Assessment of the Need for a National Information and Referral Center for Individuals with Partial Sight (1991)

Priced at: $25

The purpose of this study was to clarify the definitions of low vision, the characteristics of the partially sighted population, the service needs of this unique population, and to identify and define the services available to them. The manual provides an introduction to the literature in the field as it currently exists which clarifies many of the definitions and terminology used to describe low vision and describes the prevalence and incidence of low vision problems in the United States. A detailed discussion of the methodology, results, and recommendations of the study is also included.

Characteristics, Services, and Outcomes of Rehabilitation Consumers who are Blind or Visually Impaired Served in Separate and General Agencies (1998)

Priced at: $20

RRTC researchers report results of their investigation of services provided to blind consumers in separate and general (combined) rehabilitation agencies. The RSA national database was used to investigate differences for a number of variables, including socio-demographic characteristics, acceptance rates, types and costs of services, rehabilitation rate, and work status at closure. In addition, the monograph examines the ongoing debate within the rehabilitation community on the preservation of separate agencies; the origins of separate agencies within the state-federal program; and previous research investigating differences in rehabilitation experiences of blind consumers served in different agency structure types.

Dimensions of Service Delivery to Blind Clients of Vocational Rehabilitation and Implications for Employment Outcomes (1993)

Priced at: $10

This book seeks to identify factors in the rehabilitation process that can lead to heightened employment outcomes, reduced unsuccessful outcomes, and particularly, to enhanced competitive employment of clients who are blind or have low vision.

Factorial Identification of Characteristics of Blind Clients in Vocational Rehabilitation and Implications for Employment Outcomes (1993)

Priced at: $10

The general purpose of this study is to establish underpinnings for an information system that can provide technical assistance to state and private rehabilitation agencies and service providers in the vocational rehabilitation process for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

Identification of Roles and Functions of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (1991)

Technical Report: $10
Executive Summary: FREE

The study had two major objectives: (1) to identify current roles and functions of O&M specialists and (2) to identify the training needs of this group as they relate to their current work. To address these goals a survey instrument, derived from actual job descriptions received from a variety of settings nationwide, was pilot tested on a randomly selected national sample of O&M specialists working in a variety of settings. A factor analysis and a review by a national panel of experts resulted in a final instrument comprised of 100 job task items.

Identification of Roles and Functions of Rehabilitation Teachers (1991)

Technical Report: $10
Executive Summary: FREE

This study had two major objectives: (1) to identify current roles and functions of rehabilitation teachers and (2) to identify the training needs of this group as they relate to their current work. To address these goals, a survey instrument derived from actual job descriptions received from a variety of settings nationwide was pilot tested on a randomly selected national sample of rehabilitation teachers working in a variety of settings. A factor analysis and a review by a national panel of experts resulted in a final instrument comprised of 100 job task items. The respondents were asked to rate each item for importance on their job (on a scale from 0 to 4). In addition, they were asked to indicate their need (yes/no) for additional training on each of the 100 items.

Increasing Literacy Levels: Final Report (1997)

Priced at: $20

This study is composed of three research projects to identify and analyze the appropriate use of and instruction in Braille, optical devices, and other technologies as they relate to literacy and employment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

The National Blindness and Low Vision Database (manual & software) (1993)

Priced at: $45

This database has served as the basic data source for a score of research monographs and dissertations. Many useful findings, recommendations for practice, and for administrative policy have emerged from these investigations.

With each new investigation, comes new ideas for further research or new questions of interest to specific investigators, service delivery professionals, or administrators. Not every issue or question can be investigated as a formal research project by the RRTC due to fiscal limitations. Yet most new questions are valuable and may provide information that can benefit and/or improve services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Thus, it is important to make this database accessible to those who may wish to pursue answers to their own questions.

Relationship of Agency Structure and Client Characteristics to Rehabilitation Services and Outcomes for Consumers who are Blind
Priced at: $20.00

Consumers and practitioners in blindness rehabilitation support the premise that blind persons have unique vocational rehabilitation (VR) needs and are best served in identifiable agencies, established especially for that purpose. The scarcity of empirically-based data supporting this position, however, has hampered objective dialogue within the disability community regarding the continued funding of separate (blindness-only) VR agencies. This study investigated differences in VR services (expenditures, number, and duration) and outcomes (competitive sector placement and earnings) of legally blind consumers in states with separate or combined (cross-disability) agencies. The sample included 35,396 legally blind consumers closed in the 50 states by the state VR system in 1995 and 1996. Case data from 1995 were used to identify client disability and demographic characteristics related to competitive closure and to construct two covariates to control for these characteristics in the investigation of VR services and outcomes.

Relationships of Participant Selection and Cost Factors of Service Delivery Across Rehabilitation Agency Types (1996)

Priced at: $10

A national survey of state agencies for the blind was conducted to examine factors that define the characteristics of different agencies; similar programs were grouped together. Classification criteria were developed to distinguish agencies into logical groups based on line of authority, funding, and operating procedures.

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Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:03 PM
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