The text presents information gained from interviews with blind and physically handicapped children, their mothers, teachers, reading specialists, and librarians concerning reading patterns and library use. The book describes the difficulties handicapped children face in learning to use and enjoy such reading materials as braille books, large…

The paper examines applications and research on the use of bar code technology to aid mentally retarded, physically handicapped, visually impaired, and other handicapped persons in independently gaining information from a variety of sources. Bar code reader technology is compared to alternative information systems such as Braille, pictorial…

Outlines existing library materials and services for blind students in Botswana, describes efforts made in the past to educate blind persons, and presents a proposal for the development of an educational library service for the blind at the primary, secondary, and university levels. (Author/CLB)

This study used a single-subject design to investigate the feasibility of using computer access technology by Braille reading students who are mainstreamed. The technology would reduce the time that vision teachers spend transcribing Braille work for mainstream teachers and thereby increase the time vision teachers spend in direct instruction and…

The Carroll Center for the Blind operates the Ed-Tech Loan Program which enables Massachusetts schools to borrow adaptive computer devices for blind students. For $50 per month, with a three-month maximum, schools can borrow braille printers, large-print processors, talking software, or speech or braille laptop computers to evaluate before making…

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Division of Special Education (DSE), per Missouri Revised Statute 162.1136, conducts an annual study of the educational status of eligible blind/visually impaired students and reports the findings to the Missouri Legislature on December 1st each year. The information contained in…

The paper examines ways in which computers have radically altered and improved the lives of handicapped students. The visually impaired have been helped through the use of computerized braillers, embossers, and readers. Both adaptations of off-the-shelf software and specialized software have provided the visually impaired with magnification of…

This brief paper summarizes data from a survey of state education agencies (SEAs) on changes related to Braille instruction since the passage of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Major findings from analyses of the 44 responding agencies include the following: (1) 25 SEAs have counts of the number of…

Music is a universal language, and through the items in this bibliography, readers can find books about music, history, composers, performers, dancing and adventures relating to music, including foreign music and cultures. It contains annotations for 92 books that are available for free to the blind and disabled. Entries are arranged…

This report is a compilation of information collected from a searchable database on the testing accommodations that are most often allowed for students with disabilities in state policies. These ten accommodations include: (1) Braille edition of the test; (2) computer/machine response; (3) dictate response to a scribe; (4) extended time; (5)…

The guide, intended to help teachers, parents, and community workers throughout the world develop educational services to visually handicapped students in ordinary schools, has been published in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. The first three chapters provide general information concerning types of educational programs for the…

This sourcebook identifies readings, agencies, equipment, and curriculum materials which can serve as resources for mainstreaming visually impaired students into regular classrooms. The chapter on readings suggests 20 resources on the following topics: Public Law 94-142; individualized educational programming; visual impairments: effects and…

This booklet contains 28 fact sheets on communication written primarily for parents and families with a child who is deaf-blind. They attempt to address fundamental but complex issues related to the communication needs of children with vision and hearing impairments. Each fact sheet targets a specific area, including: (1) communication; (2)…

This collection of readings is intended to provide teachers of children who are blind or visually impaired with guidelines and strategies for teaching the reading and writing of braille. The eight chapters are: (1) "Braille as the Primary Literacy Medium: General Guidelines and Strategies" (Diane P. Wormsley); (2) "Fostering Emergent Literacy"…

This book presents an introduction to the range of technology that can be used to assist in the education of students with visual impairments, with descriptions of the main features of approximately 45 systems. After an introductory chapter, Chapter 1 identifies four key uses for technology: in communication, in the production of materials, to…