This comprehensive overview of educational theory and practice, designed for special education students and teachers, also constitutes a basic reference tool for administrators, supervisors of support services, school psychologists, and health care professionals. Twenty-two chapters, each written by a specialist in the field, present material related to historical background, information about visually impaired children and youths, the components of educational systems, and the special concerns of school curriculum. Includes bibliography, student questions, and index.

This new and expanded Third Edition analyzes blindness within the context of two overlapping theoretical constructs: the development of self-esteem and the process of adjusting to social and/or physical trauma. The book is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of blindness and the essential background for subsequent discussions. Section II explores the general theoretical model for the development of self-esteem common to all persons and analyzes the impact that blindness imposes upon this model. Section III explores the process of coping with social and physical traumas or crises. Section IV is addressed primarily to members of the blind person�s support team and provides suggestions for creating a climate for optimum development. Factors that may influence the adjustment process, descriptions of external and internal sources of self-esteem, activities for stimulating affective growth, and guidelines for professionals who work with the blind are included. Personal impacts and psychosocial implications of blindness are discussed in-depth and illustrated with biographical and autobiographical statements by more than 50 blind men and women. This book will serve as an excellent review and refresher for experienced practitioners and administrators working in the field of blindness. Professionals in education, social work, vocational counseling, rehabilitation, recreation therapy, ophthalmology, and optometry will find this comprehensive resource to be an invaluable addition to their libraries.

This comprehensive reference source is a state-of-the-art guide to the scientific, clinical, rehabilitative, and policy aspects of vision impairment and blindness. More than 100 original contributions from physicians, therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and policy makers cover everything from the basic science of vision and its diseases to assistive technologies, treatment, and care.

A comprehensive guide to causes of blindness, information on diseases and treatments available.

Management of visual impairment in childhood requires input from such a wide range of medical and nonmedical disciplines that the delivery of coordinated and appropriate care presents serious problems. This book is a practical guide to the day-to-day management of children with this difficult problem. Written in accessible language with a minimum of jargon, it is intended for both a medical and nonmedical audience: pediatricians, ophthalmologists, optometrists, educators, and social workers. The authors cover a wide range of topics, including the epidemiology of childhood blindness, prevention, visual assessment in early life, the ophthalmic and neurological causes of visual impairment, the effects of impairment on development, behavior, and the family, community and ophthalmic management, management of the multiply-impaired child, access to the educational curriculum, and the challenge of technology.

Rehabilitation professionals have long recognized that the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired are unique and require a special knowledge and expertise for the provision and coordination of effective rehabilitation services. Contributions to this text from more than 25 experts provide essential information on subjects such as functional, medical, vocational and psychological assessments; demographic and cultural issues; placement and employment issues; and the rehabilitation team. Each chapter includes a Learning Activities section that can be used in class assignments or during in-service training. Sample forms, such as a Job Analysis Worksheet, a Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation System Protocol, an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program, and a Work Environment Visual Demands Report are included in the appendices. An extensive glossary provides easy access to clear definitions of terms.

This media update edition has been updated to include icons throughout linking the book to the new accompanying interactive eBook version. The book provides a highly readable and research-based introduction to special education.