Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness

This article discusses the history of low vision services in the United States. The field began to gain momentum as the term low vision was conceptualized and coined, and this momentum is rapidly increasing with changes in the demographics of visual impairment.

The purpose of the study was to determine the outcomes of a low vision service that made use of an extended period of education when assisting clients with age-related macular degeneration to use low vision devices. Extended teaching time made a significant difference to the experimental group, not only in the ability to read, but in their overall perceptions of the quality of their lives.

This national study reviews national and state policies and guidelines, as well as surveys and focus groups of administrators and teachers, on the implementation of policies for students with low vision to gain visual access to the general education curriculum. The findings demonstrate that few states provide the necessary services to enable students to achieve access and that people, philosophy, and systems are the main impediments to and the solutions for change.

This qualitative article describes the impact of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) among 15 participants: how a person makes sense of ARMD, the effect of ARMD on the person's quality of life, the psychological disturbances associated with the limitations of ARMD, and the influence of ARMD on social interactions. Such in-depth appreciation of the impact of ARMD will assist in the design of specific and appropriate rehabilitation programs to minimize limitations and enhance participation in people with ARMD.

This article presents an overview of driving for adolescents and adults who meet their states’ visual requirements for low vision driving using bioptic lenses. It also discusses the outcomes of two studies of bioptic driver education.

This article describes federal and state laws that affect the opportunity of people with low vision to drive and to obtain driver's licenses. Discrimination against individuals with low vision is discussed in the context of equal protection and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A review of relevant case law and implications for drivers with low vision are presented.