Sense International Romania (SIR) was established in 2001 as a local branch of Sense International UK. Until 1999, little has been done for children with dual sensory loss or multiple sensory impairments. Ms. Cristiana Salomie, the director of SIR, and Dr. Cristian B. Buica describe how things have been changing since then, highlighting SIR's…

In a letter addressed to Helen Keller, the author discusses the frustrations of being blind in the modern-day world. She reflects on the seeming pettiness of her complaints next to the difficulties Keller would have faced, especially given all of the new technologies and accommodations available to the blind. She wonders how Keller dealt with her…

A well-known educator and author in the field of work with the blind recalls times he spent with Helen Keller, including her visit to the California School for the Blind, where he was superintendent, for the consecration of the Helen Keller Building. (Author/SBH)

Excerpts from the letters between Alexander Graham Bell and Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller are given to illustrate the educational and personal growth of Helen Keller as well as the educational philosophy of Bell regarding the education of the deaf blind. (DB)

The Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (P.L. 95-602) should have a great impact on the welfare of deaf blind children. This legislation mandates the removal of communication barriers to handicapped people through better quality and availability of interpreter and reader services. (Author)

This theme issue presents personal perspectives and approaches to self-advocacy from individuals who are deaf-blind. Individual articles are: (1) "Self-Advocacy: Attaining Personal Stature" by Michelle J. Smithdas; (2) "The American Association of the Deaf-Blind: A National Consumer Advocacy Organization" by Jeffrey S. Bohrman;…

This article develops a framework for a common definition of system and system change drawing heavily from current understandings within chaos theory, quantum physics, and self-ordering systems. The framework is discussed in the context of TRACES, the national technical assistance agency for students with deaf blindness, and service delivery…

The article examines educational programing implications for adolescents with Usher's syndrome, a condition of congenital deafness accompanied by progressive loss of vision through retinitis pigmentosa. (DB)

Provides an outline of knowledge areas in rehabilitation counseling and rehabilitation teaching related to visual impairments such as: core areas; planning and delivery services; job development, placement, and follow-along; job engineering; Braille and other tactual systems; communication systems; computers for individuals with visual…

This brief booklet lists communication strategies identified at a 1999 national parent workshop by over 100 parents and family members of children with deaf-blindness called "Important Practices in Communication: Making It Happen at Home and in the Community." The booklet addresses four questions: (1) How can we facilitate and promote a child's…

The paper examines the development of language in the deaf blind child with emphasis on the child's motoric behavior and imitation as the initial step in language acquisition. Discussed are the following early developmental stages: symbionic (the close physical and emotional identification of child with the mother to be or new mother); resonance…

This document is the approved position paper on recommended assessment procedures for multi-handicapped deaf students, as adopted by the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf on April 28, 1988. Recommendations cover initial assessment, follow-up routine assessment, and the in-depth diagnostic/prescriptive program. (Author/PB)

This article examines various forms of communication systems for their "partner friendliness" and presents a model of different types of communication partners and their communication needs. Case examples illustrate how the forms of communication of two students who are deaf-blind were expanded to promote greater communication with a variety of…

This article examines the challenges and successes experienced over four years by three academically gifted students with deaf-blindness in inclusive educational programs, and presents recommendations about placement of students with similar needs in inclusive programs. (Author/DB)

This article on educating students with dual sensory impairments describes administrative and instructional strategies and effective use of personnel. Mainstreaming is advocated, and specific examples are given of practical intervention strategies for accommodating sensory impairments in integrated academic and social settings, such as tactile…