A Computer‐based Program to Teach Braille Reading to Sighted Individuals

Abstract

Instructors of the visually impaired need efficient braille-training methods. This study conducted a preliminary evaluation of a computer-based program intended to teach the relation between braille characters and English letters using a matching-to-sample format with 4 sighted college students. Each participant mastered matching visual depictions of the braille alphabet to their printed-word counterparts. Further, each participant increased the number of words they read in a braille passage following this training. These gains were maintained at variable levels on a maintenance probe conducted 2 to 4 weeks after training.

On the Efficacy of a Computer-Based Program to Teach Visual Braille Reading

“…The current study extended the results of Scheithauer and Tiger (2012) findings that suggest the utility of this computer-based instructional program.…”

“…First, similar to the results of Scheithauer and Tiger (2012), participants in the current study completed the training program quickly and successfully identified all braille characters with near perfect accuracy after instruction. Although computer training taught only the skill of matching braille characters to text letters, the emergence of rudimentary braille reading was also noted, with a mean of 26 words read during the posttest assessment across both groups.…”

“…The software was programmed in PracticeMill software (Peladeau, 2000) and was identical to the software described by Scheithauer and Tiger (2012), except where otherwise noted. The software was programmed in PracticeMill software (Peladeau, 2000) and was identical to the software described by Scheithauer and Tiger (2012), except where otherwise noted.…”

“…Scheithauer and Tiger (2012) used a computer-based training program to teach four college students the correspondence between each letter of the English alphabet and its braille counterpart in a matchto-sample format. Scheithauer and Tiger (2012) used a computer-based training program to teach four college students the correspondence between each letter of the English alphabet and its braille counterpart in a matchto-sample format.…”

Braille Recognition using a Camera-enabled Smartphone

“…Teachers who teach Braille to the students require training. A variety of teacher training programmes are conducted at various institutes to make the teachers proficient in Braille [6]. This paper suggests a solution that does not involve training, for teachers who are involved solely in the evaluation of answers written in Braille, and also for parents of visually impaired children, who are not well-versed with Braille.…”