially sighted people that are delivered online. Currently i-Map explores the work of Matisse and Picasso, their innovations, influences and personal motivations, as well as key concepts in modern art.…

A study that joined the fields of young adult literature and vision impairment explored the questions: How are characters who have visual impairment presented by young adult books?; and How do readers respond to those characters? Only a few books were found (13) that feature characters with visual impairments, and the portrayal of characters…

A survey was developed and administered to local education agency directors of special education regarding the future role of state schools for students with sensory impairments. Questions touched upon resources/curriculum, supervision, evaluation, satellite programs, and non-typical deaf and visually handicapped students. Regarding schools for…