This column introduces Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by explaining the concept of universal design (initial design of buildings and other products to maximize accessibility for all people), universal design applied to educational materials, the central role of learning goals in universal design, and distinctions between universal design and…

This discussion of theoretical perspectives on disability's economic aspects urges development of better measures of productive activity by persons with blindness in paid and unpaid work; considers other personal characteristics that may account for dependence, such as old age or illness; and suggests that some costs are created by social…

The Supreme Court in "Zobrest" identified a variety of factors that rendered constitutionally acceptable the provision of a publicly paid sign-language interpreter in a parochial school. In "K.R." the judge upheld provision of a publicly paid instructional assistant in a parochial school. Analyzes the case and its implications…

Describes "DotsPlus," a tactile font set that allows computers to print documents in any language which uses the Roman alphabet in tactile form. DotsPlus overcomes such Braille problems as code translation, Braille numbers, exotic symbols, and symbols out of context. A new printing technology (TIGER--Tactile Graphics Embosser) produces DotsPlus…

Discusses problems that users with disabilities, particularly visual impairments, have with Web-based classes. Discusses efforts by the Texas Commission for the Blind to offer Web-based training to visually impaired staff members; and explains how to test a Web site for accessibility and how to make a Web site more accessible and effective. (LRW)

This article reports on a survey of the opinions of employment networks (ENs) about serving social security beneficiaries who are blind or visually impaired under the Ticket to Work program. Although most of the 267 ENs who participated in the survey expressed concerns about working with those who are blind or visually impaired, they did not seem…

In discussing services for students with disabilities, it is important to emphasize that this term encompasses a variety of physical and cognitive challenges faced by individuals, including learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mobility impairment, hearing/visual…

Assistive technology has always been an important component of individualized education programs. The individualized education program process can be used to supply hearing assistive technology to students. One goal of audiologists and educators is to improve the acoustic environment of classrooms for all students by constructing school buildings…

In the United States, a number of federal laws establish requirements that electronic government (e-government) information and services be accessible to individuals with disabilities. These laws affect e-government Web sites at the federal, state, and local levels. To this point, research about the accessibility of e-government Web sites has…

This research analyzed both engineering and nontechnical issues involved in the use of Induction Loop Amplification (ILA) devices in auditoriums or large gathering places for hard-of-hearing individuals. A variety of parameters need to be taken into account to determine an optimal shape/configuration for the ILA device. In many cases, an optimal…

The Americans With Disabilities Act (1990) can be interpreted as civil rights legislation for disabled people. Equal opportunity, equal environmental accessibility, and equal education opportunities are presumed to be byproducts of this legislation. Geography must face questions about how to achieve these goals. In the profession where…

The job of executive director of a parent center can be very rewarding. An executive director is in the position to bring change to the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Directors, assisted by the board of directors and key staff members, are in a position to create many new opportunities for designing and shaping the growth…

Cochlear implants are electronic devices that create the sensation of hearing in those who cannot obtain any benefit from conventional hearing aids. This article examines the experience of cochlear implantation in a select group of individuals with acquired deafblindness, focusing on three key themes: access to communication, information and…

Of late there has been a growing interest and effort toward meeting the requirements of persons with special needs. However, most of the accessibility standards and guidelines that have been proposed have been developed by adopting a domain independent and often "technical" perspective. Such proposals are therefore often not sufficient…

This article is based on results of the project "Access to a Higher Education for Handicapped People," conducted in 2002-2003 by a group of Saratov sociologists including one of the authors, Iarskaia-Smirnova, who served as the director. It generalizes the experience of young handicapped people in acquiring a higher education and shows…