Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article describes the Early Braille Readers Project, which provided a Mountbatten Pro Brailler and peripheral equipment to 20 kindergarteners, first-, and second graders in Texas. The project included training and support in the form of site visits and teacher training for both teachers of students with visual impairments and classroom teachers, group workshops, and an electronic discussion group. The project had a positive impact on the students’ writing and reading skills and participation in instruction and social interaction.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bogdan

R. C.

, & Biklen

S. K.

(1998). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Connell

(2003). Braille writing for students who will graduate in 2015. See/Hear, 8(4). Retrieved November 28, 2006, from http:/www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall03/braille.htm

Cook

(2001a). MB Pro, the second generation Mountbatten brailler: A visual guide. Retrieved August 30, 2005, from ftp://ftp.setbc.org/pub/mbpro/mbpro_guide.pdf

Cook

(2001b). MB Pro braille writer: Step by step introductory lessons. Retrieved August 30, 2005, from ftp://ftp.setbc.org/pub/mbpro/mbpro_lessons.pdf

Holbrook

M. C.

, Wadsworth

, & Bartlett

(2003). Teachers’ perceptions of using the Mountbatten brailler with young children. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 97, 646–654.

Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. (2005). Braille book files. Retrieved November 28, 2006, from http://www.iowa-braille.k12.ia.us/library.html#braille

Lamb

(1996). Beginning braille: A whole language-based strategy. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90, 184–189.

Special Education Technology—British Columbia. (2001). Emerging braille literacy project 2001–2002. Retrieved November 28, 2006, from http://www.setbc.org/projects/braille_lit/monty.html

Swenson

A. M.

(1999). Beginning with braille: Firsthand experiences with a balanced approach to literacy. New York: AFB Press.

10.

Texas Education Agency. (1998). Texas essential knowledge and skills—Kindergarten. (1998). Retrieved November 28, 2006, from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/grade/Kindergarten.pdf

11.

Texas Education Agency. (2001). Texas Primary Reading Inventory. Austin: Author.

12.

Texas Education Agency. (2004). Tejas LEE. Austin: Author.

13.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (2005). Braille book files. Retrieved November 28, 2006, from http://www.tsbvi.edu/braille/braillebooks.htm

14.

Wormsley

D. P.

, & D'Andrea

F. M.

(1997). Instructional strategies for braille literacy. New York: AFB Press.

Technology and Early Braille Literacy: Using the Mountbatten Pro Brailler in Primary-grade Classrooms

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References