Considerations are offered for making toys for children with severe multiple disabilities. Eight toys are described, and objectives for the use of each toy are outlined. Toys include a pulley, tunnel, slide-the-discs, window, bowling, tactile wheel, activity centers, and multisensory mat. (JDD)

Teachers of children with visual impairments are encouraged to create their own useful and age-appropriate songs to help teach orientation and mobility skills to children in preschool to grade three. The songs can be created by writing new lyrics to well-known tunes or by writing new lyrics and melodies. (DB)

This study demonstrated the use of peer sampling in establishing goals for instructing two older women with visual impairments in independent living skills. The participants nominated their own peers who provided measures on specific tasks that would add a greater degree of self-determination to the goal-setting process. (Contains references.)…

Reviews various models used for delivering personal adjustment services to individuals with visual impairments, including center-based services and home-based services. Addresses the need to individualize the rehabilitation process by determining the type of program and service delivery that best meets an individual's needs. (CR)

A study involving 97 Business Enterprise Program (BEP) counselors and 99 licensed facility managers from 37 states found that both groups ranked profitability issues and leadership skills as the top two training priorities for a two-day Randolph-Sheppard regional training conference. Crisis management and food safety were also ranked highly. (CR)

The article offers a contextual and functional approach to the development of visual skills in students with concomitant visual and multiple disabilities. A decision-making strategy is provided to aid the vision specialist in maximizing effective intervention. A case study illustrates the decision-making steps. (Author/DB)

Four brief notes offer practical suggestions for persons working with the visually impaired, including teaching handwriting skills to blinded adults; improving reading comprehension skills; facilitating independent mobility with an electrically powered wheelchair; and utilizing telecommunications. (DB)

The development of visual perception skills in children with partial vision as well as developmental disabilities is considered. A model of visual learning is offered which incorporates the role of visual experience, movement, and visual learning. Specific teaching suggestions for developing visual attention and visual search skills are offered.…

This position paper of the Council of Executives of American Residential Schools for the Visually Handicapped calls for stronger emphasis on instruction in literacy skills; individualized selection of the mode of reading, writing, and computing; technical assistance; continuing education; emphasis on literacy skill teaching methodology; and…

Skills that families gain in coping with transitions at the early ages of their child with visual impairments provide skills necessary for all the life-stage transitions that follow and, thus, are termed marathon skills. The transition programing of the Lighthouse Child Development Center in New York City is designed to develop those skills. (JDD)