LIBRARY SERVICES FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED CITIZENS

The World

Blind and visually impaired citizens are a special category of people with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization data, there are about 39 million blind people around the world and 246 million people have very low vision. The formation of a barrier-free environment in the field of social services, culture, education, employment is the most important task for representatives of federal and regional authorities, ministries and departments. Institutions of various profiles are doing great work on socio cultural rehabilitation of persons with restricted health abilities and on ensuring them equal opportunities with other citizens to participate in social life. Library services for people with complete or partial loss of vision are part of the social rehabilitation system. People of this category are provided with information by special libraries for the blind and visually impaired as well as by the network of state and municipal libraries. In the context of globalization, there rises the question of integrating special libraries for the blind and publicly accessible libraries into the united system for to provide disabled people with information services. The article gives a brief characteristic of publications devoted to library services for blind and visually impaired citizens. Library specialists actively discuss ways of uniting resources and promoting services for people with total or partial loss of vision for to raise effectiveness in solving tasks of adaptation for this group of inhabitants. Such system could support people, having restrictions on vision, in full realization of their rights and liberties, create conditions for raising culture of consumption of products and social sphere services.

Modern aspects of disability due to eye diseases

Kazan medical journal ◽

10.17750/kmj2015-224 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 224-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M G Nazaryan ◽

P M Arbukhanova

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Low Vision ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Eye Diseases ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

Despite current successes of ophthalmology, during the last decades, blindness and low vision affect the population of both developed and developing countries. In United States, the prevalence of blindness in 1940 was 17.5 per 10 thousand in 1960-1979, this figure reached 20.0, and nowadays - 50.0 per 10 thousand. population. According to the World Health Organization data of 2014, the World has 285 million blind and visually impaired people, 90% of visually impaired live in developing countries. The main causes of blindness in underdeveloped and developing countries are cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, xerophthalmia. In highly developed countries, the causes are different - glaucoma, degenerative myopia, cataract, chorioretinal degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, congenital eye diseases. In the Russian Federation, the prevalence of blindness and low vision, as well as the structure of nosologies leading to these conditions are similar to those in developed countries. The prevalence of blindness and low vision in Russia, according to E.S. Liebman, for the 1985-2002 increased from 13.6 to 17.0 per 10 thousand, and the prevalence of blindness - from 7.0 to 7.8 per 10 thousand. The maximum rates observed in the Central and Volga economic regions (25.6 and 20.3), in the Udmurt Republic (39.6), Lipetsk (41.1) and Yaroslavl (34.3) regions (per 10 thousand). The World Health Organization has developed a long-term plan of action for the prevention of eye diseases in the global initiative «Vision 2020: the Right to Sight». A good progress has been made, particularly in combating infectious causes of blindness by supporting the Member States and attracting long-term resources. Thus, an active work is ongoing to reduce the disability due to eye diseases worldwide. Up to 80% of cases of blindness can be avoided with early diagnosis and treatment of patients.

A Survey of Blind Orientation and Mobility Specialists about the Accommodations and Teaching Strategies They Use when Providing Orientation and Mobility Services

10.1177/0145482x211018000 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0145482X2110180

Author(s):

Nora Griffin-Shirley ◽

Laura Bozeman ◽

The Nguyen ◽

Vitalis Othuon ◽

Anita Page ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visually Impaired ◽

Online Survey ◽

Low Vision ◽

Visual Impairments ◽

Teaching Techniques ◽

Preparation Programs ◽

Self Advocacy ◽

Orientation And Mobility ◽

Immersion Training

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to survey orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors who are blind concerning the identification of accommodations, teaching techniques, and resources to teach students with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). Methods: The study utilized an online survey via Qualtrics (2019) with 27 closed- and open-ended items to identify accommodations, teaching techniques, and resources needed. The survey was e-mailed to membership and certification organizations requesting O&M instructors who are blind to participate for 12 weeks. The participants were 15 O&M specialists, mostly male and Caucasian. Survey data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Forty percentage of the participants reported that there were minimal standards that they had to demonstrate prior to their admittance into an O&M program. About one-fourth of the participants mentioned their program was modified because of their visual impairment. Eleven participants (73%) reported that their nonvisual instructional strategies and techniques were predominantly gained through their university programs or other visually impaired instructors (27%, n = 4). Discussion: Aspects of this study that are similar to the current literature are smaller faculty-to-student ratios for blindfold or simulation cane courses, accommodations used by participants, and suggestions for monitoring the safety of students. The results revealed the participants’ strong belief in the importance of immersion training, the use of the Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT), nonvisual skills during O&M instruction, sleep shades, and students’ problem-solving abilities. Implication for practitioners: Although the participants had received SDCT immersion training, most personnel preparation programs approved by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired do not use this method. For this reason, it is important for faculty to identify best teaching practices from among all programs and to integrate these practices into their curricula. Sharing best practices could strengthen all programs. Moreover, students with visual impairments should be taught early about self-advocacy and the ability to have helpful knowledge about one’s skills at a university and in the workplace.

Loss of vision

10.1093/med/9780199568741.003.0049 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Susan Mollan ◽

Alastair Denniston

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Contact Lenses ◽

Low Vision ◽

Visual Field Loss ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

World Health ◽

Clinical Approach ◽

Loss Of Vision ◽

P Loss ◽

Age Related

Loss of vision describes a reduction in vision that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. Patients who complain of changes in their vision may have loss of visual acuity, distorted vision, or visual field loss. The World Health Organization classifies visual impairment as blindness or low vision. Blindness is defined as visual acuity of less than 3/60 in the better eye. Low vision is present when the visual acuity is less than 6/18 but equal to or better than 3/60, in the better eye. The etiology of permanent visual loss is diverse and depends on the region studied. In the UK, the leading causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic atrophy, and cataract. This chapter describes the clinical approach to the patient with loss of vision.

Development of accreditation standards for interprofessional education: a Canadian Case Study

Human Resources for Health ◽

10.1186/s12960-020-00551-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ruby E. Grymonpre ◽

Lesley Bainbridge ◽

Louise Nasmith ◽

Cynthia Baker

Keyword(s):

Social Services ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

World Health ◽

Major Influence ◽

Education Programs ◽

Health And Social Services ◽

Accreditation Standards ◽

The World ◽

Health Social Services

Abstract Background Academic institutions worldwide are embedding interprofessional education (IPE) into their health/social services education programs in response to global evidence that this leads to interprofessional collaborative practice (IPC). The World Health Organization (WHO) is holding its 193 member countries accountable for Indicator 3–06 (‘IPE Accreditation’) through its National Health Workforce Accounts. Despite the major influence of accreditation on the quality of health and social services education programs, little has been written about accreditation of IPE. Case study Canada has been a global leader in IPE Accreditation. The Accreditation of Interprofessional Health Education (AIPHE) projects (2007–2011) involved a collaborative of eight Canadian organizations that accredit pre-licensure education for six health/social services professions. The AIPHE vision was for learners to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide IPC through IPE. The aim of this paper is to share the Canadian Case Study including policy context, supporting theories, preconditions, logic model and evaluation findings to achieve the primary project deliverable, increased awareness of the need to embed IPE language into the accreditation standards for health and social services academic programs. Future research implications are also discussed. Conclusions As a result of AIPHE, Canada is the only country in the world in which, for over a decade, a collective of participating health/social services accrediting organizations have been looking for evidence of IPE in the programs they accredit. This puts Canada in the unique position to now examine the downstream impacts of IPE accreditation.

Hospital Preparedness and Response Framework during infection pandemic.

10.1101/2021.06.28.21259630 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bikash Bikram Thapa

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Policy ◽

Social Life ◽

World Health ◽

Health Economy ◽

The World ◽

Hospital Preparedness ◽

Long Term Consequences ◽

Care Worker

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put an unprecedented burden to world health, economy and social life with possible long-term consequences. The velocity and mass of this infection pandemic had already overwhelmed every robust health care system in the world. The evidence pertaining to this novel infection pandemic is evolving, so are the challenges in terms of adequate preparedness and response. In this review, we enumerate the strategic and operational domains and build a functional framework for the management of hospital mass infection incidents due to COVID-19 and similar future pandemics. This functional framework could assist health policy maker and health care worker to implement, innovate, and translate preparedness and response to save valuable life and resources.

A Study on Road Safety for the Visually Challenged – Policy Implications

Asian Social Science ◽

10.5539/ass.v15n2p151 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 151

Author(s):

Asha Bhatia ◽

Sanjwani Jayant Kumar

Keyword(s):

Motor Vehicle ◽

Low Vision ◽

Theoretical Concept ◽

Policy Implications ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

The Disabled ◽

Visually Challenged ◽

Correct Technique ◽

Health Organization

There is an increase in number of accidents, injuries and deaths due to a rise in motor vehicle population. India is a signatory of the Brasilia Declaration with an agenda to reduce the number of accidents by 50% by the year 2020, yet it can be observed that the incidents of accidents have not decreased. There were 285 million visually impaired people in the world, of which 246 million had low vision and 39 million were blind as per the World Health Organization report (2012). It is alarming to note that around 90% of the blind live in the developing world. They are constantly dealing with challenges in their day to day life. Commuting by roads is all the more unsafe for these visually challenged pedestrians. This unique study has conducted an in depth interview to understand the needs and problems faced by the visually challenged pedestrians, followed by a primary survey on World White Cane Day to judge the extent of awareness of the correct technique. The appropriate techniques were then demonstrated to the general public, thus creating awareness and the behavioral changes needed in this endeavor. The paper has used a theoretical concept and practically suggests policy implication for empowering the disabled through awareness drives and collaborating with various government agencies.

Communication amongst professionals

10.1093/med/9780198745457.003.0023 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Richard D.W. Hain ◽

Satbir Singh Jassal

Keyword(s):

Social Services ◽

Communication Skills ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

World Health ◽

Team Theory ◽

Primary Health ◽

The World ◽

Working Together ◽

Health Organization ◽

General Guidance

Communication skills amongst professionals all centre on the basic ideology of teamworking. The World Health Organization affirms that primary health should involve all related sectors working together, including education and social services, in addition to health care, and that efforts should be made to coordinate these sectors. This chapter explores how best to ensure effective communication in the care of a terminally ill child through team theory and by examining the challenges of teamwork. General guidance for establishing successful teamwork is also given.

The Development of Low Vision Services in Poland

10.1177/0145482x8908300122 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

pp. 64-66

Author(s):

A. Adamowicz-Hummel ◽

G. Walczak

Keyword(s):

Teaching Methods ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Low Vision ◽

Historical Review ◽

Professional Preparation ◽

Preparation Programs ◽

Education Professional ◽

Impaired Children ◽

Visually Impaired Children

This article discusses Poland's developing efforts in the field of low vision, first providing a historical review of the education of blind and visually impaired children. It presents data on education, professional preparation programs, research on low vision, and the adaptation of materials and teaching methods to the cultural needs of the Polish low vision population.

In Support of Specialized Programs for Blind and Visually Impaired Children: The Impact of Vision Loss on Learning

10.1177/0145482x8708100104 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

pp. 7-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

P.H. Hatlen ◽

S.A. Curry

Keyword(s):

Visually Impaired ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Educational Needs ◽

Learning Needs ◽

Emotional Needs ◽

Loss Of Vision ◽

The Impact ◽

Impaired Children ◽

Visually Impaired Children

The learning needs of blind and visually impaired children can be divided into three categories: needs that are met by adapting the curriculum, needs that are met by changes in methodology, and developmental and educational needs that are unique to these children. To fulfill the needs in each category, it is essential that instruction be provided by special teachers of the visually impaired who are knowledgeable of the effects of the loss of vision on learning, trained in effective methods of adaptation and remediation, and sensitized to the emotional needs of this population.

Perspectives on Working with Visually Impaired Persons Worldwide: Looking Forward

10.1177/0145482x8908300131 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

pp. 84-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N.C. Barraga

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Low Vision ◽

Visual Impairments ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Teaching Experiences ◽

The World ◽

Service Delivery Systems ◽

Changing Attitudes ◽

Visually Impaired Persons

Based on visits and teaching experiences in more than 15 different countries around the world, the differences in philosophies in education, changing attitudes in regard to persons with visual impairments, and service delivery systems are discussed. Examples are provided when appropriate. Special attention is given to the dramatic emphasis on development of low vision services in recent years. The article closes with challenges for the future.