A questionnaire containing a teacher-efficacy scale, a hypothetical case report, and questions about teacher background was completed by 116 certified teachers of students with visual impairments. The study found that a teacher's current job placement (whether in a local or special school) was the most distinctive teacher variable affecting the…

A four-month study of three adolescents with visual impairments found the students required additional time and assistance to complete their homework and class projects, performed a range of independent living tasks but less frequently than sighted peers, preferred interaction with others with visual impairments, and had limited vocational…

Describes ocular and other complications of diabetes that orientation and mobility instructors should consider in determining the most appropriate mobility training for persons with diabetes who are visually impaired. Compares the benefits of using dog guides and long canes in dealing with these various complications. (Author/CR)

Proposes the following empowerment objectives be used for placing individuals with visual impairments in jobs: compensation and benefits package, proximity to community, ethics and respect for human dignity, self-fulfilling opportunities, physical and emotional safety, sense of belonging, and opportunities for personal improvement and upward…

Teachers (N=110) of students with visual impairments in Florida were surveyed to determine their use of various types of access technologies. Although each category of device, with the exception of refreshable braille devices, was used by at least 25% of the teachers, most respondents were not familiar with most of the devices listed, and lacked…

A study examined the effect of visual status (visually impaired or sighted) and setting (indoor or outdoor) on the social behaviors of nine preschoolers with visual impairments and 11 typical preschoolers in an inclusive setting. Regardless of their visual status, the children spent significantly more time near sighted children. (Contains…

This study evaluated the knowledge of Level 1 and Level 2 rules of perspective taking by 18 8-year-old children (either congenitally blind, congenitally low vision, or sighted). All children understood Level 1 rules; their knowledge of Level 2 rules (that a heterogeneously sided object will appear differently to viewers from different sides)…

This article addresses the lack of access to low-vision rehabilitation services by individuals needing them, due to lack of coverage by public or private health insurance. Improved insurance coverage would result in improved access as well as more direct referrals by ophthalmologists, more consumer choice, more timely rehabilitation, reduced…

Teaching methods to develop the handwriting skills of children who have low vision are discussed. Difficulties are seen to result from problems with motor skills, visual factors, and mechanical difficulties. Stressed throughout is adaptation of the handwriting program to the particular needs of the individual child. (DB)

The Twenty Statements Test (TST), a lotus of control test, was administered to 16 undergraduates with visual impairments, along with open-ended questions. A generally positive view of self emerged, but negative responses focusing on disability also occurred and sometimes were associated with deteriorating vision loss and time of onset. (Contains…

A study investigated the psychosocial adjustment and the meaning of social support for 316 Dutch individuals (ages 14-24) with visual impairments. Findings indicate social support, especially the support of peers, was important. The differences between adolescents with and without visual impairments proved to be small but significant. (Contains…

Discussion of efforts in Canada to support print disabled users focuses on the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library's national network (VISUNET: CANADA) that supports the premise of a virtual library. Describes international collaborative efforts among libraries to better serve print disabled users. (LRW)

This article explores issues of allied health professionals who provide vision rehabilitation services to individuals with visual impairments. It questions whether allied health professionals receive sufficient training to work with this population, identifies challenges facing the rehabilitation field, and suggests ways allied health…

Provides an overview of this issue which gives a global account of the history and development of online learning. Highlights include programs at Nova Southeastern University; Simon Fraser University; United Kingdom's Open University; University of Twente (Netherlands); and an online learning environment for the visually disabled. (LRW)

The ability of dyads with restricted access to the visual channel of communication to establish a reliable pre-linguistic communicative signalling system has traditionally been viewed as problematic. Such a conclusion is due in part to the emphasis that has been placed on vision as central to communication by traditional theory. The data presented…