The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has undertaken an extensive evaluation of the cassette-braille concept to determine braille reader acceptance of the concept, in addition to possible technical refinements and cost reductions. Approximately 80 braille readers from four cities were selected as volunteer…

Describes several ways in which microcomputers have been adapted to needs of the handicapped. One system consists of a Dynatyper (solenoid driven array of plastic plungers sitting above typewriter keyboard), Braillewriter, and Apple II microcomputer which produces hard-copy braille. (JN)

For thousands of years, many people with special needs have not had the same access to communication technology that those without special needs have taken for granted. Because they lacked access to communication technology, those with special needs became an invisible population. However, the same communication formats, with adaptations, that…

This article provides information on special education topics on the international front. Topics range from a BrailleNote project in British Columbia, a Swedish program to help Romanian children with special needs, a visual resource room to help New Zealand students with visual impairments, and technology programs in European countries. (CR)

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,…

Two studies of computer production of mathematical texts and musical scores in Braille analyzed production practices and input preparation problems; the studies also reviewed the Nemeth Code of Braille Mathematics and Scientific Notation and the Revised International Manual of Braille Music. Both studies demonstrated automation to be feasible.…

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…

Originally part of a symposium on educational media for the deaf, the paper reports on developments which enable computer conversion of text into grade 2 braille text, especially useful for deaf-blind students. The steps in the conversion of a text are outlined and future applications, such as a computerized message system, are explored. (PHR)

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) are educational software based on expert systems that store educational knowledge. This article describes a model for computer-assisted mediation and its application in a prototype multimedia ITS for teaching blind children the recognition and reproduction of Braille signs. This system differs from previous work…

READING COMPREHENSION OF BLIND CHILDREN READING BRAILLE SELECTIONS WAS COMPARED WITH COMPREHENSION OF BLIND CHILDREN WHO HEARD THE SAME SELECTIONS AT VARIED RATES. CHANGES IN WORD RATES WERE ACCOMPLISHED WITH SPEECH COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES. APPROXIMATELY 290 BRAILLE READERS OF BOTH SEXES FROM SIXTH-, SEVENTH-, AND EIGHTH-GRADE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS…

Reports some of the current research taking place in Great Britain on designing text for visually impaired readers. Topics discussed include large print; Braille; instructional videotapes and how they can be improved; and developments in electronic text, including reformatting, compact disks, and electronic newspapers. (18 references) (LRW)

This study used a single-subject design to investigate the feasibility of using computer access technology by Braille reading students who are mainstreamed. The technology would reduce the time that vision teachers spend transcribing Braille work for mainstream teachers and thereby increase the time vision teachers spend in direct instruction and…

The Carroll Center for the Blind operates the Ed-Tech Loan Program which enables Massachusetts schools to borrow adaptive computer devices for blind students. For $50 per month, with a three-month maximum, schools can borrow braille printers, large-print processors, talking software, or speech or braille laptop computers to evaluate before making…

A mother of an adolescent daughter with blindness and learning disabilities focuses on how she helped her daughter improve reading and writing skills by finding a meaningful purpose for those skills in daily life. This article discusses early signs of learning problems, the learning environment, talking books, books in braille, technology,…

This book presents an introduction to the range of technology that can be used to assist in the education of students with visual impairments, with descriptions of the main features of approximately 45 systems. After an introductory chapter, Chapter 1 identifies four key uses for technology: in communication, in the production of materials, to…