The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been notable for the high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that have been incurred by the troops. Visual impairments often occur following TBI and present new challenges for rehabilitation. We describe a neurological vision rehabilitation therapy that addresses the unique needs of patients with vision…

Many questionnaires attempt to assess the quality of life of individuals who are visually impaired (that is, those who are blind or have low vision), but few apply to those who are undergoing visual rehabilitation and hence are difficult to adapt as an outcome measure Massof & Rubin, 2001). The Reading Behavior Inventory (RBI) was developed as a…

A study evaluated the ability of a dynamic visual assessment and training protocol to improve the ability of 65 persons with legal blindness to detect environmental hazards. Training improved the ability of the majority to detect hazards. The assessments also identified those who did not need training or would not benefit. (Contains references.)…

Discussed is the nature of a central scotoma, or decreased central vision, and described are current techniques for training an individual to use the peripheral retina. (Author/IM)

The article discusses uses of microcomputers by sighted, blind, and visually impaired users; strengths and weaknesses of adaptive aids; and their specific applications. The author cites the need for additional resources for training and equipping visually impaired computer users and calls for efforts to ensure equal computer access. (Author/CL)

An evaluation of five voice calculators now on the market--the Canon SP-1260-D, Panasonic JE-165OU and JE-72OU, Sharp EL-620, and Speech Plus--by 20 legally blind adults indicated that most can easily by used by visually handicapped people. Descriptive information is given. (Author/MC)

The Night Vision Aid (NVA) was evaluated to determine its effectiveness as an orientation and mobility aid for legally blind persons with night blindness. On the average, the NVA did not significantly improve the Ss' mobility at night; the majority of them preferred the Wide Angle Mobility Light. (CL)

The article presents the initial results of a study evaluating the intelligibility of the output of synthetic speech reading machines, using as Ss 30 patients (mean age 50) at a rehabilitation center. (PHR)

A study designed to assess the ability of the Kurzweil reading machine (a speech reading device for the visually handicapped) to read three different type styles produced by five different means indicated that the machines tested had different error rates depending upon the means of producing the copy and upon the type style used. (Author/CL)