This synthesis examined the research literature from 1965 to 2009 on the assistive technology that is used by individuals with visual impairments. The authors located and reviewed 256 articles for evidence-based research on assistive technology that had a positive impact on educational performance. Of the 256 studies, only 2 provided promising evidence-based practices.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BouazizS., RussierS., & MagnanA. (2005). The copying of complex geometric drawings by sighted and visually impaired children. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 99, 765–774.
2.
CooperH. L., & NicholsS. K. (2007). Technology and early braille literacy: Using the Mountbatten Pro Brailler in primary-grade classrooms. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 101, 22–31.
3.
EnglemanM. D., GriffinH. C., GriffinL. W., & MaddoxJ. I. (1999). A teacher's guide to communicating with students with deaf-blindness. Teaching Exceptional Children, 31, 64–70.
4.
FrancisB. (2005). The Jordy electronic magnification device: Opinions, observations, and commentary. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 99, 553–564.
5.
GutknechtK. S. (1980). Optacon: A tool for independence. American Education, 16, 8–13.
6.
HatlenP. (2000). Historical perspectives. In HolbrookM. C., & KoenigA. J. (Eds.), Foundations of education: Volume I. History and theory of teaching children and youths with visual impairments (2nd ed., pp. 1–54). New York: AFB Press.
7.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (2004).
8.
JamesP., & ThorpeN. (1994). Ancient inventions.New York: Ballantine Books.
9.
KappermanG., & StickenJ. (2000). Assistive technology. In KoenigA. J., & HolbrookM. C. (Eds.), Foundations of education: Volume II. Instructional strategies for teaching children and youths with visual impairments. (2nd ed., pp. 500–528). New York: AFB Press.
10.
KappermanG., StickenJ., & HeinzeT. (2002). Survey of the use of assistive technology by Illinois students who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 96, 106–108.
11.
KoenigA. J., & AshcroftS. C. (1983). Initial assessment of student use of the electric Perkins Brailler. Education of the Visually Handicapped, 15, 59–66.
12.
KoenigA. J., LaytonC. A., & RossD. B. (1992). The relative effectiveness of reading in large print and with low vision devices for students with low vision. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 86, 48–53.
13.
LaGrowS. J. (1981). Effects of training on CCTV reading rates of visually impaired students. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 75, 368–373.
14.
LowenfieldB. (1973). The visually handicapped child in school.New York: John Day.
15.
MichaelsC. A., & McDermottJ. (2003). Assistive technology integration in special education teacher preparation: Program coordinators’ perceptions of current attainment and importance. Journal of Special Education Technology, 18, 29–41.
16.
MooreS. B. (1982). Student-use educational materials developed for the multihandicapped visually impaired. Journal of Special Education Technology, 5, 26–27.
17.
Neustadt-NoyN., & LaGrowS. J. (1997). The development of the profession of orientation and mobility around the world. In BlaschB. B., WienerW. R., & WelshR. L. (Eds.), Foundations of orientation and mobility (2nd ed., pp. 624–645). New York: AFB Press.
18.
RoviraK., & GapenneO. (2009). Tactile classification of traditional and computerized media in three adolescents who are blind. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 103, 430–435.
19.
ScaddenL. A. (2000). Technology and society. In SilverstoneB., LangM. A., RosenthalB. P., & FayeE. E. (Eds.), The Lighthouse handbook on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation: Vol. II. Vision rehabilitation (pp. 907–919). New York: Oxford University Press.
20.
SchaferW. D. (2001). Replication: A design principle for field research. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 7(15). Retrieved from http://PAREonline.net/getvn.asp?v=7&n=15
21.
SiligoW. R. (2005). Enriching the ensemble experience for students with visual impairments. Music Educators Journal, 91, 31–36.
22.
StaufferM. (2008). Instruction of keyboarding skills: A whole language approach to teaching functional literacy skills to students who are blind and have additional disabilities. International Journal of Special Education, 23, 74–81.
23.
StrelowE. R., & BoysJ. T. (1979). The Canterbury Child's Aid: A binaural spatial sensor for research with blind children. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 73, 179–184.
24.
StrobelW., FossaJ., ArthanatS., & BraceJ. (2006). Technology for access to text and graphics for people with visual impairments and blindness in vocational settings. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 24, 87–95.
25.
WarrenD. H. (1994). Blindness and children: An individual differences approach.Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
