Effects of Training on CCTY Reading Rates of Visually Impaired Students

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a closed circuit television (CCTV) system on the reading rates of six visually impaired, college-bound students. Two conditions were imposed: (1) the students received no training in its use but were encouraged to practice with the system and (2) they were then exposed to a systematic training procedure. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used. The students exhibited inconsistent directions of change in reading rate when they were introduced to CCTV without training. These differences appeared to be a function of an interaction between reading efficiency (rate and comprehension) and visual acuity. After systematic instruction in the use of CCTV, however, the reading rates of all the students increased, regardless of the direction of change exhibited in the preceding phase.