published_or_final_version / abstract / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

This research project was a descriptive analysis of the computer usage and skills of academic students in grades 10-12 who are legally blind and attending public school in the Region 10 Education Service Center service area of Texas. In addition, this study provided a process that other regions in the state or educational agencies may duplicate to document the computer skills and usage of students with visual impairments in their area. Twenty-seven students who are legally blind were surveyed by their teachers of the visually impaired regarding their computer usage and skill abilities, and eleven of the twenty-seven students were interviewed by the researcher to gain further information pertaining to computer usage and future plans upon graduation. Using prior research as a basis for understanding how sighted students used the computer, it was found that students who are legally blind used the computer similarly to their sighted peers except that students with significant visual impairments seemed to use to the computer to listen to music more than their sighted counterparts. In addition, students who are legally blind indicated that they learned most of their computer skills at school rather than at home like their sighted teenagers. Furthermore, it was determined that students who are legally blind were not learning the computer skills necessary for success in post-secondary education and vocational endeavors. Although the students were being exposed to many different computer applications, most did not use the applications weekly, nor report that they were experienced with the majority of basic skills related to applications such as word processing, Internet searching, emailing, spreadsheets and databases.

Self-concept scores of 19 visually-impaired adults were compared to those of 19 matched sighted adults using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS). All participants attended the University of North Texas. Scores were examined against the Vocabulary and Information subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R).

Anxiety levels of partially sighted were compared with totally blind people. Using the Anxiety Scale for the Blind, the primary hypothesis tested was that the partially sighted would manifest more anxiety than would the totally blind. The study was designed to ascertain whether the primary hypothesis would hold within the structure of this study, and to obtain information useful in future anxiety studies of the visually handicapped. A residential center for the blind furnished subjects, facilities, and biographical data. The primary hypothesis lacked statistical significance at the .05 level as did comparisons of anxiety levels by age, sex, economic need, and age at onset. The use of a different instrument may be indicated for future studies.

"The purpose of this study is to show: (1) how a partially seeing child can be found in a school population; (2) how his eligibility for and placement in a special class is determined in Florida; (3) how a class was organized to meet his special needs; and (4) how a curriculum was cooperatively planned to enrich and facilitate the learning process"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "June, 1951." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts under Plan II." / Advisor: Robert C. Moon, Professor Directing Paper. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-46).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:47:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Helaine Patricia Correia Lustosa.pdf: 1362507 bytes, checksum: 6113a3d2769f826cbfe9d31faa0d1599 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Ageing and visual impairment are complex subjects that are interlinked in the present study in order to get a more in-depth understanding of this issue. From the understanding of this phenomenon, changes can be caused in the attitudes of society regarding ageing with visual impairment. Understanding how such a specific ageing process comes about is essential to drafting strategies aimed at improving living conditions and encouraging the full development of all the skills these individuals have. The aim of the present study was to investigate how ageing occurs in individuals with visual impairment who were treated at the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind at some point in their lives. A qualitative approach was employed, gathering statements from seven elderly individuals based on pre-defined questions and a final guiding question. The individuals were selected intentionally, following pre-established inclusion criteria. The data were analyzed based on the categories extracted from the statements of the individuals. During the transcriptions, two main analysis categories were perceived: Ageing and Disability. Within these categories, issues such as dependence, family, social relations, perception of ageing, maintenance of life projects, etc. were addressed. Finally, it was perceived that ageing can be more difficult when one cannot rely upon the specular image parameter. Adaptation to visual impairment and coping strategies regarding ageing with a disability depend upon the social support network that involves the subject, including family, friends and specialized support institution as well as the maintenance of an autonomous, independent life and self-determination to continue fighting for survival / Envelhecimento e deficiência visual são dois temas complexos que nesta pesquisa se interligaram, com o intuito de se conhecer mais profundamente sobre esta questão. É a partir da compreensão do fenômeno que podem ser provocadas alterações nas atitudes da sociedade em relação ao envelhecimento com deficiência visual. Tentar compreender como se dá este processo de envelhecimento tão específico é primordial para que sejam pensadas formas de proporcionar melhores condições de vida, visando o desenvolvimento pleno de todas as capacidades destes indivíduos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar como ocorre o envelhecimento da pessoa que apresenta deficiência visual, que em algum momento da sua vida foi atendido pela Fundação Dorina Nowill para Cegos, ou ainda é freqüentador desta fundação. Foi utilizada a abordagem qualitativa, coletando-se os depoimentos de sete idosos e baseando-se em um roteiro de perguntas pré-definido, com a pergunta norteadora ao final. Os sujeitos foram selecionados de forma intencional, segundo os critérios de inclusão pré-estabelecidos. Os dados foram analisados a partir das categorias extraídas das falas dos idosos. Durante as transcrições foram percebidas duas grandes categorias de análise: envelhecimento e Deficiência. Dentro dessas categorias foram trabalhadas questões como dependência, família, relações sociais, percepção do envelhecimento, manutenção dos projetos de vida dentre outras. Enfim, perceber o envelhecimento pode ser mais difícil quando não se pode contar com o parâmetro da imagem especular. A adaptação a deficiência visual e a forma de enfrentamento do envelhecimento com a deficiência dependem da rede de suporte social que envolve o sujeito, incluindo família, amigos e instituição de apoio especializada, e a manutenção de estilo de vida autônomo e independente e a autodeterminação de continuar lutando pela sobrevivência

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (low vision and blindness) among eye clinic patients at Nkhensani hospital in Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods: This was a cross sectional design in which 400 stratified participants aged ≥ 6 years were selected {100 participants in each stratum (6 – 18; 19 – 35; 36 – 59 and ≥ 60 years)}. Presenting, pinhole and best corrected visual acuities were measured using a logMAR E chart. Where reduced visual acuity (VA) was due to uncorrected refractive errors (UREs), ophthalmic lenses were used to compensate for the refractive errors using subjective refraction method and best corrected VA was measured. All participants underwent external and internal ocular examinations using ophthalmoscope to detect eye diseases. Participants with ocular pathology were referred to the ophthalmic nurse and/or ophthalmologist for further management. Refractive error findings were elaborated on in this study in order to highlight the importance and impact of this eye condition. Results: The ages of participants ranged from 6 to 92 years with mean of 39.5 ± 23.5 years. They included 161 (40.3%) males and 239 (59.8%) females. The prevalence of significant visual impairment (SVI) (VA < 6/18 to no light perception, i.e. low vision and blindness), low vision and blindness based on presenting visual acuity (PVA) in the right eye were 34.8%, 16.3% and 18.5% respectively while the prevalence based on the best corrected VA were 24.0%, 7.5% and 16.5% respectively. Based on the PVA, there was a significant association between age (Chi = 71.6; df =3; p = 0.00) and gender (Chi = 8.9; df =1; p = 0.003) with visual impairment (VI) of the right eye. In the left eye, the prevalence of SVI, low vision and blindness based on PVA were 35.8%, 17.5% and 18.3% respectively, while the prevalence based on best corrected VA were 24.8%, 8.5% and 16.3% respectively. Based on PVA, there was a significant association between age and visual impairment in the left eye (Chi = 52.9; df =3; p = 0.00) but there was no association between gender and VI (Chi = 1.9; df =1; p = 0.163). In both eyes, the prevalence of SVI, low vision and blindness based on PVA were 27.0%, 17.5% and 10.3% respectively, while the prevalence based on best corrected VA were 16.8%, 3.8% and 9.5% respectively. Based on the PVA, there was a significant association between age and VI (Chi = 54.1; df =3; p = 0.00) and gender and VI (Chi = 4.7; df =1; p = 0.03) in both eyes. iv The causes of significant visual impairment were uncorrected refractive errors (38.0%), cataract (25.9%) and glaucoma (17.6%) in both eyes. Among all participants, the leading causes of low vision based on presenting VA were uncorrected refractive errors (56.7%), cataract (20.9%) and glaucoma (9.0%). The main causes of blindness in both eyes were cataract (34.1%), glaucoma (31.7%) and corneal anomalies (17.1%) based on presenting visual acuity. After optical corrections, the main causes of VI were cataract (39.4%), glaucoma (28.8%) and corneal anomalies (18.2%). The main causes of low vision were cataract (42.9%), glaucoma (21.4%) and corneal anomalies (17.9%), while the main causes of blindness were cataract (39.5%), glaucoma (34.2%) and corneal anomalies (15.8%). Conclusion: The findings in this study indicate that the overall prevalence of visual impairment, low vision and blindness among patients attending the Nkhensani hospital eye clinic were 27.0%, 16.8% and 10.3% respectively. The main causes of visual impairment, low vision and blindness were uncorrected refractive errors, cataract and glaucoma. A focus on the optical correction of refractive errors and surgical intervention in the case of cataract would lead to a significant reduction in the burden of visual impairment among patients who utilise Nkhensani hospital for eye care services. Also, early detection and appropriate management of glaucoma will reduce the burden of this ocular morbidity. A significant proportion of these prevailing ocular morbidities are avoidable and with appropriate management, visual impairment is preventable.

Children’s interaction with their caregivers is severely restricted by blindness, but evidence of effects on their early language development is controversial. This seems partly due to the difficulties inherent in studying this low-incidence disability and partly to conflicting views of early language development and the role of maternal input. The defined focus area of my research, reviewed in the overarching statement in this portfolio, is the investigation of early interaction and how blindness affects maternal input, emotional availability, and children’s early word use. The broader context of my work is early language development for all children. At the centre of my studies are four mother-child dyads who were studied from the time the children were 18-19 months old and just beginning to use words, and then followed through until around the time of the children’s second birthday. The studies show that these mothers were no more directive than mothers whose children were sighted, but that they made few adaptations to their children’s particular needs for frequent and relevant information about the world around them. This portfolio provides an overarching statement of issues and research findings from studies of maternal interaction with young children who are blind, within the context of issues in early language development and early intervention. To represent the scope of my work, the examples of my refereed publications include those that are research-based as well as those that are more generally related to professional practice. This more general writing for teachers and caregivers provides an essential link between theory and practice. The studies of children with blindness inform, and have been informed by, current understanding of what is significant in early development for all children. Thus the significance of the work presented lies not only in the contribution to the research literature, but also in the potential for informing intervention practice and timely support for families. / Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-80).