A survey of 1,663 teachers of students with blindness examined their attitudes about braille literacy. This article summarizes their comments concerning teaching braille, making the print-braille decision, use of technological devices, the importance of braille as a learning medium, use of slate and stylus, teachers' braille skills, legislation,…

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 reference circular lists organizations that provide a variety of direct services to persons who are blind and visually impaired, including advocacy and advisory services, information and consultation, counseling and employment programs, assistive devices, and publications in special format. Many of the organizations offer guidance to families…

This document presents reports of three projects to identify and analyze the appropriate use of instruction in Braille, optical devices, and other technologies as they relate to literacy and employment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The first project examined the choice of reading medium of 68 individuals (blind or visually…

The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, administers a free national library program for persons with visual or physical handicaps who cannot use normal print materials. The following features of this service are discussed: (1) types of materials chosen (full-length books and magazines for…

The bibliography on careers lists discs, cassettes, and braille books in the network library collections provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The bibliography is divided into six subject sections. The first section, "Choosing a Career: Some Options," lists resources in arts and…

This testimony on the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS) provides information on: (1) NLS authority; (2) background; (3) functions and responsibilities; (4) Office of the Director; (5) director; (6) management; (7) budget; (8) division/section/office functions, including the Administrative…

This article discusses technology available in Sweden for visually impaired and deaf-blind people. It describes systems for stop announcements on buses and trams, queuing systems in shops and banks, text telephones, synthetic speech or braille displays of newspapers and other information sources, and home computers. Ideas for the future are also…

Reports on technology used by the author's high school blind and low vision students at the Arizona School for the Blind. Notes common difficulties blind readers have getting access to books and materials, and relates her early efforts to build a classroom library. Discusses note takers for less proficient Braille readers. Outlines the Braille…

This transcript presents testimony given at a House of Representatives committee hearing on the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Included is the text of an amendment, the Braille Literacy Amendment, which is intended to improve the literacy rate among children with visual impairments. This amendment calls for an…

The first part of this National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) directory lists NLS network libraries and machine-lending agencies arranged alphabetically by state. The information about each library includes address, telephone number, hours of operation, book collection, special collections, assistive devices,…

Papers on libraries for the blind presented at the 1986 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Report on 'Study on the Tools to Improve the Availability of Library Materials for the Blind'" (Winnie Vitzansky, Denmark); (2) "Planning the Third Edition of 'The International Directory of…

Investigated was the ability of 18 blind and 18 partially sighted students in grades 4 through 12 to use the Aural Study System, which features unique indexing capabilities for searching recorded reference materials, to locate encyclopedia and dictionary items within practical time limits. Analyses were made of the time required to locate items,…

The 1974 National Conference for Librarians for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was held May 13-16 in Washington, D.C. This report summarizes and answers the questions raised there on such topics as: (1) regulations on the use of materials; (2) copyright, free mailing privileges, and general postal regulations; (3) procurement, distribution,…

Asserts that legal mandates increase the probability that postsecondary instructors will have blind and visually impaired students in their classrooms. The graphical and symbolic notations used in economics courses present special problems for these students. Recommends and describes the usage of tactile graphs and raised line drawings. (MJP)