Research in the United States and abroad has led to advances in rehabilitation technology that enables blind and visually impaired persons to compete with sighted persons for employment. Relatively inexpensive devices such as pocket calculators, transistor radios, cassette recorders, and digital watches have become aids for the blind; some calculators and watches can "talk" to the blind person. Two categories of electronic devices are described: five travel aids (Pathsounder, Laser Cane, Mowat Sensor, Sonicguide, and Night Vision Scope) and four information/reading aids (Versa Braille, Kurzweil Reading Machine, View Scan, and Optacon). Drawbacks include the largely prohibitive cost of these devices for the majority of consumers, and the fact that professional training in their use is initially required. Contact sources for further information are provided. (JW)