The article discusses the importance of instruments in science and technology and describes the development, operations, uses, and software of the Universal Laboratory Training and Research Aid (ULTRA), a portable talking laboratory computer that will enable visually impaired students to perform independently important instrumental measurements…

Six constraints on equal opportunity for visually impaired persons to access microcomputers include abscence of (1) standard computer braille code, (2) a standard system for the audio encoding of braille, (3) a means for accessing unique disk-operating system copy-protected programs, (4) reasonably priced equipment, (5) an interactive tactile…

Three large-print computers for visually handicapped users are evaluated: the Apollo Computer Terminal System, Viewscan Text System, and Visualtek Large Print Display Processor. The Apollo Professional Typing System, an option with the Apollo Terminal System, is also reviewed. Advantages and disadvantages are explored. (Author/CL)

Despite advances in custom hardware and software which make computers accessible to visually impaired individuals, service delivery systems have not kept pace with the technology. A range of new services needs to be established through computer-access centers if visually impaired individuals are to realize full benefits of the new technologies.…

The author describes the value to visually impaired and multiply handicapped students of a good typewriting curriculum. She discusses hand and finger exercises and notes benefits to students from focusing on the hands as well as on the rudiments and total communicative value of typing. (CL)

The author describes experiences in teaching pregnancy and childbirth classes to blind and visually impaired students. In addition to basic anatomy, she used techniques such as films, records, and anatomical models and charts as well as comparing body parts to the other senses and to inanimate objects. (Author/CL)

The Test of Practical Knowledge was used with 116 blind and visually impaired adolescents. Most of the demographic variables had little or no relationship to acquired practical knowledge. Furthermore, legally blind-visually impaired students had more difficulty in acquiring practical knowledge than did their totally blind peers. (Author/CL)

The article provides guidelines for readers who must read research articles but lack formal training in research and statistics. While discussing the purpose and content of each section of a research article (such as review of the literature, materials and procedures, and results) the author uses actual articles to illustrate her points.…

Analysis of tape-recorded responses of 30 blind adults to a 22-question interview showed that most respondents had positive attitudes toward physical education and recreation, but felt that little encouragement had been offered them. Leisure education and counseling for blind persons and recreation personnel can improve physical recreation and…

A survey of visually impaired children (from birth to age 12) in the Rocky Mountain/Great Plains region indicated that the majority were multiply handicapped, and that within this group, the greatest number were in the mild to moderate range. Data are presented on age ranges, current service delivery options, vocational and alternative-living…

A new image magnifier system that enlarges color picture images for visually impaired children consists of home video components following the closed-circuit television model. The technique seems especially effective in enriching visual experience of children with severely impaired vision and bridging the interest development gap between picture…

More than 60 different tactual maps were created on capsule paper to examine the effectiveness of this process. The medium's composition, steps necessary for map compilation and processing, equipment costs and operations, appropriate symbolization, and advantages and disadvantages of the process are discussed. (Author/CL)

An examination of "blindisms" (self-stimulatory behaviors) in four school-age blind children in Nigeria and England considers how these behaviors develop, how they can be reduced, and the cultural differences in the two countries which may contribute to the development of blindisms. (Author/CL)

Techniques for training a severely retarded blind client to exit his living unit during a fire drill used a combination of negative and positive reinforcement. Following a shaping procedure, the client learned to leave his living unit from any internal point through generalization training and subsequent test probes. (Author/CL)

The article describes a variation of Usher's Syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by visual and auditory impairments, in which moderate, postlingual, and sometimes progressive hearing impairments may go undetected. Identification guidelines are offered. (Author/CL)