The development of mental health in the Islamic Republic of Iran is described with particular reference to the integration mental health into the primary health care system. The achievements made so far are outlined and the areas of need discussed.

Society seems to be preoccupied with trying to predict the future, but pays less attention to solving existing problems. This article identifies current problems in the field of blindness and in society in general that act as barriers to improved and expanded services and opportunities for blind and visually impaired people and their families. The author asserts that the field would benefit from looking at the country's pioneer ancestors to solve current problems and that the attitudes of the general population are the new frontier on which the field should focus.

This article will focus on various myths associated with schools for students who are blind or visually impaired. These myths continue to persist even though these specialized schools have changed significantly in the past 20 years. While positive changes have occurred, many people's attitudes about them have not. As a result of these myths, some students and parents are not being afforded opportunities for services that may benefit the student in terms of short- or longer-term placements.

No abstract

Orientation and mobility instructors, administrators, and members of the legal profession were surveyed to obtain information on the use of “solo” travel experience during training and to examine the instructor's liability in case of student injury. A list of precautions was developed to protect the student and also to reduce the possibility of the instructor's being sued for negligence. Since no actual legal suit was found in the survey or in the literature, legal opinion is given on a hypothetical case. Guidance was also obtained from court decisions where instructors of sighted children had been sued for negligence.