The AEM Navigator facilitates the process of decision-making around accessible formats of educational materials for individual students. It assists teams in making informed, accurate, and multi-step decisions related to determining a student's need for accessible formats, selecting the format(s) needed, acquiring materials, and determining the…

There are plenty of products out there for making information accessible to all users, but how can administrators and managers determine which are the most practical and economical for their particular library? Mates, former director of the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, strips away the technical jargon and introduces dozens…

Co-author of the popular titles "Booktalking Bonanza" and "The Early Literacy Kit", Betsy Diamant-Cohen brings together 18 examples of successful outreach partnerships that children's librarians and administrators can adapt to their own situations. Contributors from the U.S and Canada explain how they partnered with schools,…

The article discusses the increased demands for braille textbooks that match print versions in quality of format and graphics. One solution is to improve the quality of transcriptions produced by computer. The author reviews current limitations of computerized braille transcriptions and points out the existing potential for improvements.…

Materials are suggested for facilitating braille reading readiness of blind children. Four critical areas are addressed and materials offered for each: auditory discrimination, tactual discrimination, language development, and concept development. (CL)

In this booklet a licensed guide assists young blind people in learning fishing techniques, tips from a blind fisherman are offered, and a selected listing of recorded and braille books and magazines about fishing are provided. (PB)

The operating manual for the Digicassette (or Portable Braille Recorder--PBR), an electronic braille reading and writing machine and an audiotape recorder which is compact and easy to carry around, is presented. Following a preface and an introduction are sections which address the following topics: orientation to parts and functions of the…

Provides teachers with an understanding of how sighted children develop concepts about print and how blind children develop concepts about braille. Prereading activities designed to extend young children's concepts about print are adapted for blind children. (HTH)

This Braille publication explores available options on federal student loans so that borrowers can avoid repayment problems and manage and repay their debts. The guide contains information on repayment plans for Perkins loans, Direct Loans, and Federal Family Education Loans. The repayment options discussed include consolidation, deferment, and…

This article clarifies literacy issues that affect the achievement and performance of students with severe visual impairments. The article discusses the nature of the braille code and offers suggestions and strategies for helping children with limited sight overcome difficulties and for making braille and print accessible for group activities.…

This article presents the process approach as an effective way of teaching braille writing to young children who are blind. The writing process used in the primary grades establishes a foundation for development of future literacy skills, and instills enthusiasm and confidence in children approaching the complex task of braille writing.…

This article highlights ideas, adaptations, and strategies that have been effective for educators teaching students with visual impairments. Strategies are shared for teaching the concepts of left and right, using alphaboxes for teaching the alphabet, using CDs for Braille reinforcement activities, and using a lawn compass to teach orientation.…

Describes how a braillewriter can be used as a calculation tool for students with visual impairments who are learning mathematics. Provides strategies for teaching students to use the braillewriter in the addition and subtraction of whole numbers and numbers with decimals, multiplication, division, and fractions. (CR)

The article outlines advantages and limitations of five types of access to microcomputer technology for visually impaired students: electronic braille, paper braille, Optacon, synthetic speech, and enlarged print. Additional considerations in access decisions are noted. (CL)

This article describes a strategy for using Braille Lite, a portable notetaking device that combines synthetic speech and Braille, to produce mathematical expressions that can be easily interpreted by sighted teachers who do not use Braille. The strategy also allows students to review their work tactilely on the Braille display. (Contains 2…