Children with visual impairments have unique learning needs because visual impairment impacts a child's ability to learn incidentally though observation (Lowenfeld, 1952, 1973). Literature suggests children with visual impairments do not perform independent living skills at the same level as their peers with typical vision (e.g., Lewis &…

Paraprofessionals need support in successfully implementing literacy interventions to students with visual impairments. This study used a multiple-probe-across-participants design to evaluate the effectiveness of using performance feedback delivered by e-mail to increase paraprofessionals' implementation of constant time delay to teach braille…

The number of students with visual impairments in general education schools has been increasing in the United States as well as worldwide. Research needs to investigate the experiences of individuals with visual impairments in general education classrooms. The developmental niche theory was used to explore how people with visual impairments…

The current study investigated the use of online training and coaching with early intervention teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) to change their practice toward a family centered relationship-based (FCRB) approach. Early intervention TVIs were trained to use a researcher-developed approach, called the Matrix Approach, in their early…

For high school graduates with visual impairments, the options for post-secondary pursuits is very similar to that of the general high school graduate population. However, after high school, they are not finding the same success as their sighted peers, with far fewer graduates completing degrees in higher education or securing gainful employment.…

This study is about music teaching strategies for students with low vision, including blindness. Based on a two-case ethnographic design, this study focuses on understanding what decisions in terms of activities, lesson plans, and curricula, six participants from two different schools adopted for their students, as well as how these decisions…

A person's ability to travel independently can determine whether he or she transitions successfully from one life stage to another. One critically important aspect of independent travel is coming to understand how vehicles move in the built environment. For youth without visual disabilities, this information is addressed in depth in driver's…

As the educational environment is moving more towards a technology-rich system, students with visual impairments (VI) educated in general education classrooms must be guaranteed equitable access to content curricula. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of middle school students with VI when accessing and using technologies…

Increasingly, people are engaging online and can participate in activities like searching for information, communicating with family and friends, and self-expression. However, some populations such as older adults, face barriers to online participation like device cost, access, and learnability, which prevent them from reaping the benefits of…

In order to truly meet the unique learning needs of young children with blindness and visual impairment (BVI), it is critical to accurately define the population to create and implement quality and responsive support services. The current analysis utilized existing data gathered from the Babies Count database to examine the defining…

This dissertation explores the online learning experience of graduate students with visual impairments and their perspectives on this newer method of learning. Case study methodology was adopted to describe and analyze participants' perspectives from three lens: (a) participants' personal attributes, (b) support sought from participants' social…

This dissertation consists of three studies which examined multidimensional balance in youth (= 21 years; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004) with visual impairments (VIs) using the Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief-BESTest). These studies have the potential to inform (adapted) physical education curricula and…

This study investigated the cognitive factors that impact the completion of mathematics problems, specifically algebraic-reasoning, by individuals who use tactile materials (i.e., braille) compared to those who use print materials. The inquiry investigated working memory, task time, cognitive load, efficiency, and the predictive quality of…

The primary question for this dissertation was: Does online professional development increase novice itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments' (TVI) efficacy for assessing learning and literacy media for students with multiple disabilities including visual impairments? The literature suggested novice TVIs might experience low…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine, through the feedback of experts, the roles and responsibilities, training needs, and supervision needs of paraprofessionals who work with students with visual impairments in public schools (within the itinerant orientation and mobility [O&M] service delivery model). Theoretical Framework:…