Initial research is reported on development of a tangible graphics (a display with raised symbols for reading by hand rather than by eye) system and its evaluation by 20 blind adults. Results suggested that tangible graphs are a viable source of spatial information for blind readers. (Author/MC)

Provides teachers with an understanding of how sighted children develop concepts about print and how blind children develop concepts about braille. Prereading activities designed to extend young children's concepts about print are adapted for blind children. (HTH)

Discusses the use of the Moon system, an English embossed reading method, with visually handicapped individuals. Reports advantages of the system, such as its roman character familiarity for those once able to see and the availability of Moon books and materials. Concludes that the Moon system is an important alternative to braille. (PHR)

This brief report describes the development and implementation of a unique, full-year, credit-bearing, technology course in literary Braille transcription offered at a Long Island (New York) high school. It describes the program's goals, development, implementation, students, ongoing activities, outreach efforts, and student attitudes. Suggestions…

The article discusses braille instruction for blind persons from the perspective of the National Federation of the Blind. A case study of a child whose parents have struggled to obtain braille instruction is examined. Negative attitudes about blindness and inadequate training of teachers are linked to decreased braille literacy. (Author/DB)

Forty adults with adventitious blindness were administered 12 different Braille discrimination tests representing combinations of standard or enlarged Braille and various amounts of horizontal and vertical spacing. Findings indicated that the most favorable discrimination conditions occurred with standard-sized Braille, with three spaces between…

This article presents a brief history of the Chinese braille system and the Chinese character structure, discusses the present Chinese sound-generated braille system and its limitations, and proposes some refinements of the present system and some techniques for instruction. (Author/JDD)

This study evaluated performance of blind (n=17) and sighted adults on a haptic numerosity task of braille symbols in which symbol size was varied. Although blind subjects performed better than seeing subjects, the rate of learning and patterns of errors were similar, except that blind subjects did better with standard than with enlarged symbols.…

Evaluates reliability and validity of curriculum-based measurements for 15 Braille readers in grades three through seven. Overall teacher rating of students' Braille reading performance correlated significantly with curriculum-based measurement (CBM) results ranging from .80 to .85. Findings are very similar to data on technical adequacy for CBM…

This study of 12 individuals with blindness or low vision extended earlier studies by Morton Heller concerning speed and accuracy of reading noncanonical (tilted) braille text. Results were similar for Heller's original character set (B-J), but the effect of orientation was reduced with other letters and whole words, especially for experienced…

Discusses various methods used to teach Braille, beginning with pre-Braille skills that must be developed before children reach school age. Also discusses various techniques used to teach Braille skills to students who have a severe vision loss or low vision and reviews different commercial programs designed to teach Braille reading to various…

This study addressed the effect of casual exposure to braille on the attitudes toward blindness and the use of braille of three groups of sighted university students: students in two sections of a general linguistics course for language arts teachers, one taught by a blind instructor (Group 1) and the other taught by a sighted instructor (Group…

This article tells the story of how Colby, a young boy who is congenitally deafblind, developed language and literacy. Narrative is coupled with video to illustrate how the following four instructional approaches and interventions supported his development: (1) daily schedule, (2) home-school journal, (3) experiential based literacy, and (4)…