Assistive Technology for Beginning Braille Readers

This post is based on a presentation given at Closing the Gap 2017.

What technology means to me...

• Family
• Love 
• Connection

What technology means to our students...

• Access
• Voice
• Empowerment

A systems analysis of the beginning braille reader's environment...

• The Team
• The Task
• The Tools

The Braille Reader's Instructional Team

• Parents:  Home environment, bedtime stories, first experiences of reading
• The student: Strengths, struggles, motivation, preferences
• Classroom teachers & teaching assistants: Typically new to working with a braille reading, content experts 
• TVI: Experience with braille, reading instruction, AT, materials expert
• Peers: Sources of support & partnership

The Task: Components of Reading

• Phoenic Awarness: ability to manipulate segments/phoenemes
• Phonics: sound + symbols correspondence
• Fluency: Reading rate
• Vocabulary: Knowledge of words and their meanings
• Comprehension: Constructing meaning from text
• *Braille Contractions: 200+ symbols, rules of usage, discrimination

Books on Braille Reading Instruction

• Beginning with Braille
• Reading Connections
• I-M-Able
• Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach
• Just Enough to Know Better
• Guidelines & Games for Teaching Efficient Braille Reading
• Instructional Strategies for Braille Literacy

Resources for Braille Reading Instruction

• Braille Fundamentals
• Un's the One
• Building on Patterns
• Mangold Basic Braille Program
• Read Naturally
• Wilson Reading System
• The same curriculum used by the classroom teacher! 

Considerations for Braille Reading Instruction

• Explicit vs. incidental methods
• Introduction of contractions
• Guided reading integration 
• Paths to Literacy

The Tools: The Role of Assistive Technology in Beginning Braille Reading

"For most people, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible." - Mary Pat Radabaugh, IBM

Remember your TEAM and your TASK when choosing your TOOLS

• Students and their devices do not exist in a vacuum
• Support is one of the key factors of progress
• Consider ease of use, learning curve of device
• Consider experience and engagement of team (and lack thereof)
• Consider strengths and struggles the student brings to both the task and the tool

Perkins Brailler

Perkins SMART Brailler

• Auditory input
• Visual input
• Tactual input
• *USB port for saving items

Watch a video of a student using the Perkins SMART Brailler.

Discussion Points

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of this tool?
• Which members of the team would it support?
• What's an example of a task using this tool?

Logan Braille Coach

• Endlessly customizable braille flashcards
• Can be adapted to any level of student
• headphone jack for private use
• Perfect for an independent activity
• Easy to use by adults and children alike!
• Additional tags can be purchased
• Best kept secret!!

Discussion Points

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of this tool?
• Which members of the team would it support?
• What's an example of a task using this tool?

Mountbatten Braillewriter...aka Braille Whisperer 

• Tactual, auditory, & visual feedback (through amazing app!)
• Keyboard for non braille users to type messages and/or classwork
• Nemeth, music, & more!
• Easy to press keys for little fingers
• Many beginning notetaker functions 

• Intro video
• Cute video
• Mimic video

Discussion Points

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of this tool?
• Which members of the team would it support?
• What's an example of a task using this tool?

Refreshable Braille Displays

• Must either be paired with phones, tablets, or computers using screen reader software
  • Example: Braille Study Mode with JAWS screen reader
• Modular, mainstream
• Multiple advantages to starting young!
  • Examples include: VarioUltra, HIMS Edge, Focus 40-->EIBraille, Brailliant, and more

Discussion Points

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of this tool?
• Which members of the team would it support?
• What's an example of a task using this tool?

Braille Notetakers

• Proprietary-made specifically for braille users
• Stand-alone device with multiple capabilities
• Examples include Pronto, BrailleSense Polaris, Braillenote Touch, APH Braille Plus and more
• Some have visual input, some do not. Click for a video of a student review. 

Discussion Points

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of this tool?
• Which members of the team would it support?
• What's an example of a task using this tool?

Stay in touch!