Teachers' Perceptions of Using the Mountbatten Brailler with Young Children
By Holbrook, M. Cay; Wadsworth, Anne; Bartlett, Mike; Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Vol. 97, No. 10, pp. 646-654Publication Date: October 2003
Article describes the perceptions of teachers of students with visual impairments regarding the impact of the Mountbatten Brailler. The Mountbatten Brailler was used in a literacy instruction project in British Columbia to aid in the development of students’ reading, writing, Braille note taking, and basic computer skills. The Mountbatten Brailler is an electronic Braille notetaker and embosser with features that include an ergonomic keyboard, memory, speech feedback, and the ability to translate from Braille to print, and vice-versa. A QWERTY keyboard can be connected to it to produce contracted or uncontracted Braille, and a personal computer printer can be connected to produce a print copy of a document written using the Braille keyboard. The three-year project yielded positive results; the students considered the Mountbatten Brailler to be “cool,” while the teachers believed that the device is beneficial to young children who are reading Braille. The Mountbatten Brailler was considered to have a friendly, modern design, and allowed for an easy medium between Braille and print.
Assistive Products Discussed: MOUNTBATTEN BRAILLER PRO
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J46565
