Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Several alphabet codes for the deaf-blind were compared with respect to tactual discriminability and ease of code learning, utilizing subjects with normal vision and hearing. Results can suggest ways for improving codes used by the deaf-blind. Among raised-print codes (typically used for reading), Braille was found to be difficult both to learn and to discriminate tactually. The Moon code was found to be significantly less difficult than Braille. Although raised capital letters are difficult to recognize tactually, modifications of the letters can be made (NL code) that can make them much more easily recognized. Code size and direction of scan (vertical versus horizontal) were significant determinants of discriminability of raised-print symbols. Among hand-sent codes for person-to-person communication, hand-printed letters in the palm were well discriminated. For individuals with no experience with visual letter forms or who have trouble discriminating complex tactual symbols, a simple tactual finger code (T code) offers a solution. The T-code symbols are easy to discriminate and to learn.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bliss, J. C. (1978). Reading machines for the blind. In G. Gordon (Ed.), Active touch. The mechanism of recognition of objects by manipulation: A multidisciplinary approach (pp. 243–248). Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Bliss, J. C. , Crane, H. D. , Mansfield, P. K. , and Townsend, J. T. (1966). Information available in brief tactile presentations. Perception & Psychophysics, 1, 273–283.

Dinsmore, A. B. (1959). Methods of communication with deaf-blind people. New York: American Foundation for the Blind.

Foulke, E. (1982). Reading Braille. In W. Schiff and E. Foulke (Eds.), Tactual perception: A sourcebook (pp. 168–208). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Hill, J. W. (1971). Processing of tactual and visual point stimuli sequentially presented at high rates. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 88, 340–348.

Hill, J. W. , and Bliss, J. C. (1968). Perception of sequentially presented tactile point stimuli. Perception & Psychophysics, 4, 289–295.

James, G. A. (1982). Mobility maps. In W. Schiff and E. Foulke (Eds.), Tactual perception: A sourcebook (pp. 334–363). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Jensema, C. K. (1979). A review of communication systems used by deaf-blind people---Part I. American Annals of the Deaf, 124, 720–725.

Kates, L. , and Schein, J. D. (1980). A complete guide to communication with deaf-blind persons. Silver Springs, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

10.

Keller, F. S. , and Schoenfeld, W. V. (1944). Studies in international Morse code. III. The efficiency of the code as related to errors made during learning. Journal of Applied Psychology, 28, 254–266.

11.

Keller, F. S. , and Taubman, R. E. (1943). Studies in international Morse code. II. Errors made in code reception. Journal of Applied Psychology, 27, 504–509.

12.

Newman, S. E. , Hall, A. D. , Foster, D. J. , and Gupta, V. (1984). Learning as a function of haptic discriminability among items. American Journal of Psychology, 97, 359–372.

13.

Newman, S. E. , Hall, A. D. , Ramseur, C. J. , Foster, D. J. , Golston, D. B. , Decamp, B. L. , Granberry-Hager, S. P. , Lockhart, J. L. , Sawyer, W. L. , and White, J. E. (1982). Factors affecting the learning of Braille. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 77, 59–64.

14.

Sherrick, C. E. (1965). Simple electromechanical vibration transducer. Review of Scientific Instruments, 36, 1893–1894.

15.

Spragg, S. D. S. (1943). The relative difficulty of the Morse code alphabet characters learned by the whole method. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 33, 108–114.

16.

Thurlow, W. R. (1980). Studies on hand-held visual communication device for the deaf and speech impaired. II. Keyboard design. Ear and Hearing, I, 141–147.

17.

Tobin, M. J. (1971). Programmed instruction and Braille learning. Birmingham, U.K.: Research Center for the Education of the Handicapped.

18.

Wickens, C. D. (1984). Engineering psychology and human performance. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.

19.

Wolf, E. G. , Delk, M. T. , and Schein, J. D. (1982). Needs assessment of services to deaf-blind individuals. Silver Springs, MD: REDEX, Inc.

Some Comparisons of Characteristics of Alphabetic Codes for the Deaf-Blind

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References