Apologies for the length of this e-mail - There are a few links and software
programs that may help. 

 "Helping students and lecturers manage with visual impairment in Materials
Science" available in .pdf
www.materials.ac.uk/themes/disability/Visualimpairment.pdf   with many links
to other organisations who may be able to help. 
 
Loughborough Uni has a student case study
http://dart.lboro.ac.uk/CaseStudy-OK_001.htm Although this is for
Engineering and Computer Science there may be some overlap. 
 
The 'Making your teaching inclusive' website has some useful video clips and
links
http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusiveteaching/pages/inclusive-teaching/diagrams-gr
aphs-and-pictures.php
http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusiveteaching/pages/inclusive-teaching/recognising
-barriers-visual-impairments.php
http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusiveteaching/pages/understanding-and-awareness/wh
at-is-visual-impairment.php
 
Texas school for the Blind have links to many more US based resources with
helpful ideas. . http://www.tsbvi.edu/math/index.htm
 
A little out of date but still helpful - DO-IT program at Washington
University videos including 'The Winning Equation: Access +Attitude =
Success in Math and Science', for viewing on-line which further explains the
uses of Assistive Technology ( http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/ ).
 
Graphs - it may be worth experimenting with the Audio Graphing Calculator
which has a 30 day trial download from ViewPlus
http://www.viewplus.com/products/braille-math/AGC/
 
Reading Maths on the web and on a computer - Design Science Inc have
Mathplayer as a plug in for certain web browsers so that Math symbols etc
can be read aloud and it works with Mathtype that will produce MathML for
Braille transcription  http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/   The
company have a useful web page with some answers to the question  'What are
the technology issues involved in making math accessible'?
http://www.dessci.com/en/solutions/access/techissues.htm
 
Dan Comden in Washington University has also been working on an interesting
software project that is near completion called 'Automating tactile graphics
translation'  and it may be worth reading the group's paper (.pdf format)
http://tinyurl.com/myagm  It really seems to work well by taking in the
graphs and remodelling them and the text to fit together with braille labels
so that they can be printed on swell paper in appropriate dimensions. 
 
The T3 Talking Tactile tablet is another option from RNC
http://www.talktab.org/ and ViewPlus have a printer scanning and
self-voicing tactile-audio system available - sold through Force Ten called
the Iveo  http://www.forcetenco.co.uk/quotation/Catalogue.asp
 
Accessible calculators can be found at the Scientific Research Unit
http://www.tiresias.org/equipment/eb11.htm
 
Hand held talking calculators with large keys are also available and once
again the RNIB have a selection (
http://www.rnib.org.uk/technology/factsheets/lowtech.htm ). The scientific
versions tend to have over 50 functions and are suitable for degree level
Mathematics. 
 
Accessible computer markup languages that can be used for those with visual
impairments. http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?26 
 
EAR http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/EAR.html
Improving access to educational materials for blind and partially sighted
students in higher education - does not appear to be very active but there
are many other mail lists discussing issues related to visual impairment.
http://www.whitestick.co.uk/mail.html


Best Wishes E.A.

Mrs E.A. Draffan
Assistive Technologist
Mobile: 07976 289103
http://www.emptech.info/


 ________________________________

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katy Mann
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 2:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Supporting VI students



Dear All,

 

Below is an excerpt from a member of staff. Can anyone advise on supporting
blind students with regard to statistics etc from a human perspective. The
student has her DSA etc and will have a support worker but staff want to
know the best ways to help.

 

“For example, how do you explain a graph to a student who has never seen a
graph?

Teaching statistics is very visual and we are very worried about being able
to give a teaching experience equivalent to those of her sighted peers. None
of us have experience (other than with students with mild visual impairments
who can read large font) and we really have no idea where to start.”

 

I can’t find any websites etc that relate to visual impairments and working
with statistics and graphs. If anyone can point me in the right direction it
would be really helpful.

 

Many Thanks

 

Katy

 

 

 

 

 

Katy Mann

Disability Adviser

West End sites

Tel: 020 7915 5456

Fax: 020 7915 5438

Email: [log in to unmask]

 


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