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)

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 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.…

This guide provides clear, graphic step-by-step instructions to introducing Braille 'n Speak technology to students with visual impairments. Braille 'n Speak is a notebook computer for individuals with visual impairments. Individuals input text using Braille keys and get speech feedback. The guide is intended to help classroom teachers with…

This resource paper is intended for students who are blind or visually impaired, and who wish to pursue education or vocational training beyond high school. Family members, Disability Support Services (DSS) providers, administrators, faculty, and staff will also benefit from the discussion. The paper examines the characteristics of blindness and…

Described are methods of teaching braille to adolescents recently become blind, emphasizing the uniqueness of the individual, characteristics of the individual based on the cause of the blindness, possible resistance to learning braille while some vision remains, selection of appropriate training materials, and techniques for building up speed in…

This article offers teaching strategies for developing number sense for children who are blind and braille users. Suggestions focus on developing number meanings, exploring number relationships with manipulatives, understanding the relative magnitude of numbers, developing intuitions about the relative effect of operating on numbers, and…

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 paper is intended for entering college students who are blind or visually impaired, administrators, faculty and staff, family members, and counselors. First, characteristics of people with blindness and visual impairments are briefly summarized. Services such as translation of texts into braille or audiotaping, readers or assistants, and…

This article describes the whole-language philosophy of teaching reading and writing and its application to teaching braille reading to blind children. It suggests activities that are effective for enhancing the development of early reading behaviors in children who use braille and that integrate the critical components of literacy learning with…

Information sheets on resources, assistance, software, and hardware for visually handicapped (VH) students in England are collected in this document. The first information sheet, "Getting Help--What, Where, and Who," lists general sources of assistance, equipment, and books. The second information sheet, "Computer Hardware Used in…

This booklet provides suggestions and techniques to promote and enhance the music education of British children who have visual impairments. The following issues are addressed: (1) recognizing early signs of interest; (2) choosing an instrument; (3) choosing a teacher; (4) getting started; (5) providing lessons; (6) practicing; (7) signs of…

Beginning braille readers may benefit from an integrated-literacy curriculum which reflects the interrelationships of oral language, reading, and writing, and stresses the pleasurable and purposeful aspects of literacy. Integrating braille materials into daily curriculum activities can assist students to make the read/write connection and to begin…