Pub Date : 2022-10-04DOI: 10.1177/02646196221124429
Hisae Miyauchi, Erika Matsuda
This study investigated the different activities and distinctive roles undertaken by the 67 schools for the blind across Japan. A qualitative content analysis based on primary sources, including annual reports published by the Association of Principals of Schools for the Blind from 2011 to 2020 was conducted. From the identified activities, two themes: “activities targeted to individuals with visual impairment” and “activities targeted to environment of individuals with visual impairment,” with nine total categories emerged. Several findings of this study corroborated those from previous research. However, this research elucidates how Japanese schools for the blind approach crucial elements needed in ensuring equal access to education and social participation for all students with visual impairment (VI) including those in mainstream classrooms. The findings highlight the complexity of the debate surrounding segregated schools in this era of inclusion and calls on policy makers and school administrators to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the roles these schools play in supporting inclusive education.
{"title":"Role of Japanese schools for the blind in the era of inclusion","authors":"Hisae Miyauchi, Erika Matsuda","doi":"10.1177/02646196221124429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221124429","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated the different activities and distinctive roles undertaken by the 67 schools for the blind across Japan. A qualitative content analysis based on primary sources, including annual reports published by the Association of Principals of Schools for the Blind from 2011 to 2020 was conducted. From the identified activities, two themes: “activities targeted to individuals with visual impairment” and “activities targeted to environment of individuals with visual impairment,” with nine total categories emerged. Several findings of this study corroborated those from previous research. However, this research elucidates how Japanese schools for the blind approach crucial elements needed in ensuring equal access to education and social participation for all students with visual impairment (VI) including those in mainstream classrooms. The findings highlight the complexity of the debate surrounding segregated schools in this era of inclusion and calls on policy makers and school administrators to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the roles these schools play in supporting inclusive education.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73648649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-28DOI: 10.1177/02646196221127121
M. Keene, J. Haegele, Xihe Zhu
Weekly and consistent physical activity can help minimize the risk of preventable disease and improve mental health and cognitive function among adults. Despite these benefits, adults with visual impairments tend to not meet physical activity recommendations. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine how neighbourhood walk score (walkability) is associated with weekly walking minutes in adults with visual impairments. Participants were recruited from two visual impairment–related listservs in the United States. A total of 88 participants (aged 22–85 years; 78% female) were included. Participants completed an online survey including demographic, walking duration, and zip code questions. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine whether there were significant associations between walkability and weekly walking minutes. Walkability scores were not significantly related to walking minutes per week ( p = .84), but age was negatively associated with walking minutes per week (β = −.16), holding other factors constant. Neighbourhood walkability was not significantly associated with walking minutes per week among adults with visual impairments in this study. As these adults age, the amount of walking decreased. Future research in this line of inquiry should expand to include other variables that may influence the relationship between walkability and walking minutes per week and examine the barriers to physical activity among individuals with visual impairments.
{"title":"Impact of neighbourhood walkability on weekly walking minutes among adults with visual impairments: A preliminary study","authors":"M. Keene, J. Haegele, Xihe Zhu","doi":"10.1177/02646196221127121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221127121","url":null,"abstract":"Weekly and consistent physical activity can help minimize the risk of preventable disease and improve mental health and cognitive function among adults. Despite these benefits, adults with visual impairments tend to not meet physical activity recommendations. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine how neighbourhood walk score (walkability) is associated with weekly walking minutes in adults with visual impairments. Participants were recruited from two visual impairment–related listservs in the United States. A total of 88 participants (aged 22–85 years; 78% female) were included. Participants completed an online survey including demographic, walking duration, and zip code questions. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine whether there were significant associations between walkability and weekly walking minutes. Walkability scores were not significantly related to walking minutes per week ( p = .84), but age was negatively associated with walking minutes per week (β = −.16), holding other factors constant. Neighbourhood walkability was not significantly associated with walking minutes per week among adults with visual impairments in this study. As these adults age, the amount of walking decreased. Future research in this line of inquiry should expand to include other variables that may influence the relationship between walkability and walking minutes per week and examine the barriers to physical activity among individuals with visual impairments.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73839263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-28DOI: 10.1177/02646196221127103
L. McKittrick
Although active parent involvement is mandated as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents continue to report dissatisfaction with Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Despite increases in parent participation policy since the adoption of IDEA, the parent–professional partnership originally envisioned by lawmakers is arguably not consistent with practice. This is evident for all families with children who represent the 13 disability categories covered under the auspice of IDEA; however, because deafblindness is a low-incidence disability with a heterogeneous population, this study focuses on families with children who are deafblind. Parents of children who are deafblind have unique challenges before, during, and after IEP meetings. Professional knowledge about deafblindness is often lacking, thereby requiring families to gain and share knowledge on their own. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to gain an understanding of what leads parents to develop advocacy strategies, and how parents view collaboration. Fourteen mothers of children who are deafblind were interviewed about the unique and essential perspectives that they have concerning IEP team meetings and collaboration. The following questions were posed: RQ: What experiences lead parents of children who are deafblind to develop and use collaborative skills with their child’s IEP team? The challenges parents experience falls into two distinct themes: (a) challenges associated with the deafblind population in schools and (b) challenges with the IEP process. Parent views on collaboration are also discussed. Educators who read this study will better understand the unique experiences of parents of children who are deafblind in IEP meetings.
{"title":"Parents of children who are deafblind face challenges in fostering collaboration within individualized education program teams","authors":"L. McKittrick","doi":"10.1177/02646196221127103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221127103","url":null,"abstract":"Although active parent involvement is mandated as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents continue to report dissatisfaction with Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Despite increases in parent participation policy since the adoption of IDEA, the parent–professional partnership originally envisioned by lawmakers is arguably not consistent with practice. This is evident for all families with children who represent the 13 disability categories covered under the auspice of IDEA; however, because deafblindness is a low-incidence disability with a heterogeneous population, this study focuses on families with children who are deafblind. Parents of children who are deafblind have unique challenges before, during, and after IEP meetings. Professional knowledge about deafblindness is often lacking, thereby requiring families to gain and share knowledge on their own. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to gain an understanding of what leads parents to develop advocacy strategies, and how parents view collaboration. Fourteen mothers of children who are deafblind were interviewed about the unique and essential perspectives that they have concerning IEP team meetings and collaboration. The following questions were posed: RQ: What experiences lead parents of children who are deafblind to develop and use collaborative skills with their child’s IEP team? The challenges parents experience falls into two distinct themes: (a) challenges associated with the deafblind population in schools and (b) challenges with the IEP process. Parent views on collaboration are also discussed. Educators who read this study will better understand the unique experiences of parents of children who are deafblind in IEP meetings.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81731977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-23DOI: 10.1177/02646196221124420
Gezie Ketema Dabi, Dawit Negassa Golga
The purpose of this study was to explore the availability, awareness, and utilization of assistive technologies among students with visual impairment (SVIs) in higher education institutions in Ethiopia by taking one of the oldest universities in the country as a case. To this end, the study employed instrumental case study design. Five undergraduate SVIs, two special needs educators, an AT service-delivery facilitator, and the resource center coordinator were purposively selected from Haramaya University. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and an observation checklist. The collected data were analyzed by using thematic analysis method and three overarching themes were generated inductively: knowledge and understanding about assistive technologies, availability and access to assistive technology devices and services, and utilization and management of assistive technologies. The study findings show that a lack of awareness among SVIs, instructors, and practitioners in the field; an improper organizational arrangement that dichotomize and diverge student disability services provision from trained professionals in the area; and the absence of policies and guidelines for managing assistive technologies had a negative impact on the availability and utilization of assistive technologies in the University. Thus, it is recommend that the University management, special needs educators, and other concerned stakeholders devise a means to equitably avail assistive technology devices and services for SVIs in the University accompanied by a planned training on its utilization and a coordinated management for sustainability of service delivery.
{"title":"Availability, awareness, and utilization of assistive technologies among students with visual impairment: The case of Haramaya University, Ethiopia","authors":"Gezie Ketema Dabi, Dawit Negassa Golga","doi":"10.1177/02646196221124420","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221124420","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this study was to explore the availability, awareness, and utilization of assistive technologies among students with visual impairment (SVIs) in higher education institutions in Ethiopia by taking one of the oldest universities in the country as a case. To this end, the study employed instrumental case study design. Five undergraduate SVIs, two special needs educators, an AT service-delivery facilitator, and the resource center coordinator were purposively selected from Haramaya University. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and an observation checklist. The collected data were analyzed by using thematic analysis method and three overarching themes were generated inductively: knowledge and understanding about assistive technologies, availability and access to assistive technology devices and services, and utilization and management of assistive technologies. The study findings show that a lack of awareness among SVIs, instructors, and practitioners in the field; an improper organizational arrangement that dichotomize and diverge student disability services provision from trained professionals in the area; and the absence of policies and guidelines for managing assistive technologies had a negative impact on the availability and utilization of assistive technologies in the University. Thus, it is recommend that the University management, special needs educators, and other concerned stakeholders devise a means to equitably avail assistive technology devices and services for SVIs in the University accompanied by a planned training on its utilization and a coordinated management for sustainability of service delivery.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91370332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-16DOI: 10.1177/02646196221124422
Debbie Mendoza
Braille reading consists of three basic components: tactile sensitivity, memorization of dot placement, and positional perception or detection of the location of the dots within the braille cell. Difficulty in any of those three areas leads to trouble decoding words. The presence of a visual spatial learning disability greatly decreases a student’s ability to determine positional perception. Multi-sensory reading strategies have proven effective for sighted readers who have learning disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of multi-sensory strategies when used with a braille reader with a visual spatial learning disability. In this study, they were proven effective. Strategies used with this student will be shared.
{"title":"Visual spatial learning disabilities and braille instruction","authors":"Debbie Mendoza","doi":"10.1177/02646196221124422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221124422","url":null,"abstract":"Braille reading consists of three basic components: tactile sensitivity, memorization of dot placement, and positional perception or detection of the location of the dots within the braille cell. Difficulty in any of those three areas leads to trouble decoding words. The presence of a visual spatial learning disability greatly decreases a student’s ability to determine positional perception. Multi-sensory reading strategies have proven effective for sighted readers who have learning disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of multi-sensory strategies when used with a braille reader with a visual spatial learning disability. In this study, they were proven effective. Strategies used with this student will be shared.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80438554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-15DOI: 10.1177/02646196221124427
A. Khodabakhshi-koolaee, Zahra Amoogholi
Mate choice is one of the biggest psychological, social, and emotional changes in the life of every human being. This issue is associated with challenges and problems for people especially blind and visual impairment (VI) people. Although marriage leads to many changes and transformations in the life of blind and VI people, it is essential for meeting psychological, social, emotional, and sexual needs. Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze the psychosocial experiences of VI girls about the ideal husband and marriage. This qualitative study was conducted with a descriptive phenomenological approach. The data were collected through targeted interviews with 20 single girls with VI who were members of the White Cane Society of Tehran in 2021. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Four main themes were extracted from the participants’ experiences, including “experience of love and freedom,” “criteria for selecting an ideal spouse,” “fear and worry about the marriage,” and “stigma and strict public judgments.” Following the findings of the study, it can be argued that paying attention to the experience of girls with VI can shed light on their criteria for mate choice and marriage and clarify their needs and demands. This perspective helps mental health professionals and rehabilitation counseling experts to meet their needs through social welfare planning and family awareness programs.
{"title":"The psychosocial experiences of girls with visual impairment about the ideal spouse and marriage","authors":"A. Khodabakhshi-koolaee, Zahra Amoogholi","doi":"10.1177/02646196221124427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221124427","url":null,"abstract":"Mate choice is one of the biggest psychological, social, and emotional changes in the life of every human being. This issue is associated with challenges and problems for people especially blind and visual impairment (VI) people. Although marriage leads to many changes and transformations in the life of blind and VI people, it is essential for meeting psychological, social, emotional, and sexual needs. Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze the psychosocial experiences of VI girls about the ideal husband and marriage. This qualitative study was conducted with a descriptive phenomenological approach. The data were collected through targeted interviews with 20 single girls with VI who were members of the White Cane Society of Tehran in 2021. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Four main themes were extracted from the participants’ experiences, including “experience of love and freedom,” “criteria for selecting an ideal spouse,” “fear and worry about the marriage,” and “stigma and strict public judgments.” Following the findings of the study, it can be argued that paying attention to the experience of girls with VI can shed light on their criteria for mate choice and marriage and clarify their needs and demands. This perspective helps mental health professionals and rehabilitation counseling experts to meet their needs through social welfare planning and family awareness programs.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"398 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77125038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-24DOI: 10.1177/02646196221112800
K. Fisher, C. Sanders, E. Stanmore
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition associated with sight loss, characterised by vivid, spontaneous visual hallucinations. Currently, it is unclear whether CBS presents challenges to participation in physical activities, in addition to barriers attributed to sight loss alone. The purpose of this scoping review was to establish the extent of the literature, and gaps in the knowledge base, concerning the impact of CBS on older adults’ engagement in physical activities. Review conduct was informed by Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al.’s scoping review methodologies. Six academic databases were searched during May 2021, yielding 2709 results: eight articles met eligibility criteria. Two additional sources were located via a reference check of included papers and stakeholder consultation. Quantitative cross-sectional studies ( n = 3) indicate that CBS may interfere with the ability to move around, while qualitative sources (case report/series n = 6; autobiography n = 1) show that sudden presentation of hallucinations in a person’s pathway, or threatening content, may jeopardise safety while walking. Moving to avoid a hallucination could present a fall risk if attention is diverted from environmental hazards. One case report stated that CBS did not affect personal care activities. Due to a limited evidence base, further empirical research is needed to achieve a comprehensive understanding about how CBS affects older adults’ participation in physical activities.
{"title":"Impact of Charles Bonnet Syndrome on visually impaired older adults’ ability to engage in physical activity: A scoping review","authors":"K. Fisher, C. Sanders, E. Stanmore","doi":"10.1177/02646196221112800","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221112800","url":null,"abstract":"Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition associated with sight loss, characterised by vivid, spontaneous visual hallucinations. Currently, it is unclear whether CBS presents challenges to participation in physical activities, in addition to barriers attributed to sight loss alone. The purpose of this scoping review was to establish the extent of the literature, and gaps in the knowledge base, concerning the impact of CBS on older adults’ engagement in physical activities. Review conduct was informed by Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al.’s scoping review methodologies. Six academic databases were searched during May 2021, yielding 2709 results: eight articles met eligibility criteria. Two additional sources were located via a reference check of included papers and stakeholder consultation. Quantitative cross-sectional studies ( n = 3) indicate that CBS may interfere with the ability to move around, while qualitative sources (case report/series n = 6; autobiography n = 1) show that sudden presentation of hallucinations in a person’s pathway, or threatening content, may jeopardise safety while walking. Moving to avoid a hallucination could present a fall risk if attention is diverted from environmental hazards. One case report stated that CBS did not affect personal care activities. Due to a limited evidence base, further empirical research is needed to achieve a comprehensive understanding about how CBS affects older adults’ participation in physical activities.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85945739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-18DOI: 10.1177/02646196221117646
A. Pucchio, Karen Eden, Julia Foster, W. Hopman, M. Bona
Despite effective vision rehabilitation (VR) interventions, no gold standard model of care delivery has been established. The institution of the South East Ontario Vision Rehabilitation Service (SOVRS) introduced a centralized intake, an occupational therapist as a systems navigator, and improved communication pathways between low vision services in order to optimize regional VR care. The aim of this study is to compare the SOVRS model of VR to a traditional, hospital-based pre-SOVRS-implementation model using referral data. A single-site (Vision Rehabilitation Clinic at Kingston Health Sciences Center), retrospective medical chart review was performed. Data were gathered from the electronic medical records of patients who received a low vision assessment at the pre-SOVRS-implementation clinic (2017) and the SOVRS clinics (2019). A total of 245 charts were reviewed over the two study periods. There were no significant differences in the age, gender, or diagnoses causing vision loss between 2017 and 2019. One hundred nine incoming referrals were received in 2017, with 136 in 2019, representing a 25% increase in incoming referrals ( p < .001). The proportion of incoming referrals from non-ophthalmologists rose from 3.7% in 2017 to 31.9% in 2019 ( p < .001). The number of outgoing referrals also increased significantly, from 113 outgoing referrals in 2017 to 259 in 2019 ( p < .001), equivalent to a mean of 1.04 ± 0.68 (± standard deviation) outgoing referrals per incoming referral in 2017 and 1.90 ± 0.97 outgoing referrals per incoming referral in 2019. Outgoing service referrals also diversified significantly in 2019 ( p < .001), with more referrals to services such as VR health service organizations and community services. The SOVRS model was able to increase both the quantity and diversity of incoming and outgoing referrals by adopting several key strategies during its development. By expanding referrals, SOVRS increased the services available to patients and enabled a larger population to receive VR care.
{"title":"Increased quantity and diversity of patient referrals following the introduction of a novel vision rehabilitation model","authors":"A. Pucchio, Karen Eden, Julia Foster, W. Hopman, M. Bona","doi":"10.1177/02646196221117646","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221117646","url":null,"abstract":"Despite effective vision rehabilitation (VR) interventions, no gold standard model of care delivery has been established. The institution of the South East Ontario Vision Rehabilitation Service (SOVRS) introduced a centralized intake, an occupational therapist as a systems navigator, and improved communication pathways between low vision services in order to optimize regional VR care. The aim of this study is to compare the SOVRS model of VR to a traditional, hospital-based pre-SOVRS-implementation model using referral data. A single-site (Vision Rehabilitation Clinic at Kingston Health Sciences Center), retrospective medical chart review was performed. Data were gathered from the electronic medical records of patients who received a low vision assessment at the pre-SOVRS-implementation clinic (2017) and the SOVRS clinics (2019). A total of 245 charts were reviewed over the two study periods. There were no significant differences in the age, gender, or diagnoses causing vision loss between 2017 and 2019. One hundred nine incoming referrals were received in 2017, with 136 in 2019, representing a 25% increase in incoming referrals ( p < .001). The proportion of incoming referrals from non-ophthalmologists rose from 3.7% in 2017 to 31.9% in 2019 ( p < .001). The number of outgoing referrals also increased significantly, from 113 outgoing referrals in 2017 to 259 in 2019 ( p < .001), equivalent to a mean of 1.04 ± 0.68 (± standard deviation) outgoing referrals per incoming referral in 2017 and 1.90 ± 0.97 outgoing referrals per incoming referral in 2019. Outgoing service referrals also diversified significantly in 2019 ( p < .001), with more referrals to services such as VR health service organizations and community services. The SOVRS model was able to increase both the quantity and diversity of incoming and outgoing referrals by adopting several key strategies during its development. By expanding referrals, SOVRS increased the services available to patients and enabled a larger population to receive VR care.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"70 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73881058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-15DOI: 10.1177/02646196221117644
Gkatzola Aikaterini, Konstantinos Papadopoulos
The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Facebook usage on the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment while also investigating the impact of Facebook communication in comparison with face-to-face communication on quality of life. Ninety-two adult users of Facebook with visual impairment, of whom 46 lived in Greece and 46 lived abroad, participated in this study. Regarding Facebook usage, a questionnaire which investigated the frequency of various aspects of Facebook activity and Facebook communication as well as face-to-face communication was used in this study. Regarding quality of life, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, a single-item happiness scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were employed to evaluate three different indicators of quality of life. Participants’ quality of life was relatively high. Findings showed that face-to-face communication with friends was a significant predictor of quality of life, while neither Facebook communication nor Facebook usage correlated with any of the indicators of quality of life investigated.
{"title":"Facebook usage and quality of life of individuals with visual impairments","authors":"Gkatzola Aikaterini, Konstantinos Papadopoulos","doi":"10.1177/02646196221117644","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221117644","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Facebook usage on the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment while also investigating the impact of Facebook communication in comparison with face-to-face communication on quality of life. Ninety-two adult users of Facebook with visual impairment, of whom 46 lived in Greece and 46 lived abroad, participated in this study. Regarding Facebook usage, a questionnaire which investigated the frequency of various aspects of Facebook activity and Facebook communication as well as face-to-face communication was used in this study. Regarding quality of life, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, a single-item happiness scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were employed to evaluate three different indicators of quality of life. Participants’ quality of life was relatively high. Findings showed that face-to-face communication with friends was a significant predictor of quality of life, while neither Facebook communication nor Facebook usage correlated with any of the indicators of quality of life investigated.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77452568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-12DOI: 10.1177/02646196221116728
M. Bujacz, A. Królak, Grzegorz Górski, Krzysztof Matysik, Piotr Witek
The article presents research on the echolocation skills of blind and sighted individuals gathered for the purpose of development of an echolocation training app. The goal of the research was to determine the influence of the environment type, reverberation, clicking patterns, and the average differences between the two tested groups. Ten blind and 10 sighted subjects were tested in various echolocation tasks – stationary, moving, indoor and outdoor, using mechanical clickers, and artificially generated clicks. Ten blind children also took part in the static indoor tests. The tests were repeated using binaural recordings and spatially rendered virtual audio. The following parameters and dependencies between them were analyzed: correctness of the obstacle localization, certainty of answer, type of environment and clicker sound, and frequency and number of clicks. It was found that the number of clicks influenced the correctness and certainty of the answer in case of obstacle direction determination, but not the distance. Better results were obtained in outdoor environments and in an empty room, what implies that reverberation has a positive influence on echolocation. The expected success rates in tested echolocation tasks provided a comparison of the echolocation abilities of blind and sighted subjects and set a benchmark for future tests.
{"title":"Echovis – A collection of human echolocation tests performed by blind and sighted individuals: A pilot study","authors":"M. Bujacz, A. Królak, Grzegorz Górski, Krzysztof Matysik, Piotr Witek","doi":"10.1177/02646196221116728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196221116728","url":null,"abstract":"The article presents research on the echolocation skills of blind and sighted individuals gathered for the purpose of development of an echolocation training app. The goal of the research was to determine the influence of the environment type, reverberation, clicking patterns, and the average differences between the two tested groups. Ten blind and 10 sighted subjects were tested in various echolocation tasks – stationary, moving, indoor and outdoor, using mechanical clickers, and artificially generated clicks. Ten blind children also took part in the static indoor tests. The tests were repeated using binaural recordings and spatially rendered virtual audio. The following parameters and dependencies between them were analyzed: correctness of the obstacle localization, certainty of answer, type of environment and clicker sound, and frequency and number of clicks. It was found that the number of clicks influenced the correctness and certainty of the answer in case of obstacle direction determination, but not the distance. Better results were obtained in outdoor environments and in an empty room, what implies that reverberation has a positive influence on echolocation. The expected success rates in tested echolocation tasks provided a comparison of the echolocation abilities of blind and sighted subjects and set a benchmark for future tests.","PeriodicalId":51836,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Visual Impairment","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88320043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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