Walter Ong points out that no one can write naturally, because writing is a completely artificial technique we need to acquire through education. The technology of literacy as writing letters begets a dividing line between "literates" and "illiterates," since literacy cannot be acquired otherwise. When we review the early…

The educational research literature has promoted integrating students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms since the 1970s. In 2007, the Japanese government amended the School Educational Law, which has increased the number of educational opportunities available to students with disabilities. At the same time, the Japanese education system…

This article discusses findings on schooling, pedagogy and notation in the life-experiences of amateur and professional visually-impaired musicians/music teachers, and the professional experiences of sighted music teachers who work with visually-impaired learners. The study formed part of a broader UK Arts and Humanities Research Council funded…

Introduction: The inability to read quickly can be a disadvantage throughout life. This study focused on the associations of braille reading fluency and individual factors, such as the age at onset of blindness and number of years reading braille, and the tactile sensitivity of people with early and late blindness. The relationship between reading…

There are many techniques for communicating with individuals who are deaf-blind. In Japan, another technique, known as fingerbraille, is also used. Fingerbraille is a tactile method of communication that is based on Japanese braille script. This article introduces the reader to the history of the development of this communication technique and to…

This study investigates the priority needs of museum service accessibility for visually impaired visitors. For this purpose, conjoint analysis was utilized. Four conjoint attributes of museum services were selected: A--facilities for wayfinding; B--exhibitions and collections including objects for touching, hearing, smelling, etc.; C--information…

Outlined are demographic considerations, educational, vocational, and employment opportunities, government benefits, and services related to the visually handicapped in Japan. (MC)

The monograph describes the development of verbal behavior over a 20-year period in two deaf Japanese children (5- and 7-years-old when first contacted by the author) with whom previous training attempts had failed. It is noted that prior training methods which had succeeded with Laura Bridgman and Helen Keller failed with these two children. A…

This document presents the text of the 1949 Japanese Law for the Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons and brief extracts of later amendments. Sections in Chapter 1 cover definitions, the Advisory Council on Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons, and service providers. Chapter II covers welfare measures such as the physically disabled person's…