The purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (e.g., face mask wearing and social distancing) on individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH). The study aimed to describe perceptions of challenges and valued resources to inform efforts to mitigate negative consequences of the pandemic. A…

The promise of novel technological strategies and solutions to assist persons with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) is frequently discussed and held to be widely beneficial in countless applications and daily activities. One such approach involving a tactile-vision sensory substitution modality as a mechanism to…

This study investigates the priority needs of museum service accessibility for visually impaired visitors. For this purpose, conjoint analysis was utilized. Four conjoint attributes of museum services were selected: A--facilities for wayfinding; B--exhibitions and collections including objects for touching, hearing, smelling, etc.; C--information…

The study investigated the effects of six telephone conditions on discrimination in 19 hearing impaired adults. No significant differences were found among the unaided, acoustically coupled, and magnetically coupled listening modes. Ss understood words significantly better using an amplifier handset, regardless of listening mode. (Author/CL)

The study was designed to assess the impact on Optacon reading rates with nine blind adults of instructional materials based on structural and functional aspects of language, cloze procedures, and auditory pacing. Marked increases in oral reading rates were observed across Ss. (Author)

Four blind adults were observed to determine the extent of the natural movement of their centers of gravity in relation to arc height during the two-point touch technique for long cane travel. The Ss learned and practiced a modified technique using their center of gravity as much as possible. (Author)

This investigation sought to answer two questions: (1) Do children who receive cochlear implants (CIs) by 3;0 (years; months) improve speech intelligibility significantly during their third year of cochlear implant use? (2) How do the intelligibility scores of young CI recipients compare to those reported in the literature for children who receive…

The effects of four neuromuscular disorders (stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Lou Gehrig's disease) on concommitant visual impairments are considered. Rehabilitation approaches and equipment that help clients cope with the condition are described. (CL)

Initial research is reported on development of a tangible graphics (a display with raised symbols for reading by hand rather than by eye) system and its evaluation by 20 blind adults. Results suggested that tangible graphs are a viable source of spatial information for blind readers. (Author/MC)

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)

The author, who is congenitally blind, describes two training programs with a Tactile Vision Substitution System, including a mobile version of the device. (Author)

Described are results of an independent survey of more than 100 blind mostly adult users of the Telesensory Systems' Optacon (a reading device utilizing print-to-tactual-image conversion) on user characteristics, the uses to which the device is put, advantages and disadvantages, reliability, training, the manufacturer, and costs. (Author/MC)

The article compares the guide dog movements in the United States and England, noting that in England there is one school with 7 centers while in the U.S. there are 10 competing schools. In England, twice as high a proportion of blind people use guide dogs. (Author/DB)

Use of the Optacon, a reading aid for the blind, was explored in regard to user occupations, factors affecting reading speed, and how the machine is used on the job. Data were obtained from a survey of 250 Optacon users; from statistical analyses of information gathered about 41 Optacon trainers; and from a telephone survey of 17 blind people in…