Explores the braille production and distribution activities of the National Library Service (NLS) for the blind and physically handicapped. Discussion covers how titles are chosen for production in Braille, how a book is produced, responsibilities and activities of the Production Control Section of the NLS, and how patrons can find out if a title…

A comparison of reading rates of 24 print readers and 23 Braille readers on oral reading, silent reading, and studying, found significant differences as a function of reading group and reading task but no group-by-task interaction. Less than one-third of the Braille readers read slower than print readers. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Brief excerpts from correspondence from blind persons and their families in Uruguay indicate increased self-esteem resulting from access to braille materials such as a braille newspaper. Braille literacy is seen to enhance the dialog between student and teacher, parent and child, or child and book. Knowledge of community events offered by the…

The directory lists regional and subregional libraries offering services to blind and physically handicapped individuals. Entries are arranged alphabetically by state and include name and address, telephone number, librarian's name, hours, and details of the book and special collections as well as special services. Changes in names, addresses, and…

Based on information contained in producers' catalogs and on responses to a survey conducted by the Reference Section of the Library of Congress National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, this publication lists reference materials produced in braille or in large type, and sound recordings of reference works available…

Detailed product information on peripherals for the blind computer user is provided and applications, availability, reliability, price, and selection considerations are described. Chapters address the following topics and product categories: (1) scanners (optical character readers, Kurzweil Reading Machine); (2) a buyer's guide to modems; (3)…

The report describes a 1-month summer program at the Alberta College Music Centre (Edmonton) in which six visually impaired students (11-25 years old) were taught music through braille. Daily lessons covered such aspects as braille music signs, sight singing, music dictation, and basic conducting techniques. Extracurricular activities included…

World-wide in scope, this directory lists organizations producing braille or Talking Books, maintaining braille libraries, and exchanging resources with organizations serving blind or handicapped people. The directory is arranged in seven geographical sections: Africa, Asia, Australia (including Oceania), Europe (including U.S.S.R.), Middle East…

An evaluation and research program was designed to determine user satisfaction and the practicality, reliability, and maintainability of the Digicassette (or Portable Braille Recorder--PBR) and to study the braille reading and writing functions. Ten PBRs were placed with 14 students and 14 adults. Products of the research program included training…

The results of a nationwide questionnaire survey of over 1,700 braille readers are reported in this document. The objective of the study was to provide new and current information on the characteristics and readership preferences of braille readers served by the Library of Congress's Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (DBPH). The…

Presented are 11 papers given at a conference on the evaluation of sensory aids for the visually handicapped which emphasized mobility and reading aids beginning to be tested and distributed widely. Many of the presentations are by the principal developers or advocates of the aids. Introductory readings compare the role of evaluation in the…

The Automated Braille System (Autobraille) is a tactile communication mode that uses the computer and other mechanical devices to enable visually handicapped children or adults to read from a tabletop instrument. Five problems associated with standard braille books which may be circumvented with Autobraille are storage space requirements, weight…

Described is a project which produced the book, In Darkness, to explore the use of DOTSYS III (a braille computer translation program) and to demonstrate the use of BRAILLEMBOSS (a braille page printer designed to emboss braille at similar or faster rates than teletypes) as a means of producing Grade II braille output. Explained are successive…

The extent to which a developmental program of tactile perception and braille letter recognition would affect errors in these abilities and reduce scrubbing and backtracking behaviors of 30 legally blind braille users (5-15 years old) was studied. (Author/BD)