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Blind students exclusively use braille materials for teaching math. Teaching tools that assist blind students' motor and hearing nerves are essential for learning. This study was to describe learning mathematics outcomes for blind students after using teaching material for Android devices based on Newman's theory. This research was a case study of blind students. Blind junior high school students from special schools for visual impairment-- extraordinary schools in Bandar Lampung, extraordinary schools in Cimahi, and Madrasah Tsanawiyah with special education in Yogyakarta-- contributed to the study's subjects. The study employed questionnaires and test questions as research instruments for both teachers and students. The results of this study demonstrate that learning mathematics outcame blind students' after using teaching material with Android apps based on Newman's theory, specifically: i) reading errors: students can understand the information in the questions; ii) comprehension errors: students do not write down things that are known and asked; and iii) transformation errors: students write down the mathematical model (formula) used; iv) skill errors: students can do calculations correctly; and v) coding errors: students do not write conclusions. The average score of the blind students' results using braille was higher than that of the Android application.

The difficulties faced by teachers at a Special Public School in teaching Balinese script literacy to visually impaired children have resulted in low literacy skills in Balinese script among these students. In order to maximize Balinese script learning, appropriate learning media tailored to the characteristics of visually impaired children are necessary. This study aims to determine the design, feasibility, and effectiveness of the Relief Balinese Script Media ("Reaksi") assisted by audio to improve the Balinese script literacy of visually impaired students at a Special Public School. The study utilizes the ADDIE development model with a quantitative research design. Data collection methods include written tests assessing Balinese script writing. The subjects of this study are 12 visually impaired students. The results of this development study are as follows: (1) the design of the audio media achieved a score of 93.15%, qualifying as excellent; (2) the "Reaksi" media was deemed feasible, scoring 91.44% and qualifying as excellent; (3) the obtained t-value was 77.97, while the t-table value at a significance level of 5% was 2.101. These results indicate that the t-value is greater than the t-table value, thus rejecting H0 and accepting H1. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Relief Balinese Script Media ("Reaksi") assisted by audio is effectively applied to improve the Balinese script literacy of visually impaired students at a Special Public School. This audio-assisted Relief Balinese Script Media ("Reaksi") helps visually impaired students recognize the actual forms of Balinese script, thereby enhancing the literacy skills of Balinese script reading and writing among visually impaired students.

Deaf-blindness is a type of dual disability wherein visual and auditory capabilities are significantly impaired. Special communication methods have been developed for the deaf-blind community. Yet, these methods require that both people involved have prior knowledge and training to successfully communicate, limiting deaf-blind people's social interactions, particularly in academic settings. This paper describes the development of a device that enables two-way communication between a severely deaf-blind user and a hearing person with no prior knowledge of Braille and no additional intermediaries. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) scheme for speech recognition was designed and implemented along with the development of an algorithm capable of developing both text-to-speech and Finger-Braille-to-text conversion. Lastly, a system integration via 3D modeling and additive manufacturing was carried out to deliver a functional prototype. The resulting device aims to allow deaf-blind students to send and receive information entirely in finger Braille, using buttons and vibrotactile feedback. In contrast, the hearing tutor receives auditory messages and speaks to reply, making the educational experience as familiar as possible for both parties. Users testing the device achieved an average typing accuracy of over 95% and demonstrated an understanding of commands transmitted through the device's components.

Introduction: When the United States adopted Nemeth Code within Unified English Braille (UEB) Contexts and UEB Math/Science in 2016, students who were using braille had to learn a new code for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In late 2016, Bell and Silverman surveyed students about their initial experiences transitioning to a new braille code. However, to date there has not been additional research that includes students' perspectives regarding the long-term effect of the transition to a new braille code on their ability to learn. The purpose of this study was to learn about students' experiences in transitioning to a new braille code, whether students receive STEM braille materials in a timely manner, the technology students use in STEM, and what advice students have for teachers of students with visual impairments. Methods: In the spring of 2021, 11 middle and high school students who use braille for STEM classes participated in one of three focus groups. The data were analyzed using open-coding methods. Results: All participants had initially learned the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation and subsequently transitioned to one of the new braille codes. Students typically characterized learning a new braille code as easy. Most of the students had experienced delays in receiving braille materials, which sometimes negatively affected their ability to learn. Students reported using a variety of mainstream and assistive technologies. Discussion: Students should have consistent access to high-quality STEM materials in a timely manner in the braille code that they prefer. The students in this study articulated their preferences and were willing to advocate for themselves to overcome learning challenges in their STEM courses. Implications for Practitioners: Teachers of students with visual impairments can partner with general education STEM teachers and administrators to resolve persistent issues. Teachers can encourage students to voice their preferences and assist students in developing strategies before challenges arise.

The main objective of this research was to study the factors influencing the science and environment of education program for blind students at the elementary level. This research used mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative approaches), specifically a questionnaire survey was conducted to better understand the current situation on Science and Environmental Education Learning among 192 blind students in 14 primary schools for the blind in Thailand and in-depth interviews with the directors, science and Environmental teachers, and students' parents, 30 interviewees in total. The data were collected and analyzed into frequency and percentage (and K-means clustering) using SPSS software. The research findings from data collection from 192 blind students illustrated that the importance of facilitator that involve teaching materials (43%) was support appropriate to Science and Environmental Education teaching materials for blind students, 34% students had a good relationship with their classmates and teachers. A total of (32%) were provided more Braille textbooks for Science and Environmental Education teaching. K-means cluster analysis showed four clusters of science and environmental education learning blind students. The study concluded that the factors influencing effectiveness of science and environmental education learning of blind students consisted of facilitators, the creation of scientific learning processes, media and technology as the medium for communicating scientific knowledge, appropriate curriculum for blind students, and cognitive abilities of blind students in physical, mental, intelligence, and emotion terms.

The purpose of this study was to determine the reading comprehension levels of middle school students who are braille readers in informational texts and to examine whether they differ in terms of certain variables. 23 of the participants were male and 16 were female; 11 of them were attending 6th grade, 18 were attending 7th grade, 10 were attending 8th grade. The data of the study were collected through the 'Reading Comprehension Achievement Test', which was prepared by the researchers and included 24 open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics analysis and one-way analysis of variance test. The significance level of p<0.05 was taken into consideration in the interpretation of the results obtained from the statistical tests conducted in the study. As a result of the study, middle school students who are braille readers needed to improve their reading comprehension performance in informative texts. The study also found that using braille abbreviations had a great effect on reading comprehension. Findings showed that the reading comprehension levels of male and female students who read braille were similar to each other and the reading comprehension levels of students who read braille were similar to each other regardless of their grade level.

In the late nineteenth century, Protestant missionaries introduced modern education for the blind people in Taiwan and Korea. They developed various tactile reading systems to enhance literacy and provided handicraft training for self-sufficiency. When these regions came under Japanese colonial rule in the first half of the twentieth century, the colonial government introduced Japanese Braille and massage training for blind students. However, most of these training programmes fell short in effectively equipping blind individuals for sustaining their livelihoods upon completing their education. As a result, paradoxically, tactile reading systems initially designed to discourage blind individuals from participating in traditional fortune-telling practices ended up inadvertently catalysing the modernisation of these longstanding traditions. This case study highlights the intricate and diverse nature of special education in East Asia.

Parallel support is a Greek type of special education provision aiming at providing additional support to students identified with special educational needs and/or disability in mainstream classrooms. Drawing from quantitative data for the school-year 2018-2019 this paper presents findings on certain characteristics of primary and pre-primary teachers who work in parallel support including gender, educational qualifications, teaching experience and further certifications in braille and/or sign language. In so doing, the paper analyses several shortcomings regarding the staffing of parallel support, especially in relation to teachers' qualifications and teaching experience. Additionally, it reports data on the recruitment procedures of teachers revealing significant delays in the hiring of teachers who work in parallel support. Finally, the paper discusses how the current educational policy creates structural barriers that hinder the educational inclusion of students with special educational needs and/or disability.

Studies show that assistive technology tools have provided opportunities for the visually impaired in some developed countries to pursue mathematics programmes and foster inclusive education. However, their counterparts in developing countries sparingly participate in any mathematical activity due to low knowledge and use of these tools. The main purpose of this study was to expose student-teachers with visual impairments to basic assistive technology tools. The knowledge and use of the tools helped to convert, convey and interpret basic mathematical equations. The design was a case study involving five student-teachers who were admitted to the Department of Basic Education, University of Education, Winneba to pursue a Post Diploma in Mathematics programme. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data whose items contained tools for general administration, additional support, STEM, mathematics instruction, polynomials and assessment. These served as the cases of the study and data analysis. The analysis was undertaken in two stages. The first stage explored their knowledge and use of the assistive technology tools. The second stage analysed transcriptions of statements. The two stages helped to corroborate the findings. To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, the interview guide was validated by post-graduate students of the Department of Special Education and Basic Education. The findings showed that the student-teachers had little knowledge and use of the basic assistive technology tools. However, they were still desirous to learn and use the basic assistive technology tools for mathematics teaching and learning. It was therefore recommended that stakeholders make available and accessible common basic assistive technology tools to schools, and restructure the mathematics curriculum to suit the integration of assistive technology tools.

The purpose of this descriptive study is to analyze the writings of fourth-grade Turkish-speaking students with low vision in terms of legibility and spelling errors. The study is a general survey design and used the criterion sampling method. The study group consisted of 32 students with low vision. A Multidimensional Legibility Scale was used to evaluate students' writing legibility. The researcher developed a Spelling Error Evaluation Form to determine the spelling errors. The Mann-Whitney U test and a descriptive analysis were performed to analyze the study data. The findings of the study reveal that fourth-grade students' writings with low vision were generally not legible or were legible at a moderate level. In terms of spelling errors, it was observed that fourth-grade students with low vision made the most errors in letters, words, and spelling. Typing the letter smaller/ larger than the relevant range was the most frequent, and suffix (-ki) was the least misspelled. It was observed that fourth-grade students' legibility and spelling error scores with low vision did not differ according to the variables of gender, school type, and braille. Also, a significant and negative correlation between spelling errors and legibility scores was found. The findings are discussed within the framework of the relevant literature and presented some suggestions for future measures and research.

Brigham Young posits that 'If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but you educate a woman, you educate a nation.' Even now, educating a woman is challenging in cultural practices dominated by values and beliefs in the social system. Women in developing countries face significant barriers in accessing education, whereas gender inequality in communities, society, and the workplace hinders economic and social development. Education as a means of empowerment of women can bring changes socially, economically, and politically. An American author, Helen Keller, says that 'Education cannot be created with ease, only through the experience of trial and sufferings it can be strengthened, inspired and achieved.' Women with visual impairment are still receiving less schooling, denied social acceptance, and lack of access to information also became an impediment added to their woes. Perhaps, ICT has changed visually impaired women's lives by giving them access to mainstream and trying to be independent financially and socially. Furthermore, ICT has allowed visually impaired women in accessing braille materials, operating assistive devices and applications that build confidence, recognition, self-expression, and acquire knowledge. This study explores how inclusive education creates an opportunity for visually impaired women in overcoming societal stigma by achieving personal, social, emotional, and academic goals. ICT in education plays an essential role in developing women and facilitates empowerment, calibrated to a new order of society's structure and functions.

This is a case-study of a blind college student, Sonia, at the College of Languages and Translation (COLT). She has an iPhone, iPad and laptop as well as a Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype accounts. She uses MS Office and the university's Academic Portal. The iPhone VoiceOver App and the Braille Sense Notetaker enable her to surf the internet, take notes in class, synchronize her calendar and contacts, and read silently through the use of a refreshable Braille display. She gives her Camera voice commands to take photos and write captions. A navigation software helps Sonia to walk around alone. Sonia reported that the voice software helps her communicate with people better, especially on social media. Since Sonia takes listening and interpreting courses in the Multimedia Language Lab at COLT, she indicated that no screen reading software is available at the lab like HAL or JAWS. Everything is operated by the mouse, not voice. Instructors do not wait for her during the listening and interpreting classes. Although she finds the Braille Sense Notetaker very useful and handy, she cannot afford to buy it. She borrows it from the Centre for Special Needs Students at the university. Recommendations for helping blind students make the best use of assistive technologies are given.

The study reported on here was conducted to investigate the perceptions of 8 learners in a secondary school in the Maseru district of Lesotho about inclusive education as it relates to learners with visual impairment. This school had integrated children with visual impairment. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, and a case study format was adopted. Eight participants (aged 16-23; 5 girls and 3 boys) participated in the study. Two focus groups were formed: one comprised 4 learners without visual impairment, and another 4 learners with visual impairment. Focus-group discussions were followed up with individual interviews. The results reveal that learners (with and without visual impairment) had mixed opinions about the integration of learners with visual impairment in their mainstream school. On the one hand they pointed out that inadequate resources and the unwelcoming infrastructure of their school discouraged this integration. Those with visual impairment also pointed to their exclusion from sports activities by their peers, as well as the occasional use of exclusionary language by some of their teachers, as indicating that special schools were better places for them. On the other hand, the learners stated some of the benefits of including learners with visual impairment in their school. These included enabling peer tutoring, peer consultations, and a slower pace of teaching. Learners with visual impairment also stated that inclusion had improved their social life, by enabling them to learn better ways of living with people without visual impairment. Based on these benefits, learners welcomed the inclusion of those with visual impairment in mainstream schools.

Introduction: Participants' perspectives are valuable in evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention. Methods: Interviews were conducted with teachers of students with visual impairments and students who completed an intervention designed to build graphics literacy skills. Results: Six themes were identified with corresponding subthemes. The intervention was reported to build students' graphics literacy skills. Discussion: Some students were able to generalize the strategies they learned to academic classes. Higher-level thinking skills challenged some students. Implications for practitioners: A systematic approach beginning early can increase students' graphics literacy skills. Teachers should provide ongoing opportunities for thinking and regulation of learning.

While assistive technology is often suggested as a way to increase, maintain, or improve functional ability for individuals with disabilities within physical activity (PA) settings, cost and availability of such items are often noted as barriers. In recent years, 3D printing has become available to the general public through the adoption of 3D printers in schools, libraries, and universities. Through individual design and rapid prototyping, 3D printing can support physical educators in accommodating student need for assistive technology through a multitude of modification possibilities. This article will highlight the capacity for 3D printed assistive technology within educational settings, and will illustrate how teachers, APE specialists, and other related service personnel can utilize this technology to support student success in PE and PA settings. This article will also assist practitioners with locating, uploading, and utilizing existing collections of 3D assistive technology models from open-source websites, such as Thingiverse.

Introduction: Participants' perspectives are valuable in evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention. Methods: Interviews were conducted with teachers of students with visual impairments and students who completed an intervention designed to build graphics literacy skills. Results: Six themes were identified with corresponding subthemes. The intervention was reported to build students' graphics literacy skills. Discussion: Some students were able to generalize the strategies they learned to academic classes. Higher-level thinking skills challenged some students. Implications for practitioners: A systematic approach beginning early can increase students' graphics literacy skills. Teachers should provide ongoing opportunities for thinking and regulation of learning. [This article was published in "Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness" (EJ1321667).]

This study provides information on the use of a refreshable braille display in relation to reading speeds and accuracy for students with visual impairments. The characteristics and variables which were statistically significant predictors of reading speed were explored. Forty-nine students in grades 1-9 participated with their teachers of students with visual impairments. In this 16-week study participants used the "Reading Adventure Time!" app to complete a pretest, intervention, and eight progress monitoring checks. Using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analyses the researchers found silent reading speeds averaged 16.80 WPM at grades 1-2, 46.43 WPM at grades 3-4, 46.12 WPM at grades 5-6, and 50.51 WPM at grades 7-9. Oral reading speeds averaged 18.37 WPM at grades 1-2, 49.05 WPM at grades 3-4, 45.62 WPM at grades 5-6, and 45.82 WPM at grades 7-9. On average, there were few miscues for participants at all grade levels. Statistically significant predictors of reading speed included the number of braille cells on the refreshable braille display, the proportion of students receiving free and reduced lunch recipients, time spent in literacy instruction with the general education teacher, and whether the student was a dual braille and print reader. Reading speeds were comparable to those found in studies which examined reading paper-based formats. The most common statistically significant predictor of reading speed was the number of cells on the refreshable braille display. Wise decisions about the types of refreshable displays used can potentially make a difference in students' reading speeds.

This study explored the effects of visual status and braille reading patterns on the reading accuracy of students with visual impairments in China. The sample consisted of 121 students aged 10-19 years: 48 were students with congenital visual impairments, 25 were students with adventitious visual impairments, and 48 were sighted students. Students with visual impairment read braille and sighted students read printed materials, whilst both reading materials have same content. The participants' reading accuracy was measured by assessing the number and range of errors. The types of error identified included mispronunciation, omission, repetition, substitution, self-correction, and insertion. The study had two main conclusions. (1) Type of vision status had a significant effect on reading accuracy. More specifically, the reading accuracy of the sighted students was significantly higher than that of the students with visual impairments. Furthermore, repetition was the most common type of reading error made by the two groups of students with visual impairments, whereas self-correction was the most common type of reading error made by the sighted students. (2) Braille reading patterns had a marginally significant effect on reading accuracy. The participants who used cooperative and one-handed patterns were more accurate than the students who used the other braille reading patterns. Specifically, the participants using cooperative and one-handed patterns made significantly fewer mistakes in the repetition category than the students using marker and parallel patterns, but this difference did not exist for the other types of reading errors. These results are analysed and discussed in the discussion section of this paper.

The right of persons with disabilities for equal access to education and educational resources is enshrined by international and country-specific anti-discrimination laws. Taking the Ethiopian context as an example, this paper sought to identify barriers of access to educational resources and explored ways for removing them. Seventeen students with visual impairments studying at Hawassa University were selected for semi-structured interviews. Moreover, five individuals working at the disability centre and the university library were interviewed. The results of the interviews were analysed thematically using the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health (ICF) as a framework. Access and accessibility problems that emanate from the learners' diverse background, lack of educational resources in alternative formats, lack of institutional tools (policy, procedure, guidelines, etc.) to bridge the gap between law and practice, and the digital divide were among the problems identified and discussed. At the end, the paper showed how libraries, revitalised as learning and information commons, could help to ensure the accessibility of educational resources and help learners with disabilities to acquire skills that may help them in their studies and their future undertakings.

The article is a family-presented case study on how cerebral visual impairment (CVI) impairs the author's 13-year-old child's ability to read print and how the author discovered that braille is the only effective way for their child to access literacy. There is a cohort of individuals with CVI who subconsciously take advantage of other methods to understand the world around them. Chronic nervous system activation, due to the stress a person experiences while trying to read print, quickly turns into a trauma response. Without lightning-speed visual memory for letter-sound associations, fluent print reading simply is not possible. As reading demands increase exponentially beyond fourth grade, a child who is already working overtime to pass as sighted and a print reader is set up for failure, burnout, and despair. With greater recognition of the existence of visual agnosia of letters, including when it is hidden under compensatory strategies, the author believes those supporting literacy access for children with CVI should consider braille, including for children with typical visual acuities.

Some students with visual impairments have not learned to read print or braille due to a variety of factors. The inability to read proficiently affects all areas of a person's life. Thus, it is essential that teachers of students with visual impairments (hereafter called "teachers") are systematic and use research-based practices in teaching students with visual impairments, including those with intellectual disabilities, to read print or braille or both. Constant time delay is an evidence-based practice that has an extensive body of research supporting its use in literacy instruction. The current study explored the use of constant time delay in teaching braille contractions. The following research questions were explored: (1) Would constant time delay be an efficient strategy to teach the 12 final-letter groupsigns in isolation?; (2) Would the targeted groupsigns be generalized into reading words and assist with fluency and automaticity?, and (3) To what extent would the tactual recognition of final-letter groupsigns be maintained after the completion of the intervention? The constant time delay method was easy to incorporate within the classroom and a time-efficient strategy for teaching the final letter contractions. The promise shown in studies implementing constant time delay for students with visual impairments and additional disabilities should not be overlooked when exploring learning strategies for teaching new concepts and skills.

Introduction: In 2016, the United States transitioned to two new braille codes for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Little is known about the experiences of teachers of students with visual impairments in learning and supporting their students in learning these new braille codes: Nemeth Code within Unified English Braille (UEB) Contexts and UEB Technical. Methods: Thirteen certified teachers of students with visual impairments participated in one of three focus groups during the spring of 2020. The audio files were transcribed and then analyzed. Results: Some participants reported that they were still in the process of transitioning to Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts or UEB Technical. The majority of participants learned a new code through self-study and were introducing the symbols incrementally to their students. The participants reported that their students had been successful in learning Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts or UEB Technical, but there were challenges, including inadequate lead time, in supporting their students in STEM classes. Discussion: Affordable training and professional development for learning a new code were needed. Additional resources, including grade-level charts and curricula for K-12 students, should be created for both codes. Implications for Practitioners: Teachers of students with visual impairments are an essential part of the STEM educational team for students who read braille. Supporting student learning requires specialized knowledge of the braille codes used in STEM courses and technologies for producing tactile materials. Sharing of instructional materials, existing resources, and teacher expertise throughout mentorship would benefit the field of visual impairment.

Introduction: This study explored the impact of synchronous professional development regarding Nemeth Code Within Unified English Braille (UEB) Contexts on the knowledge and skills of 17 teachers of students with visual impairments. Methods: Participants attended the professional development sessions in June 2022 and submitted a pretest, posttest, final assignment, and posttraining survey. Results: Sixteen out of 17 participants scored higher on their posttest with a mean difference of 5.53. None of the participants submitted an error-free assignment. Total numbers of errors ranged from 8 to 60, and the categories with the highest percentage of errors were formatting, use of opening and terminating switch indicators, and Nemeth Code symbols. Discussion: In order to successfully progress in the general education curriculum, students who read braille must have access to timely, accurately prepared materials in all content areas including mathematics. Direct examination of the final assignment submitted by the 17 participants revealed similar error patterns to previous research. In addition, some of the participants struggled to correctly use Nemeth Code switch indicators. Implications for Practitioners: Teachers of students with visual impairments should continue to build their skills for Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts. Additional resources and professional development are urgently needed.

Introduction: The learning media assessment (LMA) process is the mechanism professionals use to determine a student's optimal learning and reading media. Currently, no tool has been validated for the purpose of conducting the LMA process. Methods: A Delphi approach was used whereby a panel of identified experts in the LMA process went through iterative phases recommending items to be included in the LMA process and voting on keeping, changing, or deleting items until a final list of agreed upon items was established. Results: At the completion of five rounds of voting and amending items, the final list of agreed upon items included 2 general goals, 66 items, and 18 acceptable modifications to the LMA process. The items to be included in an LMA process were categorized into logistical items to be noted (9 items), LMA procedural characteristics (11 items), materials to be used (2 items), information to be gathered (20 items), student medical/visual characteristics (8 items), student reading or academic characteristics (10 items), and student technology and literacy tool use (6 items). Eighteen acceptable modifications or adjustments that could be made to assessment procedures were also agreed upon. Discussion: The framework of what is critical in the LMA process, as shown in this Delphi study, can be used to assess the validity of LMA tools. Implications for Practitioners: Practitioners can use the framework built by this Delphi process to evaluate the validity of LMA tools they use. Practitioners can assess the tools they use by asking if all the validated content areas are addressed, if validated procedures are being followed, and if validated accommodations are in place.

This work showcases specific adaptations used to make cybersecurity accessible to high school students with visual impairments and blindness (VIB). The rapidly growing field of cybersecurity demands a diverse workforce; however, barriers exist which can deter students with disabilities from studying cybersecurity, let alone pursuing a career in the field. To help overcome this challenge, we launched the first GenCyber camp specifically developed and instructed for high school students with VIB in summer 2019. We created a unique learning environment by combining interactive instructional aids, accessible development environments, and innovative instructional strategies. With intent to show cybersecurity as a viable career option for a diverse workforce, the program outcomes from this work included a clear understanding of the GenCyber Cybersecurity Concepts, sparking interest in cybersecurity careers, and building the confidence to pursue those careers. This material is based upon work supported by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation through the GenCyber program under award number 19-AL-UAHxUV-S1.

The educational research literature has promoted integrating students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms since the 1970s. In 2007, the Japanese government amended the School Educational Law, which has increased the number of educational opportunities available to students with disabilities. At the same time, the Japanese education system is, increasingly, following the global trend of promoting English as a foreign language (EFL) education at every level of the education system. There are approximately 1.64 million visually impaired people in Japan. Of these, an estimated 187,800 are blind. Even as the disability rights movement in Japan advances its agenda of barrier-free access, the processes through which blind students learn (and can be taught) foreign languages has not been well described within the broader educational community. In this paper, I will present the results of an interview study conducted with student and teacher participants at a school for the visually impaired in Japan. In this study, I sought to address two research foci: (1) what best practices can support teachers in conducting classes with visually impaired students; and (2) how visually impaired students relate to and engage with their EFL classes. Through my analysis of the interview data, I identified three core themes: (1) the importance of targeted needs analysis; (2) the centrality of braille for equity and access; and (3) a tension between traditional educational support systems for visually impaired students in Japan, and what contemporary students increasingly need.

Diagrams appear in many school subjects but more prominent in science and mathematics taught in schools. Accessing these diagrams in an inclusive classroom has been identified to be problematic for blind students partly due to the teaching resources available and personnel type, support and sufficiency. Diagrams are mostly omitted by teachers leaving the blind person out in such classroom to access portion of education received by their peers. In many instances, questions with diagrams are treated as bonus for blind students in some countries which is not fair to them. This study explored the efficacy of STEM Kit© diagrams on participation and inclusion of blind students in science lessons in two case schools in Nigeria. Data were collected through classroom observations and teacher and student interviews. The accessible diagrams in the STEM Kit were found to provide relevant solutions to problems militating against adequate accessibility of diagrams to blind students in inclusive classrooms.

Braille readers use a braille display and text-to-speech synthesizer while reading and comprehending mathematical expressions and equations. Teachers need to have technological, pedagogical and content (TPACK) knowledge and skills for exploiting the potential of these devices in mathematics education. They have to understand how the use of assistive technology influences the teaching and learning of mathematics. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to support teachers to better understand the dynamic relation between the different TPACK domains. That is why a professional development course was developed in which five mathematics teachers of braille readers in special secondary education participated. The development of the teachers' TPACK knowledge was analyzed, and course characteristics that helped to develop this knowledge were identified. The results show an increased awareness of the importance of assistive devices, but only a small positive effect in TPACK knowledge and skills. Course activities related to the braille display, the mathematical braille notation and mathematical vocabulary helped to develop TPACK knowledge. However, course activities related to the text-to-speech synthesizer and working in heterogeneous groups did not work out so well. A better understanding of what teaching mathematics to braille readers means is expected to improve their learning.

The scope of this article is to describe the creation and implementation of specialized adaptations used in teaching the subject of basic cryptography to students who are visually impaired or blind. Included is an overview of events held for visually impaired and blind transition age youth in Alabama and the methods used to engage this population in the subject of computer science. Teaching strategies utilized for this unique demographic of students are discussed as they relate to the sample cryptography lessons used during the transition day events. The construction of three forms of adapted ciphers are described in addition to general information about modifications. Limitations encountered with specific designs, such as braille tracking issues, are also conveyed. The manipulative designs suggested in this article fulfilled a specific need and allowed participants with varying degrees of visual impairments to complete the process of encryption and decryption. Further evidence to suggest proven effectiveness of the manipulatives is needed as the initial designs are intentionally low cost and rudimentary in nature.

Late-blind people, who adventitiously became blind in their adulthood, are a special group of the blind. Each of them has his/her own characteristics when returning to work. In this paper, methods on how late-blind teachers can effectively lecture sighted students are presented based on experience of authors with blindness. For late-blind teachers, only having the basic teaching skills as the sighted teachers is insufficient to lecture sighted students. They shall fully explore the knowledge and skills they acquired before their blindness. Much to be important, they have to take advantage of their physiological advantages (e.g., good sense of hearing and touching) and modern teaching tools (e.g., PowerPoint slides with voice navigation and screen reading software). With the accessible technology, the paper provides a specific case to describe the personalized teaching process in the rear of it. Through introducing an instance of micro-course about braille teaching (digit and part of English letter), the case takes a true reproduction that basically covers the entire teaching procedure. In fact, only in this way can the teaching tasks like lecturing and Q&A be accomplished smoothly.

Developing braille literacy skills represents one of the major goals of the education process for students with vision impairment. Fluency and accuracy in reading and writing facilitate access to information, development of knowledge, active participation, functionality, and independence in social contexts. One of the essential factors that can influence the success in the learning process of the braille code consists of the competences of teachers of students with vision impairment who teach braille. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reflections of 95 undergraduate special education students on their training programs regarding braille in their role as future special education teachers. Data were obtained through questionnaires which were administered in two departments of special education in two European universities. The results reported upon undergraduate students' reflections on their study in braille and confidence in teaching braille to students who are blind. The findings highlighted the need for further training into the braille code in conjunction with its literary and scientific notation.

Background: Teaching reading skills is the cornerstone of all learning; therefore, teachers' adherence to this mandate is important. However, it becomes complicated and challenging if the teacher has to teach pre-reading skills to Grade R learners with visual impairments. In light of this challenge, researchers have endeavoured to determine the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) that teachers should possess for the effective teaching of reading in classrooms with visually impaired learners. Aim: This article explores a small sample of in-service teachers' knowledge of using Braille to teach pre-reading skills to Grade R learners with visual impairments. Setting: The study was conducted in a School for the Blind in Maseru, Lesotho, where three Grade R in-service teachers teaching learners with visual impairments were purposively sampled. Methods: This study is underpinned by Koehler and Mishra's theory of TPACK. An interpretivist, qualitative small-scale case study approach was employed, using semistructured interviews and classroom observations. Document analysis was also used to corroborate findings. Results: Findings reveal that although some of the participants possess a high level of technological knowledge, they tend to teach Braille as a 'stand-alone' skill and fail to integrate it with the teaching of other pre-reading skills to Grade R learners. Conclusion: In-service teachers showed limited knowledge of some of the essential skills for teaching pre-reading skills to Grade R learners who are visually impaired. The study calls for supportive in-service teacher education programmes that equip Grade R teachers of learners with visual impairments with the necessary skills to teach pre-reading skills.

Introduction: Across the world, mathematical expressions are represented very differently in braille. The aim of this study was (1) to gain an overall insight in mathematical braille notations and (2) to investigate how mathematical braille notations support braille readers in reading and comprehending mathematical expressions. Method: Twenty teachers from sixteen countries (thirteen European Union, EU, and three non-EU) were asked to transform 21 mathematical expressions and equations into the mathematical braille notation currently used by their braille readers. Three mathematical expressions were selected, and the transformed expressions in the different braille notations were qualitatively compared at braille and mathematical structure level. Results: The results illustrated that most mathematical braille notations use mathematical structures that either support braille readers in getting an overview of an expression--for example, by announcing the start and end of a fraction--or facilitate communication between braille readers and people who can see. Discussion: The method of comparing transformed expressions at structure level can be extended to other types of mathematical expressions and other mathematical braille notations. Agreement on the structure of different mathematical expressions can be a first step towards a universal mathematical braille notation. Implications for Practitioners: Mathematics teachers should be aware of and use the strengths of the mathematical braille notation and try to compensate for weaknesses of the notation in the support of braille readers.

Introduction: Children's books help all young readers develop social understanding through recognition of themselves and their worlds and exposure to different cultures and places. Prior content analyses have revealed the underrepresentation of culturally diverse characters in print children's books; however, the extent to which braille children's books reflect racial and ethnic diversity has not been investigated. As such, this study examined racial and ethnic diversity in published children's braille books. Methods: The authors analyzed 328 braille books from the online catalogs of Seedlings Braille Books for Children and National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), drawing from schema for describing African American children's literature. This study presents a tactile version of Rudine Sims Bishop's mirror, windows, and sliding glass doors metaphor for the purpose of understanding how braille books can enrich the lives of blind or low vision children. Results: The results indicated that characters of color were featured in 12% and 14% of children's braille books in the Seedlings and NLS catalogs. Culturally conscious content was found in 68% and 86% of the books with characters of color in the Seedlings and NLS catalogs respectively. Discussion: In the context of a highly multicultural society, the findings from this study are remarkably unfortunate. They demonstrate that racially and ethnically diverse children who are blind or have low vision have far fewer opportunities than their white counterparts to experience NLS and Seedlings braille books that represent themselves and their worlds or expose them to different worlds. We strongly encourage the children's braille book industry to address these findings with urgency. Implications for Practitioners: Teachers of children with visual impairments need to be aware of the literary and social benefits of culturally diverse books and incorporate more of these books into their literacy instruction. They need not wait for additional research or for the children's braille book industry to publish more books featuring diverse racial and ethnic groups. Teachers of children with visual impairments can prepare culturally diverse braille books for their students and support families in adding braille overlays to culturally diverse print books in their home libraries.

Purpose: The main objective of the present study was to examine the effect of word length, word frequency and number of syllables on graphemic errors during a text-reading task via the braille code. Method: Thirty students with severe visual impairments participated in the present study. They were invited individually to read aloud a number of texts via the braille code for forty-five minutes beginning from the text that corresponded to their equivalent reading level. Results: A binary logistic regression analysis revealed a word length effect on long words but not on short or medium words indicating that despite the gradual insertion of the braille characters, the braille readers were able to efficiently process large perceptual units. Moreover, braille readers produced three times more graphemic errors in the second half of the long words compared to the first half, while the students who attended secondary education performed more graphemic errors when they read short words compared to students enrolled in primary education. Conclusion: The presence of the word length effect only on long words indicates that text reading via the braille code is mostly, but not exclusively, in parallel.

To be effective teachers of literacy for students who read braille, we need to know what our students' strengths and needs are as all these components come together in braille literacy. Using an appropriate assessment that addresses the skill sets involved in braille literacy is critical to putting together effective intervention packages for our students. The first author used the Kamei-Hannan and Ricci Reading Assessment (2015) and the Braille Reading Analysis Chart (Harley, et al., 1997) to determine areas of need for a student in grade 2 in a braille literacy program. Needs included: identifying ending sounds and naming final letters and sounds; basic decoding of short and long vowel sounds; recognizing sight words; and identifying letters. Specific miscue patterns in tactile perception (reversals) were identified. Information gathered from these assessments was used to develop a targeted intervention package and informed the development of a balanced literacy program for this student. Following a period of implementation, data showed evidence of overall improvement in braille literacy skills.

Introduction: Braille literacy for students who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) can be a critical component for school and postsecondary transition success. This survey study was a modified replication of previous studies that examined the instruction of literary braille in university preparation programs for professionals who work with students with visual impairments. Methods: Nineteen university instructors of literary braille responded to a survey about instructional formats, books, and tools, as well as assessment issues, such as test formats, scoring, and requirements for demonstrating proficiency. Results: Survey responses indicated that some instructional strategies at the university level have remained the same over the last 20 years, but there are also some changes. Most notably, updated books and resources are being used and instructors represent the same demographic group, Caucasian females over 45 years old. But, the level of experience has substantially dropped and there has been a shift to increased online learning. All programs indicated focusing instruction on Unified English Braille (UEB) code. Discussion: Prior concerns about the challenges of teaching UEB have been somewhat satisfied. Proficiency exams are now required by programs, which could contribute to better prepare teachers for students with visual impairments. Implications for Practitioners: The shift to online learning affects practice. The use of braille simulation software might alter the way practitioners think about erasures. In preparing for distance learning, instructors must consider how to make courses accessible, rigorous, and of high quality. Although university braille proficiency exams should continue to be used to evaluate the skills of future professionals, educators might advocate for tests at the state or province level prior to licensure and common standards for minimal competency.

Walter Ong points out that no one can write naturally, because writing is a completely artificial technique we need to acquire through education. The technology of literacy as writing letters begets a dividing line between "literates" and "illiterates," since literacy cannot be acquired otherwise. When we review the early history of literacy, we notice that letter-writing was a specialized technology, and that in its center resided a small number of elites who could write. Thereafter, in the Modern Era, the center of discussion on literacy turned to the issue of the illiterate masses, mainly on how to bring them to literacy through school education. As the interest in popularizing literacy increased, though, another kind of increased interest arose: the interest in literacy education for blind people. On purpose or not, blind people had been excluded or alienated from literature and/or letter-based culture. However, the stronger the power exerted to exclude blind people, the more blind people aspired to write/read letters. Such aspiration and attempts to write/read letters in their own way may establish a distinct touch-centered world of letters and literacy and, importantly, may relativize its sight-centered world counterpart. If so, how will such a practice revise sight-centered literacy and open new horizons? I would like to consider this topic by reviewing its historical background and examining a case of writing practice by Kuzuhara Koto, a blind musician, in 19th century Japan.

Assistive technologies are frequently used to help disabled students to access core and expanded core curricula and to improve their functional, communication and literacy skills. Non-optical low vision devices and optical and tactile graphics technologies are some of the assistive technologies used by visually impaired students in today's classrooms. In this study, we used a smartphone app, a Braille printer, and the Braille Spotdot embosser to design and develop a science activity to teach the concept of constant speed to a visually impaired student and two non-impaired peers using the 5E instructional model. The goal of the activity was to help students develop such skills as defining a problem, designing an experiment, and drawing graphs as well as to learn to compute unit rates and comprehend proportional relationships among variables.

Tactile, motor and cognitive capacities decline with age, but little is known about how this relates to braille reading outcomes. This study investigated correlates of braille reading speed among working-age and older adults. Texts were read in two modes (oral/silent) and two media (paper/electronic braille display) by 46 blind adults (age range 23-88) who learned braille between the ages of 4 and 63. Participants completed demographic questionnaires and tests of tactile acuity, fine-motor dexterity and working-memory. A relationship between decreased performance in tactile sensitivity and increased age was observed, but no relationship between increased age and braille reading speed was found. Active tactile acuity, reading frequency and braille learning age were significantly correlated with braille reading speed. No significant difference based on medium was observed, though silent reading was significantly faster than reading aloud. Findings underscore the importance of providing opportunities for older braille learners to secure training and to have frequent opportunities to practice braille between sessions. Findings also challenge the suggestion that increased age alone will impede braille learning. The most significant barrier faced by older braille learners is not their age, but challenges that could instead be addressed through policy and practice changes.