Two experimental reading development courses were conducted for six partially sighted students who read so slowly that they could not complete their study assignments. At the end of each course, the participants' proficiency in reading improved dramatically. (Author)

The author discusses the current status of driving for persons with low vision, both with and without using a bioptic telescope. Licensing criteria, training sequences, and problem areas are considered. (Author/CL)

The capacity of the visually impaired to perform normal tasks is the basis of a new classification system proposed to supplant the current legal definition of blindness, now based on arbitrary numerical values used to measure visual acuity and angular field. A discussion of the current plight of the visually impaired focuses on the failure of the…

A hand-operated mechanical device, called an X-Y Platform because of its ability to undergo orthogonal planar motions reminiscent of X and Y coordinates, permits design simplifications and lower costs when used with RANDSIGHT-type closed circuit television to enable the partially sighted to read and write. This paper presents a detailed discussion…

This article provides a guide to sources of large type books for the partially sighted adult and child. Several catalogs as well as other sources are discussed. (STS)

An overview of psychophysical studies on visual factors that influence normal- and low-vision reading is presented. General principles, such as the presence or absence of central vision, were found to predict reading performance despite the heterogeneity of low-vision conditions. Results suggested most low-vision subjects meet the visual…

The study examined question frequencies and types in language samples from 36 sighted and visually impaired children (4-10 years old). Results demonstrated significant differences between blind/sighted and low vision/sighted groups in the ratio of questions asked. Comparison of question types indicated some minor distinctions of type of usage by…

The Perkins-Binet Test of Intelligence for the Blind, Form U; the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Verbal Scale; and the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) were administered to 52 low-vision children in the third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades. Results indicated that the mean ten scores on the two tests of intelligence…

Active and passive perceptual training methods were tested with 30 macular degeneration patients to improve their residual vision. The main conclusion was that perceptual training may contribute to successful visual adjustment and that the effect of training is not limited to a particular level of visual impairment. (Author/CL)

A model is proposed that organizes factors related to visual function into three dimensions: visual abilities, available resources and past experiences, and environmental cues. The model is explained to be useful in determining how to elicit visual behaviors or maximize visual function in persons with low vision. (Author/CL)

Visual impairment is differentiated from blindness in degree and educational needs. (CB)

This review aims to document the efficacy and validity of vision therapy for modifying and improving vision functioning. The paper describes the essential components of the visual system and disorders which can be physiologically and clinically identified. Vision therapy is defined as a clinical approach for correcting and ameliorating the effects…

This study investigated the effects of microcomputer usage on the educational experiences of a low vision high school student. Ethnographic research methodology was utilized to conduct the single-subject study. Participant observation provided data, with interviewing of key individuals in the student's school and home environments providing…