A program of the Finnish Central Federation of the Visually Handicapped is described. The program's aim is to provide and develop teaching materials and instructional methods to help persons who lost their eyesight as adults to learn braille. Discussed are personal tutoring, correspondence studying, regional courses, and program plans. (Author/JDD)

Briefly described is a sample 10-week program combining a supportive environment for the exchange of ideas, a support group, and a learning opportunity for individuals with both diabetes and visual impairment. (DB)

The Royal Blind Society of New South Wales sponsors a program called Sportskills Week in which individuals with visual impairments are provided opportunities to pursue goals common to the population as a whole. Sighted athletes who assist in the program take their expertise back to local communities to develop additional programs. (JDD)

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides outreach services for students with visual impairments throughout the state. Outreach services staff serve families and agencies by providing on-site consultation, workshop presentations, resource and referral, and technology loan services. (JDD)

Evaluation of TASH (The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps) Technical Assistance Project found it to be effective in providing inservice training for staff working with individuals with deaf-blindness. The project involves prioritization of training needs, team planning, follow-up activities, and use of consultants to deliver technical…

A pilot telecommunications program for mainstreamed blind and visually impaired students, developed by Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Wantagh, New York), is described. Program components include online databases and electronic mail, a central support site, home sites for itinerant teachers, and district sites for students. (JDD)

This article describes a program called Blind FOCUS, in which the medical community and rehabilitation services cooperate to provide integrated services to people with diabetes who become visually impaired, in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. (DB)

The Low Vision Service of Perkins School for the Blind (Massachusetts) developed a model project to provide comprehensive vision evaluations and follow-up services to 169 children with dual sensory impairments throughout New England. This article describes the project's objectives, the population served, and the procedures for implementing…

The article describes correspondence courses offered by the University of Birmingham, England, to train teachers of visually handicapped children. Experience indicates that much of, but not all, the information, skills, and attitudes needed by such teachers can be acquired through correspondence courses. Critical elements in implementing such…

Short-term placements of children with visual impairments in residential schools for the visually impaired are presented as a feasible solution to difficulties experienced by these children in regular classrooms. The article discusses the duration, goals, implementation, evaluation, and administrative considerations of these placements and…

A home-based orientation and mobility program was developed for blind/visually impaired infants and toddlers. Three stages in functional mobility were identified focusing on the development of gross motor skills, related conceptual activities, auditory awareness, orientation skills, and mobility skills. The program included parent education and a…

This paper describes the philosophy and program model of the Assessment Program of the California School for the Blind. The week-long assessment identifies the educational needs of students with visual impairments. Assessment reports are submitted to the local education agency so children can be placed in appropriate educational settings.…

A transitional planning model implemented at St. Joseph's School for the Blind in Jersey City, New Jersey, incorporates a broad conceptualization of transition that includes social skills, independent living skills, and overall competence in adjustment to the community. The model considers parental involvement, advocacy, and leadership as…