This article describes Speech Assisted Learning (SAL), a portable, interactive Braille learning station that combines synthesized speech, full-page paper Braille exercises, and bar-code technology. Findings from field-testing of SAL with 25 individuals with visual impairments (grades K-adult) and 12 teachers indicate students acquired new…

This article describes a software tutorial that can be used by people who are blind to learn the Nemeth Code of Braille mathematics notation. The program was designed for use with the Braille Lite, a note taker that has speech and a refreshable Braille display. The tutorial has 18 lessons. (CR)

The paper summarizes the reasons given for the decrease in Braille literacy and analyzes them as indicators of faults in the system of educating children with visual handicaps. Reasons include undercounting visually handicapped children, emphasizing use of vision, attitudes toward Braille, teacher competency, service delivery via itinerant…

Braille code is difficult to learn and discriminate tactually. A new symbol set, C5, is based on the Moon system of embossed reading and Bliss symbols. Experiments with the C5 alphabet code, printed by a braille printer, showed that subjects found braille code more difficult to learn than C5 code. (Author/JDD)

This point/counterpoint feature evaluates braille literacy instruction in three commentaries by A. J. Koenig, J. E. Olmstead, and E. J. Rex. The commentaries indicate that itinerant instruction of braille skills can be effective with adequate student motivation and requisite skills, school staff and family support, vigilant focus on student needs,…

Describes tools that enable people with disabilities to access print information, including optical character recognition, synthetic voice output, other input devices, Braille access devices, large print displays, television and video, TDD (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf), and Telebraille. Use of technology by libraries to meet mandates…

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…

Discusses meeting ADA guidelines when purchasing permanent signs for schools. Provides ADA guidelines and discusses the use of raised characters and braille. Notes that ADA guidelines are not the same thing as building codes; noncompliance is enforced through the Justice Department. (GR)

A study involving 322 children whose individualized education programs contained goals and objectives that require vision or orientation and mobility services found that most were placed in full or part-time regular classrooms and that the most frequently reported services included ordering books and materials and Braille reading and writing. (CR)

Describes a three-week summer institute which provided seven blind students (grade 10 to college level) with musical training that included Braille music, keyboard and theory, computer skills, and independent college-living skills. (DB)

This brief article outlines theories for the decrease in braille literacy among children with visual impairments. It stresses the need for braille instruction, the inability of itinerant teachers to adequately instruct many scattered visually impaired students, and resistance to using simplified Grade 1 braille. Special problems raised by…

This article discusses the distance education program of the Hadley School for the Blind. The school provides correspondence courses free of charge to people with visual impairments and their families, as well as to professionals and paraprofessionals in the field of visual impairment. Programs and services are described. (Contains three…

This article describes development and delivery of Pennsylvania's Literary Braille Refresher Course, intended to both refresh literary Braille skills and teach instructional strategies to the 20 teachers enrolled. The article covers the course's goals and objectives, participants, structure, evaluation, and analysis of results. The course's…

This article describes an innovative action research project based at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom that involved the professional development of teachers and instruction using specially developed Moon tactile code materials to teach literacy to pupils who are blind and who have additional disabilities. (Contains references.)…

This article will give music educators some practical tools and information for helping students with visual impairments enjoy the ensemble experience. The author has used these tools as music director at the California School for the Blind (CSB) and as a musician who is visually impaired. All observations and techniques mentioned here come out of…