[accessibleimage] Fw: BlindNews: One of the biggest single advances in teaching visuallyimpaired learners ever achieved

Hello Colleagues:

     I thought the following article might be of interest.

Regards,

Robert Jaquiss

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leon Gilbert" <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Blind News Mailing List" <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 10:06 AM
Subject: BlindNews: One of the biggest single advances in teaching 
visuallyimpaired learners ever achieved


> Response Source (UK)
> Monday, January 24, 2005
>
> One of the biggest single advances in teaching visually impaired learners 
> ever achieved
>
> By Royal National College for the Blind
>
> A unique combination of sound and touch is bringing a whole new world of 
> teaching opportunities into both special needs and mainstream education. 
> The T3 talking tactile technology is a multi sensory device developed by 
> the Royal National College for the Blind, UK and Touch Graphics of New 
> York.
>
> "From a flower head to a map of the world, from the bones of a skeleton to 
> a school plan, ANY subject taught at any level from foundation to A 
> Levels, in schools and Further Education colleges can be converted by this 
> audio/haptic programme. T3 gives total access to any learning programme 
> for the blind or visually impaired learner", said Lesley Wells, T3 Project 
> Manager.
>
> Ian Beverley, Braille Technology trainer at RNC, the UK's leading college 
> for people with sight loss said "I would describe it as sensational, as it 
> allows the visually impaired student to access learning resources with 
> senses other than vision i.e. by touch and by sound. A student of mine 
> recently test the T3 for a literacy exam and at last, a piece of equipment 
> that puts the visually impaired user in charge of the situation - ten 
> times better than using an amanuensis. A big thumbs up from me"
>
> Further testimony to the effectiveness of T3 came from Steve Carey of the 
> Innovation and Enterprise Unit at Anglia Polytechnic University, "the 
> potential for blind and partially sighted people to interpret tactile 
> graphics in a variety of situations such as education, work and leisure 
> will be vastly improved by the T3's ability to provide a described audio 
> output instead of the more traditional methods of labelling"
>
> The major benefit of the T3 is that it makes accessibility easier for the 
> visually impaired student, automatically putting them in control of their 
> own learning. This builds confidence in the learner and ensures that 
> teaching is meaningful and fun. To find out more visit www.talktab.org
>
> How it works
> - A laptop sized, touch sensitive device is connected to a standard 
> computer that coordinates audio and haptic sensations
> - The programme CD is inserted (these relate to the national curriculum 
> and are supplied by RNC or developed by the teacher themselves)
> - When various symbols, icons, and regions of the tactile surface are 
> pressed, audio information on what the user is feeling comes from a 
> connected computer
> - Allows the visually impaired learner to access Maps, Charts, Diagrams & 
> Text
> - Facilitates and encourages independent learning - Programme 
> content/information easily accessible by the vision impaired without 
> sighted assistance
> - Works with minimum spec PC's and laptops
>
> Lesley went on to say, "Ongoing trials are also beginning to show that 
> this unique audio/haptic combination will have benefits for other special 
> needs groups, in particular those who may have problems with the written 
> word e.g. students with dyslexia"
>
> The UK launch of T3 will take place in London on 3rd March, contact T3 
> team on 01432 265725 or email ee@xxxxxxxxxx for an invite or to arrange a 
> demonstration at your school or college. ENDS
>
> NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
>
> - Digital images of the T3 in use are available on request
> - T3 is the result of 3 years of research and development between RNC and 
> Touch Graphics of New York, assisted by Anglia Polytechnic University and 
> a number of schools around the UK. Extensive trials have been carried out 
> on tactile diagram design, the relationship between the tactile image and 
> the sound file. Particular emphasis has been placed on the spatial 
> awareness of visually impaired learners working with tactile diagrams 
> regarding the interrelationships of shape, texture, size and area. To find 
> out more visit www.talktab.org
>
> CONTACT Lesley Wells lrw@xxxxxxxxxx or Chris Stevenson css@xxxxxxxxxx or 
> phone 01432 265725
>
> http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=20407&hilite=
>
>
>
>
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