Student-Use Educational Materials Developed for the Multihandicapped Visually Impaired

Abstract

The Educational Research Department of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has been developing student-use educational materials for more than 20 years. During the last 7 years APH has made a major effort to develop materials for the visually impaired child who has additional handicaps. The research and development process involves a great deal of input from potential consumers–administrators, teachers, and students. Initially, teachers assist in identifying areas of materials needs for which commercial products are not available. After a need is identified, specifications are developed for both tangible child-use items and accompanying resource materials for the teacher. Prototypic materials are then developed and tested in the field. Evaluative child-and-teacher-generated data are compiled. Revisions are made and a more comprehensive field evaluation is conducted with the improved materials, again utilizing teacher and student data. The compilation of this data often results in additional revisions. Dependent upon this evaluation, more field trials may or may not be warranted.

The Impact of Assistive Technology on the Educational Performance of Students with Visual Impairments: A Synthesis of the Research

“…In these articles, students with additional disabilities were represented well by at least 20% of the articles that were identified over the entire 45-year period. Moore (1982) described ways to use new educational materials that were developed specifically for students with visual impairments and additional disabilities. The article included instructional techniques for low vision stimulation kits and prevocational materials.…”