The study examined whether spontaneous variations in the frame of reference occurring over time have a more substantial effect on haptic mental rotation abilities of four blindfolded sighted subjects than of four adventitiously blind subjects. Results indicated the mental rotation functions for the two groups were virtually identical. (Author/DB)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by family members revealed that there was a marked reduction in stated problems immediately after a rehabilitation training program and over a three-and-a-half-year period. Similar benefits were noted for older family members, those receiving shortened programs, and those living with sight loss for many years.…

The structure of spatial representation in four congenitally and three adventitiously blind 11-year-old children was examined by means of pointing, mapping, drawing, and spatial reasoning on two simple routes over repeated trials. (Author)

Benign visual hallucinations ("phantom vision") were examined in 2 studies, involving a total of 443 adventitiously blinded and sight-impaired veterans. In one study, unusual visual events were reported by 38.7 percent, with 30.6 percent reporting complex hallucinations. Causes of the hallucinations and their treatment are discussed.…

The article describes the Fishburne Code tactile labeling system as a practical alternative for those adult blind who are unwilling or unable to learn braille. Instructional materials, teaching methods, and practical applications of the Fishburne Code are noted. (Author/DB)

Meta-analysis of the literature (47 studies) comparing spatial task performance of blind and sighted subjects found that early onset (of blindness) groups generally showed poorer performance than either the late onset or the sighted groups. (Author/DB)

An easy-to-use objective method for evaluating a blind person's knowledge about the spatial layout of a locale was used with 10 adventitiously blind adults. Preliminary evidence indicated that the representations of spatial knowledge generated from the scaling procedures are related to the person's mobility performance in that space. (Author)

The study examined the possible existence of a perceptual hierarchy which is systematically affected by the onset of adventitious visual impairment. Results with 80 persons with partial vision indicated a demarcation of difficulty between the simpler and more complex levels of the hierarchy. (DB)

A counselor blind from birth describes personal difficulties in fully understanding the experience of clients who are adventitiously blind. Congenitally blind counselors are urged to recognize that adaptive methods cannot compensate for the panoramic view of the environment provided by vision and that recently blinded individuals need to deal with…

A course on information and resources should be a basic component of any rehabilitation program for newly blinded individuals. (Author)

A study involving 23 blind students (6-12 years old) revealed that age at onset of blindness did not appear to be critical in mastery of space concepts. One-third of the Ss exhibited atypical spatial development, g mastering relative positions of left and right before mirror-image orientation. (Author/CL)

Spatial memory for configurations was studied in 36 congenitally blind, late-blinded, and sighted adults. (Author/DLS)

Analysis of late-blind Norwegian adults' (N=35) reading rates (texts and single words) in contracted and uncontracted Braille revealed that: rates were higher for reading contracted versions of text and single words, and highest for contracted single words. "Slow" readers saved more time when reading texts which frequently used…

Imagery and visualization, both voluntary and involuntary, can be used therapeutically in the adaptation processes of congenitally and adventitiously blind persons. Imagery and visualization can help clients make psychosocial changes necessary to improve mental attitudes and to return to the mainstream. (Author/JDD)

The author examines the social and economic forces affecting adventitiously blinded men in terms of goal setting, family life, attitudes, status, and income. Case records suggest that adventitiously blinded male must set realistic employment goals and make personal and social adjustments or risk facing a life of dependency. (Author/CL)