Introduction: Braille literacy for students who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) can be a critical component for school and postsecondary transition success. This survey study was a modified replication of previous studies that examined the instruction of literary braille in university preparation programs for…

Late-blind people, who adventitiously became blind in their adulthood, are a special group of the blind. Each of them has his/her own characteristics when returning to work. In this paper, methods on how late-blind teachers can effectively lecture sighted students are presented based on experience of authors with blindness. For late-blind…

With the support of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the life histories of five visually impaired (VI) musicians were collected and analysed between November 2011 and August 2012. This research was conducted as a pilot for a two-year, national investigation of VI musical participation, "Visually-impaired musicians'…

Introduction: The purpose of the study presented here was the initial validation of a comprehensive set of competencies focused solely on the Nemeth code. Methods: Using the Delphi method, 20 expert panelists were recruited to participate in the study on the basis of their past experience in teaching a university-level course in the Nemeth code.…

Introduction: This research attempted to establish the content validity of several performance statements that are associated with basic knowledge, production, and reading of braille by beginning teachers. Methods: University instructors (n = 21) and new teachers of students with visual impairments (n = 20) who had taught at least 2 braille…

Evaluates reliability and validity of curriculum-based measurements for 15 Braille readers in grades three through seven. Overall teacher rating of students' Braille reading performance correlated significantly with curriculum-based measurement (CBM) results ranging from .80 to .85. Findings are very similar to data on technical adequacy for CBM…

A survey of 51 teachers licensed to teach children with visual disabilities in Minnesota found they had high abilities for using references when transcribing Braille, producing Braille with Braillewriters, interlining Braille, and using software for Braille transcription, low abilities for writing with slate and stylus and that few had Braille…

A study of 1,663 teachers of students with blindness or visual impairments addressed their perceived competence in reading and teaching braille, attitudes toward braille, and preservice training in braille. Most teachers were confident in their braille abilities, strongly supported use of braille with students, and were dissatisfied with their own…

A survey was conducted with 45 instructors from teacher training programs for teaching students with visual impairments. Respondents evidenced a strong commitment to Braille literacy and teacher preparation, however, findings indicate a lack of consistency in Braille courses with respect to standards and criteria for competence in Braille…

A survey asked 205 teachers of students with visual impairments to rate their perceived competency in transcribing math materials into the Nemeth code (the Braille code for math) and their need to do so. Results indicated a significant difference between mean rating on competency and need for 23 of the 55 listed math skills. (Contains references.)…

To test the validity of the National Literary Braille Competency Test (NLBCT), 181 Florida teachers of students with visual impairments were asked if they transcribe Braille using a Braillewriter, a slate and stylus, Braille computer programs, or transcriber aides. The majority transcribed using computer software or a Braillewriter. (CR)