Outcome data from the 21st Annual Report to Congress and the National Longitudinal Transition Study related to youths with visual impairments indicate that postsecondary education does not translate into increased employment opportunities for these youths. The literature on the best transition practices for students with visual impairments is reviewed, and specific recommendations are made in each area.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AugustoC. R., & McGrawJ. M. (1990). Humanizing blindness through public education. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 397–400.
2.
BenzM. R., YovanoffP., & DorenB. (1997). School to work components that predict postschool success for students with and without disabilities. Exceptional Children, 63, 151–165.
3.
BinaM. J. (1991). Overcoming current obstacles to our hopes for the future—lessons from our pioneer ancestors. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 85, 4–11.
4.
BlackorbyJ., & WagnerM. (1996). Longitudinal postschool outcomes of youth with disabilities: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study. Exceptional Children, 62, 399–413.
5.
CavenaughB. S., & PierceS. J. (1998). Characteristics, services and outcomes of rehabilitation consumers who are blind or visually impaired served in separate and general agencies (research report). Mississippi State: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 419308)
6.
CruddenA., McBroomL. W., SkinnerA. L., & MooreJ. E. (1998). Comprehensive examination of barriers to employment among persons who are blind and visually impaired. Mississippi State: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 419309)
7.
CurryS. A., & HatlenP. (1988). Meeting the unique needs of visually impaired pupils through appropriate placements. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 82, 417–424.
8.
EdgarE. (1987). Secondary programs in special education: Are many of them justifiable? Exceptional Children, 53, 555–561.
9.
FarnsworthT. (1999). Placing visually impaired clients through temporary employment agencies and staffing agencies. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 93, 384–386.
10.
FireisonC. K., & MooreJ. E. (1998). Employment outcomes and educational backgrounds of legally blind adults employed in sheltered industrial settings. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 92, 740–747.
11.
FurneyK. S., HasaziS. B., & DestefanoL. (1997). Transition policies, practices and promises: Lessons from three states. Exceptional Children, 63, 343–355.
12.
GrigalM., TestD. W., BeattieJ., & WoodW. M. (1997). An evaluation of transition components of individualized education programs. Exceptional Children, 63, 357–372.
13.
HalpernA. S. (1985). Transition: A look at the foundations. Exceptional Children, 51, 479–486.
14.
HalpernA. S. (1994). The transition of youths with disabilities to adult life: A position statement of the Division on Career Development and Transition, Council for Exceptional Children. Career Development of Exceptional Individuals, 16, 63–74.
15.
HanyeR. (1998). The missing link: Real work experiences for people who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 92, 844–847.
16.
HarrellR. L., & CurryS. A. (1987). Services to blind and visually impaired children and adults: Who is responsible? Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 81, 368–376.
17.
HasaziS. B., JohnsonR. E., HasaziJ. E., GordonL. R., & HullM. (1989). Employment of youth with and without handicaps following high school: Outcomes and correlates. Journal of Special Education, 23, 243–255.
18.
HatlenP. H. (1987). In support of specialized programs for blind and visually impaired children: The impact of vision loss on learning. Journal of Visual Impairment Blindness, 81, 7–13.
19.
HodgesJ. S., & KellerM. J. (1999). Visually impaired students’ perceptions of their social integration in college. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 93, 153–165.
20.
HuefnerD. S. (2000). Getting comfortable with special education law: A framework for working with children with disabilities.Norwood, MA: Christopher Gordon.
21.
HuttoM. D., & ThompsonA. R. (1995). Counseling college students with visual impairments in preparation for employment. RE:view, 27, 29–35.
22.
JivoffL. (1967). Pre-college orientation of blind high school graduates. Final report.Syracuse: Upstate Medical College, State University of New York at Syracuse. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 015323)
23.
KohlerP. (1993). Best practices in transition: Substantiated or implied? Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 16, 107–121.
24.
McBroomL. W. (1997). Making the grade: College students with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91, 261–270.
25.
McBroomL. W., & TedderN. E. (1993). Transition services for youths who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 87, 69–72.
26.
McConnellJ. (1999). Parents, adolescents, and career plans of visually impaired students. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 95, 498–515.
27.
O'DayB. (1999). Employment barriers for people with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 93, 627–642.
28.
PfoutsJ. H., & NixonD. G. (1982). The reality of the dream: Present status of a sample of 98 totally blind adults. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 76, 41–48.
29.
RabbyR., & CroftD. L. (1989). Take charge: A strategic guide for blind job seekers.Boston: National Braille Press.
30.
ResnickR. (1983). An exploratory study of the lifestyles of congenitally blind adults. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 77, 476–481.
31.
RoyA. W. N., DimigenG., & TaylorM. (1998). The relationship between social networks and the employment of visually impaired college graduates. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 92, 423–432.
32.
RumrillP. D., SchuylerB. R., & LongdenJ. C. (1997). Profiles of on-the-job accommodations needed by professional employees who are blind. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91, 66–75.
33.
SengeJ. C., & Dote-KwanJ. (1998). Responsibilities of colleges and universities to provide print access for students with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness92, 269–275.
34.
SpunginS. A. (1996). Braille and beyond: Braille literacy in a larger context. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90, 271–274.
35.
U.S. Department of Education. (1999). 21st annual report to Congress.Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
36.
ValdesK. A., WilliamsonC. L., & WagnerM. M. (1990). Youth categorized as visually impaired. Statistical almanac (Vol. 6). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 324 898)
37.
WackerC. H. (1988). Achieving independence: Does the rehabilitation system help or hinder? Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 82, 44–47.
38.
WehmanP. (1996). Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
39.
WittensteinS. H., & PardeeM. L. (1996). Teachers’ voices: Comments on braille and literacy from the field. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90, 201–209.
40.
WolffeK. E. (1996). Career education for students with visual impairments. RE:view28, 89–93.
41.
WolffeK. (1997). The key to successful school-to-work programs for blind or visually impaired students. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91 (Suppl.), 5–7.
42.
WolffeK., & JohnsonG. (1999). Teaching job placement techniques to vision rehabilitation professionals: A working model. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 93, 531–533.
43.
WolffeK. E., RoesslerR. T., & SchrinerK. F. (1992). Employment concerns of people with blindness or visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 86, 185–187.
44.
YoungC. E. (1999). Turning negatives into positives at job interviews for people who are blind and visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 93, 459–461.