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Many educational and vocational opportunities require access to computers and microcomputers. This article discusses the uses of microcomputers by sighted users and blind and visually impaired users, and the strengths and weaknesses of adaptive aids and their specific applications. The author also cites the need for additional resources for training and equipping visually impaired computer users, and calls upon agencies to make a cohesive, sustained effort to help ensure equal computer access for visually impaired users, as evolving technologies have the potential to deny such access.

Evergreen was a World War I (WWI) adult, inpatient vocational rehabilitation facility for war-blind soldiers, sailors, and marines in the United States. Although Evergreen shared similarities with European war-blind rehabilitation organizations, it was novel in its philosophy and approach. It was also unlike any civilian blind rehabilitation program of its day. Although there are no comprehensive records known to us of how many troops became blind or sustained vision loss during WWI, studying published reports of the veterans served by Evergreen provides some insight into this population. As the United States' only blind rehabilitation facility for adults, Evergreen achieved several firsts, including having a national scope, being racially integrated (at least to some degree), and innovating a residential family training program. A role model of its day, it is now largely a footnote in the history of blind rehabilitation. We argue that the story of Evergreen contains lessons that should be remembered.

An account is given of the design and compilation of a freely-available database, updated on a monthly schedule, listing journals, books, conference proceedings and online publications concerned with any and every aspect of low vision. Specific topic areas can be located by means of keywords and through other bibliographical details such as the author's name, year of publication, etc. The authors present a summary historical analysis revealing that there has been an unprecedented rise over the last few decades in the number and diversity of journals and other literature sources addressing issues to do with low vision. Among the opportunities provided by the database are searches to ascertain not only what is currently being practiced and researched but also to identify the changes in the priorities being given to the multitude of topics of interest to optometrists, ophthalmologists, paediatricians, psychologists, educators, rehabilitation practitioners, epidemiologists, gerontologists and other professional workers.

This study evaluated the ability of a dynamic visual assessment and training protocol to improve the ability of 65 persons who were legally blind to detect environmental hazards. Training improved the ability of the majority of subjects to detect hazards, and the assessments identified those who did not need training or would not benefit from it.

Until recently, the Speech Plus was one of the few calculators that were accessible to visually handicapped individuals. A variety of other voice-output calculators are now on the market. An evaluation of five—the Canon SP-1260-D, Panasonic JE-1650U and JE-720U, Sharp El-620, and Speech Plus—indicated that most can easily be used by visually handicapped people and that personal preferences concerning size and the variety of functions offered may be the determining factors in choosing a calculator. Descriptive information is presented on all five calculators.

The Night Vision Aid (NVA) was evaluated to determine its effectiveness as an orientation and mobility (O&M) aid for legally blind people with night blindness. Twenty-four subjects walked a prescribed route during the day and at night without the NVA, and also at night with the NVA. They also walked a different route using the Wide Angle Mobility Light (WAML) to provide additional information on a second night mobility aid. Measures of performance are described. On the average, the NVA did not significantly improve the subjects' mobility at night; the majority of them preferred the WAML.

The decision whether or not to purchase a CCTV can be a complex and difficult one, and the individual should realize that not to buy is as valid as to buy, in some cases. Decision should be based on the value of the CCTV system to the individual. The potential user should examine, carefully and critically, alternate optical aids and gather as much information as possible with professional help. Be critical of the information you receive, especially if it is not consistent with your own experience. In the end the choice is up to the user; who must live with the choice.

The development of a central scotoma, or decreased central vision, particularly in a person with a history of visual impairment, may severely interfere with an individual's ability to function visually. The nature of the impairment and current techniques for training an individual to use the peripheral retina are discussed.