Visually-impaired students require tailored pedagogies to ensure their instruction is as high quality as for sighted students. They follow board work during class by referring to typed class notes provided ahead of time via a Braille reader, and in-class small groups solving problems create an inclusive "esprit de corps" and promote…

One of the key abilities that every student should learn is mastering math skills. It is particularly difficult for blind students who have problems with access to information that is usually presented graphically for common pupils. One of such information in the case of mathematics is the presentation of graphs of functions and geometric shapes.…

This study illustrates how mathematical communication and learning are inherently multimodal and embodied; hence, sight-disabled students are also able to conceptualize visuospatial information and mathematical concepts through tactile and auditory activities. Adapting a perceptuomotor integration approach, the study shows that the lack of access…

This dissertation bridges the fields of haptics, engineering, and education to realize some of the potential benefits haptic devices may have in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Specifically, this dissertation demonstrates the development, implementation, and assessment of two haptic devices in engineering and math…

The report describes the development and evaluation of an instructional program in tangible graph interpretation for braille readers. Because graphs frequently appear in textbooks and in other printed sources, lack of appropriate translation for blind persons can be a significant educational obstacle. Based on anlyses of typical graph reading…

Twenty-four braille readers (grades 4-12) performed a line-tracking task on tactile line graphs which differed in the type of raised line used to represent the data curves and natures of the display backgrounds. Grids impaired the trackability of every line tested, while line type and grade level had only marginal effects. (Author/CL)

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)

Recounts a college economics professor's attempts to explain macroeconomic concepts to a blind student. Considers how explanations of economics principles often rely on graphic presentations. Describes experimental tactile adaptation, using graphs made out of sandpaper, yarn, spaghetti, and other materials. Recommends developing prefabricated…

Describes some adaptations made in a university physics laboratory course to accommodate a student with total visual impairment. (WRM)