Because of the mandates found in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that specifically focus on assessment, most states have developed a set of policies that focus on the types of accommodations that can be provided to students with disabilities. Students with visual impairments require a unique set of accommodations. Braille and large…

Fourteen students with visual impairments in Grades 5-12 participated in the field-testing of AnimalWatch-VI-Beta. This computer program delivered 12 prealgebra math problems and hints through a self-voicing audio feature. The students provided feedback about how the computer program can be improved and expanded to make it accessible to all users.…

The use of functional vision by school-age students who have visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities, is typically reported by teachers of students with visual impairments. Functional vision assessments determine how well a student uses his or her vision to perform tasks throughout the school day. The information that is…

This is the first of a two-part report of a study on the instruction of children who were learning or using braille and print simultaneously (dual media). It explores the demographic characteristics of teachers and students, aspects of the decision-making process for providing instruction in dual media, and attitudes of students and parents toward…

This is the second part of a two-part report of a study about the instruction of children who are learning or using both braille and print simultaneously (dual media). It explores the instructional methods and curricular decisions of teaching dual media to students with low vision and reports the students' current literacy levels and reading rates…

This article analyzes the braille spelling errors of 16 Greek students who are blind. More specifically, it explores the types of spelling errors, the students' attitudes toward spelling, and the relationship between spelling and reading strategies.

This article discusses future directions for wireless cell phones, including personal computer capabilities, multiple input and output modalities, and open source platforms, and the benefits for people with visual impairments. The use of cell phones for increased accessibility of the Internet and for electronic books is also discussed. (Contains…

This article discusses developments in information technology that underscore the need for greater awareness, facilitation of universal design, and a focus on nontechnological barriers to implementing technology. Trends in mainstream products and assistive technology are summarized and suggestions for analyzing products for accessibility and for…

This article presents a theory for evaluating information and communication technology design for individuals with disabilities. Simplex 1 evaluates designs in five zones: sensory and input zone; output zone; abstract working memory; long-term memory; and central executive functioning. Simplex 2 evaluates feedback, emotional responses, cognitive…

This article discusses the future of wayfinding technologies for individuals with visual impairments and the need for environmental literacy. It describes smart computer chips that can be embedded into the environment, robots that can assist individuals with disabilities, and GPS wheelchairs. Recommendations for advancing these technologies are…

A device that relays navigational information using a portable tactile glove and a wearable computer and camera system was tested with nine adults with visual impairments. Paths traversed by subjects negotiating an obstacle course were not qualitatively different from paths produced with existing wayfinding devices and hitting probabilities were…

This article describes the Miniguide, a new electronic travel device that assists people in moving about in a range of environments. The Miniguide is held in the palm and is used to scan left to right when walking. It provides vibratory feedback to the hand when it detects an obstacle. (Contains 5 references.) (CR)

This article describes Speech Assisted Learning (SAL), a portable, interactive Braille learning station that combines synthesized speech, full-page paper Braille exercises, and bar-code technology. Findings from field-testing of SAL with 25 individuals with visual impairments (grades K-adult) and 12 teachers indicate students acquired new…

This article describes a train-the-trainers course that provided training in sound instructional strategies to 10 assistive technology specialists who work with people who are visually impaired. Topics included conducting assessments, writing training proposals, developing the curriculum, planning lessons, and analyzing learning styles. All…

This article describes a strategy for using Braille Lite, a portable notetaking device in which synthetic speech and Braille are combined, to learn foreign languages independently. Instructions are provided for connecting Braille Lite to a printer, creating the proper file, inputting a foreign language, and installing ASCII tables. (Contains 3…