A survey of visually impaired children (from birth to age 12) in the Rocky Mountain/Great Plains region indicated that the majority were multiply handicapped, and that within this group, the greatest number were in the mild to moderate range. Data are presented on age ranges, current service delivery options, vocational and alternative-living…

The interview with Beth Langley, an award winning teacher of students with profound visual and multiply handicapping conditions, examined her choice of special education as a career, her classroom management techniques, personal rewards she receives from teaching, and trends in special education she has observed. (DB)

The study evaluated the validity, reliability, and effectiveness in providing needed information of the Montana Functional Vision Assessment (MFVA) Instrument by comparing it with the Texas Education Agency Functional Vision Assessment and field testing the instrument in evaluations of nine multihandicapped students (ages 3-11). Evaluation led to…

This comparison of the reading comprehension, decoding, and spelling skills of 404 children with low vision and a norm sample found children with low vision with no additional disabilities performed less well than the sighted children only on decoding, whereas those with additional disabilities performed less well on all tests. (Contains…

A 7-week art program for 16 visually impaired multiply handicapped children (5-to-13-years-old) explored their potential for creative growth when given a free choice of materials within a planned learning environment. (LH)

Provided in the second of two articles is further evidence of the validity of the author's sequence of tactual discrimination tasks for partial development of Optacon use readiness in young blind children. (IM)

The document presents the final report of the Model Vision Project (MVP) Outreach Phase, funded to demonstrate appropriate educational, diagnostic, training, and other services to severely multihandicapped, visually impaired children. Roles of various staff are reviewed, and individuals serving as consultants are listed. Summarized are the goals…

The Teaching Parents Program at a center for moderately retarded students (5 to 13 years old) who may also be visually handicapped, multiply handicapped, or emotionally disturbed allows parents to learn principles of behavior modification, task analysis, and data collection while working with a child in the classroom. Materials used in the program…

Vision problems occur at higher rates in the deaf and hearing impaired population than in the general population. When an individual has a hearing impairment, vision becomes more significant in the instructional and learning process, as well as in social and communicative exchanges. Regular comprehensive visual screening of hearing impaired…

The article recommends assessment techniques and teaching strategies in the area of reading and language arts for the visually impaired student with learning disabilities. Appropriate reading and language tests are cited. Reading approaches, practical strategies for teaching reading comprehension and spelling, and suggestions for organizing the…

A case study of a nine-year-old boy with visual impairments and mental retardation illustrates the importance of family-school-community partnerships when planning for students with visual impairments. A chart identifies areas for Individualized Education Program team consideration and decision-making to support the child's inclusion in the…

This paper discusses issues central to communicative/cognitive development in children with visual impairments who also have other disabilities, and presents a multi-modal model of augmentative alternative communication delivery that includes tangible symbols, language input strategies, voice output communication devices, software programs with…