The efforts of Sight Savers, a service program of the Royal Commonwealth for the Blind, to stem the outward flow of hard currency from developing countries are described. Sight Savers furthers program sustainability by emphasizing local manpower development, selecting equipment that requires less and cheaper maintenance, and using local currency…

The article presents an overview of the blind and visually impaired population in Switzerland and the services provided to them. In general, Switzerland has been slower than the United States and the Scandinavian countries to develop new programs for this population. (Author/DB)

The article presents an historical review of specialized education for blind and visually impaired children in India and specifically addresses the issue of mainstreaming these students into integrated settings. Data and discussion of rural education projects and teacher training programs are outlined. (Author/DB)

Described are the conceptualization, implementation, and results to date of the George Peabody College for Teachers Model Center for Severely Handicapped Multi-impaired Children with Visual Impairment as a Primary Handicapping Condition. (Author/IM)

A school administrator discusses programs and policies of special education in the Philippines, outlining the Bureau of Elementary Education's role in developing services for blind and visually impaired children. (Author/DB)

The paper contrasts the traditional model of referral for rehabilitation services for blind and visually impaired persons in Israel with a new model--the rehabilitation information station, which links administrative, social, medical, and functional rehabilitation and results in faster receipt of services and increased ophthalmologists' awareness…

The article traces the experiences of the Malaysian Association for the Blind in developing rehabilitation services for rural blind persons. It explains the rationale for a community-based approach to rehabilitation and concludes that center-based and community-based approaches to rehabilitation complement each other in bringing services to rural…

Nongovernment organizations providing services to visually handicapped persons in developing nations should direct increased efforts toward project evaluation, monitoring, documentation, and dissemination, to ensure that innovative, flexible strategies direct self-help information to the "grassroots" level in forms that are familiar,…

A survey of the 12 major low vision clinics in Australia is reported, focusing on (1) patient characteristics; and (2) planning, organization, outreach, admission procedures, personnel, and services provided. Results showed that increased services were being provided to rural regions through satellite clinics or private optometric practices.…

Establishing community-based rehabilitation projects for visually impaired populations in developing countries in the South Pacific presents challenges in communication, logistics, security, and other factors. Program development must consider differences in geography, population distribution, resources, cultural and religious values, and needs.…

The paper reviews the historical and cultural attitudes of Ethiopians toward blind children, the education of blind children, the special situation of orphaned blind children, limitations of existing educational models, and development of a new model that relies on elements of community-based rehabilitation and the employment of blind high school…

The concept of information-based rehabilitation has emerged from implementation of information and communication strategies with rural Asian blind persons. Radio broadcast of mobility skill instruction is considered as a medium for mass dissemination of information to blind persons. Information derived from the experiences of blind people should…

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…