Presented by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) are background information and a policy statement on responsibility laws pertaining to relatives of applicants for public assistance. The laws are said to date to the Elizabethan Poor Laws, to vary state to state, and to mandate eligibility for public assistance on requirements of residence,…

Presented by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) are background information and policy statements on community housing, use of rehabilitation centers, housing for children, and housing for aged persons who are visually handicapped. Because of society's adherence to the concept of the single family home it is maintained that institutional…

Presented by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) are background information and a policy statement on the employment of blind and otherwise visually impaired persons. Briefly traced are the former graditional employment of blind persons in sheltered facilities and in occupations such as piano tuning; the emergence of the blind as an…

Most vision screening today concerns itself only with the physical phase of vision, consequently the relationship of vision to learning becomes slighted. Rather, vision should be discussed as it operates when learning takes place through seeing. Vision as it operates for learning is a very complex process--it has physical (acuity), physiological…

The article discusses the Sonicguide, and electronic mobility device for the blind, and makes some suggestions for its introduction to young children and for its use as an aid in the development of spatial concepts. (Author/DLS)

Described are the most common eye conditions that can cause low vision and the kinds of services required by low vision persons. (Author)

Reviews research done on the nature of vision from a neurologic perspective. Proposes a multiplex filter model to explain patterns in the signals transmitted to the brain from the retina. Describes experiments done to test the model. (CW)

An approach to functional vision evaluations clarifies the types of data collection and suggests protocols for three broad categories of visually handicapped children: "normal" school-age students, "normal" preschoolers, and multiply handicapped pupils. Visually impaired infants are classified with multiply handicapped pupils…

This fact sheet uses a question-and-answer format to provide basic information about changes in vision for older adults and what kind of services are needed particularly adults with developmental disabilities. Questions address the following topics: the importance of eye exams for adults with developmental disabilities; the need for eye exams even…

Specific suggestions for minimizing and living with their handicap are made to legally blind hard of hearing persons (with some usable residual hearing) and to their friends and relatives. (KW)

Technology has been used to measure visual acuity with the severely or profoundly mentally retarded child. The following categories of technology have been used for assessment: the recording of visual fixation within the habituation paradigm; equipment to measure eye movements and pursuits; operant techniques; and electrodiagnostic techniques…

The National Center for the Education of the Blind has conducted experiments which involved nine partially sighted adults to assess the use of microfiche as a reading aid for partially sighted students. It was shown that microfiche is a positive complement to other reading aids. (Author/SBH)