Teachers of students with visual impairments in Florida were surveyed to determine their use of various types of access technologies. Each category of device, with the exception of refreshable braille devices, was used by at least 25 percent of the teachers. The majority stated that they were not familiar with most of the devices listed and had difficulty acquiring the training needed to learn devices well enough to teach the students to use them. On the basis of these findings, recommendations for preservice and in-service training are suggested.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AshcroftS. (1984). Research on multimedia access to microcomputers for visually impaired youth. Education of the Visually Handicapped, 25, 109–118.
2.
BoydL.H., BoydW.I., & VanderheidenG.C. (1990). The graphical user interface: Crisis, danger, and opportunity. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 496–502.
3.
BrunkenP. (1984). Independence of the visually handicapped through technology. Education of the Visually Handicapped, 25, 127–133.
4.
EspinolaO. & CroftD. (1992). Solutions: Access technologies for people who are blind.Boston: National Braille Press.
5.
GoodrichG.L. (1984). Applications of microcomputers by visually impaired persons. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 78, 408–414.
6.
LuxtonK. (1990). Training students in adaptive computer technology. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 523–525.
7.
MackC.G., KoenigA.J., & AshcroftS.C. (1990). Microcomputers and access technology in programs for teachers of visually impaired students. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 526–530.
8.
MoyerJ.J. (1984). Establishing computer-access centers: Challenge for the 80s. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 78, 435–436.
9.
ParkerS., BuckleyW., TruesdellA., RiggioM., CollinsM., & BoardmanB. (1990). Barriers to the use of assistive technology with children: A survey. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 532–533.
10.
RuconichS. (1994). Evaluating microcomputer access technology for use by visually impaired students. Education of the Visually Handicapped, 25, 119–125.
11.
ScaddenL.A. (1984). Blindness in the information age: Equality or irony? Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 78, 394–400.