This article describes the work of a group of professionals in the United Kingdom known as the VIEW Braille Literacy Committee, committed to the development of teaching braille. Members meet each school term and have had the support of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) in realizing numerous projects aimed at improving access to…

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…

Part I gives a detailed description of the services provided by the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. The division serves the reading needs of these people by reproducing books on microgroove disc, magnetic tape, tape cassette, and in various forms of braille. The author estimates that there are at least…

Article discusses means and methods of teaching blind adults and enriching their learning experiences. (PD)

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…

Speech recognition technology helps people with disabilities interact with computers more easily. People with motor limitations, who cannot use a standard keyboard and mouse, can use their voices to navigate the computer and create documents. The technology is also useful to people with learning disabilities who experience difficulty with spelling…

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)

Papers on library services and developments in reading materials for the blind, which were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, include: (1) "Reading Programs for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Public Libraries of the Polish People's Republic" by Franciszek Czajkowski…

THE PURPOSES OF THE PROJECT WERE TO (1) DESIGN A SELF-PACED TEACHING DEVICE FOR THE BLIND WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE EVALUATION OF SYSTEMATIC TRAINING IN PREREADING TACTUAL DISCRIMINATION AND BRAILLE CHARACTER DISCRIMINATION AS BOTH RELATE TO SUBSEQUENT ABILITY TO LEARN TO READ BRAILLE SYMBOLS, (2) DESIGN AN ELECTRONIC AUTOMATED DEVICE WHICH ALLOWS THE…

The bibliography was compiled with the intent to cover areas of special interest with regard to a research program at the Teachers College of Uppsala, Sweden dealing with problems in connection with the special information media for the blind which serve as substitutes for ink-print. Entered in the first section - an introduction to blindness -…

The proceedings include papers on computer translated braille (grade 2, display devices, recent developments), the new braille translation program and research at the American Printing House for the Blind, the braille electric typewriter, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology braille embosser, the braille reader, and braille transmission for…

Discusses variables in the systematic decision-making process for selecting appropriate reading media for students with visual impairments. The article describes a two-phase process for selecting print or braille media. It examines an objective procedure for determining the relative effectiveness of print media, illustrating the procedure with…

Papers on library services and developments in reading materials for the blind and disabled presented at the 1984 IFLA general conference include: (1) "The Establishment of a Library Service to Visually Handicapped People in African Developing Countries" (Paulli Thomsen, Denmark); (2) "Sources of Assistance for Establishing Braille…

Midway through this century, Braille was placed within the reach of blind persons throughout the world when Unesco began the major task of adapting Braille to accommodate all languages and dialects. Invented in France between 1825 and 1829, Braille's role as the key to the cultural emancipation of the blind had previously been limited to countries…

Research sought to test the utility of the Optacon (an optical-to-tactile converter, which enables the blind to read ink-print materials), to identify predictors of success with the Optacon, and to observe the Optacon's effect on student attitudes. Matched groups of blind students in grades 4 through 8 and 9 through 12 received instruction…