Appendix 3 – Other resources and sources of information

Journals

Access World: Technology for Consumers with a Visual Impairment

www.afb.org
This online journal is written by the American Foundation for the Blind and contains interviews, information and reviews concerning technology and software for the visually impaired.

British Journal of Special Education (BJSE)

The BJSE aims to cover the whole range of learning difficulties and disabilities, both in special and mainstream schools. There is a regular computer page. Blackwells Publishers, 108 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1JS Tel: 01865-791 100
www.blackwells.co.uk

British Journal of Visual Impairment (BJVI)

This periodical covers all aspects of visual impairment. It is written for professionals who are concerned with pupils and adults who have a visual impairment. It is a national forum for all views on related subjects.
NASEN, Tel. 01827 311500

Centre Software

This quarterly RCEVH journal concentrates on visual impairment and computing with special emphasis on additional needs and technology. Research Centre for the Education of the Visually Handicapped (RCEVH), University of Birmingham, School of Education, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: 0121-414 6733
www.bham.ac.uk/RCEVH/welcome.htm

Educational Computing and Technology

This journal specializes in computing for schools. It includes news, reviews and information on most aspects of educational computing. Published six times per year. Hobsons Publishing, Bateman Street, Cambridge CB12 1LZ Tel: 01223-354 551

Eye Contact

This journal focuses on the needs of pupils with impaired vision who have additional learning difficulties. It has news and other information for parents and professionals. It has technology features and is published termly. RNIB Education Information Service, 224 Great Portland St, London, W1N 6AA Tel: 020-7388 1266

Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness

www.afb.org.uk
This is an interdisciplinary journal for practitioners and researchers professionally concerned with blind and visually impaired persons. It provides a forum for wide ranging views and draws on many different disciplines in order to further work for visually impaired people. Published six times a year. Also available online. The American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001 Tel: 212 502 7661

New Beacon

A monthly magazine for people with a visual impairment and their families. It is also aimed at volunteers and professionals. It has news and views and articles on various subjects, including advances in technology. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

Special Children

This independent magazine focuses on pupils with special needs. It carries news, views and information with occasional special features on technology. 27 Fredrick St, Hockley, Birmingham B1 3HH Tel: 0121-212 0919

Visability

Visability is for parents and professionals working with pupils and young people who attend a local school or college. RNIB Education Information Service, 224 Great Portland St, London W1N 6AA Tel: 020-7388 1266

Books, videos and other information

Access Technology: A guide to educational technology for visually impaired users

This RNIB book is a guide to educational technology resources for visually impaired users. It describes Access Technology hardware and software to support visually impaired pupils and pupils in mainstream schools and colleges. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

Leading the Way

This RNIB video complements the RNIB publication ‘Access Technology’. It shows how ICT can benefit visually impaired pupils of all ages in a range of educational settings. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

A Vision Shared

This RNIB video identifies aspects of good practice and strategies for successful inclusion of visually impaired pupils in mainstream education. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

Web sites that work

This video from RNIB and the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) shows how people with disabilities use the Internet. It also explains the WAI, which promotes access to the Internet for all by encouraging Web site creators to think about accessibility issues whilst designing a site. For a copy contact Julie Howell, RNIB, 224 Great Portland St, London, W1N 6AA Tel: 020-7391 2191

Models of mainstreaming for visually impaired pupils

HMSO, Dawkins, J ISBN 0-11-701556-3
This book looks at studies of local education authority services and blind and partially sighted pupils and examines the issues that need to be tackled by educators of visually impaired pupils. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

Supporting pupils with a visual impairment in mainstream schools

RNIB ISBN: 0 7496 1746 2
This book explains everything from medical causes to social and educational effects of visual impairment. It offers suggestions on how to teach and integrate the pupils into the class and discusses specialist equipment. Customer Services, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS Tel: 0845-702 3153

Communication and access to computer technology

This book covers computer technology with reference to special needs and there is a chapter on Visual Impairment: computing equipment and access to computers. Disability Information Trust, Mary Marlborough Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD Tel: 01865-227 592

Visual Impairment and IT

www.becta.org.uk/technology/info-sheets/sen.html
This information sheet explains how IT can help those with a visual impairment. It also lists books, journals, Internet resources and organizations where further information can be found. Available from Enquiry Desk, Becta, Milburn Hill Rd, Science Park, Coventry CV4 7JJ Tel: 024-7641 6994 Fax: 024-7641 1418

RNIB Technology Factsheets

www.rnib.org.uk/technology/factsheets/factsheets.htm
The RNIB Technology Information Service produces a range of factsheets that look at most areas of technology of interest to those with a visual impairment. There is information for example about producing Braille, screen magnification software, speech output software, note-takers, video magnifiers and reading aids. RNIB Technology in Learning and Employment, c / o Exhall Grange School, Wheelwright Lane, Coventry CV4 7JJ Tel: 024-7636 9555

Appendix 4 - Some Useful Web sites

Apple Disability Resources – www.qt-tv.net/education/k12/disability/

An Apple Mac site which explains the access software available for those with a Mac and highlights the support features which are built into a Mac to support those with a disability.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) – www.cast.org

This organization supports the use of technology for those with disabilities to encourage access to learning for all. Their site includes information about teaching strategies, teaching tools, concepts, issues and initiatives.

Closing the Gap – www.closingthegap.com

This US organization provides support materials on the Internet, in newspaper format and via an annual conference for using technology for those with special needs. The library includes many articles including those on curriculum development and inclusion.

Hands and Eyes Newsletter – home.earthlink.net/~vharris/

This online newsletter includes ready-to-use art and learning activities for visually impaired pupils. These have been developed by a teacher for the visually impaired for use in an inclusive classroom.

Internet Resources for Special Children – www.irsc.org/blind.htm

The parent of a pupil with multiple disabilities developed this Web site. It is a resource with information and links to other Web sites of interest in the area of special needs.

Microsoft Enable – www.microsoft.com/enable/

This site includes descriptions of accessibility features in Microsoft operating systems and applications. There is also a catalogue of accessibility aids designed for Windows operating systems.

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) – www2.edc.org/NCIP/

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials holds information about educating a visually impaired child, and pupils with other special needs, in mainstream education.

National Grid for Learning – www.ngfl.gov.uk

This is a collection of resources brought together by the UK Government to help raise standards in education and support life-long learning. There is a section for special needs resources.

RNIB Accessing Technology Web site – www.rnib.org.uk/technology/

This technology Web site contains information for blind and partially sighted people who are using or would like to use technology in employment, at study and for leisure. There is also information about the Technology Information Service and the Technology factsheets are available here.

RNIB Curriculum Clipboard – www.rnib.org.uk/curriculum/welcome.htm

This site offers information and advice to all professionals supporting a visually impaired pupil accessing the Curriculum. It also contains regularly updated news and information and VI qualified subject specialists are available to answer questions.

Sensory Information Service – www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/Vpages/F4/V46.htm

SIS is an information service designed for the visually impaired community. There is a large technology section.

Special Education Exchange – www.spedex.com

This is a resource for educators, professionals, parents, consumers, pupils or anyone with an interest in special education.

Teaching Math to Visually Impaired Students – www.tsbvi.edu/math/

This site gives examples of how a teacher can teach maths to a visually impaired pupil. It gives comprehensive information and examples of how to teach various aspects of mathematics from graphs to quadratic equations.

Technology Guide to Assist Pupils with VI in meeting curriculum goals – www.setbc.org/special/virg/

This US guide looks at a framework for addressing a range of technology options for meeting general learning expectations for the visually impaired pupil in a mainstream classroom. Outcomes in reading, writing and maths are concentrated on.

V I Guide – www.viguide.com

This site is a guide to Internet resources about visual impairments for parents and teachers. It has pointers to other Web sites concerned with Access Technology, services, organizations, research, education and leisure.

BLIND-L – mailto:listserv@listserv.uark.edu

BLIND-L is an email discussion group that discusses issues about visually impaired people using computer. Hints and tips on using Access Technology may be found here. See listserv.uark.edu/archives/blind-l.html for information on how to subscribe.

news:alt.comp.blind-users

This is an Internet newsgroup dedicated discussion of computer technologies for blind and visually impaired users. Consult your Internet provider for information on configuring newsgroup software.

This ICTS website is maintained by Inclusive Technology.