The paper reports on two experiments in Braille learning which compared blind and sighted subjects on the immediate recall of haptically-examined Braille symbols. In the first study, sighted subjects (N=64) haptically examined each of a set of Braille symbols with their preferred or nonpreferred hand and immediately recalled the symbol by drawing…

This paper identifies and describes four braille production systems that are currently in use: (1) manual--the printed material is transcribed onto braille, proof-read, corrected, and printed; (2) semi-automated--computers or microprocessors transcribe and/or translate the text from ink-print to braille but depend on a manual entry of the text to…

AT A TECHNICAL SESSION, SIXTY-ONE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND AGENCIES OF THE BLIND DISCUSSED RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF READING MACHINES WHICH PERMIT BLIND PERSONS GREATER INDEPENDENCE IN READING THE PRINTED PAGE. THEY ALSO EXPLORED PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THESE EFFORTS AND PROPOSED…

A program abstract which corresponds to the computer program for braille translation at the American Printing House for the Blind presents an approach to computer processing of inkprint into braille including input, output, storage areas, and processing steps. The program runs on a 709 data processing system, requires approximately 9,400 36-bit…

Ten visually impaired students (12-18 years old) were instructed via a two-module instructional kit to use microcomputers and to learn the programing language, BASIC. Results indicated that the visually impaired students learned the major components of the microcomputer and were able to use the cassette braille access device. (CL)

The effects of using an electric Perkins Brailler (EPB) on the braille writing rate and accuracy of 10 blind students (6-21 years old) were examined by comparing writing samples obtained with the regular and electric Perkins Braillers. No statistically significant differences were found but students commented favorable on the EPB. (Author/CL)

Discusses the Children's Braille Book-of-the-Month Club, a project of the National Braille Press, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts. Provides membership information. (FL)

Studied were current academic achievement of students using braille in arithmetic computation as measured by the Stanford Achievement Test, and the benefit of using a computational device. (CB)

In three experiments, sighted college students tried to learn the names of the first 10 symbols of the braille alphabet. In Experiments 1 and 2, visual examination of the symbols enhanced learning. In Experiment 3, similar results were obtained when standard size braille symbols were used during the study trials. (Author)

Twenty-one children ages 6 through 13 were taught to use their hands independently when reading braille to determine how this pattern of hand movements affected reading variables, excluding character recognition. The results strongly suggested that skill in tracking and use of an efficient hand movement pattern is closely tied to perceptual…

The increasing importance of braille to enable blind individuals to reach their full potential in vocational situations is stressed. Improvements in the production of braille are traced and two methods of braille printing are explained. (PHR)

At the Delaware Correctional Center inmates transcribe text and graphics into Braille. The program trains them in skills that can transfer to other jobs upon their release such as teamwork, project completion, and punctuality. (JOW)