Welcoming Students with Visual Impairment to Your School: A guide to training public school personnel and families about the needs of students with vision loss.
Heydt, Kathy; Lolli, Dennis; Miller, Tom; Pompano, Michael; Riggio, Marianne; Wright, Darick.(2006). Watertown, MA: Perkins School for the Blind.
This handbook aids Teachers of the Visually Impaired who need to conduct inservice trainings for general education teachers whose classrooms include students with visual impairments. Organized into four modules, Overview / Social Skills / Orientation and Mobility / Low vision, with full PowerPoint program included. Publisher's web site: https://support.perkins.org/

Touch of Home. . . Road to Realizing a Vision
Betsy Hodge & Monika McJannet-Werner. (2006). Liberty Corner Enterprises, Inc. and Helen Keller National Center.
Deaf-blind people with additional and complex challenges are often underserved. This 48-page publication describes a model for the development of a program to successfully support deaf-blind individuals in a setting that offers not only a housing option, but vocational choices and opportunities to participate in the dynamics of a community. It is a program that reflects life, rather than life being run on a program. Touch of Home was developed through a collaborative process that included local entities and services in the Asheville, North Carolina area and a partnership with Liberty Corner Enterprises, an affiliate program of the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). The monograph was written in response to many inquiries received regarding the development of the project, and to encourage others to develop similar resources in their own community. Single copies can be obtained free of charge by contacting Rob Ruis at rruis@libertycornerent.com, or Monika Werner mw4HKNC@aol.com. The document can also be downloaded from the HKNC web site, http://www.hknc.org. It is available in alternative formats.

Going PLACES: Transition Guidelines for Community-based Physical Activities for Students Who Have Visual Impairments, Blindness, or Deafblindness
Lauren Lieberman, Scott Modell, Ileah Jackson, & Paul Ponchillia. (2006). Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Going PLACES is a resource guide for teens and young adults that promotes independent physical activity. It outlines a step-by-step process for choosing and participating in sports and other physical activities outside of the school arena. It includes worksheets for choosing an activity, descriptions of activities, modifications and accommodations, suggestions for skill development, information about safety and self-advocacy, and athlete profiles that encourage a healthy lifestyle. It is available in large print and Braille formats, both of which come with a CD-ROM version (standard text). Cost: $68.00. To order, contact the American Printing House for the Blind. Phone: 800-223-1839. E-mail: info@aph.org. Web: http://www.aph.org.

CVI Lecture Series

Hyvarinen Lea. Logan, UT: SKI-HI Institute, Utah State University,

no date

This CVI Lecture Series was first presented as a Webcast series via the Internet in the spring of 2004 through the spring of 2005. It uses a CD-ROM format that may not run on some computers without adding additional software. The series has been formatted onto seven CD-ROMs and consists of six lectures: (1) General Features and Symptoms of CVI; (2) Functional Vision Pathways; (3) Visual Acuity, Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, and Motion Perception; (4) Visual Field and Spatial Awareness; (5) Vision for Communication; (6) Questions and Answers. Also included is a transcript of each lecture, the PowerPoint slides used by Dr. Hyvarinen, a transcript of the threaded discussions, four case studies of children with CVI, several resource articles, and a bibliography. Dr. Hyvarinen is a Finnish ophthalmologist who is interested in the psychophysics of vision and in the development of visually impaired children for over 30 years. Cost: $125. Available from HOPE Inc., 1856 North 1200 East, North Logan, UT 84341. Phone: 435-245-2888. Publisher's web site: http://www.hopepubl.com.

Tactile Strategies for Children Who Have Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities: Promoting Communication and Learning Skills Chen, Deborah; Downing, June E. New York: AFB Press, 2006

This book is designed to help service providers and family members learn to interact through touch with children who need tactile information to support their learning. The introduction includes a report of focus group findings and the results of research performed with four children during Project SALUTE, a model demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Other chapter topics include: the sense of touch, supporting interactions though touch, assessing tactile skills and planning interventions, focusing on tactile strategies, considering multiple communication options, adapting manual signs to meet a child's needs, selecting appropriate tactile strategies, and encouraging emergent literacy. Cost: $39.95. Available from AFB Press. Phone: 800-232-3044. E-mail: afborder@abdintl.com. Web: http://www.afb.org. There is a also companion video (or DVD) to this book called "Tactile Learning Strategies: Interacting with Children Who Have Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities."

Issues in the Evaluation of Infants and Young Children Who Are Suspected of or Who Are Deaf-Blind

Holte, Lenore; Prickett, Jeanne Glidden; Van Dyke, Don C.; Olson, Richard J.; Lubrica, Pena; Knutson, Claudia L.; Knutson, John F.; & Brennan, Susan, 2006. Infants and Young Children, 19(3), 213-227. (2006)

This article provides an overview of the following topics: the effects of deaf-blindness on development, causes of deaf-blindness, and early screening and assessment strategies. It addresses hearing and vision evaluation, developmental and cognitive assessment, educational and communication assessment, and genetic evaluation.

Proceedings of the Summit on Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment : Educational, Family, and Medical Perspectives, April 30, 2005 Dennison, Elizabeth & Lueck, Amanda Hall (Eds.). New York: AFB Press, 2005

This summit brought together educators, medical professionals, and families, to discuss issues related to cortical visual impairment (CVI). Panels considered the following topics: the definition of CVI, clinical and functional measures used to identify children with CVI, how brain research can be integrated into the education and rehabilitation of children with CVI, available evidence that can be used to serve children with CVI, and research and training needs in the field. These proceedings include background materials used for the panels, the text of the proceedings, and printed copies of PowerPoint presentations. Cost: $39.95. Available from AFB press: 800-AFB-LINE (232-5463). E-mail: afbinfo@afb.net. Publisher's web site: http://www.afb.org.

From Russia with Love and Care for Children with Multiple Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour: A Demonstration Model [CD-ROM]

The authors of this new interactive CD-ROM are Dr. Jan van Dijk, Dr. Catherine Nelson, and Dr. Ton van der Meer. Dr. van Dijk is a well known researcher and educational psychologist in the area of deafblindness. Dr. Nelson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Utah, with expertise in early childhood and deafblindness. Dr. van der Meer is a developmental psychologist and expert in Russian education. He has been working in Russia for over 30 years on behalf of the Dutch Government. The CD-ROM is the result of cooperation between the authors and staff members of Children's House at Sergiev Posad in the Russian Federation. From 2000-2005, the group collaborated as they studied children with multiple sensory impairments and moderate/severe challenging behaviors.

The behaviors of six children are analyzed through video analysis, A-B-C analysis, and direct observation of target behaviors. Included is a demonstration of how their hypotheses are formulated and operationalized as the basis for interventions. The effect of the interventions is then shown in two follow-up measures. The model demonstrated is based on attachment theory and positive behaviour support. As an introduction to the actual assessment and intervention of the children's behavior, the authors' have designed and included a short interactive course on positive behavioral support (PBS). Some of the applied techniques of PBS are illustrated through video clips. The CD-ROM has an index of the most important concepts as they are used in behavior analysis and intervention. This index includes a great deal of current literature with links to relevant publications on the world wide web. Cost: $45.00. Order by sending a check to: Mr. Joe Franken, 4619 Spyglass Drive, Dallas, TX 75287. Write "From Russia" on your check.

Using Imitation with Congenitally Deafblind Adults : Establishing Meaningful Communication Partnerships

Hart, Paul. Infant and Child Development, 15, pp. 263-274, 2006

Using his own experiences as a teacher and a review of relevant literature, the author describes how imitation can be used to establish communication with individuals who are congenitally deaf-blind. The article begins with an overview of the history of deaf-blind education over the past 150 years and a description of the communication challenges faced by people who are congenitally deaf-blind, particularly difficulties that involve the attitudes and actions of communication partners. Then, examples of intervention approaches for individuals who are deaf-blind are linked to theories of infant communication to explore the four key functions that imitation plays in facilitating communicative exchanges: to attract attention, to stimulate turn-taking, to allow partners to recognize each other, and to craft morality (based on the idea that "the moral mind, which asks you to treat your neighbor as yourself, could not develop without imitation").

Teaching Language Arts, Math, & Science To Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Browder, Diane M., Ph.D. (Ed.); Spooner, Fred, Ph.D. (Ed.) Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 2006

The purpose of this book is to show meaningful ways to help students with significant cognitive disabilities meet the expectation of the No Child Left Behind Act that all students can and must make progress in reading, math, and science. In this book, "a student with a significant cognitive disability" is defined as one who: requires substantial modifications, adaptations, or supports to meaningfully access grade-level content; requires intensive individualized instruction in order to acquire and generalize knowledge; and is working toward alternate achievement standards for grade-level content. It includes chapters on promoting access to the general curriculum; building literacy at the presymbolic and early symbolic levels (by June Downing); learning to read; balanced literacy classrooms and embedded instruction; enhancing numeracy; math standards and functional math; science standards and functional skills; math and science skills; how students demonstrate academic performance and portfolio assessment; and promoting alignment of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. Cost: $49.95. Publisher's web site: http://www.brookespublishing.com.

2006 AccessWorld Guide To Assistive Technology Products --American Foundation for the Blind

New York: AFB Press, 2006

Provides information about assistive technology for people with visual impairments. Each section describes a specific type of product, questions to consider when purchasing the product, and information about specific brands. Products covered are CCTVs/video magnifiers, screen magnification systems, screen readers, Braille displays, Braille printers, Braille translators, personal digital assistants/notetakers, optical character recognition systems, and digital talking book players. Publisher's web site: http://www.afb.org.

Tactile Learning Strategies: Interacting with Children Who Have Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities (Video - 62 minutes)

Deborah Chen & June Downing. New York: AFB Press, 2006.

Using narration, interviews, and the detailed experiences of 5 children and their families, this video illustrates strategies to help children who are visually impaired and have multiple disabilities learn through touch. English and Spanish versions are on the same tape. Cost: $79.95. Available from AFB Press. Phone: 800-232-3044. E-mail: afborder@abdintl.com. Web: http://www.afb.org.

CVI Perspectives (Video OR DVD)

American Printing House for the Blind (APH), 2005.

Explores cortical visual impairment (CVI) from three perspectives: medical, educational, and personal. Neonatologist Dr. Alan Lantzy presents a medical perspective on the causes of CVI, APH CVI Project Leader Dr. Christine Roman presents an educational perspective focusing on characteristics and recommended approaches, and in the final segment, seven families talk about their personal experiences from the difficulty of the diagnosis to finding help and hope. Cost: $25.00. Available from APH, P.O. Box 6085, Louisville, KY 40206-0085. Phone: 800-223-1839. E-mail: info@aph.org. Web: http://www.aph.org.