Major concerns in braille literacy are compared for 1989 and 1996 in the areas of demographic statistics, emphasis on print, negative attitudes toward braille, lack of teaching standards, the braille code, technological advances, placement of students in regular classrooms, and generic services. (DB)

The phonological-awareness skills of 19 New Zealand children who are blind and were using Braille as their reading medium were compared to controls who were three years younger. Children who had difficulty reading Braille were delayed in their development of phonological awareness, demonstrating strengths and weaknesses similar to the controls.…

Four children with cerebral visual impairment caused by periventricular leukomalacia were followed for two years during their process of learning to read in mainstream classes. Two of the children were offered both Braille and print reading as reading media. The other two children read ordinary print without special teaching. Differences in…

This paper presents the results of a postal questionnaire survey carried out in the south-west of England into the teaching of braille to school-age children. It reports upon the qualifications and experiences of the school teachers and learning support assistants (LSAs) involved in this work. It also enquires into materials and resources…

This resource guide lists instructional materials, supplies, and equipment available for learning to read and write braille. The resources are intended to assist sighted persons interested in learning to transcribe braille; instructors who teach braille; visually impaired persons interested in learning to read and write braille; and family…

This paper addresses issues of current and future technology use for and by individuals with visual impairments and blindness in Florida. Present technology applications used in vision programs in Florida are individually described, including video enlarging, speech output, large inkprint, braille print, paperless braille, and tactual output…

This publication recounts the childhood experiences of one boy at the Tennessee School for the Blind and his use of braille and talking book library services. It also describes his frustration at the rationing of braille reading materials at the school, and how his enormous appetite for reading material led him to "beat" the school's…

Three articles about mathematics and science braille are provided for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. The first article discusses common problems such as setting braille writers incorrectly, duplicating transcribed materials unnecessarily, and incorrectly transcribing from typescript. The second article provides a…

Three short articles about foreign language braille are presented for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. Because dictionaries of languages other than English rarely show syllable division, the first article provides guidelines to the syllabication of Latin. The guidelines give specific rules concerning the division of…

This circular lists 384 magazines produced in media suitable for use by persons who are unable to read conventional print materials. The media included are braille, cassette, disc, large type, Moon type, and open-reel tape. The entry for each title gives frequency of publication, medium or media in which it is available, method or methods by which…

This bibliography of selected fiction books is designed to reinforce creative growth, expand experience, and promote understanding and personal development for visually or physically disabled students between grade 4 and grade 6. All the books listed are available on disc, on cassette, or in braille in network library collections provided by the…

Two studies examined the effects of handedness on braille learning. Experiment 1 featured 64 sighted undergraduates at North Carolina State University, all of whom were right-handed and had no experience with braille. Results revealed that females outperformed males, but that, contrary to expectation, no significant effects of handedness were…

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…