University instructors were surveyed to determine the requirements for their literary braille courses. Twenty-one instructors provided information on the textbooks they used; how they determined errors; reading proficiency requirements; and other pertinent information, such as methods of assessing mastery of the production of braille using a…

The pilot research project reported on here was conducted between October 2005 and March 2006 on one campus of one of Ontario's 24 colleges. The college is located in an urban centre in southern Ontario. The main focus of this pilot study was the exploration of issues of accessibility and accommodation for students with disabilities as they engage…

This study provides an overview of the various products available for library patrons with blindness or visual impairments. To provide some insight into the status of library services for patrons with blindness, a sample of American universities that are recognized for their programs for students with visual impairments was surveyed to discern…

The results of a nationwide questionnaire survey of over 1,700 braille readers are reported in this document. The objective of the study was to provide new and current information on the characteristics and readership preferences of braille readers served by the Library of Congress's Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (DBPH). The…

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 report, which summarizes a series of studies conducted to ascertain the extent to which visually impaired persons use the programs of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the blind and physically handicapped (NLS), presents an overview of findings concerning the size and demographic characteristics of the household target…

This survey explored the numbers and proportion of partially sighted, blind braille reading and blind non-braille reading students in Higher Education (HE) in 2003-4. As part of a HEFCE/DELNI funded project, all 134 disability offices in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in England and Northern Ireland were contacted by telephone and email, to…

This report, which summarizes a series of studies conducted to ascertain the extent to which visually impaired persons use the programs of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), explains the survey methodology used and presents an overview of findings concerning characteristics, activities,…

Analysis of completed surveys from 230 teachers of blind and visually impaired learners found that preservice training programs emphasizing the methodology of teaching Braille and the development of tactual perception tended to produce teachers who have positive attitudes toward Braille and feel competent in teaching Braille to children. (DB)

This evaluation was designed to assess the effectiveness of an information campaign conducted in seven selected areas of the country to promote public awareness and use of services provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Handicapped (NLS) for individuals with reading difficulties. The principal campaign medium consisted of…

Forty visually impaired college students and older people were surveyed concerning improvements in Norway's educational system. The survey focused on attendance at mainstreamed or special schools, counseling services, braille books and talking books, and the need for a personal reader. (Author/JDD)

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…

This study evaluates user satisfaction and the cost effectiveness of the use of computer systems in the Braille and Talking Book Program of the Ohio Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and makes recommendations for patterns of service and funding. This report provides an executive summary as well as a 3-part presentation…

This monograph describes a personnel preparation program that prepared 32 Colorado special education graduates to meet the needs of students who are learning English as a second language and are visually impaired. Graduates took a course that was specially designed to expose students to relevant literature on federal mandates for the education of…