Points out that in languages in which nouns have a grammatical gender, word recognition can be estimated by gender-decision response times. Notes that although gender decision has yet to be used extensively, it has proved sensitive to several factors affecting lexical access and that this task can be used with linguistic information from other…

This article discusses the lack of preparation teachers of students with visual impairments have in the Nemeth Code (the Braille code for mathematics). It then describes a Windows-based tutorial for sighted persons to learn the Nemeth Code, a tutorial for teachers with blindness, and how to access the tutorials. (Contains 10 references.) (CR)

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)

Examines the areas of visual and physical efficiency that are important to reading and writing braille or large print and conditions and modifications that may be used to make the selected media effective for individuals who have both visual and physical impairments. (Author/DB)

Explains that there are two forms of braille in existence, literary and music, and maintains that music educators can help blind students learn to read music through the use of braille. Provides resources for teaching blind music students, including college-bound musicians, from parents and colleagues to recorded music, publications, and…

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,…

A survey of five teachers of students with visual impairments and 10 students found that teachers spent 4 hour per week in preparing for these students, there was a significant use of transcribers to help prepare the student materials, and students felt reasonably satisfied with their high school experience. (Contains three references.) (CR)

A survey was conducted with 45 instructors from teacher training programs for teaching students with visual impairments. Respondents evidenced a strong commitment to Braille literacy and teacher preparation, however, findings indicate a lack of consistency in Braille courses with respect to standards and criteria for competence in Braille…

A survey asked 205 teachers of students with visual impairments to rate their perceived competency in transcribing math materials into the Nemeth code (the Braille code for math) and their need to do so. Results indicated a significant difference between mean rating on competency and need for 23 of the 55 listed math skills. (Contains references.)…

This reference circular lists organizations that provide a variety of direct services to persons who are blind and visually impaired, including advocacy and advisory services, information and consultation, counseling and employment programs, assistive devices, and publications in special format. Many of the organizations offer guidance to families…

This document presents reports of three projects to identify and analyze the appropriate use of instruction in Braille, optical devices, and other technologies as they relate to literacy and employment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The first project examined the choice of reading medium of 68 individuals (blind or visually…

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…

The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, administers a free national library program for persons with visual or physical handicaps who cannot use normal print materials. The following features of this service are discussed: (1) types of materials chosen (full-length books and magazines for…

The bibliography on careers lists discs, cassettes, and braille books in the network library collections provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The bibliography is divided into six subject sections. The first section, "Choosing a Career: Some Options," lists resources in arts and…

A description of braille and a review of research on this topic are discussed. Summaries are presented of nine research studies which are also presented in full; conclusions and duplications of the research are considered. The nine reports cover the following topics: effects of word length, familiarity, and orthography, influence of numbers and…