Introduction: This study involved a systematic literature review to document the sources behind publications and citations that comprise knowledge about rates of braille usage/literacy among people with visual impairments in the United States. Methods: Predefined search criteria were used to extract publications that potentially mentioned claims…

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…

This study was designed to address three hypotheses: (1) The reading speed of both readers of French braille and readers of French print will be faster in the silent condition; however, this gain in speed will be larger for print readers; (2) Individuals who acquired braille before age 10 will display faster reading speeds at lower error rates…

Persons with visual impairment have consistently shown a preference for one alternative reading format over another, often because of factors outside their control. This study adopted survey research design to investigate alternative format preferences among secondary school visually impaired students, focusing on Southwestern Nigeria. Using total…

The author encourages the use of visual braille for children and adults with partial vision. A method of learning visual braille is described. (DB)

This study of 12 individuals with blindness or low vision extended earlier studies by Morton Heller concerning speed and accuracy of reading noncanonical (tilted) braille text. Results were similar for Heller's original character set (B-J), but the effect of orientation was reduced with other letters and whole words, especially for experienced…

Discusses various methods used to teach Braille, beginning with pre-Braille skills that must be developed before children reach school age. Also discusses various techniques used to teach Braille skills to students who have a severe vision loss or low vision and reviews different commercial programs designed to teach Braille reading to various…

This directory lists the names of volunteer groups and individuals who transcribe and record books and other reading materials under the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program. The listing is alphabetical by state. Each entry is assigned an index number and specifies such services as braille…

The guide provides information about the availability of approximately 275 magazines in media suitable for use by persons unable to read or handle conventional print materials. The alphabetical listing (by title) includes information on magazine title, frequency on issue, special medium or media in which it is available, source or sources from…

In one of several 2-week workshops, 35 blind and visually handicapped persons increased their braille reading speed from an average of 138 words per minute (wpm) to 710 wpm. (Author)

This study of 270 legally blind adults found that those who had attended specialized schools for blind persons made significantly less money than those who had attended public schools. However, 72% of specialized school attendees could read braille, compared to 19.7% of public-school attendees. (DB)

Intended for teacher educators, the document provides four presentations on the methods and effectiveness of the Braille Speed Reading Institute. A general background of the Institute by A. Ensign traces the development of the project from a request made by a teacher of the blind and partially sighted to the completion and finalization of details…

This selective, annotated bibliography covers library service to the blind, partially sighted, and physically handicapped who are unable to use conventional printed materials. Coverage is limited to library-related activities in the United States, including items on services, programs, projects, and materials in libraries of all types. The 119…

This survey explored the numbers and proportion of partially sighted, blind braille reading and blind non-braille reading students in Higher Education (HE) in 2003-4. As part of a HEFCE/DELNI funded project, all 134 disability offices in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in England and Northern Ireland were contacted by telephone and email, to…