This article describes major issues in teaching Braille to students with acquired visual disability and presents results of a survey of 22 teachers of students with visual impairments in Texas. The survey addressed demographic characteristics, instructional schedules, materials, and instructional methods. Results have implications for development…

This report describes activities and recommendations of the Texas Commission on Braille Textbook Production, which monitors the acquisition Commission on Braille Textbook Production. The primary purpose of the commission is to monitor the expeditious acquisition of publisher computerized files in the form of textbook diskettes which are needed for…

Three short articles about tactile illustrating are presented for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. Some transcribers have been making tactile maps with water areas textured and land masses smooth; the first article reports on the confusion these "reversed maps" cause braille readers and gives additional tips…

Designed for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped, this document consists of three short articles about literary braille. The first article discusses the changes in the official literary braille code which became effective on October 1, 1980. The second article describes problems commonly encountered by students and…

The manual describes instructional materials for visually impaired children at the prereadiness, readiness, and academic levels (prekindergarten through primary grades). Chapter I, which surveys instructional materials, contains a listing of materials by curricular areas (including communication, math, and daily living); a listing of materials in…

Discussed in the handbook are the definitions and standards of eligibility for the special education program, the organization of the program (resource teachers, itinerant, multisystem, and multiply handicapped programs), and the problems if no special teacher is available. Information is given on special materials: registration of the legally…

The Recorded Aid for Braille Music is designed to teach instrumental music to visually handicapped students through the integration of tape recordings with established methods of reading braille music notation and playing by ear. Packages of instructional materials for clarinet, flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, and trombone contain the recording,…

Describes an education professor's efforts to equalize opportunities for a blind student teacher in her reading instruction class. The class was better for sighted students because of the blind student's presence and the modifications made to accommodate her lack of sight. Accommodation challenges are even greater for elementary teachers with…

A survey found a wide range of capabilities regarding the production of textbooks and instructional materials for students with visual impairments in 42 states. Shortages of qualified Braille transcribers and inadequate funding were cited as barriers to developing better services. The most effective model was a centralized production center.…

Three short articles about mathematics and science braille are provided for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. The first article discusses the differences between the rules for English textbook format and the Nemeth Braille Code (for mathematics, science, and notation) format in transcribing the mathematical section of…

Two short articles about tactile illustrating are presented for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. Focusing on tactile graphics, the first article discusses the conversion of significant print graphic information to the clearest, most factually legible form possible. Tips for achieving factual legibility and the…

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.…

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,…

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)