Computer as a group teaching aid for persons who are blind

A concept has been formulated whereby a teacher in a classroom for students who are blind can communicate line diagrams and text directly to the students. This approach is based upon a single computer placed on the teacher's desk, with monitors on the students' desks. Access to the information displayed on the monitors is obtained by means of an optoelectronic sensor and vibrotactile output. Two versions of the sensor have been made--one for sensing line diagrams, and the other for Braille text. A simple, low-cost arrangement has also been designed by which students who are blind can prepare a hard copy of the diagrams from the monitor display. The special feature of the system is that it allows the teacher to convey information directly to the students, that is, diagrams and text that have been entered into the computer while the students are in the classroom. Information previously stored on floppy disks may also be communicated in this way. This methodology will overcome the current limitation where the teacher is able to hand out only embossed diagrams and text that have been previously prepared. Learning to use the new system can be accomplished in a short time, with the added advantage that the system is relatively inexpensive.