Braille System Research Articles

Evaluación de la efectividad de tecnologías adaptativas para mejorar la educación de estudiantes con discapacidad visual

The condition of disability can be an indication of inequality, limitation, lack of opportunities and discrimination in all aspects of life and education is no exception. The research is aimed at analyzing how the use of tools based on typhotechnology such as the braille system, screen readers and audiobooks and the closed abacus contributes to increasing the accessibility, participation and performance of students with 80% of visual disabilities. . It was necessary to apply a methodology framed in the socio-critical, field and experimental paradigm, with a mixed quali-quantitative nature and a descriptive-explanatory approach, exploratory factor analysis was used. The results suggest a significant impact on the academic progress of the experiment group related to the use of the tools, the factor analysis highlights the existence of a common underlying factor that influences performance and their ability to learn compared to the use of the tools, identifying a variation in performance according to the specific needs and abilities of each student, which highlights the importance of inclusive education with adaptive tools that respond to the needs and abilities to increase educational quality.

Smart Book Reader for Visual Impairment Person Using IoT Device and Deep Learning

People with normal vision can easily see the world around them and can read and write without difficulty. For those who are visually impaired, the Braille script enables them to read and write just like sighted individuals. According to WHO data from 2023, about 15 million people worldwide have significant vision loss. The Braille system uses cells with six raised dots, each dot numbered from one to six, arranged in two columns. This system is crucial for visually impaired individuals to keep up with the world around them. Providing Braille-assisted technology and incorporating it into daily life is essential to make life more comfortable and efficient for visually impaired people, enabling better communication with others. Key Words: Braille script, OBR.

"Trado" Electronic Device for Learning Sign Language in Real Time Through Voice Commands

The absence of tools for learning signed language in children with loss of listening ability is the main problem that currently exists when interacting with society. The purpose of this work is to provide an alternative for learning signed language in real time with people who have complete or partial hearing disabilities. Help was taken from the Google Assistant to receive the voice of the tutor, these commands are processed by the microcomputer to translate it into text and images that show "Sign Language" (SL), so that the student can understand the message that has been given to him. issued by your teacher. Through the experimental design, each of the phases belonging to the process that was carried out for the device was developed, with the use of parameters in the configuration of the main components, the limitations for the use of the device were established. This device includes an instant, simple and easy way to convert written text received by means of a scanner camera placed at the end of a finger, decipher, or interpret it and translate it into a binary system which is sent to the six active buttons that They form the representations of the Braille system.

ACESSIBILIDADE E JUSTIÇA NA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR DOS ESTUDANTES COM DEFICIÊNCIA VISUAL

This article aims to portray relevant aspects about the access of visually impaired students to Higher Education. Whether they enjoy the conditions that can ensure access to the curriculum, with emphasis on the field of Human Rights, in correlation with Just School, the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. The methodology is research of a qualitative nature, based on documents, literature and fieldwork with interviews. The production is based on aspects of distributive justice and equalization of opportunities. In the results, the article reveals the current challenge regarding compliance with legislation, the decline in the use of the Braille System and the expansion in the use of IT; results identified based on interviews with six students with visual impairment, from public and private universities, located in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. This work is part of the thesis defended in 2021: Access of visually impaired students to the curriculum at universities from the perspective of fair school.

Self-learning by Using Code-Based Games: An Easy Way to Learn Biomolecule’s Nomenclature

The Montessori method was an educational model devised at the beginning of the 20th century by the Italian pedagogue, physician, psychologist, and psychiatrist María Montessori (1870-1952). She observed that her students activated their intelligence and developed their personality by carrying out manual activities. In recent years, one of the activities that she used, gamification, is currently booming in teaching. Games based in words or letters are often used in language learning, either in presential lessons or in mobile applications. In our teaching innovation group (GINDOC-UB/180), we proposed to adapt those word games using codes so that students could achieve a self-learning on the nomenclature of biomolecules, thus improving their knowledge in metabolism. These code-based games were proposed to Biochemistry students at the Chemistry degree of the Universitat de Barcelona. Games were posted on the Virtual Campus using Moodle. A code is part of a communicative system, and it is defined as a set of elements that allows a message to be decoded. In biochemistry, the best-known code is the genetic code that translates 3 nucleotides to an amino acid. The code allows the students to see that it is a degenerated code, and it was the first code-based game used. Nevertheless, only 20 amino acids are involved, and some letters are missing. Thus, we also used other codes such as numeric codes, Morse code, Braille system code, or codes from other alphabets (Japanese katakana or hiragana, Cyrillic alphabet, Arabic alphabet, or runic alphabet). In this work some examples of the games that can be proposed to the students are shown. Proposed games were highly valued by students and allowed a self-learning on the proposed biomolecules. Games based on the genetic code were easier and more enjoyable for the students to solve, and they provided them with additional biochemical knowledge of protein translation.

The primacy of morphology in English braille spelling: an analysis of bridging contractions

This study examines the use of braille contractions in a corpus of spelling tests from braille-reading children in grades 1-4, with particular attention to braille contractions that create mismatches with morphological structure. Braille is a tactile writing system that enables people who are blind or visually impaired to read and write. In English and many other languages, reading and writing braille is not simply a matter of transliterating between print letters and their braille equivalents; Unified English Braille (the official braille system used in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other English-speaking countries) contains 180 contractions—one or more braille cells that represent whole words or strings of letters. In some words, the prescriptive rules for correct braille usage cause contractions to bridge morphological boundaries and to obscure the spellings of stems and affixes. We demonstrate that, when the prescriptive rules for correct braille usage flout morphological structure, young braille spellers generally follow the morphology rather than the orthographic rules. This work establishes that morphology matters for young braille learners. We discuss the potential impact of our findings on braille research, development, and pedagogy, and we suggest ways in which our findings contribute to understanding the nature of orthographic morphemes and the place of braille in the reading sciences.

Programmable tactile feedback system for blindness assistance based on triboelectric nanogenerator and self-excited electrostatic actuator

Vibro-tactile devices are highly resistant to interference and perform excellently in noisy environments, rendering them the preferred method for blindness assistance. To construct an effective haptic feedback system, two key elements are required: a highly sensitive vibration actuator and a safe high-voltage power source. In this work, a self-powered tactile feedback system (STFS) is proposed on the basis of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and self-excited electrostatic actuator (SEEA). The performances of the TENG and SEEA have been systematically investigated and optimized to ensure that the former can power the latter to produce sufficient vibration stimuli on the user’s skin. With the help of a programmed switch matrix, a series of practical applications have been demonstrated, including a refreshable Braille system, a haptic navigation interface, and tactile-assisted encrypted communication. The proposed STFS holds the merits of being portable, cost-effective, multifunctional, and high-accurate, demonstrating the great potential to substantially improve the quality of life for visually impaired individuals.

Braille recognition by E-skin system based on binary memristive neural network

Braille system is widely used worldwide for communication by visually impaired people. However, there are still some visually impaired people who are unable to learn Braille system due to various factors, such as the age (too young or too old), brain damage, etc. A wearable and low-cost Braille recognition system may substantially help these people recognize Braille or assist them in Braille learning. In this work, we fabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based flexible pressure sensors to construct an electronic skin (E-skin) for the application of Braille recognition. The E-skin mimics human touch sensing function for collecting Braille information. Braille recognition is realized with a neural network based on memristors. We utilize a binary neural network algorithm with only two bias layers and three fully connected layers. Such neural network design remarkably reduces the calculation burden and, thus, the system cost. Experiments show that the system can achieve a recognition accuracy of up to 91.25%. This work demonstrates the possibility of realizing a wearable and low-cost Braille recognition system and a Braille learning-assistance system.

Klasyfikatsiia ta ranzhuvannia chynnykiv, shcho vplyvaiut na yakist taktylnoho spryiniattia shryftu L. Brailia nezriachymy liudmy

Introduction. In the process of educational and work activities, blind people mostly use tactile sensitivity to perceive information, the presentation of which is mainly realized in a six-dot format according to the well-known Braille system. The problems related to the study of the processes of perception and reproduction of relief-dot font attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign scientists. The effectiveness of perception and the durability of the use of L. Braille images depends on the nature of the cognitive interaction of human senses and the tactile surface. In this regard, the determining condition of quality assurance is the maximum consideration of the needs of blind people at the stage of designing and manufacturing a tactile product. The overall result of qualitative perception of information by blind people will ultimately depend on the accuracy of determining the geometric and tactile characteristics of printed products. The aim of the study. To classify and rank the factors affecting the process of designing and reproducing the L. Braille font to ensure the quality of tactile perception of information by blind people. Materials and methods. Samples of pharmaceutical cardboard packages, which are marked with the L. Braille font by embossing, screen printing and Ink jet printing. For research, methods of electron microscopy, modelling and mathematical statistics were used. Results. The analysis of the level of selected factors influence of tactile products design indicates a significant interaction between them. So, for example, the printing method affects the density of signs and their geometric parameters, in particular the diameter and height of the L. Braille dot, and the type of tactile products and the reading experience depend on the protective coating and the base material. This is confirmed by the results of expert evaluations of the quality of Braille inscriptions, reproduced using various printing methods of reproduction (embossing, screen printing, and ink-jet printing), on samples of pharmaceutical product packages, which showed a significant influence of the chosen method of manufacturing printed products for the blind on the quality of its tactile perception. It has been established that the best readability of relief text is achieved when using digital Ink jet printing technology. Conclusions. The process of assessing the quality of perception of relief inscriptions by the blind is a complex technological task. For the optimal selection of materials and technology for reproduction of L. Braille inscriptions, a large number of factors of perception process of tactile information must be taken into account. The constructed cognitive model of the perception of a tactile product by people with visual impairments allows determining the set of factors of the design process based on the analysis of the multi-level system “tactile product – blind person”, which ensures the performance of all basic cognitive functions for the systematization of the process of ensuring the quality of the L. Braille font.

Braille Identification System Using Artificial Neural Networks

The Braille system is a widely used method by the blind to read and write. Information technology revolution is changing the way Braille reading and writing, making it easier to use. All kinds of materials can be put into Braille representation, such as bank statements, bus ticket, maps, and music note.
 In this paper, an artificial neural networks are designed to identify the number's image from (0-9) in Braille representation system. Networks will be trained and tested to be used for identify the scanned English number in Braille representation system. Some of the numbers are noised with some type of noise to simulate somehow the real world environment.
 According to the experiment the result of the identification of number that written in Braille representation using Artificial Neural Networks the training accuracy was 97.1% and testing accuracy was 85%.

A PEDOT:PSS/MXene-based actuator with self-powered sensing function by incorporating a photo-thermoelectric generator.

Actuators with sensing functions are becoming increasingly important in the field of soft robotics. However, most of the actuators are lack of self-powered sensing ability, which limits their applications. Here, we report a light-driven actuator with self-powered sensing function, which is designed to incorporate a photo-thermoelectric generator into the actuator based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/MXene composite and polyimide. The actuator shows a large bending curvature of 1.8 cm-1 under near-infrared light (800 mW cm-2) irradiation for 10 s, which is attribute to photothermal expansion mismatch between PEDOT:PSS/MXene composite and polyimide. Simultaneously, the actuator shows enhanced thermoelectric properties with Seebeck coefficient of 35.7 μV K-1, which are mainly attributed to a combination of energy filtering effects between the PEDOT:PSS and MXene interfaces as well as the synergistic effect of its charge carrier migration. The output voltage of the actuator changes in accordance with the bending curvature, so as to achieve the self-powered sensing function and monitor the operating state of the actuator. Moreover, a bionic flower is fabricated, which not only simulates the blooming and closing of the flower, but also perceives the real-time actuation status through the output voltage signal. Finally, a smart Braille system is elaborately designed, which can not only simulate Braille characters for tactile recognition of the blind people, but also automatically output the voltage signal of Braille for self-powered sensing, enabling multi-channel output and conversion of light energy. This research proposes a new idea for exploring multifunctional actuators, integrated devices and self-powered soft robots.

TECH ASSISTANCE FOR BLIND PEOPLE

Throughout the world, there are 39 million blind people. They face issues in their day-to-day life, be it accessing any written script or even recognising their knowns. The proposed system helps them to recognise people (using face recognition), detect any obstacle in the path (thus providing an ease in their day-to-day life), and convert textual scripts into audio signals (text detection) that are provided to the blind person with the help of a microphone. A RPi camera is used to collect all the visuals and RASPBERRY PI 4Bboard. The conventionally used braille system of reading is not very efficient and also all textual scripts are not available in braille language. Therefore, this device can be a great assistance to a blind person as it is low weight, economical and efficient.

Braille Language Text Conversion using Vibration Sensing Unit

The major goal of this project is to design and construct a Multi-Lingual Braille System Output Device for visually impaired people that will allow them to access and read computer texts. The device collects English texts and displays them with the help of a controller. It can also make a sound that corresponds to the displayed characters. The cells are controlled by a microcontroller called a Programmable Interface Controller (PIC). The Universal Serial Bus is used to communicate between the device and the computer (USB). The program that controls this interaction is written in the VB.net programming language. For the visually impaired to keep up with technology breakthroughs, such devices must be developed on a continuous basis. The inexpensive cost, the added multilingual, and the audio features are the key advantages of this system. Many other features, such as new languages and the Grade 2 Braille System, can be added to meet the demands of the users.

THE BRAILLE SYSTEM: THE WRITING AND READING SYSTEM THAT BRINGS INDEPENDENCE TO THE BLIND PERSON

The braille System is the most adopted writing and reading process in relief worldwide and includes the writing of the alphabet and of mathematical, chemical, phonetic, computer, and musical symbols. This text aims to explain what the braille System is and its importance for the independence of the blind person. In addition to demonstrating the appropriate distance between the points and proving that writing on the conventional slate is the best resource for correct writing in braille, the main objective of the research is to emphasize the importance of using the braille System and to value the conventional slate as a braille writing instrument. From the reading of theoretical texts and writings performed using both slates, the result is even more evident that writing on the conventional slate meets the tactile reading of the blind person, who uses the pad of the index finger to feel the braille dots.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0941/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Impact of innovative packaging on the attitudes and purchase intention of visually impaired and blind consumers: The case of Algeria

Visually impaired or blind person faces many challenges in their daily activities, including purchasing medicines. To overcome this limitation; there is an innovative braille reading and writing system that has been introduced in the labelling of the packaging of pharmaceutical products. The aim of this research is to measure the impact of innovative Braille-labelled pharmaceutical packaging on the attitudes and purchase intention of visually impaired and blind consumers. We adopted quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative research aims to obtain measurable data in relation to the attitudes and purchase intention of visually impaired and blind consumers, on a sample of 72 visually impaired and blind people. Whereas, the qualitative research allowed us to investigate the opinions leaders: doctors in chemist, in relation to the current situation of visually impaired and blind consumers, in the field semi-structured interviews with 6 pharmacy doctors, exploring the importance of Braille labelling of packaging for pharmaceuticals product. The results allowed us to validate the hypotheses; Packaging for pharmaceutical products labelled in the Braille system has a positive effect on the attitudes of visually impaired and blind consumers. Packaging for pharmaceutical products labelled in Braille has a positive effect on the purchase intention of visually impaired and blind consumers. Attitudes have a positive effect on the purchase intention of visually impaired and blind consumers. The results allowed us to highlight the views of doctors in chemists regarding the importance of introducing Braille labelling into the design of pharmaceutical packaging.

Blessed Mother Elżbieta Róża Czacka: an outstanding typhlopedagogue

On September 12, 2021, Mother Elżbieta Róża Czacka was proclaimed Blessed. It is an opportunity to recall the events of her life and activity as well as her achievements in the field of typhlological theory and practice. We know Róża Czacka's views on the upbringing, education and rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired mainly thanks to specialist publications in pedagogical journals: "Szkoła Specjalna" (System Braille’a w Polsce [Braille System in Poland] and Książka niewidomego [Book of the Blind]) and „Ku szczytom” (Dziecko niewidome) [Blind Child]. The article pays particular attention to her research efforts to adapt the Braille system to the Polish alphabet, as well as to the topicality and great importance of her theses in the context of contemporary expectations. Both Róża Czacka and the environment she created and shaped enjoy unflagging recognition and social prestige.

ENHANCING READING COMPETENCE THROUGH THE BRAILLE SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

This paper addresses the issue of the development of the English language reading skills and subskills using the Braille System as the fundamental tool for visually impaired people. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the use of the Braille System and the reading skill competence. This research was applied to 21 pupils with different blindness conditions and from 10 to 32 years old who belong to the Special Education School “Julius Dophner” in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. This preliminary study was carried out using a quasi-experimental design, where pre-tests and post-tests were applied during a three-week period. Pupils took active part in the reading of the different primers at the beginning and after the treatment process. A t-test was used to examine the hypothesis. The results revealed that the improvement in the English language reading for specific information subskill through the Braille system was meaningful. Additional testing should be done to validate the scores obtained by visually impaired students with the use of this tool. Pupils showed a positive and very enthusiastic attitude about the learning process of the English language through this tool with which they are familiar.

History and current state of books in Braille in Ukraine and abroad

The article raises the issue of perception of information by visually impaired people. The history of the search for ways of writing and reading for the blind in a broad chronological section — from the IV century to the period of the invention of L. Braille.
 It is noted that by the XIX century blind people did not have much choice of profession, were distant from the world of books and mostly made brushes or baskets. For a long time, mankind has experimented with many methods that would help people with special needs to read and write, but many of them proved unviable because they were only a relief version of printed letters. In contrast, the Braille system has become effective, because it is based on a rational sequence of signs intended for the fingertips, not the eyes.
 It is emphasized that using the Braille alphabet, visually impaired people have access to a wide range of materials for reading and early education, which is vital for knowledge, literacy and employment. Thanks to this system, people can work, pursue hobbies and develop in every way.

Semantic scene synthesis: application to assistive systems

The aim of this work is to provide a semantic scene synthesis from a single depth image. This is used in assistive aid systems for visually impaired and blind people that allows them to understand their surroundings by the touch sense. The fact that blind people use touch to recognize objects and rely on listening to replace sight motivated us to propose this work. First, the acquired depth image is segmented and each segment is classified in the context of assistive systems using a deep learning network. Second, inspired by the Braille system and the Japanese writing system Kanji, the obtained classes are coded with semantic labels. The scene is then synthesized using these labels and the extracted geometric features. Our system is able to predict more than 17 classes only by understanding the provided illustrative labels. For the remaining objects, their geometric features are transmitted. The labels and the geometric features are mapped on a synthesis area to be sensed by the touch sense. Experiments are conducted on noisy and incomplete data including acquired depth images of indoor scenes and public datasets. The obtained results are reported and discussed.

Processo de inclusão da criança com deficiência visual na educação

ABSTRACT: The inclusion of visually impaired children in Basic Education has undergone important advances, from the right to their inclusion in school, to the use of methods and strategies that provide quality in teaching and learning. The purpose of this article is to describe the process of inclusion of children with visual impairment in education and its challenges. This is a literature review, carried out through articles, theses, dissertations, among other publications. Articles, theses and scientific publications available electronically in their entirety were included in this review. Furthermore, data from international and governmental bodies, in Portuguese, were also used. In view of this study, it is clear that children's visual impairment significantly impacts their daily lives, requiring the creation of strategies that address all areas of their lives, such as in the health, social and educational spheres. Strategies to be implemented in the school curriculum and pedagogical proposals, trained teachers, specialized educational services, adaptations of materials and teaching tools such as the Braille System, thus ensuring better learning conditions and the development of skills for effective literacy. Therefore, it is concluded that it is the right of every visually impaired child to have educational inclusion from the beginning of their academic life, in which the school and education professionals adapt to receive it, respecting their needs and limitations, ensuring in this way, a more accessible and equitable education. KEYWORDS: Educational Activities, Education for the Blind, School Inclusion.