Analysis of late-blind Norwegian adults' (N=35) reading rates (texts and single words) in contracted and uncontracted Braille revealed that: rates were higher for reading contracted versions of text and single words, and highest for contracted single words. "Slow" readers saved more time when reading texts which frequently used…

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)

Discusses teaching methods and instructional aids developed to integrate blind students into a private class for elementary-school-aged piano students. Instructional aids incorporate auditory and tactile stimuli to teach music notation skills. Commercial games, like Bingo, were modified with Braille symbols to teach rhythm concepts. (AM)

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…

The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning public school building accessibility are summarized. Requirements discussed include facility design and braille and raised letter signs. (DB)

Outlines the history of the National Library Service (NLS) for the blind and physically handicapped. The nature of the collection and services provided are discussed, including formats available (such as large print, flexible disk, audio cassette, braille); monthly and bimonthly publications announcing available texts; application procedures for…

Describes adaptive technology for personal computers that accommodate disabled users and may require special equipment including hardware, memory, expansion slots, and ports. Highlights include vision aids, including speech synthesizers, magnification, braille, and optical character recognition (OCR); hearing adaptations; motor-impaired…

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…

This brief article describes "Move, Touch, Read", a set of adaptations of commercial books to develop early Braille literacy prerequisites in young children and to systematize the transition from adapted to unadapted books. (DB)

The Computerized Braille Tutor is an interactive software tutorial that sighted persons can use to learn the literary braille code. The software presents 15 lessons that address different aspects of the literary braille code and include braille-translation exercises, proofreading exercises, and graded self-evaluation proficiency tests. (Author)

This article reviews self-study programs that teach braille to sighted people. Programs include "Just Enough to Know Better,""Braille Reading for Family Members,""Handbook for Learning to Read Braille by Sight,""New Programmed Instruction in Braille,""Braille Codes and Calculations,""Literary Braille Refresher Course for Teachers and…

This brief article describes the development and content of a braille adaptation of the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability. Differences in the braille form of the test and precautions in its use are noted. (DB)

This brief article summarizes a review of 19 textbooks to teach braille to blind adults. The review covered four parameters: general information, text organization, the braille code, and instructional characteristics. (DB)

Three tables present data from 22 braille-reading blind children, ages 6 to 12, including demographic data (such as years of braille use, IQ, age, hand movement type, and reading rate); highest and lowest reading rates, by years of braille instruction and IQ scores; and oral reading rates. The methodology used is suggested for teachers doing…

This case study describes the process of introducing braille reading to a sixth-grade girl with severe visual impairment. Her mastery of braille as a supplement to large-print reading is discussed in the context of the influence of adolescence and the child's self-consciousness about using braille in the presence of other students. (DB)