Optical aids for low vision: use of the Internet to guide teachers of the visually impaired

Purposes: To describe and interpret teachers' opinions about and responsiveness to guidance on optical aids for low vision. Methods: It was conducted a cross-sectional analytical study. The convenience, non-random sample consisted of 58 teachers from the public school network of the city of Campinas. It was constructed and applied a structured questionnaire, available online at the assessed website. For qualitative data collection it was conducted an exploratory study using the focus group technique. Results: Responses expressed, for the most part, a marked interest in the website, its easiness of access, and the comprehensive nature of the information provided. Most people reported frequent use of the Internet to seek information, and found it easier to access the Internet at home. Among the qualitative aspects of the evaluation, we should mention the perceived importance of the website as a source of information, despite some criticism about the accessibility and reliability of the information found on the Internet. Conclusion: Teachers' need for training to deal with visually impaired students and their positive response to advice and information lead to the conclusion that web-based guidelines on the use of optical aids were considered beneficial to ease the understanding of visual impairment and the rehabilitation of the affected subjects.75316616

Assistive technology applied to education of students with visual impairment

Objectives. Verify the application of assistive technology, especially information technology in the education of blind and low-vision students from the perceptions of their teachers. Methods. Descriptive survey study in public schools in three municipalities of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The sample comprised 134 teachers. Results. According to the teachers' opinions, there are differences in the specificities and applicability of assistive technology for blind and low-vision students, for whom specific computer programs are important. Information technology enhances reading and writing skills, as well as communication with the world on an equal basis, thereby improving quality of life and facilitating the learning process. The main reason for not using information technology is the lack of planning courses. The main requirements for the use of information technology in schools are enough computers for all students, advisers to help teachers, and pedagogical support. Conclusions. Assistive technology is applied to education of students with visual impairment; however, teachers indicate the need for infrastructure and pedagogical support. Information technology is an important tool in the inclusion process and can promote independence and autonomy of students with visual impairment.26214815

Declarações de nascidos mortos no município de São Paulo: avaliação descritiva do preenchimento Stillbirths registers in the municipality of São Paulo: a descritive approach to fillingout of registration forms

OBJETIVOS: estudar as informações contidas nas Declarações de Nascidos Mortos (DNM) no município de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: a partir das Declarações de Nascidos Mortos, disponibilizadas pela Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados Estatísticos (FSEADE), estudou-se a proporção de preenchimento dos registros utilizando um Índice de Preenchimento de Dados (IPD), o que possibilitou a comparação entre os anos: 2001, 2002, 2003 (n=6722). Incluíram-se as variáveis com IPD maior que 10%, relativas à mãe (idade, escolaridade, paridade, local de residência, tipo de parto) e às referentes ao feto (peso, idade gestacional e causa básica). RESULTADOS o componente absoluto da natimortalidade pouco se alterou nos dois primeiros períodos e caiu levemente no último. A variável sexo foi preenchida em 98% (maior IPD), seguida pela informação do local de residência: 82,9% e número de gestações: 70%. As informações menos disponíveis foram às relativas à idade e escolaridade materna, 20,0 e 16,7% respectivamente. A causa básica do óbito foi registrada em 46,7%, enquanto o peso fetal em 37% e o tipo de parto em 25,3%. CONCLUSÕES: os dados mostram que a dificuldade em se incorporar este indicador de saúde ao conjunto dos tradicionais deve-se, em parte, à heterogeneidade no preenchimento dos campos da DNM.<br>OBJECTIVES: to study the information contained in Stillbirth Registers (SBRs) in the Municipality of São Paulo. METHODS: the adequacy of the filling out of SBR forms was assessed on the basis of the SBRs (6722) made available by the FSEADE (Foundation for Statistical Data Analysis System), using a Data Completion Index (DCI), making it possible to compare the three years studied (2001-3). Variables relating to the mother and the fetus were included where the DCI was greater than 10%. Education, parity, place of residence, birth type, for the mother and weight, gestational age and underlying cause of death, for the fetus. RESULTS: the absolute stillbirth component changed little in the first two of the three years, falling slightly in the third. The variable most frequently registered was sex (98%), followed by place of residence (82.9%) and parity (70%). The data least often registered were those relating to the mother's age and schooling, 20.0% and 16.7%, respectively. The underlying cause was recorded in 46.7%, fetal weight in 37% and type of birth in 25.3%. CONCLUSIONS: the data demonstrate that the difficulty encountered in incorporating this health indicator into the traditional set of indicators is in part due to the inadequacy of the data provided on the SBR form