Use of Braille in the Workplace by People Who Are Blind.

Interest in the benefits of braille for people who are blind is high among professionals in the blindness field, but we know little about how braille is used in the workplace. The broad purpose of this study was to learn how employed people who are blind use braille on the job. Specific topics investigated included: work tasks refreshable braille technology (RBT) is used for, personal and job characteristics of RBT users compared to non-users, and factors associated with RBT use among workers with at least moderate braille skills.

Assistive technology use in the workplace by people with blindness and low vision: Perceived skill level, satisfaction, and challenges.

In the current labor market, assistive technology (AT) is vital to employment for people with blindness or low vision (B/LV), yet we know little about their AT use in the workplace. The purpose of this descriptive study was to increase our knowledge in this area. Participants were 314 employed people with B/LV who completed an online or phone survey about AT used on the job and perceived skill level, satisfaction, and challenges experienced with their workplace AT.

Availability of Mental Health Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Deaf-Blind.

A survey of state mental health agencies found that a majority have no specific policy or procedure regarding how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf or who are deaf-blind. Agency representatives report that staff lack knowledge of how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf-blind and the agencies lack qualified interpreters. They recommend training for social workers and counselors to address best practices in working with people who are deaf-blind concerning communication methods and strategies, physical interaction, cultural issues, everyday life, sensory deprivation, ethics, use of an interpreter, and other general issues.