An experimental instrument to assess Optacon reading performance was developed primarily through modification of existing reading tests. Results from a pilot study involving 12 Optacon reading students indicated that subtests measuring letter recognition, word recognition, and rate of reading possessed satisfactory levels of reliability. However, the subtest measuring literal comprehension had low reliability.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AryD., JacobsL. C., and RazaviehA.Introduction to research in education.New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1979.
2.
GadbawP. D., DolanM. T., & De L'AuneW. R.Optacon skill acquisition by blinded veterans.Journal of Visual Impariment & Blindness, 1977, 71, 23–28.
MorrisJ. E.The 1973 Stanford achievement test series as adapted for use by the visually handicapped.Education of the Visually Handicapped, 1974, 6, 33–40.
5.
NolanC. Y., and KederisC. J.Perceptual factors in braille word recognition.New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1969.
6.
OziasD. K.Achievement assessment of the visually handicapped.Education of the Visually Handicapped, 1975, 7, 76–84.
7.
SchoofL. T.An analysis of Optacon usage.AFB Research Bulletin, 1975, 29, 33–50.
8.
SpacheG. D.Diagnosing and correcting reading disabilities.Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1976.
9.
TobinM. J., JamesW. R. K., McVeighA., and IrvingR. M.Print reading by the blind: An evaluation of the Optacon and an investigation of some learner variables and teaching methods.Birmingham, England: Research Centre for the Education of the Visually Handicapped, University of Birmingham, 1973.
10.
WeisgerberR. A., EverettB. E., RodabaughB. J., ShannerW. M., and CrawfordJ. J.Educational evaluation of the Optacon (optical-to-tactile converter) as a reading aid to blind elementary and secondary students.Palo Alto, CA: American Institutes for Research1974. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 107 294).
