The psychosocial approach in social casework is described, and illustrated in use in three case situations involving newly blinded persons experiencing problems adjusting to their loss. (KW)

Through the use of surveys, the article discusses the number of noninstitutionalized visually impaired individuals who also have other disabilities. The main finding is that, even excluding many chronic conditions, a majority of severely visually impaired persons have one or more additional impairments. (PHR)

Benign visual hallucinations ("phantom vision") were examined in 2 studies, involving a total of 443 adventitiously blinded and sight-impaired veterans. In one study, unusual visual events were reported by 38.7 percent, with 30.6 percent reporting complex hallucinations. Causes of the hallucinations and their treatment are discussed.…

By exploring the experiences of participants with DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) Talking Books, the study reported in this article not only discovered how people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or print-disabled read DAISY books, but also identified participants' perceptions of DAISY as being particularly useful in their…

Intended to aid state departments of social services, the publication focuses on social implications of severe visual impairment and the provision of needed services. Chapters are given to the following topics: the relationship between the social service worker and the client who is blind, general terms and special services related to blindness,…

Based on a paper presented at the 1977 Western Social Science Association Meeting in Denver, Colorado, the article reports on a study that compared major demographic features of a sample of 70 legally blind adults with the sighted adult sample studied in the 1975 National Opinion Research Center General Social Survey. (Author/DLS)

Explored the experiences of 30 visually impaired adults in finding employment and their explanations for successful or unsuccessful vocational outcomes. Interviews indicated that problems were related to public attitudes toward blindness, employer reluctance, and inadequate vocational training. (JAC)

Four groups (sighted, blindfolded sighted, legally blind, and blind) of adults were trained to traverse a five-block route in a residential neighborhood and were then asked to reconstruct the route from memory. Results showed the blind and sighted adults demonstrated similar abilities to learn routes but showed significant differences in memorial…

Sixteen people with blindness or visual impairments used three different types of tactual maps of the New York City subway system presenting information at three levels of specificity. Results indicated that the tactual maps improved participants' attitudes toward the subway and benefited blind as well as low vision participants. (Author/DB)

The article reviews experiences of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in implementing supported employment rehabilitation programs. Results to date include referral of 37 clients to the contracting agencies and placement of 10 multiply handicapped clients in competitive work situations earning above minimum wage…

A study of the vocational status of 80 adults with sensory impairments who graduated from a vocational program during 1994-1997 found that 48 percent of the graduates were employed and that 61 percent of the employed graduates were earning more than the minimum wage. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Reviews the research related to the definition of "literacy" and the comparability of various reading media and their implications for vocational assessment of literacy skills with visually impaired adults. It suggests that the characteristics of literacy, the media, and of the working methods used in criterion situations affect the content…

This article reviews research on the biomechanical elements related to the most commonly used long cane technique, the two-point touch, by individuals with blindness or low vision. The use of several natural biomechanical tendencies supports the contention that the technique is inherently efficient. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Over the past two decades, professionals in the fields of education and rehabilitation of people with disabilities have adopted person-first language, that is, language that subordinates the disability to the individual. This shift in language reflects the importance society places on sensitive issues and on changing stereotypes and reducing bias…

A reading activities survey as part of the Targeted Research and Development Reading Program was done by interviewing 3,504 adults, aged 16 years or older, selected by area probability sampling. Among the preliminary findings was that the most frequent type of reading is newspaper reading. Seven out of 10 people read or look at a newspaper during…