American Printing
House
For The Blind
Research
&
Development Activities
Fiscal 2008
Table of Contents
Mission Statement ...................................................................................................... 7
Letter from Director of Research ............................................................................... 8
Advisory Committees .................................................................................................. 9
Department of Research Staff .................................................................................. 10
Agencies Participating in Research .......................................................................... 11
Consultants ............................................................................................................... 14
Field Evaluators ........................................................................................................ 19
ACCESSIBLE TEST DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES ......................................................... 26
Accessible Tests Department (Formerly: Test Central) ................................................... 27
TEST AND ASSESSMENTS ......................................................................................... 48
Accessible Answers Documents .................................................................................... 49
Brigance Diagnostic Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills, Revised (CIBS-R):
Student Large Print Edition: A.k.a. Brigance Green .................................................. 50
Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development II (IED-II): Large Print Edition
and Tactile Edition: A.k.a. Brigance Yellow ............................................................. 51
Collaborative Assessment DVD Series ........................................................................... 52
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA-II) Large Print Edition and
Braille Adaptation .................................................................................................. 53
KeyMath®-3: Braille/Tactile Adaptation ........................................................................ 54
Test and Assessment Needs ........................................................................................ 55
Test Ready Test Preparation Series ........................................................................... 56
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement Braille Adaptation ..................................... 58
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES IN FY 2008 .................................................. 61
ADULT LIFE ............................................................................................................... 62
Adult Life Needs.......................................................................................................... 63
Braille Financial Record Keeper .................................................................................... 64
Functional Assessment ................................................................................................ 65
‘K’ Sonar Instruction Manual ........................................................................................ 66
Labeling Book and Tool Kit .......................................................................................... 67
MagneTachers for Braille Labels ................................................................................... 68
MagneTachers for Large Print Labels: Jumbo Size ......................................................... 69
MagneTachers for Large Print Labels ............................................................................ 70
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels ............................................................................... 71
MagneTachers for Small Braillables (Formerly: MagneTachers for Small Braillables)......... 72
MiniBook .................................................................................................................... 73
Money Talks ............................................................................................................... 75
Nonverbal Communication Curriculum .......................................................................... 78
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O&M for Families ........................................................................................................ 79
Parenting Book ........................................................................................................... 80
Permabraille Sheets for Braille DateBook ...................................................................... 82
Printing Guide ............................................................................................................. 83
Step By Step: An Interactive Guide to Mobility Techniques ........................................... 84
Transition Tote System, Revised .................................................................................. 86
Travel Tales ................................................................................................................ 88
ART ........................................................................................................................... 90
Braille Beads ............................................................................................................... 91
BRAILLE .................................................................................................................... 92
Alphabetic Braille and Contracted (ABC) Braille Study .................................................... 93
Braille Code Recognition Program ................................................................................ 97
Revision of Patterns: The Primary Braille Reading Program ............................................ 98
CORE CURRICULUM ................................................................................................ 102
Early Braille Trade Books ........................................................................................... 103
Wilson Reading System ............................................................................................. 104
Word PlayHouse ....................................................................................................... 105
CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ........................................................................... 107
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Projects and Needs................................................... 108
CVI Assessment Kit & CVI Starter Kit .......................................................................... 109
CVI Complexity Challenges ........................................................................................ 110
CVI Sequences.......................................................................................................... 110
CVI Stick & Stay Kit ................................................................................................... 111
CVI Website.............................................................................................................. 112
EARLY CHILDHOOD ................................................................................................ 114
Classroom Calendar Kit.............................................................................................. 115
The Early O&M Guide Book ........................................................................................ 116
Emergent Literacy Needs and Planning ....................................................................... 117
Experiential Learning Kit ............................................................................................ 118
Getting To Know You: A Social Skills/Ability Awareness Curriculum for Students
with Visual Impairments and Their Sighted Peers .................................................. 120
Growing Up .............................................................................................................. 122
Moving Ahead: Tactile Graphic Storybooks ................................................................ 123
Preschool Attainment Through Typical Everyday Routines (PATTER) ............................ 125
Reach for the Stars ................................................................................................... 127
Revision of the Handbook, On the Way to Literacy: Early Experiences for Visually
Impaired Children ............................................................................................... 129
Teaching Puzzles for the Light Box ............................................................................. 131
The Best for a Nest ................................................................................................... 133
3
The National Registry for Children with Visual Impairments, Birth to Three ................... 134
What Is It? ............................................................................................................... 136
EDUCATIONAL GAMES ............................................................................................ 138
Sudoku Partner ......................................................................................................... 139
Treks ....................................................................................................................... 140
LOW VISION ........................................................................................................... 142
Address: Earth Large Format Atlas, Section 2 ............................................................. 143
Appropriate Intervention Techniques (Formerly: Best Intervention Techniques) ............ 145
CCTV Ruler ............................................................................................................... 146
Determining Appropriate Visual Reading Media for Students with Low Vision
(Formerly: Optimizing the Reading of Text) .......................................................... 147
Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments, Revision ...................... 148
Functional Vision Assessment/Learning Media Assessment for Academic Students
with Low Vision ................................................................................................... 148
Lighting Guide Kit (Formerly: Vivid Vision Lamp) ......................................................... 150
Maximize Multi-Camera Video Magnifier ...................................................................... 151
Tadpole .................................................................................................................... 152
ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Vision (Formerly: Toy Chest) ............ 154
Turbo Phonics ........................................................................................................... 155
MATHEMATICS ........................................................................................................ 157
Braille/Print Yardstick ................................................................................................ 158
Consumable Number Lines Large - Print and Braille/Tactile (Formerly: Toss-Away
Number Lines) .................................................................................................... 159
Embossed XY Axis 20 x 20 Graph Sheets .................................................................... 160
FOCUS in Mathematics, Second Edition ...................................................................... 160
Graphic Aid for Mathematics, Revision ........................................................................ 161
MathBuilders (Formerly: Primary Math Units) .............................................................. 162
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS & PRODUCTS .................................................. 165
APH Digital Audio Component .................................................................................... 166
APH Speech Environment .......................................................................................... 167
Book Port ................................................................................................................. 169
Book Wizard ............................................................................................................. 172
Braille+ (Formally: Linkit) .......................................................................................... 176
Monitoring Technological Developments and Educational Applications .......................... 182
Refreshable Braille Display ......................................................................................... 185
Studio Recorder ........................................................................................................ 186
Talking Learn Keys .................................................................................................... 188
Talking Typer for Windows ........................................................................................ 189
Talking Word Puzzles ................................................................................................ 191
Teacher's Pet ............................................................................................................ 192
4
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
Verbal
View
View
View
View
View
View
View
View
View
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
the Net and the Web .......................................................................... 193
Office 2007 ........................................................................................ 195
Online Mail ......................................................................................... 196
Vista .................................................................................................. 197
Web Documents ................................................................................. 198
Web Searches .................................................................................... 199
Windows XP ....................................................................................... 200
Word ................................................................................................. 201
Word Advanced .................................................................................. 202
MULTIPLE DISABILITIES ....................................................................................... 204
Digital Light Box Artwork: Supporting Language and Literacy ...................................... 205
Jumbo Work & Play Tray ........................................................................................... 205
Lots of Dots Series .................................................................................................... 206
Manual for Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children who are Deafblind
and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment ..................... 207
Multiple Disabilities Projects and Needs ...................................................................... 207
O&M for Wheelchair Users ......................................................................................... 208
SAM: Symbols and Meaning ....................................................................................... 209
Select Switch ............................................................................................................ 210
PHYSICAL FITNESS................................................................................................. 211
Jump Rope to Fitness (Formerly: Jump Rope Kit) ........................................................ 212
PE Web Site .............................................................................................................. 212
Physical Health and Education Projects and Needs ...................................................... 213
Portable Sound Source, Sport Edition ......................................................................... 214
30 Love: Guidelines for Tennis Players with Visual Impairment or Blindness ................. 215
SCIENCE .................................................................................................................. 216
(Projects for this category can be found in the Tactile Graphics section.)
SELF-DETERMINATION .......................................................................................... 217
V-file (Formerly: Personal Vision Portfolio) .................................................................. 218
TACTILE GRAPHICS ................................................................................................ 219
3-D O&M Kit ............................................................................................................. 220
ALL-IN-ONE Board .................................................................................................... 221
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set ................................................................. 224
Flip-Over Concept Books............................................................................................ 231
Life Science Tactile Graphics ...................................................................................... 234
PermaBraille Sheets .................................................................................................. 235
Picture Maker Accessories: Geometric Textured Shapes ............................................... 238
Picture Maker Accessories: Storage Panel ................................................................... 241
Picture Maker Accessories: Textured Strips ................................................................. 242
5
Sense of Science: Astronomy ..................................................................................... 243
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 5] ............................................................... 246
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 6] ............................................................... 248
State Map Collections ................................................................................................ 250
Tactile Graphics Research .......................................................................................... 251
Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes
(Formerly: Textured Magnetic Sorting Circles) ...................................................... 252
MODEL/PATTERN MAKER ....................................................................................... 255
Product Involvement ................................................................................................. 256
TECHNICAL RESEARCH DIVISION ......................................................................... 262
Technical Research Division Activities ......................................................................... 263
Presentations and Workshops ................................................................................ 318
Product Materials ................................................................................................... 322
Publications ............................................................................................................ 323
2008 New Products ................................................................................................ 325
Completed Projects (Chart I) ................................................................................. 327
Active Projects (Chart II) ....................................................................................... 328
Parking Lot Projects (Chart III) ............................................................................. 329
Pipeline Projects (Chart IV) ................................................................................... 330
Project Status (Chart V) ......................................................................................... 331
6
Mission
Our mission is to promote the independence of blind and visually
impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and
services needed for education and life.
7
Letter from Director of Research
October 23, 2008
Dear Reader,
In our sesquicentennial year, the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is pleased to
present to you the 2008 Annual Research Report. Out of more than 300 project activities, over
120 projects are highlighted in this year’s report. This work is a labor of love, not only by the
APH staff, but also with the assistance of 140 agencies, 97 consultants, and 16 sites that
conducted formal field testing.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 was another record-setting year. Twenty-six grants funded the
completion of 32 projects, resulting in a record 88 new product catalog items. This fiscal year
also witnessed APH’s historic entry into the high-tech areas of video magnifiers and personal
digital assistance devices. At the same time, the APH Research Department made decisions
regarding modernization or discontinuation of older products.
In October 2007, at the 139th Annual Meeting, the ABC Braille Study’s preliminary report
was presented. This basic research, undertaken with some of the most respected researchers
in America, was a 5-year longitudinal study on issues related to the teaching of braille in
alphabetic and contracted forms. This basic research is not only a body of work that will frame
braille literacy research in the future, but also a model of collaborative research in the field of
blindness.
Research is often associated with numbers. In addition to the introduction of two products
that have the highest price tags in APH history, note the following numbers: 150, 140, and 88
in ‘08. As you read the largest Annual Research Report in APH history, you will be exposed to
a plethora of numbers that represent many individuals. We must always remember those who
are behind the numbers or who are represented by the numbers. While our goal is to increase
our quantitative-, evidence-based inquiries, it is important that we never abandon our
qualitative-based inquiries.
In conclusion, the most important number may be the number one. It takes every one of
us to succeed in what we do. All of us individually, working together as one, can successfully
support each and every one of those we serve. Thank you for all that you do to support those
in our country who are blind or visually impaired.
Sincerely,
Ralph E Bartley, Ph.D.
Director of Research
8
Advisory Committees
APH especially wishes to acknowledge the superb leadership and guidance from the Ex Officio
Trustees serving as members of the Educational Products Advisory and Educational Services
Committees. FY 2008 committee members were:
Educational Products Advisory Committee:
Chair — Tom Winton (NC)
2010 — Suzanne Dalton (FL)
2010 — Stacy Grandt (WI)
2009 — Nancy Niebrugge (CA)
2008 — Lorri Quigley (UT)
2009 — Steven M. Rothstein (MA)
2008 — Dean Stenehjem (WA)
Alternate
James Downs (GA)
Educational Services Advisory Committee:
Chair — Jacqueline Denk (KS)
2008 — Michael J. Bina (MD)
2010 — Angyln Franquemont (AR)
2008 — Barbara L. Perkis (IL)
2010 — William “Frank” Simpson (NY)
Alternate
James Downs (GA)
9
Department of Research Staff
Educational Research
Aicken, John, M.B.A. ............................................................................. Assistant Director
Bartley, Ralph, Ph.D. ........................................................................................... Director
Boyer, Charles “Burt”, M.A. .............................................. Project Leader (Early Childhood)
Corcoran, Katherine, B.S., B.F.A. ....................................................... Model/Pattern Maker
Creasy, Keith, B.S. ....................................................................................... Programmer
Gilmore, Terri, A.S. ............................................................................... Graphic Designer
Hedges, John, B.S. ....................................................................................... Programmer
Hoffmann, Rosanne, Ph.D. .................................................................. Research Assistant
Kitchel, Elaine, M.Ed. .............................................................. Project Leader (Low Vision)
McDonald, Michael, B.S. ............................................................................... Programmer
Meredith, Rob .............................................................................................. Programmer
Otto, Fred, B.A. ............................................... Project Leader (Tactile Graphics) part-time
Perry, Ken, B.S. ........................................................................................... Programmer
Pester, Eleanor, M.S. ..................................................................... Project Leader (Braille)
Pierce, Tristan, M.I.A. ................................................. Project Leader (Multiple Disabilities)
Poppe, Karen, B.A. ......................................................... Project Leader (Tactile Graphics)
Poppe, Tom ..................................................................................... Model/Pattern Maker
Roderick, Carol, B.A. .......................................................... Research Assistant (part-time)
Roman, Chris, Ph. D. ......................................... Project Leader (CVI Consultant) part-time
Rucker, Erica, B.A. .............................................................................. Research Assistant
Rutledge, Anita ............................................................Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Skutchan, Larry, B.A. .................................................. Manager, Application Programming
Smith, Rodger, A.A.S. ................................................................................... Programmer
Terlau, Terrie, Ph.D.................................................................. Project Leader (Adult Life)
Travis, Ann, B.A. ................................................................................. Research Assistant
VACANT .................................................................................. Administrative Assistant II
VACANT ...................................................................................................... Programmer
VACANT .......................................................................... Project Leader (Braille Literacy)
Vaught, Monica, B.A. ........................................................................... Research Assistant
Wicker, Jeanette, M.A. ................................................... Project Leader (Core Curriculum)
Wright, Suzette, B.A. .................................... Project Leader (Emergent Literacy) part-time
Technical Research Division
Donhoff, Darlene ........................................................................ Manufacturing Specialist
Hayden, Frank .....................................................................Manager, Technical Research
McGee, David ............................................................................. Manufacturing Specialist
Robinson, James ......................................................................... Manufacturing Specialist
VACANT .................................................................................. Administrative Assistant II
10
Accessible Tests Department Staff
Allman, Carol, Ph.D. .................................................... Consultant & Instructor (part-time)
Garrett, Dena ............................................................. Accessible Media Editor (part-time)
Henderson, Barbara, M.A............................................ Project Leader (Test & Assessment)
Isham, Kerry, M.A. ..........................................................................Accessible Test Editor
McCoy Towns, Tasha ..................................................Temporary Administrative Assistant
Scott, Kristopher, M.A .....................................................................Accessible Test Editor
Sell, Michael, B.S. ...........................................................................Accessible Test Editor
Willis, Deborah, M.A ................................................. Director, Accessible Test Department
Agencies Participating in Research
In addition to the 140 agencies named here, appreciation is also extended to the many other
agencies that cooperated with APH’s research efforts by permitting members of their staffs to
serve as consultants, reviewers, or respondents to requests for information.
Academy School District Twenty, Colorado Springs, CO
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana Training Center, Lafayette, LA
Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, Duncansville, PA
Area Education Agency 267, Cedar Falls, IA
Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, Tucson, AZ
Arkansas School for the Blind, Little Rock, AR
B.W. Sheperd State School, Kansas City, MO
Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue, NE
Bellingham School District #501, Bellingham, WA
Benton Elementary School, Benton, KY
Board of Education and Services for the Blind, Windsor, CT
Boone County Schools, Burlington, KY
Boulder Valley Public Schools, Boulder, CO
Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary, Louisville, KY
Brighton School District, Brighton, CO
Burns Elementary, Owensboro, KY
California School for the Blind, Fremont, CA
Camp Abilities, Alpine Alternatives, Inc., Anchorage, AK
Camp Abilities, Brockport, NY
Camp Abilities Tucson, Tucson, AZ
Carr School, Santa Ana, CA
Carroll Center for the Blind , Newton, MA
Castaic Union School District, Castaic, CA
Catholic Charities Maine, Lewiston, ME
11
Chandler Unified School District, Chandler, AZ
Chapman University, Concord, CA
Clark County Special Education Cooperative, Jeffersonville, IN
Cleveland Elementary School, Hamilton, OH
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Colorado Springs, CO
Cooperative Educational Service Agency #1, Brookfield, WI
Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX
Crowley Independent School District, Crowley, TX
Cy-Fair ISD, Houston, TX, Daviess County & Owensboro Public Schools, Owensboro, KY
Davis School District, Farmington, UT
Dawson Elementary, Corpus Christi, TX
Deer Park Elementary, Owensboro, KY
Denison ISD, Denison, TX
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services, Dallas, TX
Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines, IA
DeSoto County Schools, Hernando, MS
Discovery Middle School, Alexandria, MN
Dutchess County BOCES, Poughkeepsie, NY
Edison Elementary, Tonawanda, NY
Educational Service District 123, Dixie, WA
Educational Services Center for Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga, OH
Estes Elementary, Owensboro, KY
Evansville Association for the Blind, Evansville, IN
Fairfax County Public Schools, Dunn Loring, VA
Fargo Public Schools, Fargo, ND
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine, FL
Fox C-6 School District, Arnold, MO
Francis Howell School District, St. Charles, MO
Genessee Valley BOCES, LeRoy, NY
Georgia Academy for the Blind, Macon, GA
Giles County Schools-Richland, Lynnville, TN
Green County, Greensburg, KY
H/H Education Center, Winston Salem, NC
Hampstead Elementary School, Hampstead, MD
Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown, KY
Harrison Co. Board of Education, Clarksburg, WV
Harrisonburg City Schools, Harrisonburg, VA
Hawthorne Elementary, Louisville, KY
Haywood Middle School, Haywood, WI
Hazelwood Elementary School, Edmonds, WA
Hermann Middle School, Hermann, MO
Holy Family School, Malone, NY
Hunter College, NY, NY
Idaho School f/t Deaf and the Blind, Gooding, ID
12
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, Jacksonville, IL
Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis, IN
Irving School, West Allis, WI
Japanese Tennis Association for the Visually Handicapped, Tokyo, Japan
Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, KY
Kansas State School for the Blind, Kansas City, KS
Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY
Keystone Area Education Agency, Dubuque, IA
Kokomo High School, Kokomo, IN
Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, Baton Rouge, LA,
Lovington Schools, Lovington, NM
Macomb Independent School District, Clinton Twp., MI
Marin County Office of Education, San Rafael, CA
Maryland School for the Blind, Baltimore, MD
Mississippi School for the Blind, Jackson, MS
Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis, MO
Moniteau County, Tipton, MO
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Great Falls, MT
Moses Lake School District, Moses Lake, WA
Munfordville Elementary School, Munfordville, KY
New Jersey Commission for the Blind/Visually Impaired, Camden, NJ
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Las Cruces, NM
New York Institute for Special Education, Bronx, NY
Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk, VA
North Dakota School for the Blind, Bismarck, ND
North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind, Grand Forks, ND
Northshore Education Consortium, Peabody, MA
NW Regional Educational School District, Hillsboro, OR
Ohio State School for the Blind, Columbus, KY
Oklahoma School for the Blind, Muskogee, OK
Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE
Orchard Drive Elementary, Jackson, MO
Otis Elementary, Chicago, IL
Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA
Peifer Elementary, Schererville, IN
Pershing Elementary and Middle School, Springfield, MO
Prince George’s County Public Schools, Oxon Hill, MD
Randall Elementary School, Waukesha, WI
Red Oak ISD, Red Oak, TX
Reno County Educational Cooperative, Hutchinson, KS
Riverside County Office of Education, Riverside, CA
Robey Elementary, Indianapolis, IN
Rockwall Independent School District, Rockwall, TX
San Diego Center for the Blind, San Diego, CA
13
San Diego County Office of Education, North Coastal Consortium for
Special Education, Oceanside, CA
Sanford-Fritch Elementary School, Fritch, TX
Silverton Independent School District, Silverton, TX
Special School District of St. Louis County, Town and Country, MO
Spokane Middle School, Spokane, MO
Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MO
St. Louis Public Schools, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis School, Tyler, TX
State of Connecticut Board of Education Services for the Blind, Windor, CT
State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport, NY
Sunny Vale Middle School, Blue Springs, MO
Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Lancaster, PA
Tangipahoa Parish School System, Ponchatoula, LA
Tech High School, St. Cloud, MN
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Austin, TX
Topeka Public Schools, Topeka, KS
Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Montpelier, VT
Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind, Staunton, VA
Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Louisville, KY
Washington County Public Schools, Abingdon, VA
Washington State School for the Blind, Vancouver, WA
Washoe County School District, Reno, NV
Watertown Unified School District, Watertown, WI
Weiser School District, Weiser, ID
West Virginia School for the Blind, Romney, WV
White Hall Elementary, Richmond, KY
Willamette ESD, Salem, OR
Consultants
In addition to the 92 consultants formally acknowledged in this section, appreciation is
extended to the many individuals who have willingly given of their time and expertise in
cooperating with the various research and development projects underway by responding to
questionnaires, by answering less formal queries for information, and by working with
research staff in countless ways such as: (a) identifying particularly talented teachers and
other professionals to serve on committees and/or as expert reviewers; (b) recommending
programs, teachers, and students to participate in field tests; and (c) facilitating field
evaluation efforts. Only through the splendid and continuing support of professionals working
in the field and the people they serve is APH able to maintain an effective research and
development program.
14
Abner, Gerald, Itinerant/Assistive Technology Specialist, Jessamine Early Learning Village,
Wilmore, KY, [IntelliTactiles: Pre-Braille Concepts: Classroom Suite Edition]
Adair, Cindy, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, COMS, Hardin County, KY,
Schools [Kaufman Tests of Educational Achievement, Second Edition (KTEA-II)]
Anthony, Tanni, Ph.D., State Consultant on Visual Impairment, Colorado Department of
Education, Denver, CO [Emergent Literacy Focus Group B]
Assessment Team: California School for the Blind, Fremont, CA [Collaborative Assessment
DVD Series]
Azer, Samir, Science Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Louisville, KY, [Azer's Interactive
Periodic Table Study Set]
Azzi, Iman, Ph.D., Journalist, Cairo, Egypt, [Address: Earth]
Bailey, Ian, O.D., Optometrist, University of California, Berkeley, CA, [Optimizing Reading of
Text]
Bender, Dianne, M.A., Retired Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Nebraska Center for the
Education of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, Nebraska City, NE, [Functional
Assessment]
Blaylock, Luanne, COMS, Educational Vision Specialist, Pulaski County Special School District,
Little Rock, AR [Patterns Revision]
Boley, Cheryl, M.Ed., Administrator of Braille Production Program, Ohio State School for the
Blind, Columbus, OH [Patterns Revision]
Bonenberger, Shannon, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Certified Orientation and
Mobility Specialist, Ohio School for the Blind Outreach Department, Columbus, OH
[Patterns Revision]
Buckley, Wendy, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Boston, MA [Digital Light Box
Artwork: Supporting Language and Literacy]
Buhler, Kristen, M.S. In Education and M.M. in Choral Conducting, Teacher of Blind and
Visually Impaired, Northwest Regional ESD, Hillsboro, OR [Patterns Revision]
Burnett, Rebecca, Ph.D., Itinerant Teacher, Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN, [ToAD]
and [FVLMA]
Cantrell, Phillip, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Longwood University, Farmville, VA,
[Address:Earth]
Carlsen, Tess, Doctoral student, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN [Emergent Literacy Focus
Group B]
Cecil, Cindy, M.Ed. Teacher of the Visually Impaired, New Albany, IN [Switch Counter]
Chen, Deborah, Ph.D., Associate Professor, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA,
[Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments]
Coomes, Adam, Cartographer, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, [Address: Earth]
Crawford, James Scott, COMS, CLVT, Lafayette, LA [O&M for Wheelchair Users]
Croft, Jo Ellen, M.Ed., COMS, Educational Vision Specialist, Pulaski County Special School
District, Little Rock, AR [Patterns Revision]
Curtin, Tim, Inventor, Lafayette, IN, [MaximEyes Video Magnifier]
D’ Andrea, Frances Mary, American Foundation for the Blind, Doctoral student, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA [Emergent Literacy Focus Group A]
Denning, Andrew, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Southern California, Davis, CA,
15
[Address: Earth]
Devine, Kevin, Cartographer, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, [Address: Earth]
Dilworth, Kate, M.S., Special Education, Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Certified Orientation
and Mobility Specialist, Northwest Regional ESD, Hillsboro, OR [Patterns Revision]
Dornbusch, Helen, O.D., Optometrist, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA,
[Optimizing Reading of Text]
Douglass, Sue, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Castro Valley, CA [Jumbo Work & Play
Tray]
Erwin, James, Historian, Iowa City, Iowa, [Address: Earth]
Ethridge, Edith, M.A. Ed., CLVT, Low Vision Specialist, Kentucky School for the Blind, retired,
Louisville, KY [V-File]
Feldman, Pauletta, Special Projects Coordinator/Visually Impaired Preschool Services,
Louisville, KY [Emergent Literacy Focus Group B]
Finley, Robin, M.Ed., Reading Specialist, Ohio State School for the Blind, Columbus, OH
[Emergent Literacy Focus Group A]
Finley, Robin, M.Ed., Reading Specialist, Ohio State School for the Blind, Columbus, OH
[Patterns Revision]
Fox, Dana, Teacher, Governor Morehead Preschool, Raleigh, NC [Emergent Literacy Focus
Group A]
Goshe, Lisa, M.A. in Special Education, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Columbus City
Schools, Columbus, OH [Patterns Revision]
Greeley, J.C., M.A., Program Coordinator, Anchor Preschool, Denver, CO [Emergent Literacy
Focus Group B]
Greeley, J.C., M.A., Program Coordinator, Anchor Preschool, Denver, CO [SAM: Symbols and
Meaning]
Greenlee, Bill, Ph.D., School Psychologist, Kentucky School for the Blind (ret.), [Kaufman
Tests of Educational Achievement, Second Edition (KTEA-II)]
Hagood, Linda, M.A., CCC-SLP, Austin, TX [SAM: Symbols and Meaning]
Hall-Lueck, Amanda, Ph.D., Associate Professor, San Francisco State University, San Francisco,
CA, Best Intervention Techniques] and [Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual
Impairment]
Hanchett, Carol, Ph.D., Professor, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, [Address Earth]
Harrell, Lois, B.S., Pediatric Vision Consultant, Placerville, CA [Moving Ahead Tactile Graphic
Storybooks]
Hartmann, Elizabeth, M.Ed., Associate Professor, San Francisco State University, San
Francisco, CA, [Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments]
Hassman, Dotta, M.L.S., IMC Coordinator, Iowa Braille School, retired, Vinton, Iowa [Early
Braille Trade Books]
Heinze, Toni, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Northern Illinois University, DePauw, IL, [Best
Intervention Techniques]
Holbrook, Cay, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special
Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA [Early
Braille Trade Books]
Holbrook, Cay, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special
16
Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA [Emergent
Literacy Focus Group A]
Holbrook, Cay, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special
Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA [Patterns
Revision]
Ingber, Janet, M.A., Music Therapist and Author, New York, NY [Parenting Book]
Jaffe, Lynne, Ph.D., LD Specialist and Reading Specialist, Tucson, AZ [Woodcock-Johnson III:
Tests of Achievement---Braille Adaptation]
Judge, Joann P., CAPE, Lancaster, PA [Tactile Food Pyramid]
Kekelis, Linda, Ph.D., Associate Professor, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA,
[Developmental Guidelines]
Kendrick, Deborah, M.A., Author and Journalist, Cincinnati OH [Parenting Book]
Koniak, Lane, M.S., Retired TVI, Portland, OR, [Address: Earth]
Larsen Morgese, Zoe, M.A., CCC-SLP, Denver, CO [SAM: Symbols and Meaning]
Lieberman, Lauren, Ph.D., SUNY Brockport, NY, [Jump Rope to Fitness, Walk/Run for Fitness
Kit]
Lucas, Jeffrey, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Pembroke,
Pembroke, NC, [Address: Earth]
Matsui, Ayako, Tokyo, Japan
McCarthy, Mary L., M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Perkins School for the Blind,
Watertown, MA [Wilson Reading System]
McClurg, Lana, M.A., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Arizona Schools for the Deaf & the
Blind, Tucson, AZ [Woodcock-Johnson III: Tests of Achievement---Braille Adaptation]
McCulloh, Karen, RN, B.S., Executive Director Disability Works, Chicagoland Chamber of
Commerce, Morton Grove, IL, [Nonverbal Behavioral Curriculum]
McKenzie, Amy, Ed.D. Assistant Professor, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL [Emergent
Literacy Focus Group A]
Mowerson, Lisa-Anne, M.S., B.A., Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist,
Wallingford, CT [Labeling Book and Kit]
Mumford, Robin, Inventor, Garden City, NJ, [Vivid Vision Lamp]
Nannen, LeAnn, M.Ed., COMS, Educational Vision Specialist, North Little Rock School District,
North Little Rock, AR [Patterns Revision]
Nelson, Catherine, Ph.D., Salt Lake City, UT [Manual for Child-Guided Strategies for the
Assessment of Children who are Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk
Approach to Assessment]
Noftsker, Michelle, Teacher, Foundation for Blind Children [Emergent Literacy Focus Group B]
Novak, Andrew, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Boston University, Boston, MA, [Address: Earth]
O'Connor, Kevin, M.P.S., M.A., B.A., Marriage and Family Therapist, Arlington Heights, IL
[Parenting Book]
O'Donnell, Betsy, M.S., Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Philadelphia, PA
[Orientation and Mobility for Families]
Olson, Paul H., Instructor/COMS, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind, Grand
Forks, ND. [Treks]
Pepper, David, Ph.D., Professor, University of Southern California, Davis, CA, [Address: Earth]
17
Perla, Fabiana, Ed.D, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Philadelphia, PA [Orientation
and Mobility for Families]
Read, Izetta, B.A., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Santa Barbara County Education Office,
Santa Maria, CA [Patterns Revision]
Rines, Justine Carlone, M.S., CCC-SLP, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA [Wilson
Reading System]
Rosen, Sandy, Ph.D., Coordinator, Programs in Orientation & Mobility, Guide Dog Mobility, San
Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA [Step by Step]
Rosenblum, Penny, Ph.D, Adjunct Professor, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ [Emergent
Literacy Focus Group B]
Roudik, Peter, Ph.D., Senior Legal Specialist, Law Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.,
[Address: Earth]
Rowley, Rosalind, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Perkins School for the Blind,
Watertown, MA [Wilson Reading System]
Sabhlok, Anu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, [Address:
Earth]
Sadler, Amy, Cartographer, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, [Address: Earth]
Sanford, LaRhea, Ph.D., Visiting Lecturer, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, [ToAD]
Schedlin, Haley, MS Ed., Camp Abilities, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY [Jump Rope to
Fitness, Walk/Run for Fitness Kit]
Schimmelpfennig, Sue, M.A., Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Northwest Regional
ESD, Hillsboro, OR [Patterns Revision]
Scoggins, Deanna, M.A.T., M.S.S.W., Teacher of the Visually Impaired (Retired), Kentucky
School for the Blind, Louisville, KY [Patterns Revision]
Smith, Derrick W., Ed.D. University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL [MathBuilders:
Units 5, 6, 7, & 8]
Smith, Matthew, Cartographer, Louisville, KY, [Address: Earth]
Smith, Millie J., M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Consultant, Farmersville, TX, [SAM:
Symbols and Meaning] and [TADPOLE]
Stocker, Jennifer, M.H.S., OTR/L, Louisville, KY [SAM: Symbols and Meaning]
Stratton, Josephine, Ed.D. Norwich, NY [Revision of the On the Way to Literacy Handbook;
Moving Ahead Tactile Graphic Storybooks]
Susan A. Osterhaus, M.Ed., Secondary Mathematics Teacher/Teacher of the Visually Impaired,
Austin, TX [Braille/Print Yardstick]
Swenson, Anna, M. Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Fairfax Co. Public Schools, Dunn
Loring, VA [Early Braille Trade Books]
Truan, Mila, Ed.D. Reading Specialist, Tennessee School for the Blind, Nashville, TN [Moving
Ahead Tactile Graphic Storybooks]
Truan, Mila, Ed.D. Reading Specialist, Tennessee School for the Blind, Nashville, TN [Patterns
Revision]
Ward, Marjorie E., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Emeritus, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
[Patterns Revision]
Wingell, Robin, B.S. Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Santa Barbara County Education
Office, Santa Maria, CA [Patterns Revision]
18
Zebahazy, Kim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL [Emergent
Literacy Focus Group B]
Field Evaluators
ALL-IN-ONE Board and Magnetic Sorting Circles and Shapes
Eaton, Jennifer, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education/Teacher of the Visually Impaired,
Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Lancaster, PA
Elzy, Judith, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY
Lamb, Morina, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Harrisonburg City Schools, Harrisonburg, VA
Mann, Nancy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, USD 501 Topeka Public Schools, Topeka, KS
Medley, Anita, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, COMS, DeSoto County Schools, Hernando, MS
Mirabel, Ana, Vision Teacher, O&M Instructor, and Independent Consultant. Haymarket, VA
Passarieu, Shawn, Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Instructor,
San Diego County Office of Education, North Coastal Consortium for Special Education,
Oceanside, CA
Thornton, Sheila, Diagnostician/Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Lovington Schools,
Lovington, NM
Weaver, Erin, Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Genessee Valley BOCES, LeRoy, NY
Widoe, Betty J., Vision Consultant, Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue, NE
Brigance ® Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development II (IED-II)
Bailey, Karel, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Southside Vision Consortium, PECES, Farmville,
VA
Blackwell, Susan, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Borger Independent School District,
Borger, TX
Carr, Gina, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Macon-Piatt Special Education District, Decatur
Public Schools, Decatur, IL
Crawford, Shavon, Educational Diagnostician, Governor Morehead Preschool, Greensboro, NC
George, Theresa, CTBVI, COMS, Marshall County School Board, Benton, KY
Schlesselman, Dolores, (Infant) Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Region IV, Baytown, TX
Snow, Brenda, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Borger Independent School District, Borger,
TX
Consumable Number Lines
Aranguren, Maria, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Western Suffolk BOCES, North Babylon,
NY
Barnes, Ginger, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown, KY
Bieri, Lisa, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Moniteau Co., California, MO
19
Brown, Stephanie, Primary Teacher, Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY
Chlapek, Janet, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Temple Independent School District, Temple,
TX
Demaris, Melinda, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Wicomico County Schools, Salisbury, MD
Durant, Pam, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Burlington, VT
Herder, Jane, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, St. Louis Public Schools, St. Louis, MO
Howarth, Daniel, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vermont Association of the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Montpelier, VT
May, Christine, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School
District, Houston, TX
Mitchell, Sarah, Mathematics Teacher, Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis, MO
Shaw, Eric, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Rutland, VT
Stallings, Janice, Vision Specialists, Liberty Public Schools, Liberty, Mo
Underwood, Melinda, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vermont Association of the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Brattleboro, VT
Widoe, Betty, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue, NE
Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments
Brown, Jill, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Certified Orientation
and Mobility Specialist, Crowley Independent School District, Crowley, TX
Chiasson, Kari, Ed.D. Professor, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Eades, Debby, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Certified
Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Indiana School for the Blind, Indianapolis, IN
Jakel, Bernadette, Parent, Fairfield, CT
McComiskey, Anne, M. Ed., BEGIN Program Director, Atlanta, GA
McEnderfer, Julie, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Pasco, WA
Vooys, Connie, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Troy, NY
Digital Light Box Artwork: Supporting Language and Literacy
Berger, Linda, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Town and Country, MO
Bruegger, Tammy, Special Education Assistive Technology Teacher, Kansas City, MO
Deimund, Mandy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Cape Girardeau, MO
Drezek, Wendy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Winston Salem, NC
Durkel, Jim, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Austin, TX
Gregori, Melissa, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Corpus Christi, TX
Kreyer, Kori, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Haywood, WI
Layfield, Terry, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Red Oak, TX
Smith, Pamela, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Winston-Salem, NC
Wheeldon, Karen, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Grain Valley, MO
20
Flip-Over Books: Line Paths and Parts of a Whole
Duby, Debra, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, Phoenix,
AZ
Dyer, Lyla, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
Prince George’s County Public Schools, Oxon Hill, MD
Garrett, Michelle, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Certified Orientation and
Mobility Specialist, Crowley Independent School District, Crowley, TX
Gonzales, April, Blind Children’s Specialist, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services,
Dallas, TX
Gordon, Beth, Educational Consultant for the Visually Impaired, Clark County Special Education
Cooperative, Jeffersonville, IN
Harsany, Kathy, Education Consultant, Board of Education and Services for the Blind, Windsor,
CT
Heywood, Nancy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Washoe County School District, Reno, NV
Lakin, Gayle, Vision Teacher, Pershing Elementary and Middle School, Springfield, MO
Lee, Jennifer, Resource Teacher, Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE
Mitchell, Mary, Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Jefferson County Public Schools,
Louisville, KY
Moeller, Susan B., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Kansas State School for the Blind, Kansas
City, KS
Moyer, Gloria, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Otis Elementary, Chicago, IL
Mumford, Judy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Academy School District Twenty, Colorado
Springs, CO
Shular, Melissa, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Academy School District Twenty, Colorado
Springs, CO
Life Science Tactile Graphics
Adelmann, Denise, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Lockport, IL
Bergman, Peggy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA
Britcher, Trina, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Harrison Co. Board of Education, Clarksburg,
WV
Clark, Sharon, New Jersey Commission for the Blind/Visually Impaired, Camden, NJ
Culbertson, Katie, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, COMS, Robey Elementary, Indianapolis, IN
French, Barbara, Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, Jacksonville, IL
Geohagan, Lis, Arkansas School for the Blind, Little Rock, AR
Hoisington, Meridith, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Eagan, MN
Miller, Cindy, Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, Jacksonville, IL
Rahni, Fay, The New York Institute for Special Education, Bronx, NY
Roth, Alan, Science Teacher, Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis,
IN
Shepard, Christy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Cy-Fair ISD, Houston, TX
Stoltman, Wendy, Brighton School District, Brighton, CO
21
Ulwick-Sacca, Janet, Carroll Center for the Blind, Gloucester, MA
Van Dyke, Laurel, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Kokomo HS, Kokomo, IN
Lighting Guide and Kit
Pitzer, Christine, M.A., Rehabilitation Teacher, Blind and Visually Impaired
Services of Indiana, Clarksville, IN
MathBuilders Unit 8: Data
Barnes, Ginger, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown, KY
Carter, Cynthia, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Duncanville Independent School District,
Duncanville, TX
Chlapek, Janet, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Temple Independent School District, Temple,
TX
Demaris, Melinda, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Wicomico County Schools, Salisbury, MD
Herder, Jane, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, St. Louis Public Schools, St. Louis, MO
Lawrence, Roxanne, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, North Colonie School District, Latham,
NY
May, Christine, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School
District, Houston, TX
Toy, Renee, Teacher of the Visually Impaired VI, Texas School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Austin, TX
Van Dyk, Kelly, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vermont Association for the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Rutland, VT
Widoe, Betty, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue, NE
MiniBook
Brannan, Buddy, Adult Braille User, Erie, PA
Chavez, Olivia, Adult Braille user, El Paso, TX
Chuha, Louise, Adult Braille user, Braddock, PA
Cohen, Peter, Adult Braille User, Ellenville, NY
Courcelles, Martin, Adult Braille User, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Dixon, Judy, Adult Braille User, Arlington, VA
Eccles, Jim, Adult Braille User, Vancouver, WA
Emmons, Betty, Adult Braille User, Anthony, KS
Giesbrecht, Kerri, Adult Braille User, British Columbia, CANADA
Hoerber, Robin, Adult Braille User, Midlothian, VA
Jackson, Dezman, Adult Braille User, Mobile, AL
Larson, Ann, Adult Braille User, Muskogee, OK
Lieberg, Marlaina, Adult Braille User, Burien, WA
Lien, Candy, Adult Braille User, Fargo, ND
Mervis, Allison, Adult Braille User, Munhall, PA
22
Morrow, Kimberly, Adult Braille User, Overland Park, KS
Neal, Olga, Adult Braille User, Grand Forks, ND
O’Brien, Sherill, Adult Braille User, Tampa, FL
Piscitello, Charlie, Adult Braille User, Batavia, NY
Porter, Anna, Adult Braille User, Lancaster, PA
Sherman, Becky, Adult Braille User, Kent, WA
Sorter, Judi, Adult Braille User, Vancouver, WA
Thompson, Corietta, Adult Braille User, Silver Springs, MD
Turner, Richard, Adult Braille User, Portland, OR
Walsh, Kate, Adult Braille User, Springfield, PA
Ward, Jean, Adult Braille User, Smyrna, TN
Werner, Greg, Adult Braille User, Snyder, NY
Wiglesworth, Keith, Adult Braille User, Rockingham, NC
Witucki, Kristen, Adult Braille User, Princeton, NJ
Sense of Science: Astronomy
Cook, Delena, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, California School for the Blind, Fremont, CA
Di Lullo, Cristina, Teacher of the Blind and Vision Impaired, Educational Services Center for
Cuyahoga County, Valley View, OH
Dunlop, Susan, Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Rockwall Independent School
District, Rockwall, TX
Etter, Joan, Supplemental Services Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Clermont County
Educational Services Center, Batavia, OH
Huntoon, Linda, Science Teacher, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine, FL
Ridgeway, Alice, Middle School Science Teacher, Georgia Academy for the Blind, Macon, GA
Robinson, Cindy Jo Ruiz, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Louisiana School for the Visually
Impaired, Baton Rouge, LA
Slocum, Michelle, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, West Virginia School for the Blind,
Romney, WV
Summ, Catherine, Education Consultant, State of Connecticut Board of Education Services for
the Blind, Windor, CT
Whitten, Twila, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Silverton Independent School District,
Silverton, TX
Wykoff, Marsha, Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Special Services, Weiser School District,
Weiser, ID
Step by Step
Ambrose Zaken, Grace, Ed.D. Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Project Coordinator
RT and O&M Programs, Hunter College CUNY, Department of Special Education,
Wappinger’s Falls, NY
Brostek, Donna, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Independent Contractor,
Laurenceberg, KY
23
Griffin-Shirley, Nora, Associate Professor, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Virginia
Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Visual Impairment, Texas Tech
University, Lubbock TX
Hapeman, Julie, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Milwaukee WI
Long, Richard, Associate Professor, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Western
Michigan University, Kalamazoo MI
Sudoku Partner 6 x 6
Congdon, Caroline, Milwaukee, WI
Hill, Bob, Lansing, MI
Uesato, Dani Lynn, Honolulu, HI
Wagreich, Barbara, Lexington, MA
30-Love: Tennis Guidelines for Players with Visual Impairments and Blindness
Bohm, Doreen, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, St. Cloud, MN
Bowen, Christy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Adapted Physical Education Teacher,
Kansas City, KS
Buchanan, Trish, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Spokane, MO
Cobb, Tim, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, St. Louis,
MO
Conners, Scott, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Tucson, AZ
Deskin, Cindy, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Springfield, MO
Errante, Steven, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Norfolk, VA
Gerdes, Judy, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, St. Cloud, MN
Gunther, James, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Norfolk, VA
Jacob, Jill, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Hermann, MO
Rice, Cathy, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Blue Springs, MO
Ritter, Traci, Paraprofessional for the Visually Impaired, Jackson, MO
Vought, Susan, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Malone, NY
Wells, Karen, Principal, Kansas City, MO
Treks
Amueller, Cheri, The New York Institute for Special Education, Bronx, NY
Bundren, Erin, Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind, Staunton, VA
George, Terri, Benton Elementary School, Benton, KY
Killebrew, Becca, COMS, Nashville, TN
Klein, Lori, COMS, St. Paul, MN
Lansaw, Jane, Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX
Montes de Oca, Patricia, COMS, Castaic Union School District, Castaic, CA
Norris, Daniel, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, COMS, Vermont Association for the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Montpelier, VT
24
Phangia, Nana, COMS, West Valley City, UT
Schwartz, Jeff, ESE Itinerant, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Tudor, Joyce, San Diego Center for the Blind, San Diego, CA
TurboPhonics
Aranguren, Maria, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Centereach, NY
Brush, Amy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, CABOCES, Olean, NY
Chamberlain, Mary Noel, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Des Moines, IA
Elmore, Mary, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Wilkes County Schools, North Wilkesboro, NC
Foesterling, Sandra, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Cleveland Elementary School, Hamilton,
OH
Galluch, Karen, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Buffalo, NY
Gurley, Donna, M.Ed., Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Certified Orientation and
Mobility Specialist, Iredell-Statesville Schools Statesville, NC
Halton-Bailey, Barbara, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Charlotte, NC
Kraft, Aura, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Huntington Station, NY
Lewis, Barbara, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, North Carolina
Maguire, Cristina, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Wyckoff, NJ
Pastwa, Janet, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Tampa Bay, FL
Pierce, Carol, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Haverhill, MA
Simmons, Jennifer, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Central Davie Education Center,
Mocksville, NC
Stern, Diane, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Henry Viscardi School, Albertson, NY
Young, Tonya, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Canton, NY
Zink, Karen, Erie 1 BOCES, West Seneca, NY
25
Accessible Test
Department
Activities
Deborah H. Willis
Director
Accessible Tests Department
Formerly: Test Central
(Continued)
Purpose
In response to recommendations by APH’s Advisory Committees and members of the Second
Test Central Council, the charge of the Accessible Tests Department was expanded in August
2003. The updated goal is to provide tests, practice tests, test administration manuals, and
other test-related materials in high quality accessible media in a timely manner, to promote
the inclusion of blind and visually impaired individuals during test development, and to
enhance the test performance of blind and visually impaired individuals through research,
education, and communication
Background
During a brainstorming session concerning important projects to pursue, an initiative to
develop a central location dedicated to developing standardized guidelines, processes and
procedures related to test adaptation and production of tests in alternative media was
proposed. This initiative was presented to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). In
February 2001, APH received confirmation from the U.S. DOE that Test Central was awarded
some startup funding for FY 2001. At a meeting with APH’s Advisory Committees, members of
the two committees commended APH for conceptualizing Test Central, recognized the
leadership role APH could play with regard to tests and assessments, and strongly encouraged
continued efforts in this area.
An in-house Core Team was formed, and Test Central’s five tracks were identified:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Education and relationship building;
Test adaptation;
Adaptation and development of test-related tools and materials;
Identification and development of new tests; and
Research into test-related issues.
Test Central continued to receive significant federal support throughout FY 2002 and 2003.
Just prior to APH’s 2002 Annual Meeting, a group of Annual Meeting attendees assembled for
a preliminary meeting to begin drafting guidelines for making tests accessible to blind and
visually impaired individuals.
A Test Central Council was formed and met at APH in March 2002. Council members included:
Carol Allman, Ph.D., Lead Consultant and Instructor, APH
Karen Barton, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Director of Research Programs for At Risk
Students, Research Triangle Institute
27
Larry Brown, Manager, Oregon Textbook & Materials Resource Center
Nan Bulla, M.Ed., Independent Consultant, TSBVI (retired)
Betsy Case, Ph.D., Director of Research on Special Populations, Harcourt Educational
Measurement
Steve Goodman, M.A., M.S., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, California School for the
Blind
Barbara Henderson, Test & Assessment Project Leader, APH
Leslie Lightbourne, Program Coordinator, Division of Student Standards & Assessments,
Louisiana Department of Education
Jean Martin, Director, Minnesota Resource Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Suzanne Swaffield, Education Associate, Office of Assessment, South Carolina Department of
Education
Sandra Thompson, Ph.D., Research Associate, National Center on Educational
Outcomes/University of Minnesota [deceased 2005]
Debbie Willis, Director of Accessible Tests Department, APH
Recommendations of the Council included the following:





Develop, use, and share standard guidelines for adapting tests into braille, tactile
graphic, large print, recorded, and electronic formats
Develop, use, and share concepts of universal design
Address, convey, and facilitate best practices and appropriate accommodations when
testing or assessing blind and visually impaired individuals
Foster professional development in the test and assessment area
Conduct research on various “key” aspects of testing and the test-taking environment
A training workshop for test editors was conducted in FY 2002. The test editor trainees were
tested to determine their level of test editing skills. Tests were scored and feedback was
provided to each of the 21 trainees who had completed the take-home test. Throughout FY
2002, Test Central project staff attended and presented at numerous relevant workshops and
conferences.
Two test editor positions were approved; two of the Research Assistants in the Department of
Educational and Technical Research accepted these permanent, full-time positions. During the
last quarter of FY 2002, APH decided that Test Central would become its own department,
working side-by-side with Accessible Textbook staff, under the general direction of the VicePresident of Products and Services, Bob Brasher. During the last quarter of the 2002 fiscal
year, Test Central began taking on some pilot projects to edit tests and test prep materials for
presentation in braille, with accompanying tactile graphics.
Test Central activities soon included drafting position papers to address test-related issues and
areas of concern. The first position paper was written by Terrie Terlau and Fred Gissoni of
APH and addressed use of the abacus in test-taking situations.
28
At the beginning of FY 2003, a second Test Editor Training Workshop was held at APH. The
trainees, made up of teachers and transcribers, came from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana,
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Presentation of sample test items offered ample opportunity for the trainees to work in small
and large groups to practice and discuss what they had learned.
In January 2003, the Research Department’s Test and Assessment Project Leader Barbara
Henderson joined Test Central in order to unify effort, maximize service to the field, and
increase consistency in test editing and presentation. At that time, work to identify and
address high priority test needs that result in catalog items, as well as reviewing and editing
select tests to be produced on a contract basis, were redirected to flow through Test Central.
Accessible Tests staff worked with APH’s web site coordinator to develop Test Central’s web
page content and construct a direct link from APH’s main page to Test Central’s page.
The second meeting of the Test Central Council (TCC) was held at APH in early Feb. 2003.
Three major test developers and publishers, Harcourt, CTB McGraw-Hill, and Data Recognition
Corp. (DRC) were represented at this meeting. Several discussions focused on common
problems involved in testing students with disabilities.
Some of the recommendations that resulted from the Second TCC were:








Conduct research on tactile graphics, large print and universal design issues
related to tests and assessments.
Determine the best way to present different graphics in accessible media.
Recommend language and points for states to consider in establishing test
contracts.
Develop and maintain an adapted test item data bank.
Utilize standard symbols determined by BANA for tactile graphics in tests.
Determine best way for blind and visually impaired students to accomplish
performance items.
Promote availability of practice materials in accessible media.
Promote the need for blind and visually impaired students to be included in the pilot
test phase of test development.
In spring 2003, the department was named Accessible Tests Department. APH was visited by
Educational Testing Service (ETS) security staff; and APH was certified in 2003 as a “test safe”
vendor.
To promote valuable research efforts, Accessible Tests staff provided a letter of support for
the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) proposed research project on An
Examination of the Use of Multiple Modalities for the Achievement of Literacy Standards by
Students with Disabilities. NCEO received funding for this project from OSERS Research and
Innovation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities.
The Director of Accessible Tests determined that an array of sample test items would be a
29
useful training tool for future workshops and presentations, as well as helpful with clearly
identifying, relaying and explaining issues to test editors and transcribers, test developers and
publishers, other school and state assessment personnel, test takers, their families and
caregivers. Department staff created a sample test to demonstrate the need to edit test items
originally designed for regular print presentation and to help point out specific issues and
concerns regarding making test items truly accessible when presented in alternate media.
Released test items were used with permission from Illinois and Ohio Departments of
Education. The three testing media (large print, braille, audio) were coordinated to enable a
multimedia presentation of the test items.
In September 2003, 24 staff members from 10 different test publishers participated in an
Accessible Tests workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to provide information on test
development and adaptation to help ensure accessibility so that No Child is Left Behind. The
sample test that had been created in multiple accessible media was used for training purposes
at this Test Publishers Workshop.
In the last quarter of FY 2003, APH Accessible Tests Department was awarded a contract to
edit and produce 2004 statewide assessments in accessible media for an individual state.
During FY 2003, over 100 tests were edited and Notes for Test Transcribers were written by
Accessible Test Editors Kris Scott and Monica Coffey for presentation of tests in braille with
tactile graphics. Most of these tests also required Test Administration Notes.
The Accessible Tests Department’s charge was expanded as a result of recommendations
received by Council members during their meeting in February 2003 and APH’s two Advisory
Committees that met in spring 2003. In order to begin addressing the expanded charge of the
Accessible Tests Department to provide practice test and test prep materials in accessible
media, a short online survey was posted on APH’s Web site. The survey, “Let’s Get Ready for
Testing,” asked trustees and vision teachers which practice materials and test prep materials
they were using and what materials were needed. Results showed overwhelmingly that test
prep materials for use by students who are blind or visually impaired was a very high priority
need and that each state used different materials to help prepare their students for taking
state assessments. Based on the results of this survey, generic test preparation materials
were selected for adaptation into accessible media.
At APH’s 2003 Annual Meeting, poster sessions were offered on the Accessible Testing
Universe, and Accessible Test Department Services. In addition, Accessible Tests staff
presented a conference session entitled Challenges in Assessing Students with Visual
Impairments at the No Educator Left Behind: 39th Annual Programs for Exceptional Children
Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky in November 2003.
Consultant Carol Allan provided a daylong workshop on November 14, 2003 for the Florida
Department of Education entitled Universal Design in Testing with Special Attention to Visually
Impaired Individuals. Her presentation was on Testing Literacy: What We Need for Success,
Dec. 5, 2003, at the Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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In addition, Carol presented a session at the May 17-21, 2004 meeting of the Division on
Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) in Washington, D.C.
Another Accessible Tests workshop was provided at APH in January 2004. Department of
Education staff representing 12 states along with several test publishers attended. Evaluations
indicated a high level of satisfaction with the material presented and the atmosphere of the
workshop. As an invited guest speaker, Barbara Henderson presented a plenary session on
Accessible Computerized Testing at Space Science the Special Way with a Twist from Assistive
Technology Conference held in February 2004 at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.
Test Coordinator Gage Brogan and Consultant/Transcriber Bev Pfister provided presentations
on guidelines for test transcribers and APH test specifications during Beyond the Guidelines
Phase II: Textbook and Test Transcription Training for APH Outsources, February 23-25, 2004,
in Colorado Springs, CO. Accessible Test Editor Monica Coffey attended the Association of
Test Publishers (ATP) Innovations in Testing Conference held in Palm Springs, California in
February 2004.
In March 2004, Mary Nelle McLennan, Advisor to the President, and Debbie Willis, Director of
Accessible Tests, planned and facilitated the Accessible Tests Department Strategic Directions
Planning Session. Bob Brasher, Carol Allman, and Accessible Tests staff participated. New
departmental goals and priorities were set as a result of the session.
Two new position papers on Use of Extended Time and Use of Testing Accommodations were
drafted. TEST ACCESS: Making Tests Accessible for Visually Impaired Students, Second
Edition, the second publication in the Test Access series, was finalized and presented at the
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Conference, June 20-23, 2004, in Boston,
Massachusetts. It was also used as a teaching tool with participants of the Accessible Tests
Department’s Accessible Tests Workshop, held at APH on September 15-16, 2004.
Contract work for various states continued at a steady pace, with Kristopher Scott and Monica
Coffey editing and facilitating production of over 60 individual test titles in braille and recorded
formats. Consultation work by Accessible Tests staff included advising Measured Progress, a
test publisher, and the Michigan State Department of Education, on development of accessible
versions of their alternate assessments. Additionally, staff reviewed large print tests for
accessibility at the request of a major test publisher and acted as advisors on several state
assessment projects. Members of Accessible Tests Department were consulted by the
Arkansas State Department of Education on preparation of their request for proposal for their
state assessments.
The department collaborated on research efforts by several university groups: Jane Erin of the
University of Arizona on Effects of Test Medium, the ABC Braille Study by Anne Corn at
Vanderbilt, et al., Gaylen Kapperman at Northern Illinois University on Results of Math Items
for Visually Impaired Students, and the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) at
the University of Minnesota, which sought and were awarded additional funding for their study
31
to examine the Use of Multiple Modalities for the Achievement of Literacy Standards by
Students with Disabilities.
An in-service on guidelines for tactile graphics design was presented on June 8, 2004.
Accessible tests staff, graphic artists, transcribers, and proofreaders from the braille
department participated in this event. Karen Poppe and Fred Otto, APH tactile graphics
project leaders, led a group analysis of sample test items toward improving our presentation of
tactile graphics.
Barbara Henderson served for the second year on the Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) Bias
Review Committee. The committee met in February, June, and July to review Spring 2005 test
items. Barbara also continued her work with American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB)
National Literacy Center: Bridging the Gap (BTG) Leadership Workgroups. As an extension of
her work on Accessible Tests for Adult Basic Education students in 2003, Barbara became
leader of the Production and the Test Development workgroups.
Accessible Tests Department staff worked in April 2004 with the APH Communications Group
to write and design the test-related Services Available brochure. This brochure can be viewed
and downloaded at: http://www.aph.org/tests/services.html During this same period of time,
modifications to make the Accessible tests web page more informative and user-friendly was
initiated.
In April 2004 the Accessible Tests Department was fortunate to gain Dena Garrett’s valuable
braille expertise on a part-time basis. Dena, an Accessible Media Editor in the Accessible
Textbooks Department, is a 30-year veteran braille transcriber who has worked on state, local,
and commercial tests for ten years. Dena also served on the Braille Authority of North
America’s (BANA) Braille Formats Technical Committee.
A third Accessible Tests Workshop was presented in the last quarter of FY2004. This
“Workshop for State Assessment Personnel: Making Tests Accessible to Students with Visual
Impairments” was held at APH on September 15-16, 2004. It was attended by representatives
from 11 state departments of education, a braille transcribing group, one university professor,
one research organization, and two test publishers. Workshop evaluations indicated a very
high level of satisfaction.
Key endeavors in FY2005 included promoting education of issues regarding making test items
truly accessible, contributing to universal design elements, networking and building important
relationships, reviewing and editing tests, promoting research, participating in collaborative
efforts, serving on relevant committees, and continuing professional development of
Accessible Tests staff in order to be more informed and knowledgeable when working on state
and alternate assessments.
While three Accessible Tests Workshops were envisioned for FY 2005, resources which
enabled a fourth workshop were available and utilized. The first was a special one-day event
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sponsored by Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey, November 9, 2004.
ETS staff learned general information about challenges in assessing persons who are blind or
visually impaired. Carol Allman and Barbara Henderson facilitated this session. The second
workshop was coordinated with CTEVH in San Francisco, California, March 3, 2005. The oneday workshop targeted Department of Education staff, teachers, test developers and
publishers. A third was held at Harcourt for their assessment staff in San Antonio, Texas.
Finally, a fourth workshop was presented as a pre-conference session in conjunction with the
CCSSO Large Scale Assessment Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 18, 2005. This
event was of particular interest to test publishers and department of education personnel and
assessment staff planning to attend the CCSSO conference.
Members of Accessible Tests participated on Item Bias Review Committees at the requests of
WestEd and CTB McGraw-Hill in order to assist and collaborate with them to create unbiased,
accessible test items on state assessments under development. The main factors considered
were bias and sensitivity. Potential test items were rejected based on three primary elements.
These were “opportunity and access,” “portrayal of groups represented,” and “protecting
privacy and avoiding offensive content.” Through the process of bias and sensitivity reviews,
test validity is enhanced, fairness of test items for all students is increased, and educational
initiatives are supported. It is essential that professionals in visual impairment participate on
such committees during the development phase of high-stakes tests.
The National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) was awarded a National Science Foundation
(NSF) 3-year grant to develop “best practices” for audio description of higher level science and
mathematics material. Beginning in FY 2005, Accessible Tests staff and APH studio staff
served as “advisors” alongside staff from American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) in this collaborative research effort. The
National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) also secured additional funding for their
study called An Examination of the Use of Multiple Modalities for the Achievement of Literacy
Standards by Students with Disabilities. Accessible Tests staff collaborated on phase two of
this study.
A wide variety of state assessments and commercially available tests were edited and
produced in accessible media on a contract basis during FY 2005. These included
approximately 265 unique state assessments provided in some combination of braille, tactile
graphics, enlarged print, and audio formats. Accompanying test administration notes were
provided in accessible media when specified in the contract. Items such as braille paper,
rulers, bold line writing paper, and protractors were included with tests as per specific
contractual agreements. State assessments were for grades three through high school and
covered some or all of the following areas: math, language arts, reading, science, and social
studies. One state contacted the Accessible Tests Department for assistance in putting their
released items into braille and audio formats. These items were used as practice tests prior to
the spring and fall 2005 testing seasons. All of the requested copies were delivered on time to
the states in need of them.
The collaborative research study between Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System
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(CASAS), AFB, and APH got underway this fiscal year. CASAS is an organization devoted to
assessment of the adult basic skills required for success in the workplace and in life. CASAS
research-based testing instruments are widely used and have been approved and validated by
the US Department of Education and the United States Department of Labor. As of August
2005, CASAS has provided assessments only in audio format. Accessible Tests staff worked
with CASAS and AFB to develop a braille edition of a CASAS reading assessment. This first
examination to be made available in braille format will be field tested in FY 2006. Virginia
Posey “Ginny,” Senior Research Associate with CASAS is directing this collaborative effort as
well as conducting the study.
Partners in a program to develop services for visually impaired college students spent a day at
APH as part of their activities during the National Federation of the Blind Conference in
Louisville. Guests included staff from Overbrook School and special educators from China.
The visit was hosted by Debbie Willis, Director of Accessible Tests. Issues of particular
interest to the educators from China were assessment, using technology in the classroom, and
production of braille. The guests and several APH staff were treated to presentations and
discussions as well as demonstrations of hardware and software by the Technology Group in
the Research Department. In addition, Pearson staff made a site visit to APH in May 2005.
They were especially interested in visiting the braille production area.
The second book in the Test Access series by Accessible Tests staff was printed just in time for
unveiling at the Accessible Tests Workshop at APH in September 2004 and at APH Annual
Meeting 2004. TEST ACCESS: Making Tests Accessible for Visually Impaired Students, Second
Edition was made available on the APH web site and was used for training purposes during
workshops and conferences.
The spring 2005 edition of EnVision was dedicated to assessment of students with visual
impairments. Accessible Tests staff, Carol Allman and Barbara Henderson, contributed
featured articles to this edition of Lighthouse International’s EnVision, an online publication for
parents and educators of children with impaired vision. In addition, Jane Erin of the University
of Arizona contributed an article on research in collaboration with APH on the effects of media
on test performance. The spring 2005 edition of EnVision is available at:
http://www.lighthouse.org
Several presentations were provided in FY 2005. Accessible Tests Department staff presented
two poster sessions at the 2004 APH Annual Meeting: Accessible Tests Department Products
and Services and a Case Study in Adapting Tests for Visually Impaired Individuals: The
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement in Braille and Large Print. A special meeting with
Dean Stenehjem, Superintendent of the School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington, and
Gary Snyder, Washington State Vision Consultant, Washington Sensory Disabilities Services,
was held with Debbie Willis and Barbara Henderson during Annual Meeting. Questions and
issues relevant to testing visually impaired students in Washington State were discussed.
At the request of Chairperson Jean Martin, Barbara and Debbie joined the state vision
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consultants’ related meeting held during the 2004 Annual Meeting. Information on what
states are doing to include visually impaired students in state assessments and specific
considerations for making tests accessible were presented and discussed. Mary Ann Siller,
Director of the National Education Program with AFB, disseminated copies of the 2004 Jo
Taylor Leadership Institute (JTLI) Education Summary. Participants were interested in the
Summary’s article on Work Group Report: High-Stakes Assessments and Alternate
Assessments. Next steps included a phone conference with AFB, APH, and TSBVI staff to
determine key test-related issues that need to be addressed.
To build assessment initiatives for schools, AFB, APH, and Texas School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (TSBVI) collaborated to create three articles with checklists. These were
developed in response to the top assessment priorities identified during the 2004 JTLI. They
are Model Accommodations and Procedures: A Guide for Parents; Guidelines to Support the
Contract Development Process between Test Publishers and States; and Checklist for
Administration of Tests to Students with Visual Impairments. The checklists provide concrete
steps that can be readily used in programs to build accountability through assessments.
These documents were used as the basis for presentations to attendees at the 2005 JTLI.
Final articles with checklists can be viewed and downloaded from the AFB web site at:
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=58&TopicID=264
Barbara Henderson and Debbie Willis spoke to various university students including University
of Louisville students in the visual impairment teacher certification program about the work
and goals of APH’s Accessible Tests Department, test-related services available, and resources
for acquiring accessible tests, materials, and information. Monica Coffey provided a poster
session during CEC that introduced the Accessible Tests Department and test-related services
available from APH. In August 2005, Monica met with Pearson staff in Iowa City, Iowa, to
provide a presentation on Testing Students with Visual Impairments. Members of Pearson’s
assessment staff were able to get many of their questions answered to help ensure future test
items are accessible to students who are visually impaired.
Barbara Henderson worked with Consultant Lynne Jaffe, a learning disabilities specialist, to
create a presentation on Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement in Braille. Jaffe
provided this presentation at the Arizona Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of
the Blind and Visually Impaired Conference held in Prescott in October 2004. Carol Allman
presented Accommodations to Help Maximize Test Performance of Students with Visual
Impairments at the National Family Conference. The audience included parents, students,
educators, and psychologists. While Carol was in Louisville for this conference, members of
Accessible Tests took the opportunity to discuss some department plans for FY 2006.
For professional development, Accessible Tests staff continued to participate in meetings,
workshops, and conferences, and to take classes on the education and assessment of students
with visual impairments. Members of Accessible Tests attended the CCSSO Conference on
Large Scale Assessment and a pre-conference workshop in connection with CCSSO on
developing alternate assessments for students who are unable to take regular state
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assessments, with or without appropriate accommodations; Meeting of the Minds (MoM) III
sessions with university personnel held at APH; sessions during the National Family Conference
hosted in Louisville, Kentucky; and the 2005 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Conference
in Baltimore, Maryland. Sessions attended at CEC included a pre-conference workshop on the
changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Test Editor Monica Coffey attended
the National Braille Association Conference held in Memphis, Tennessee. This conference
offered opportunities to learn about computer-assisted transcription, transcriber’s notes, tactile
graphics, and Braille Authority of North American (BANA) guidelines.
Accessible Tests staff also participated in a teleconference on Accessible Textbooks in Schools:
A State and National Progress Report. The teleconference focused on current state and
national initiatives to improve access to instructional materials for students with print
disabilities. Skip Stahl with the National Center for Accessing the General Curriculum at the
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) addressed the landmark endorsement of the
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) by the US DOE. This voluntary
standard will guide the production and electronic distribution of digital instructional materials
such as textbooks so they can be more easily converted to accessible formats such as braille
and text-to-speech.
More test publishers started providing test items in color. Test publishers, test administrators,
and educators asked questions and sought expertise regarding access to these items by low
vision and/or colorblind individuals. Accessible Tests staff attended a training session offered
by Elaine Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader in the Research Department, on editing test items
presented in color for individuals with color blindness.
Test and Assessment Project Leader Barbara Henderson attended the first annual Universal
Design for Learning (UDL) Summer Institute sponsored by the Kentucky Department of
Education (KDE). The main guest speaker was David Rose of CAST, Inc. and Harvard
University. David, who is co-author of Teaching Every Child in the Digital Age, spoke on the
topic of The Future of UDL in Education. Six model UDL schools reported on how they used
grant-funded activities to integrate UDL into their school’s curricula and testing. Barbara also
furnished updated information on APH tests and test-related materials for the winter 2005
revision of Lighthouse International’s Assessment Compendium: Instruments for Assessing the
Skills and Interests of Individuals with Visual Impairments. The free, online document was
made available through VisionConnection at:
http://www.visionconnection.org/Content/ForProfessionals/PatientManagement/Pediatrics/Asse
ssmentCompendium.htm
In FY 2006, the goal of the Accessible Tests Department as it relates to the APH mission
continued to be addressed. To further the education of test developers, publishers, and
assessment personnel, as well as our own education and professional development, members
of Accessible Tests continued to provide presentations and workshops, participate in various
collaborative efforts and meetings, serve as focus group, task force, and committee members,
and attend relevant classes, workshops, and events. Additional handouts, documents, and
36
surveys were authored and disseminated. More information, resources, and related links were
added to the Accessible Tests web page, and discussion regarding development of some
“Test” webcasts and APH’s first Test and Assessment catalog got underway.
Phil Hatlen and Debbie Willis joined forces as co-chairs of Goal 8 (Expanded Core Curriculum)
to address this National Agenda goal. Debbie also continued to serve as chair of Goal 6
(Assessment). At APH’s 2005 Annual Meeting, poster sessions, concurrent sessions, and a
general session presentation were provided on test and assessment topics, and related issues
such as the expanded core curriculum. Related meetings such as the AFB Solutions Forum
and National Agenda Committee Meeting were attended. Immediately following Annual
Meeting, Carol Allman provided an “On the Road” workshop at the New York AER and an inservice to the New York Department of Education and state assessment staff on testing
students who are blind or visually impaired. Surveys and networking with the field and with
our customers continued as a means to determine customer satisfaction and specific needs for
products, services, and information. Test-related contract work to review and edit state
assessment and alternate assessment items, and prepare test notes for administering the
alternate media editions, was accomplished throughout the fiscal year.
Early in FY 2006, staff from Accessible Textbooks Initiative & Collaboration (ATIC) and the
Accessible Tests Department moved into a newly renovated area of APH. Discussions on
effectively working together to provide instructional and test materials in high quality,
accessible media in a timely manner ensued. Some ATIC staff was shared on a part-time
basis with Accessible Tests and provided project support. Guidelines and ways of providing
more consistent presentation of instruction and test materials were explored. Dena Garrett,
Accessible Media Editor for ATIC, provided copies of test guidelines developed through
Accessible Tests to each member of BANA’s committee that is reworking Braille Formats:
Principles of Print to Braille Transcription 1997. Since transcribers across the country adhere
to BANA guidelines, Dena and Accessible Tests staff will work with BANA committee members
to adopt test guidelines so that future test materials will be formatted and transcribed in a
more consistent manner.
In order to provide education, information, training, and resources on making test items
accessible in various media for test-takers who are blind or visually impaired, Accessible Tests
staff, along with Research Staff and a guest speaker from the National Alternate Assessment
Center at the University of Kentucky, provided four major workshops during FY 2006; two at
APH and two on-the-road in connection with other scheduled conferences. During these
workshops, well over 100 professionals and students from across the country received
training, information, and resources; some of these individuals returned to their school
systems or companies and provided training to their colleagues. Numerous state departments
of education personnel from across the country participated in the FY 2006 workshops. Test
publishers attending these workshops included representatives from ACT, Inc., Data
Recognition Corporation, Educational Testing Service, Pearson Assessments, Measured
Progress, and ThinkLink Learning. Some major agencies represented included Association of
Test Publishers, ATECH Services, and Design Science, Inc.
37
The National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) is a collaborative agreement
funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. NCLVI
was created in order to increase the number of leaders in the field of blindness and visual
impairment. Since assessment of students with visual impairments is a significant area of
concern, the topic of discussion for NCLVI scholars during the month of November 2005 was
statewide assessments presented in accessible formats to students who are blind or visually
impaired. Carol Allman and Debbie Willis joined primary instructor Amanda Hall-Lueck as
Leadership Discussants during this “Assessment” course.
Accessible Tests staff attended and/or presented at various conferences which included the
Association of Test Publishers Conference, the Council of Chief State School Officers
Conference on Large-Scale Assessment, the Second Invitational CASMA-ACT Conference, the
Educational Testing Service and College Board sponsored conference on Accommodations for
Students with Disabilities, Kentucky AER, Kentucky Valley Special Education Cooperative
Institute, and the National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs. Presentations
were also provided to groups of teachers and university students, such as Jefferson County
Vision Teachers, and Vanderbilt and University of Louisville graduate students, who visited
APH.
Barbara participated as a consultant and panelist in a two-part study conducted by the
National Center on Educational Outcomes. The results of the study were published as an
online technical report titled, Considerations for the Development and Review of Universally
Designed Assessments. This document was made available at:
http://education.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/Technical42.htm
During FY 2006, Barbara continued to work with the Kentucky Department of Education and
the Kentucky School for the Blind to review the online version of the Commonwealth
Accountability & Testing System (CATS) in order to ensure accessibility for students who are
blind or visually impaired. Accessible Test Editors Monica Coffey and Kris Scott participated on
a statewide Bias Review Committee to examine potential test items on Kentucky’s Core
Content Tests.
The Director of Accessible Tests served on the National Agenda Committee as chair of the
assessment goal to help ensure assessment of students who are blind or visually impaired will
be conducted, in collaboration with parents, by personnel having expertise in the education of
students with visual impairments. Phil Hatlen and Debbie Willis continued to co-chair the
expanded core curriculum goal. Two surveys to determine a national picture of the current
status of the expanded core curriculum were developed and disseminated in FY 2006; results
of these surveys were compiled and reported in FY 2007 by Dr. Phil Hatlen. Debbie was also
appointed a member of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Task Force to improve
access to standardized tests and test-related materials for graduate students, professionals,
and parents who are blind or visually impaired. Accessible Tests also worked on a contract
basis with a graduate student in need of a braille edition of the Mini International
38
Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for class as well as professional use. Debbie served on the
Association of Test Publishers Education Division 2007 Poster Committee.
More information and features were added to the Accessible Tests Department web page in
the third quarter of FY 2006. Items added include How to Contact Test Publishers and Hot
Links. Hot Links include a link to APH’s Louis Database as well as the Accessible Media
Producers (AMP) Database, and the National Agenda website. To add educational value,
awareness of accommodations, and interest, a photo montage showing children taking tests
using various accommodations and in various accessible media has been added to the main
page. Finally, easier navigation and updated links are features of the new and improved page.
Development of a Test and Assessment catalog was initiated; it was made available in the
third quarter of FY 2007. Results of assessment survey 2007: New Directions were posted in
the second quarter. Plans are to repeat this survey approximately every two years in order to
stay in touch with test-related needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Accessible Tests staff continued a collaborative effort begun in 2005 with the National Center
for Accessible Media (NCAM), AFB, and RFB&D staff to research most promising practices in
narration of math and science content for Digital Talking Books and materials. Staff helped to
identify Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professionals and students to
participate in a survey which is currently underway in the second year of the project.
Test and assessment projects in the areas of 1) contract work and 2) project development that
results in catalog products were undertaken. In FY 2006, approximately 345 unique tests and
assessments, answer documents, and test-related reference sheets were reviewed, edited,
and produced in accessible media. This represents a 30% increase over a one-year period in
the number of unique test materials produced on a contract basis. These tests were
requested by various test publishers and state department of education staff from states that
included Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New
York, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Though varying in content, these tests
generally assessed mathematics, science, social science, reading, and writing. Accessible
Tests staff also edited and produced the Ballard & Tighe IDEA English Language Proficiency
tests which are used by several states for all grades in both contracted and uncontracted
braille. Of the tests prepared, seven forms were alternate assessments reviewed and edited
for West Virginia, and 12 forms were alternate assessments for Michigan. Test administration
notes were written and provided, as requested, for about 80% of these tests. Additional city
and state assessments and alternate assessments will continue to be reviewed and edited by
the Accessible Test Editors, and/or produced at APH in accessible media, as requested and as
resources are available to provide high quality tests in accessible media and timely delivery of
test materials.
Barbara Henderson participated in the National Association for Adults with Special Learning
Needs (NAASLN) International Conference, November 13-15, 2006, in Denver, Colorado as
one of four presenters in a regular session on Accessible Tests for Adult Students. Finally,
Barbara joined five other people for a special focus group session on the Current Status of
39
Testing Accommodations for the NAASLN population.
Carol Allman and Barbara Henderson participated in the First Annual Invitational Summit on
Universal Design in Assessment which was sponsored by the National Center on Educational
Outcomes (NCEO) at the University of Minnesota; eight partners and an additional eight test
publishers participated. Panel members are working on an article to be submitted to a juried
publication in FY 2007.
The project leader and Monica Turner visited two schools in Hardin County, Kentucky, to
observe low vision students taking computer-based tests. The School District’s Assessment
staff showed APH staff their computer labs and discussed some of the accessibility problems
they’ve encountered. The project leader and Field Services Rep Monica Turner presented a 1hour presentation on “Test Preparation Issues for Visually Impaired Students” at the 2007
Council on Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention. The meeting was held in Louisville, April
17-20, 2007. Debbie Willis, Kristopher Scott and Barbara Henderson presented a 90-minute
session at the CCSSO Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2007. In addition, the staff
and lead presenter/facilitator Dr. Carol Allman conducted a half-day workshop on making test
items accessible when presented in various media.
The project leader participated in a May 2007 meeting of the Universal Design for Learning
(UDL) Expert Workgroup, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education, at Strode
Elementary School in Winchester, KY. Strode is one of ten model schools which lead the state
in UDL activities and projects as well as having an excellent web sites. Participants were able
to observe UDL principles being utilized in elementary and middle school classes.
During this fiscal year, Accessible Test Editors took on three new challenges: 1) reviewing,
editing, and preparing scripts for use by Recording Studio staff, as well as proofing the
recorded masters, 2) checking print tests to be “enlarged” for errors or issues as a result of
the enlargement process, and 3) reviewing and editing states’ alternate assessments.
Approximately 500 tests and test-related materials were produced in various accessible media
during FY2007. An additional project to review and make recommendations to a test under
development with regard to color blindness and low vision concerns was undertaken. Elaine
Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader in the Research Department, contributed her time and
expertise to the success of this project and the continuing professional development of
Accessible Tests staff.
Work during FY 2008
For some years there has been discussion and debate as to the benefit of intelligence or
cognitive tests administered to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. At the Spring
2007 Advisory Committee Meetings, members of the Educational Services Advisory Committee
recommended that APH’s Accessible Tests staff consider the following question: Are the results
of an intelligence or cognitive test meaningful to individuals with visual impairments, and
useful to their instructors, families, and decision makers? An Intelligence Testing Committee
made up of APH staff and field experts had been formed in January 2007 so APH was
40
prepared to examine and respond to this concern. Intelligence Testing Committee members
include:
Stephen A. Goodman, M. A., M. S., California School for the Blind
Carol Anne Evans, Ph.D., Davis School District, Utah
Marnee Loftin, M. A., Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Will Evans, M. A., Products and Services Advisor, APH
Barbara Henderson, M. A., Test and Assessment Project Leader, Accessible Tests
Department, APH
Michael Sell, B. A., Test Editor, Accessible Tests Department, APH
Debbie Willis, M. A., Director of Accessible Tests Department, APH
As of July 2008, members met a total of 13 times via teleconference. During the initial
meeting, committee members determined that the priority was to develop and disseminate
“key points” in a position paper regarding intelligence testing of individuals who are blind or
visually impaired. After careful consideration and discussion, the following position statement
was drafted, “Cognitive or intelligence testing of individuals who are blind or VI will provide
useful and valuable information to test-takers, their families, instructors, and other decision
makers, if appropriate guidelines are followed.” Nine key points and guidelines were
formulated. These were presented as a panel session at the 2008 International AER held in
Chicago. Additional presentations at the 2008 International AER Conference included “The
Journey of a Test: how it Becomes Accessible to Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired”
by Test Editor Kerry Isham, “Striped Lands and Dotted Seas: Editing Tactile Graphics” by Test
Editor Michael Sell.
Feedback received from the audience who attended the panel presentation on intelligence
testing of individuals with visual impairments was positive. In FY2009, the audience’s input
will be used to revise the next draft of the position paper. The final paper will be reviewed by
about a dozen experts in the field. Their reviews will be used to finalize the full-length position
paper. Both the full-length paper as well as a short version will be freely disseminated
through various organizations and interested individuals. A version will be submitted for
publication, as well as being made available on APH and other relevant web sites.
In January 2008, Barbara Henderson observed one of the pilot test sessions at Kentucky
School for the Blind (KSB) of the 2008 Commonwealth Accountability and Testing system
(CATS) Online. Measured Progress staff and KDE staff also visited KSB recently to observe how
students are able to take the online test independently, after entering the test site, using their
assistive technology. Barbara teamed with KSB staff to discuss a few technical problems
encountered during the pilot test. Subsequently, a letter was drafted by the accessibility
“team” to Measured Progress and KDE so that they could trouble-shoot in time for the real
online test.
Accessible Tests staff embarked upon a new collaborative effort with California School for the
Blind (CSB) to provide training materials for several workshops on “standardized test
41
preparation for VI students.” APH’s Test Ready multimedia test prep materials will be used by
CSB teachers to provide practice in test-taking skills. CSB staff using select editions of APH’s
Test Ready materials during these workshops will provide feedback to APH’s Accessible Tests
staff. It is anticipated that information from the CSB workshops will form the basis for some
training modules on specific test-taking skills needed by students who are blind or visually
impaired.
In April 2008, Barbara Henderson completed the third round of surveys, as a panelist
representing APH, in NCAM’s 3-year project entitled “Effective Practices for Description of
Science Content within Digital Talking Books.” APH produced tactile graphics to accompany
descriptions in this last round of the survey--- which is the end-user survey. The survey was
sent to college students and professionals in the STEM fields. The purpose of including a
tactile graphic was to enable researchers to determine whether or not auditory input is
enhanced by accompanying tactile input on complex science material. Barbara, as a project
panelist and describer, worked with APH staff to design the tactile graphics and facilitate the
project internally. Project Director Bryan Gould presented preliminary findings of the study at
the 2008 ATIA Conference. A full report on the study will be published in FY 2009, leading
eventually to the publication of a guidelines document. Bryan Gould and Kay Ferrell presented
a session on this project at the 2008 International AER Conference.
The collaborative effort continued with CASAS, an organization devoted to assessment of adult
basic skills required for success in the workplace and in life, to develop and research the first
braille edition of a CASAS assessment instrument. Barbara Henderson assisted CASAS staff in
identifying additional field testing sites where braille readers ages 15 and up might participate.
The goal for the CASAS study was to secure 50 field test participants by the end of calendar
year 2006. In FY2007 and FY2008, CASAS carried out the second round of field testing, with
contracted braille readers ages 15 and up. By the conclusion of the field test, 60 subjects had
participated. The calibration items were based upon real-life scenarios. Dr. Ginny Posey,
Senior Researcher at CASAS, visited APH in July 2008 to tour the facility, meet with some APH
staff, and to work with Barbara on the research report. Results of the study will be prepared
and submitted to a journal for possible publication in FY2009.
Accessible Tests staff met with Dena Garrett in order to develop a list of test rules or
guidelines, along with examples, of items not covered by current BANA code. Department
staff also met with Diane Spence at APH to discuss the list of test guidelines and the need for
BANA transcription rules/guidelines. BANA formed a Test Committee to develop
rules/guidelines for transcribing high stakes tests; members include APH Accessible Media
Editor and certified braille transcriptionist Dena Garrett and Dr. Carol Allman. Their first
meeting was held via teleconference in August 2008; a timeline of approximately two years to
undertake and complete this work was discussed. Teleconferences will continue throughout
FY2009 and a face-to-face meeting was tentatively planned for summer 2009.
At the request of the test publisher, Barbara reviewed KeyMath 3 pre-publication test items for
low vision and color deficient vision issues. Barbara and Low Vision Project Leader Elaine
42
Kitchel provided reviews on the pre-publication test items. These reviews were used by the
test publisher’s project staff to finalize test items in the new KeyMath 3. Accessible Tests staff
is also pursuing permission from the test publisher to make a braille/tactile version of KeyMath
3 available. This and other catalog items under development by the department’s Test and
Assessment Project Leader are in various phases. See the “Test and Assessment” section of
this document for status reports on individual test-related projects which were either
completed in FY2008, underway, or under consideration as future projects.
In late winter 2008, Debbie Willis participated as a member of NCEO’s National Accessible
Reading Assessment Projects (NARAP) Principles and Guidelines Committee. The purpose of
the meeting held in Washington, DC was to bring together a diverse panel of experts and
stakeholders to provide project staff with feedback on the draft of the Principles and
Guidelines, to provide advice on establishing levels of support for the Guidelines, and to help
design a dissemination plan once the Principles and Guidelines are finalized. A group of APH
staff was instrumental in prepping Debbie for this meeting, and for compiling significant edits,
suggestions and questions for the NARAP project staff to consider.
Debbie was also invited to attend the third biennial CASMA-ACT (Center for Advanced Studies
in Measurement and Assessment-American College Testing) Invitational Conference on Current
Challenges in Educational Testing. Two hundred individuals involved in assessment, research,
and education gathered at the ACT Conference Center in Iowa City. Performance testing
simulations were discussed and demonstrated, media personnel and test users provided
perspectives on challenges to testing, and a five-person panel presented their views on hot
topics in the assessment arena. Dr. James Popham, voted as one of the top 20 educators of
the 20th century at UCLA, gave the keynote address on “Instructional Sensitivity.” According
to Dr. Popham, “almost all of today’s accountability tests are unable to ascertain instructional
quality, that is, they are instructionally insensitive. Accountability tests, such as our nation’s
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) assessments, differ substantially in their ability to detect
instructional quality.”
Presentations in FY2008 included a poster session by Test Editor Kerry Isham on “Test
Accommodations for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired” provided to Ex Officio
Trustees and invited guests attending our October 2007 Annual Meeting. Test and
Assessment Project Leader Barbara Henderson teamed with Linnie Lee of the KY Department
of Education and Chloe Torres of Measured Progress to present a regular conference session
at the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) Conference on Innovations in Testing. Their
presentation on “Making Online Tests Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments”
included video clips of students who are blind and some with low vision taking the KY online
pilot test during spring 2008. Challenges and positive outcomes of the online testing
experience were presented from three different viewpoints.
Professional development opportunities for members of Accessible Tests continued throughout
FY2008. Some Accessible Tests staff was involved in a conference call on alternate
assessments with staff from the National Alternate Assessment Center (NAAC) housed at the
43
University of KY in Lexington. NAAC staff spoke on alignment methods and models, dealing
with how academic performance and grade level are significant points of alignment and what
sort of criteria are used for measurement. New Test Editors Michael Sell and Kerry Isham
were provided several opportunities during the school year to observe students in a variety of
classes at the KY School for the Blind as well as observing students who are blind or visually
impaired in classrooms in Jefferson County KY Public Schools. Michael Sell successfully
completed his lessons on literary braille, submitted his transcribed manuscript and received his
certification in literary braille transcription from the National Library Service.
Some additional activities this fiscal year included a review of Tests of Adult Basic Education
for English Language Learners (TABE CLAS-E) for CTB/McGraw-Hill publishers. The object was
to discover any biases toward English Language Learners who have visual impairments.
Barbara Henderson and Debbie Willis worked with NCEO staff to review and provide feedback
on “Case Studies of English Language Learners (ELLs) with Visual Impairments.” Test Editor
Kris Scott participated as a member of KY’s Bias Review Committee. Test Editor Kerry Isham
reviewed hundreds of potential test items in the areas of mathematics, science, and reading
for bias and access by students with visual impairments. Numerous phone conferences and
some in-person meetings were held by APH staff, test publishers, state and local assessment
staff, and accessible media producers. Barbara Henderson and Kerry Isham edited and
reviewed last year’s West Virginia alternate assessment items and provided feedback to WV
alternate assessment staff.
A survey about types of answer documents needed for marking answer choices on classroom
tests and standardized tests was developed, finalized, and posted on the APH web site.
Announcement of the survey for prospective participants was circulated on various listserves
as well as included in two monthly editions of the APH News. Data were received from 230
respondents. These data are in the process of being reviewed, compiled, and categorized in
order to make decisions regarding types of accessible answer documents that need to be
designed and produced. A report on the survey results will be posted on the APH web site
during the first quarter of FY2009. Design, development, and field testing of various tactile
and large print answer documents will be underway in FY2009.
Accessible Tests staff sponsored its first webcast in FY2008. Fred Otto and Karen Poppe,
Tactile Graphics Specialists in the Research Department, provided a webcast on “Tactile
Graphics: Touching on the Basics.” Eighty individuals/groups logged onto the webcast that
was viewed by over 200 participants. Tactile graphics packets containing samples of released
test items and a graphic produced in four different formats had been prepared and shipped to
webcast registrants prior to the live, interactive presentation. Additional packets which were
requested were made available to about 20 people who viewed the archived tactile graphics
presentation via our APH web site.
Forty-six members of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) division on
Assessment of Special Education Students (ASES) visited APH for an exciting and informative
half-day workshop during their two-day CCSSO ASES Meeting in Louisville. It was this group’s
44
first time meeting in Louisville and first time visiting APH. Construction on APH’s new front
yard and building had just been completed and opened days before their visit so they were
able to see, enjoy, and appreciate our newly remodeled site. Members of the CCSSO ASES
Group toured the facilities and were offered presentations which included an overview of
assessment issues, some braille basics, an explanation of the roles of the Test Editor,
Transcriber and Proofreader, enhanced print as well as tactile graphics issues and guidelines.
The workshop concluded with demonstrations of editing regular print test items for
presentation in braille, tactile graphics, enhanced print, and audio formats. Some of the
thoughtful questions and concerns expressed by ASES members included the readability of
tactile graphics, what can be used when sighted students are using their graphing calculators,
and use of color and grayscale for students with color blindness or low vision. Members left
with numerous handouts and resources available to them, with some questions answered as
well as some new ones.
In preparation for the August 2008 workshop, Dr. Carol Allman, and members of APH’s
Accessible Tests and Research staff reviewed, edited and updated the second edition of TEST
ACCESS: Making Tests Accessible for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, and
produced the third edition of this document. The new edition will be made available on the
Accessible Tests Department web page either late in FY2008 or early in FY2009.
The original selection of released sample test items from the states of Illinois and Ohio which
had been used for previous workshops was reviewed and edited, and prepared introductory
information which had not been included in previous editions of the sample test items, was
prepared. The Ohio and Illinois sample test items were reproduced with permission as 2008
APH Sample Test Items in braille with tactile graphics, large print, and on audio CD. In
addition, a second set of released sample test items used with permission from the states of
Florida, Maine, and Texas were selected and produced in the same media as the above
mentioned original sample test items. The second set was produced as a Supplement: APH
Sample Test Items ©2008. The supplement covers sample test items for math, science and
writing for grades 4-11. These sample test items, along with the new third edition of TEST
ACCESS: Making Tests Accessible, were used for training purposes during the August 2008
workshop on Making Test Items Accessible for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired;
30 individuals representing test publishers, state departments of education, and various
assessment personnel from across the country participated and received training during this
workshop. Both sets of sample test items will be used for similar purposes at future
workshops and presentations. This was the first workshop at APH to be audio-video recorded
by APH staff, Maria Delgado and Michael Sell; plans are to make the recorded presentations,
PowerPoint presentations, handouts and additional resources available in late FY2008 or very
early in FY2009 via the Accessible Tests Department web page on the APH web site
(http://www.aph.org).
FY2008 was a very busy and productive year with regard to test-related contract work. Over
600 state and local assessments as well as some alternate assessments, commercially
available assessments such as the WIAT II and TerraNova, and related materials such as
45
parent/teach guides, manuals, reference sheets and charts were produced and shipped this
fiscal year. Tests were reviewed and edited for presentation in braille, tactile graphics, large
print, enlarged print, and/or audio formats; some of the tests were produced in both
contracted and uncontracted braille. Test Administration Notes were prepared for about 75%
of these tests, according to customer specifications. The majority of this work was undertaken
by the Test Editors and various production staff throughout APH.
Accessible Tests staff continue to gratefully acknowledge the direction and support of
Executive Committee members and Ex Officio Trustees, and all the wonderful partners within
APH and with individuals, agencies, schools, and organizations outside of APH who worked
together to help make instructional materials and tests available in accessible media for
individuals with visual impairments, who promoted the inclusion of individuals with visual
impairments during test development, and who were actively engaged in improving the test
performance of blind and visually impaired individuals through research, education, and
communication. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so
much.” Together, we have accomplished much, and there is still much to be done. See the
next section on plans for FY2009.
Work planned for FY 2009
Accessible Tests staff will work closely with APH’s Contract Administration, Production,
Research, ATIC, Field Services, and Communications staff, and will engage in discussions and
seek direction from Executive Committee members and Ex Officio Trustees, particularly
members of the Educational Products Advisory Committee and Educational Services Advisory
Committee. Additional city and state assessments and alternate assessments will continue to
be reviewed and edited by Accessible Tests Editors, and/or produced at APH in accessible
media, as requested and as resources are available to provide high quality tests in a timely
manner. Test Administration Notes will be provided for accessible media as specified by each
contract or agreement. Research and development efforts that result in test-related catalog
products will continue. The needs of the field will be surveyed, high priority needs identified,
products completed, product-related services provided, and customer satisfaction gauged.
A new, updated assessment catalog will be developed. This catalog will list age-spans, target
audience, and application of each test. The Accessible Tests web page will also be updated
with new links to resources and an annotated bibliography of publications on assessment. The
need for a list serve or blog on assessment topics so that test administrators can network and
get input from the field will be examined.
Accessible Tests staff will offer leadership through services, collaborative efforts and
partnerships, and product-related research and development. Workshops at APH, “on the
road” workshops in connection with other conferences, presentations, and webcasts on test
topics and issues will be developed and made available on the APH website. Training sessions
on accessible versions of the Woodcock-Johnson III: Tests of Achievement will be planned
Collaborative efforts, networking and partnering with test publishers, item developers, and
assessment personnel across the country will be pursued. Research and cooperative efforts
46
with universities and agencies such as the Association of Test Publishers, the American
Psychological Association, the National Center on Educational Outcomes at the University of
Minnesota, the National Alternate Assessment Center at the University of Kentucky, the Braille
Authority of North America, American Foundation for the Blind, and others will be engaged in
order to continue addressing the tracks identified at the outset of Test Central (now APH’s
Accessible Tests Department).
The resources and guidelines for making test items accessible in various media and the special
issues with regard to testing students with visual impairments will be reviewed, revised,
updated, and freely shared. Test-related information and links to resources will continue to be
provided and updated on the Accessible Tests web page. Test guidelines will be discussed
with members of BANA, and efforts will be made to encourage BANA to adopt guidelines so
that tests and assessments will be produced in braille according to standard guidelines.
47
Tests
&
Assessments
48
Accessible Answer Documents
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide well-designed, accessible answer documents in braille and large print for use in
curricular activities, test preparation, and in actual testing situations
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Kerry Isham, Accessible Tests Editor, Co-Project Leader
Elaine Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader, Project Consultant
Eleanor Pester, Braille Project Leader, Project Consultant
Debbie Willis, Director of Accessible Tests, Project Advisor
Background
As states moved toward No Child Left Behind (NCLB) compliance, materials such as accessible
answer documents must be supplied if students with visual impairments are to take the test
independently and successfully. The original goal was to collaborate with a major test
publisher on development of a machine scorable, accessible “scannable answer sheet” or
“bubble sheet,” for use by braille or large print readers. Such sheets are now totally
inaccessible to blind and low vision students, preventing them from full participation in
assessment opportunities alongside their peers.
A proposed timeline was submitted but the project leader was unable to bring this project into
active status during FY 2006 due to prior commitments. No additional work was done on the
project during that time frame.
In FY 2007, it was decided that finding a partner for research into necessary design
considerations for accessible answer documents was more important than ever. Many states
were moving to computerized scoring of their achievement tests and current scannable answer
documents were still not useable by test takers with visual impairments. The project leader
made several contacts with test publishers and research entities, but a committed partner
could not be identified. Therefore, the project remained on the PARCing Lot throughout FY
2007.
Work during FY 2008
Although a partner to help develop an accessible scannable answer sheet could not be located,
it was determined through customer inquiries that various formats of accessible large print and
braille answer documents were needed for a variety of purposes. Therefore, the original goal
of this project, i.e. to develop an accessible scannable answer sheet, was changed to the
current goal of providing well-designed, accessible answer documents in braille and large print
for use during instructional activities, for test preparation, and in actual test situations.
49
In the first quarter of FY 2008, the project leader pulled this project into active development.
A survey about kinds of answer documents needed by teachers and other service providers
was developed, and in March 2008, it was posted on the APH web site. The survey was also
mailed and/or emailed to test publishers, education agencies, and individuals listed in the
departmental database. Over one hundred and twenty three people from twenty-four states
and numerous agencies submitted a survey. The project leaders analyzed survey results in
the last quarter of FY 2008.
Work planned for FY 2009
Results of the survey will be reported and posted on the Accessible Tests Department web
page early in FY 2009. The results will be used to inform decision-making on this product.
Work with graphic designers to create prototypes for field-testing will get underway as soon as
survey results are available. Field test sites will be identified and contacted, a review
questionnaire will be developed, and field-testing will begin.
Brigance Diagnostic Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills, Revised
(CIBS-R): Student Large Print Edition
A.k.a. Brigance Green
(Completed)
Purpose
To fill the need, expressed by the field, for a large print version of this trusted and widely used
criterion-referenced test
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
BISIG Impact Group, Graphic Art & Layout
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Based upon feedback from the field, it was determined that a student large print edition of this
popular criterion-based assessment was needed as a companion piece to the student braille
edition, which is already available. Numerous phone calls from teachers as well as personal
requests from ex officio trustees informed the PL of this need. Access to the publisher’s files
and a new process at APH for production of full-color large print made this project much more
feasible than had been originally thought; subsequently, the PL brought the idea forward to
the appropriate committees in FY 2005.
Publisher’s files were requested and received in the third quarter of FY 2006, and file
conversion began. The project leader worked with BISIG Impact Group staff to set
specifications for the large print format, and a PDC meeting was held at APH to determine
product structure and timelines.
50
Work with BISIG Impact Group staff on reformatting each of the eleven subtests continued,
until a proof of the two-volume large print set was ready for the project leader to review. This
review was completed in the last quarter of FY 2007.
Work during FY 2008
BISIG finalized the electronic files from January to April 2008, according to the project leader’s
reviews. A specifications meeting was held in April and a production target date established,
leading to final production masters in July 2008 and product availability in the last quarter of
FY 2008. This project is complete.
Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development II
(IED-II): Large Print Edition and Tactile Edition
A.k.a. Brigance Yellow
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide accessible versions of this early educational skills inventory, to be utilized by early
interventionists and diagnosticians who work with infants and preschoolers with visual
impairments. Assessment of very young children is difficult without specific materials,
protocols, and rationales.
Project Staff
Barbara Henderson, Co-Project Leader
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant
Monica Turner, Accessible Test Editor/Co-Project Leader
BISIG, Graphic Art & Layout
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
In keeping with an APH tradition, a tactile supplement to the Brigance Yellow tests was
planned before the new print edition was released. The PL and the Director proposed adding a
large print edition of the updated assessment. The project idea was brought before the
appropriate APH committees and approved.
In FY 2005, permissions were sought. The electronic files were also requested. The publisher,
Curriculum Associates, was very cooperative in providing these materials quickly and free of
charge. The project staff was assigned within a few months and preliminary designs for
product structure were documented.
In the first quarter of FY 2006 a PDC meeting was called in order to brainstorm methods of
presentation of manipulative items and a time line was developed. BISIG worked with the
publisher’s files to create a working document for editing the examiner’s manual. A separate
51
document was created for layout of the large print examinee’s pages and for the braille
transcription. The project co-leader began revising the examiner’s manual.
Work on the large print reformatting and on the braille transcription continued toward a
prototype. Field review and field testing at six sites was initiated in the last quarter of FY
2007.
Work during FY 2008
Field-testing continued through the first two quarters of FY 2008. Monica Turner left the
department, so the PL assumed role of project leader. With a new assistant, the project leader
worked to compile field test results and summarize findings. The PL categorized types of
revisions needed. It was determined that an updated and annotated bibliography of resources
was to be supplied along with the tactile and large print test materials.
Work planned for FY 2009
An annotated bibliography and updated resource list will be developed as soon as current
project staff can allocate the time. Revisions on tactile and large print test items will continue.
Collaborative Assessment DVD Series
(Continued)
Purpose
To fill the need for teacher-training materials on the topic of assessment and to provide a
series of DVDs to accompany and support use of the book from American Foundation for the
Blind (AFB) Press, entitled Collaborative Assessment: Working with Students Who Are Blind or
Visually Impaired Including Those with Additional Disabilities
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Michael Sell, Accessible Test Editor, Co Project-Leader
California School for the Blind Assessment Team, Project Consultants
Background
The project leader determined that a new and updated assessment video or DVD would be an
appropriate addition to our product line. In the meantime, requests increased from the field
for teacher-training materials in all areas of assessment. The Collaborative Assessment DVD
series was selected because it will provide materials for that area of college study, as well as
promote the collaborative approach to assessment of visually impaired students in existing K12 programs.
In the second quarter of FY 2005, the project leader met with project consultants from
California School for the Blind (CSB) and AFB Press staff in San Francisco, California, during
52
the California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH) Conference.
Product development schedules and other details were discussed for the introductory DVD.
The project was not removed from the PARCing Lot in the second quarter of FY 2006 as
planned. Work schedules of CSB staff prevented their involvement until at least January of
2006. No further work was undertaken on this project during FY 2006, with the exception of a
teleconference between CSB staff and APH project staff in August 2006 to discuss reviving the
project and next steps. The project was revived and again pulled from the PARCing Lot.
It was decided that the project leaders would travel to CSB in the fourth quarter of FY 2007 to
meet with the assessment team, hold a planning meeting, and to meet the students who
would be filmed for the DVDs. Outlines for scripting were developed and time lines
documented. In this same period, RFPs went out to several videographers in Kentucky and
California.
Work during FY 2008
A videographer was selected. Two teleconferences were held with CSB staff to discuss next
steps.
Work planned for FY 2009
Monthly teleconferences will be held with CSB staff until scripting is at a usable stage.
Thereafter, a contractual agreement will be reached with the videographer and filming will
begin. Footage will be reviewed, edited and revised, and additional scripting added. The
review/editing process will continue until content for the first DVD in the series is finalized.
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA-II)
Large Print Edition and Braille Adaptation
(Continued)
Purpose
To make a widely used individualized academic achievement test available in
braille/tactile and large print formats
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Cindy Adair, Hardin Co., KY, Schools, Project Consultant
Bill Greenlee, Ph.D., Kentucky School for the Blind (ret.), Project Advisor
Dena Garrett, Accessible Media Editor, Project Advisor
Background
KTEA-II has a broad scope and is targeted towards students ages 5 through 25.
Students performing at lower than expected levels, such as students with multiple disabilities,
53
can successfully demonstrate some of the straight-forward,
skill-specific tasks presented in this test. Key academic skills in reading, math,
written and oral language can be assessed and remediated based on age and
grade equivalent standards.
Practitioners in the field have expressed need for a test which requires less time
to administer than some of the other popular achievement tests, and enables
them to get baselines and information for immediate intervention. In 2005 the
project leader proposed KTEA-II as a product. It was approved and placed on
the PARCing lot to await further development. At the suggestion of staff at
Kentucky School for the Blind, who needed to use the test with several students,
this project was moved onto the active timeline in the third quarter of FY 2007.
Work during FY 2008
Work began with discussions of formatting considerations for both braille and large print
editions. The project consultants and project leader met in January and planned work for the
remainder of the fiscal year. A working meeting with the project consultants was held in March
in Elizabethtown, during which decisions were made on design of tactile graphics and print
materials for braille readers on half of the subtests.
A second working meeting at APH in July was very productive. The remaining subtests were
edited for braille and tactile presentation. The consultants supplied the project leader with
extensive notes which will be used to produce markups for braille translation and large print
formatting; these activities will begin in the last quarter of FY 2008 and will result in
prototypes for field testing and expert review in early FY 2009.
Work planned for FY 2009
Field testing and expert review will be undertaken and completed. The PL and the consultant
will review recommendations and facilitate revisions. Designs for artwork and packaging will
be finalized.
KeyMath®-3: Braille/Tactile Adaptation
(Continued)
Purpose
In keeping with a long-time collaborative tradition between AGS/Pearson Assessment and
APH, another braille/tactile adaptation of KeyMath will be developed.
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Debbie Willis, Project Advisor
Dena Garrett, Project Advisor
54
Background
Continuing a long tradition of working with AGS Publishing to develop the original KeyMath
and KeyMath Revised, in braille/tactile formats, APH arranged with the new publisher,
Pearson Assessment, to develop KeyMath-3. Field testing by Pearson was completed in 2007
and publication of the print battery occurred in the first quarter of FY 2008. Pre-publication
copy and verbal copyright permissions were secured from the publisher in the last quarter of
FY 2008. At the request of Pearson, by way of a special contract, the project leader and
project advisors reviewed all test items for bias and for color vision deficit considerations.
Work during FY 2008
Several people were highly recommended by project leaders, ex officio trustees, and teachers
for the position of project consultant. The recommendations were reviewed by the PL.
Braille/tactile adaptations were considered by the PL in preparation for braille transcription.
Follow-up requests for written copyright permissions were sent to the publisher.
Work planned for FY 2009
A project consultant will be selected by the PL and the director and written copyright
permissions will be secured. Final editing for braille and tactile presentation of test items will
occur as soon as these pieces are in place.
Test and Assessment Needs
(Continued)
Purpose
To determine the needs of the field with regard to testing and assessing students who are
blind or visually impaired
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Debbie Willis, Accessible Tests Director, Project Advisor
Background
Meeting the needs of TVIs and others who are called upon to assess visually impaired students
is the focus of this home project. For instance, the project to make Harcourt’s Wechsler
Individual Achievement Test II (WIAT-II) available in braille/tactile format was proposed and
implemented as a result of being expressed as a high priority need by the field. This test can
now be ordered from APH (who has the braille/tactile plates already made) as long as
permission is requested by the individual or organization and is granted by Harcourt
Assessment. The individual or organization in need of this test may then contact APH to order
a copy of the WIAT-II in braille/tactile format. Custom Contract staff are willing and able to
assist with this procedure.
55
In order to provide information about which tests are currently available in accessible formats,
the project leader worked with the Directors of Accessible Tests and Communications in FY
2007 to develop the new Assessment Catalog and with Research Department staff to review
current assessment products for obsolescence or modernization. The project leader also
worked with Malcolm Turner to update the Accessible Tests web page. Comments received on
how the field has come to view the Accessible Tests web page included “the best information
source out there.”
Work during FY 2008
The PL reviewed several well-known assessments for which new editions will be released soon,
in consideration of possible APH products. Commercially available products for development of
Daily Living Skills, Job Skills Assessment, and Career Interest Inventories were reviewed by
project staff because of their particular importance to experts in transition for VI students. As
a result, a product on how to use transition assessments and screens was planned.
A brief intelligence test was selected for consideration as a new product. See information on
the Intelligence Testing Position Paper and the IQ Testing Workgroup in the Accessible Tests
Department section of this report.
Over 200 customer service calls and emails this year were forwarded to the project leader by
Customer Relations and other APH staff for more detailed information than they could supply
on the topic of tests and assessments.
Kerry Isham, a new test editor, took over responsibility for web content and updates as of the
first quarter of FY 2008, and worked with John Aicken to put some changes in place.
Work planned for FY 2009
A general assessment needs survey (which is usually conducted every two years), formation of
a list serve on assessment of K-12 students who are blind or visually impaired, a web page
update, and an updated bibliography of publications on assessment are all possibilities for FY
2009 depending upon time, staff availability, and priorities.
Test Ready Test Preparation Series
(Continued)
Purpose
To make generic test preparation/practice materials available in accessible formats (braille,
large print, and audio) for the purpose of preparing K-12 students who are visually impaired
and blind to take achievement tests. Adult students preparing for the General Education
Diploma (GED) or for college entrance exams may also utilize the advanced levels of these
materials.
56
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Co- Project Leader
Michael Sell, Accessible Tests Editor, Co-Project Leader
Dena Garrett, Accessible Media Editor, Project Editor
Kristopher Scott, Accessible Tests Editor, Project Editor
Monica Vaught, Project Assistant
BISIG Impact Group, Graphic Art/Layout
Background
The PL did a review of commercially available test preparation and practice test materials prior
to proposal of a new product. In response to a recommendation from the EPAC and ESAC
committees, the PL selected and brought forward the Test Ready® Series from Curriculum
Associates. The project was approved in FY 2004. The subject areas chosen were: Math,
Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
Plus Mathematics and Plus Reading, each comprised of 7 levels and 7 teacher guides, were the
first subjects produced because of their high priority for visually impaired students (refer also
to NCLB regulations). Visually impaired students have traditionally done poorly on math
compared to their sighted counterparts due to lack of accessible test materials. Math practice
is therefore essential for braille readers especially. The project leaders reviewed the math
series and determined that most items were adaptable for VI students. Literacy is another high
priority skills area for students who are braille or large print readers.
In early FY 2005, Kristopher Scott joined Barbara Henderson as co-project leader. The project
leaders and the project assistant organized a database for documenting editing of the media.
The project editors began editing, each taking a different subject area for consistent
presentation. The project leaders received electronic files from the publisher and arranged
with BISIG staff to convert those files. Several meetings were held to discuss how to present
and package the materials for marketing and catalog listings.
A trial run on the project was delayed until an .HTML file and an audio version could be
prepared. It was agreed that Alternative text (Alt-text) and a clean MsWord file were needed
for generation of the .HTML file. The co-project leader was unable to devote time to the
project due to a large volume of state tests in need of editing. Michael Sell, a new Accessible
Tests editor, became the co-Project Leader in FY 2007 and Level 7 Plus Math (2 out of 128
total products) moved forward.
Audio scripts were developed by the project leaders during the first and second quarters. Alttext descriptions were finalized in the third quarter and BISIG began their work on the .HTML
components.
Work during FY 2008
Revised MsWord files for Level 7 Plus Math were completed by the PLs and sent to BISIG for
use in formatting the .HTML files. BISIG developed a process and format for coding .HTML
57
files for subsequent titles in the series. The PLs began working on scripting for the next titles
according to this template. They also worked with braille transcription to develop a process in
that department. Finally, in preparation for a Product Development Committee (PDC) meeting,
the project leaders created a flowchart and a consistent workflow description so that
subsequent titles in the series can travel through various processes smoothly and quickly.
At the spring 2008 meeting at APH, members of APH’s two advisory committees, EPAC and
ESAC, recommended that the Test Ready materials be made available as soon as possible. As
a result of this recommendation, an analysis of the various steps, time, staff and equipment
needed to complete each is underway in order to determine how to effectively and efficiently
develop and produce these 128 high quality products in a timely manner.
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement
Braille Adaptation
(Continued)
Purpose
To make this widely used Psychoeducational Assessment instrument available in braille/tactile
format
Project Staff
Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader
Lynne E. Jaffe, Ph.D., Learning Disabilities and Reading Specialist, Project Consultant
Carol Anne Evans, Ph.D., School Psychologist, Farmington, UT Schools, Project Consultant
Lana McClurg, M.A., TVI, Arizona Schools for the Deaf & Blind, Project Consultant
Dena Garrett, Accessible Media Editor, Project Advisor
Nancy Etter, Braille Transcriber
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
BISIG Impact Group, Design and Layout
Background
The Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ-III) Tests of Achievement are widely known and trusted, and
commonly used to assess academic strengths and weaknesses in children and adults. More
than any other single title; practitioners in the field of visual impairment have expressed their
desire to have APH provide an adaptation of the Woodcock-Johnson for braille readers. The
WJ continued to be identified by recent focus groups, workgroups, and in assessment surveys
as one of the top three needed tests alongside Brigance Green (CIBS-R) and Wechsler
Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). WJ-III was brought forward as a project in 2001 in
preparation for publication of the 2001 revision. Copyright permissions were sought from the
publisher and a search for qualified consultants was carried out.
58
Written permissions arrived in FY 2003. Consultants were hired, prototypes of three of the
tests were developed, and field testing/expert review was carried out in nine locations across
the country. Braille transcription was ongoing for the remaining tests and review of the braille
was performed by the consultant(s) and project leader as each was completed.
When field test/review results came back, the PL analyzed reviews and initiated appropriate
revisions. Review and revision occurred between FY 2004 and FY 2005. Revised braille tests
were then reviewed by the consultants.
The PL and BISIG collaborated to design cover art and regular print product components.
Work in this area continued through FY 2006.
Writing of the Examiner’s Manual for the Braille Edition and the Supplemental Manual for the
Braille Edition was finished in early FY 2007. In the same period, the project consultant
conferred with the author, Dr. Richard Woodcock, who became very interested in the edition
for braille/tactile readers. He proposed substituting certain “equivalent” tests for existing tests
in the WJ III, so that all clusters would remain intact. In this manner, no parts of the test
would be inaccessible to persons who are visually impaired. Additionally, Dr. Woodcock offered
to furnish a special Compuscore CD for the braille adaptation as his contribution to the
project. A teleconference was held with Riverside Publishing staff and the staff of the
Woodcock-Munoz Foundation in Olympia, WA, to discuss the compuscore programming.
During this timeframe, the project leader and the project consultant began work on the new
test items from Dr. Woodcock with the assistance of APH braille transcribers.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and consultant facilitated creation of the Test Record for the Braille
Adaptation. Programming on the special compuscore began and was completed by WoodcockMunoz Foundation staff in the special Compuscore and Profiles Program, and Quality
Assurance was carried out by outside contractors with the assistance of the Woodcock-Munoz
Foundation. The PL worked closely with the programmers at the Woodcock-Munoz Foundation
and the project consultant to supply information and content for the software program and
packaging; a desktop icon was designed for the special software program; new cover artwork
was designed by BISIG for the software splash screen and packaging. The PL and transcriber
continued to work on development of the new braille tests from Dr. Woodcock and made
revisions on existing tests.
It is only through the permission of Riverside Publishing, the dedication and contributions of
test author Dr. Richard Woodcock, and the willing partnership and good work of staff at the
Woodcock-Munoz Foundation that this historic equivalent version of the Woodcock-Johnson
III: Tests of Achievement in braille is moving forward toward a reality. The Compuscore and
Profiles Program will be usable by school psychologists and test administrators in order to
more accurately assess the abilities of students who are blind or visually impaired.
59
Work planned for FY 2009
Revisions and new transcription of tests will be finalized in the first quarter. The PL will work
with an assistant to complete templates for the print component of the braille tests and with
the consultant and BISIG to finalize content on product manuals. Availability is targeted for
early in calendar year 2009. The PL and staff will begin planning training workshops and
informational web casts on the WJ III braille adaptation targeted at school psychologists and
test administrators.
60
Research
Department
Activities
Ralph E. Bartley, Ph.D.
Director
61
Adult Life
62
Adult Life Needs
(Ongoing)
Purpose
To develop adult life products and services that are affordable, user-friendly, and consumer
driven and that address the diverse needs of the blind and visually impaired population
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Carol Roderick, Research Assistant
Background
Product development in the area of Adult Life was initiated at APH in the summer of 1998. The
first products derived specifically from this effort were made available during FY 1999. Product
research along with consumer and professional networking has continued to characterize the
development of products for adults.
Work during FY 2008
APH Adult Life products and their applications to specific populations were presented by the
Adult Life Project Leader at the following venues: Annual Conference of the MidAmerica
Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers and the Association of Southeastern Rehabilitation
Teachers, Los Vegas, Nevada, November, 2007; National Transition Network Forum, Austin,
Texas, February-March, 2008; International Conference on Aging, Disability, and
Independence, St. Petersburg, Florida, March, 2008; Envision the Future, Transition from
School to Adult Life, the Perkins School for the Blind, March, 2008, Watertown, Massachusetts;
National Convention of the American Council of the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky, July, 2008;
Biennial Conference of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Chicago, Illinois, July, 2008.
Information about specific products under development is provided in the remainder of this
section.
Work planned for FY 2009
Investigation and development of new products for adults will continue. The Adult Life Project
Leader will continue to seek input from the field by networking with APH Ex Officio Trustees
and consumer and professional groups. Focus groups will be conducted as needed.
63
Braille Financial Record Keeper
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide braille users with a system for easily storing and locating personal financial
information
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Fred Gissoni, Project Assistant
Background
During development of and subsequent presentations of the EZ Track Financial Record Keeper,
1-07920-00 (a financial organizer for large print users), consumers and professionals
requested that APH develop a tool to organize and access financial information for braille
users. The Braille DateBook, 1-07899-06, offers braille users a portable, logical system for
organizing and accessing schedules, grocery lists, to do lists, and much more. A Financial
Record Insert could give Braille DateBook users an efficient and user-friendly structure for
organizing financial information. A more detailed financial organizer, which uses 8.5” X 11”
paper in a three-ring binder, would include all of the organizational information found in its
large print EZ Track counterpart.
Information about the EZ Track Financial Record Keeper can be found at the following link:
http://sun1.aph.org/advisory/2003adv11.html
Information about the Braille DateBook can be found at the following link:
http://sun1.aph.org/advisory/2006adv07.html
It was decided that question stems would be embossed onto the DateBook paper rather than
provided on pressure-sensitive labels for the customer to attach to the page. The project
leader reformatted material from the EZ Track Financial Record Keeper for 8.5” x 11” braille
paper and found that approximately 230 pages were required to allow space to fill in this
material. The project leader evaluated two strategies for reducing the number of pages
without loss of significant financial information: (1) providing guidelines and allowing users to
enter data in a more free-flowing manner; and (2) using fewer, more general item stems so
that less page space was needed for specific questions. Neither of these strategies proved to
be ideal.
During FY 2007, assistance of Gissoni, Technical Support Specialist at APH, was sought and
obtained. The project leader and Gissoni have discussed solutions and are exploring new ideas
for maintaining product integrity and reducing the number of pages, the most promising being
a book describing how to make a Financial Record Keeper based on the types of income and
expenses relevant to the individual.
64
Work during FY 2008
Gissoni and Terlau discussed difficulties inherent in attempting to create a record book that
would work for most people. They are considering the development of a guide book that
would describe how individuals could create record books that are individualized for their
particular types of financial records. Such a handbook might include sample pages and blank
sheets for constructing customized record pages.
Work planned for FY 2009
Prototype development and field review will be undertaken after basic design issues have been
resolved.
Functional Assessment
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide assessment tools for daily living/functional skills for students in primary grades,
middle school, secondary school, and transition classes
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Adult Life Project Leader
Diane Bender, Project Consultant
Ann Travis, Research/Project Assistant
Background
As the Expanded Core Curriculum becomes increasingly important in the education of students
who are blind or visually impaired, a systematic method for assessing a student’s progress in
learning functional skills becomes essential. Many schools for the blind, university training
programs, and rehabilitation agencies have developed their own strategies for assessing
different aspects of self-care and daily living tasks. However, a systematic assessment process
that incorporates a criterion-based scoring system and utilizes core curriculum skills in all
levels of its functional assessment has not been made widely available. The need for such a
comprehensive system has been expressed by numerous educators of persons who are blind
or visually impaired.
Dianne Bender’s assessment system for functional skills has been developed during her
extensive teaching career in a residential school for the blind setting. Bender’s system is being
used as the basis for the Functional Assessment project because of its comprehensive
coverage of functional skill areas, scorable testing protocols, and concise, clear testing
directions.
65
Telephone conferences with Bender have resulted in the finalization of four areas to be
included in the Functional Assessment. Bender has submitted some additional materials for
areas not previously covered. Bender is also developing strategies to assess a child’s readiness
to learn and be tested on functional skills. Based on this plan, Bender submitted revised
materials for all levels of all four assessment areas: food management, clothing management,
self management, and home management. Item editing/revision and creation of additional
items have begun. Bender continued to work on assessment items, and revised and
resubmitted several sections per discussion with the project leader.
Work during FY 2008
Because project leaders’ time was required for other projects, essential work on the functional
assessment prototype was postponed during FY 2007.
Work planned for FY 2009
Bender and the project leader will complete item revisions so that various levels of the
instrument reflect relatively similar increments of skill change. Prototype development is
expected to be completed and expert review will be initiated.
‘K’ Sonar Instruction Manual
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide orientation and mobility instructors with the conceptual context and sequenced
student exercises for teaching the effective integration of the ‘K’ Sonar and the long cane
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
William Penrod, Project Consultant
Ann Travis, Research/Project Assistant
Erica Rucker, Research/Project Assistant
Background
In December 2004, APH released the ‘K’ Sonar, an electronic travel device that aids perception
by providing information about the location and type of object in its range. Skilled ‘K’ Sonar
users can move around obstacles quickly, without touching them with a cane, and can locate
landmarks that are out of their cane’s reach. Skilled ‘K’ Sonar users can also distinguish various
types of objects according to the quality of ‘K’ Sonar sounds produced. A demonstration
recording, packaged with the ‘K’ Sonar, showed the pitch-distance relationship (the lower the
pitch, the closer the object), and also showed how the ‘K’ Sonar produced different tone colors
in response to the amount and type of ultrasound reflected back from various objects.
66
During the years since the ‘K’ Sonar has been available, numerous orientation and mobility
specialists have requested a more structured instruction manual for the device. The product
under development provides such a comprehensive approach to ‘K’ Sonar instruction. When
mounted on a cane, the ‘K’ Sonar contributes to a synergy in which the travel device resulting
from the combination of ‘K’ Sonar and long cane is more than the sum of each individually.
The ‘K’ Sonar Instruction Manual will offer orientation and mobility instructors the conceptual
context in which to understand this synergy and a series of sequenced exercises designed to
integrate information and experience derived from the ‘K’ Sonar; the cane; and the student’s
overall kinesthetic, proprioceptive, and motor response systems.
Work during FY 2008
As a result of structured experiments with the ‘K’ Sonar and the long cane, the project leader
has developed an instructional model for integrating ‘K’ Sonar and long cane skills, and has
operationalized this model into a sequence of exercises. The project leader has written the first
draft of the manual, which includes essential background information for understanding the
operation of the ‘K’ Sonar and sequenced exercises for teaching its integration with the long
cane.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader wrote a second draft of the manual, which included more thorough exercise
content and a more effective activity sequence. William Penrod, Director of the Orientation and
Mobility masters’ degree program at the University of Louisville, examined and edited the
manual. The manual was then made available for free download from the APH website:
www.aph.org/manuals/ksonar.pdf
Labeling Book and Tool Kit
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide information to adults who have lost vision about how to identify objects and
materials in their environment, particularly household items, and a tool kit to assist in labeling
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Lisa-Anne Mowerson, Project Consultant/Author
Erica Rucker, Research/Project Assistant
Background
An Independent Living Specialist in Kentucky suggested that APH create a set of large print
labels for canned foods and pantry items. Input from a focus group of rehabilitation teachers
led to the expansion of this product to include a consumer-oriented book that provides
67
guidance in organizational techniques as well as labeling. A Labeling Tool Kit is also being
developed to accompany the book. These materials will help visually impaired adults who are
unable to access rehabilitation teaching services to understand and apply organizational and
labeling principles. Rehabilitation teachers can also use these materials with students whom
they see infrequently.
During FY 2004, Lisa-Anne Mowerson produced materials based on her years of experience
teaching these skills to individuals and groups of persons with visual impairments. Editing,
restructuring, and reorganization of materials for the first third of the book were completed.
During FY 2005, revision and editing of materials in the second third of the book was
undertaken. During FY 2006, the project leader completed the editing/writing of the middle
third of the book. The consultant and project leader redesigned the structure for the final third
of the book. This portion of the book was originally based on structure and presentation style
used in face-to-face teaching; consequently, the book’s material required major reorganization
in order to support learning without the aid of a teacher and student group. During FY 2007,
the consultant rewrote the final chapters of the book, and the project leader expanded and
edited them.
Work during FY 2008
Because project leaders’ time was required for other projects, essential work on the functional
assessment prototype was postponed during FY 2007
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader and consultant will complete the revisions of the final third of the book, and
a draft will be prepared for field review. Field reviewers will be selected and the field review
process will be undertaken. Materials will be edited based on field review results and final text
will be made available for graphic design.
MagneTachers for Braille Labels
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a durable magnetic material on which labels for cans and other metal surfaces can
be brailled with a braillewriter or a slate and stylus and that can then be reused repeatedly on
cans or other metal surfaces
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Braille labels that are placed on canned foods often are made from pressure-sensitive Dymo68
Tape™ or another permanently affixed braille labeling material. Such labels are thrown away
with the can and cannot be reused. Discarding labels that, if attached in another way, could be
reused on other cans of the same type of food is costly in terms of labeling materials and time
taken to re-braille the same labels. Magnetic Dymo-Tape™ offers one solution for reusable can
labels. However, some persons find this material difficult to handle because it is fairly thin. A
thicker magnetic label that could hold braille well would offer a more widely acceptable label
for canned goods.
During FY 2006, the project leader and manufacturing specialist reviewed a variety of
magnetic vinyl samples for thickness and ability to hold braille. A material and a packaging
strategy were selected. During FY 2007, the manufacturing specialist located a manufacturer
capable of providing rolls of magnetic vinyl in the size and quantity that were needed. Content
for braille/print directions was finalized. In-house expert review was conducted and
appropriate changes were made. Information for the writing of specifications was collected.
Work during FY 2008
Internal expert review of materials and instructions was conducted and the product was made
available for sale. However, the project leader noticed that braille labels on the finished
product did not adhere well to the sides of metal cans. A search for vinyl incorporating a
stronger magnetic material was undertaken.
Work planned for FY 2009
An engineering change will be instituted such that material incorporating a stronger magnet
will be used for these labels.
MagneTachers for Large Print Labels: Jumbo Size
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a magnetic label for canned goods or other metal surfaces that will hold large print
letters made with bold-line pens or markers up to an inch in height
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Persons who can no longer read labels on canned food products frequently make large print
labels on file cards and attach these cards to cans with a rubber band. Large print labelmaking devices can also be used. However, each of these methods is problematic. Rubber
bands can slip off of round cans and can also become entangled with cards on neighboring
cans on the cupboard shelf. Label makers are expensive and may not make print large enough
69
for some persons with low vision. A strip of magnetized vinyl with a paper surface would allow
persons with low vision to write labels and reuse them on other cans of the same food.
During FY 2006, samples of magnetic vinyl were examined by the project leader and
manufacturing specialist, and desirable features were determined. It was necessary to locate
samples that were coated with a paper-like finish that would hold writing when done with
bold-line pens or markers. Vendors who produced these materials were located.
During FY 2007, the manufacturing specialist searched diligently for a manufacturer capable of
providing rolls of magnetic vinyl with the necessary coating in the size and quantity that were
needed. A manufacturer was found late in FY 2007. Content for braille/print directions was
finalized. In-house expert review was conducted and appropriate changes were made.
Information for the writing of specifications was collected.
Work during FY 2008
Internal expert review of materials and instructions was conducted and the product was made
available for sale. However, the project leader noticed that braille labels on the finished
product did not adhere well to the sides of metal cans. A search for vinyl incorporating a
stronger magnetic material was undertaken.
Work planned for FY 2009
An engineering change will be instituted such that material incorporating a stronger magnet
will be used for these labels.
MagneTachers for Large Print Labels
(New)
Purpose
To provide a magnetic label for canned goods or other metal surfaces that will hold large print
letters made with bold-line pens or markers up to a half-inch in height
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Persons who can no longer read labels on canned food products frequently make large print
labels on file cards and attach these cards to cans with a rubber band. Large print labelmaking devices can also be used. However, each of these methods is problematic. Rubber
bands can slip off of round cans and can also become entangled with cards on neighboring
cans on the cupboard shelf. Label makers are expensive and may not make print large enough
for some persons with low vision. A strip of magnetized vinyl with a paper surface would allow
70
persons with low vision to write labels and reuse them on other cans of the same food.
During FY 2007, MagneTachers for such labels that were 1-inch tall were already being
developed. However, a large number of persons with low vision read print that is one-half-inch
tall or smaller. Using larger labels can be cumbersome. To meet the needs of persons with low
vision who can read smaller handwriting, the appropriate magnetic vinyl was located, and
plans to produce a half-inch tall, 120-inch roll of MagneTachers for Large Print were made.
Work during FY 2008
Internal expert review of materials and instructions was conducted and the product was made
available for sale. However, the project leader noticed that large print labels on the finished
product did not adhere well to the sides of metal cans. A search for vinyl incorporating a
stronger magnetic material was undertaken.
Work planned for FY 2009
The manufacturing change will be complete—the product will be available for sale made of
stronger magnetic material. Labels will adhere appropriately to the sides of canned foods.
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels
(Completed)
Purpose
To securely attach Sherlock Labels to cans and other metal surfaces in such a way that labels
can be removed and reused
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
The Sherlock Talking Label Identifier, 1-07410-00, is a hand-held auditory label maker; hold
the Sherlock device against one of its paper labels or plastic tags, record your label message,
and Sherlock will play back your label message whenever you show it the specific label or tag.
This device is useful for persons who can no longer read large print and who do not know
braille. The pressure-sensitive Sherlock labels can be permanently attached to items such as
books and CDs. In order to reuse labels on consumable items, they can be attached to a card
that is fastened to a box or can of food by a rubber band. Although attaching a card to a box
of food is fairly easy and efficient, using this method to attach Sherlock labels to cans is
problematic. Rubber bands can slip off of round cans and become entangled with cards on
neighboring cans on the cupboard shelf. To resolve this problem, a new means of attaching
Sherlock labels to cans must be devised that will hold labels firmly to cans without the need
for cards and rubber bands and that also will be easily detached from empty cans and
71
reattached to full ones.
Additional information about the Sherlock Talking Label Identifier can be found at the following
link: http://sun1.aph.org/advisory/2005adv06.html#np1
During FY 2006, the project leader and the manufacturing specialist determined the most
effective types and thicknesses of magnetic vinyl for use with Sherlock labels. The Sherlock
Label can be permanently attached to a rectangle of such material with the label’s pressure
sensitive adhesive. The magnetic vinyl with the Sherlock label attached adheres to food cans
or any other metal surface and can be removed, like any other magnet, by exerting slight
pressure with the fingers. When attached to its MagneTacher, a Sherlock label can be reused
on cans and other metal surfaces indefinitely.
During FY 2007, the manufacturing specialist located a manufacturer capable of providing
magnetic vinyl with the magnetic field direction required in order for Sherlock labels to be read
on metal surfaces. Content for braille/print directions was finalized. In-house expert review
was conducted and appropriate changes were made. Some information for the writing of
specifications was collected.
Work during FY 2008
It was determined that APH would produce two products involving MagneTachers for Sherlock
labels: two sheets of MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels (24 MagneTachers) and one package
of Sherlock Labels (25 labels); or two sheets of MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels (24
MagneTachers) with no Sherlock Labels. These two catalog items make it possible for persons
who have MagneTacher labels to buy only the MagneTachers and for persons who have used
all of their Sherlock labels to buy both the labels and the MagneTachers in the same kit.
Specifications and tooling were completed and these two MagneTacher products became
available for sale.
Work planned for FY 2009
Because MagneTachers for Sherlock labels are available for sale, no additional development is
anticipated in 2009.
MagneTachers for Small Braillables
Formerly: MagneTachers for Small Braillables
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide a durable magnetic backing onto which the APH Small Braillable can be fastened so
that the Braillable can be used repeatedly on cans or other metal surfaces
72
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Braillables are pressure-sensitive labels (produced by APH) that can be brailled, pulled off their
backing, and pressed onto material to be labeled. The small Braillable labels, Catalog #108872-00, hold two lines and 15 cells of braille. These labels could be reused on canned foods
or other metal surfaces if they could be attached to a magnetic backing. Additional
information about Braillable Labels can be found at the following link:
http://sun1.aph.org/advisory/2004adv09.html
Work during FY 2006, the project leader and manufacturing specialist reviewed and selected
appropriate magnetic vinyl to provide a magnetic backing for the Small Braillable Labels. To
make a Braillable Label with a magnetic backing, braille on the Braillable, remove it from its
sheet, remove a MagneTacher from its sheet, and attach the Braillable to the MagneTacher.
Work during FY 2008
During FY 2007, the manufacturing specialist located a manufacturer capable of providing
magnetic vinyl, kiss-cut label sheets with cuts slightly larger than Sherlock Labels. Content for
braille/print directions was finalized. In-house expert review was conducted and appropriate
changes were made. Some information for the writing of specifications was collected. After
considering two packaging protocols, it was determined that MagneTachers for Small
Braillables would be sold in a pack by themselves, with no Braillables in the pack. Two sheets
of magnetic vinyl, kiss-cut so that a shape slightly larger than the small Braillable can be easily
detached, yield MagneTachers for 24 Braillables. This product became available for sale during
FY 2008.
Work planned for FY 2009
Because MagneTachers for Small Braillables be are available for sale, no development activity
is anticipated for this product in the future. Instructions will be written; packaging decisions
will be made; and the product will be produced and become available for sale.
MiniBook
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a quick and easy method for jotting down short braille notes
Project Staff
Rosanne Hoffmann, Project Leader
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
73
Fred Gissoni, Project Assistant
Background
When persons who can see need to write down a phone number or other small note, they
quickly pull a pen from their pocket and are writing on a Post-It, pad, or other available paper
within seconds. The quick note can be later transferred to a planner or other more permanent
storage. APH provides several products that involve small notebooks and small slates; such
products allow a person who is blind to carry braille-writing materials with them in a large
pocket or bag. However, when using these materials, it can take 30 seconds or more to get a
slate out of a pouch or notebook pocket, put it onto a small piece of paper, get the stylus in a
hand, and be ready to write. Frequently, a person who
is blind must ask a speaker to repeat information because of the time it takes to get such
braille-writing materials ready to write.
The MiniBook offers a solution to this problem because it is small enough to fit in a shirt
pocket, can hold a slate fastened to the first blank page in the book, and offers a stylus that
can be easily removed from a pocket in the binder. During FY 2006, the size of the notebook
was resolved and an appropriate-sized slate mold was ordered. Small twin-looped notebooks
with detachable pages were added to materials under consideration for inclusion in the
MiniBook kit.
During FY 2007, prototype materials were developed as follows: small 2-ring notebooks;
drilled paper packs; small spiral notebooks with perforated pages for easy page removal; a
customized, 4-line, 15-cell slate; a brief guidebook for using the MiniBook materials; tall and
short APH flat styli. Field review was undertaken with 32 adult consumers, half of whom were
frequent and half of whom were occasional slate-and-stylus users. Each of these groups was
divided into two equal parts—one part testing the spiral notebook first, and the other testing
the binder first. The first set of field test materials were mailed out, and most have submitted
their evaluations of these materials. The second set of materials has been sent out and
respondents will have completed these evaluations before the end of FY 2007.
Work during FY 2008
Field test responses have been collected and analyzed; changes in the slate mold and
substitution of a saddle stylus for the APH flat stylus are being considered based on field
review responses.
Work planned for FY 2009
The MiniBook will be produced and become available for sale.
74
Money Talks
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a Windows-based bank account management software package that will be easily
accessible to blind and visually impaired persons
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Darleen Donhoff, Administrative/Technical Assistant
Background
Keeping bank account records on a computer provides a reliable method of maintaining check
registers and account balances. However, mainstream bank account management software
presents some access obstacles to experienced, visually impaired computer users and is not
accessible to visually impaired persons without specialized training and expensive access
software. Money Talks is designed to perform the full range of account management
functions needed by blind and visually impaired persons. It is fully accessible, with speech and
large print output built into the program itself. This program is also designed to be intuitive
and user-friendly for persons with little or no computer experience.
During FY 2004, the following program features were implemented: the ability to emboss or
print the check register; the ability to print raised-line or business checks from a checkbook or
Quicken-type checks; the ability to import bank statements downloaded from the Web;
procedures for automatic and manual transaction reconciliation; the look and functionality of
the on-screen grid views; and the software logo. Specifically, programmers completed the
following tasks:




added
added
added
added
register management;
support for check printing and embossing;
code to translate, format, and emboss the register data;
support to import Quicken Interchange Format files (QIF).
During FY 2005, field testing, revisions, documentation, tooling, specifications, and a pilot run
were completed. Approximately 86 adults tested Beta versions of Money Talks for 6 months
prior to the product becoming available for sale in July 2005.
Enhancements to Money Talks made in FY 2006 include:
 Adds the ability to speak through the self-voicing interface while making a
selection
75
 Relaxes the way the program imports QIF data. Some QIF files incorrectly put
the Type: Bank for each transaction in the file, but the specification calls for
only one of these at the beginning of the file. Money Talks now imports these
incorrect files
 Adds a status bar indicator to show the status of expanded splits
 Adds the ability to delete categories by typing the name and pressing Ctrl+D.
Previously, the user had to locate the list item before deleting.
 Adds the ability to reuse a newly entered category in the Split dialog
Version 1.1, December 2005
 Corrects a bug that caused the program to ignore requests to post recurring
transactions every x days. The program always used 21 days no matter what
number the user specified.
 Adds the Use Bank Name, Use Bank Item, Use Bank Date, and Use Bank
Memo checkboxes to the General tab of the Settings dialog to let the user
control which information from the bank overwrites existing information in a
transaction when importing QIF files
 Adds the Cleared and Uncleared Transactions commands to the View menu.
These commands let the user restrict the view to those transactions that are
either cleared or uncleared. Previously, it was only possible to move to the
previous or next uncleared transaction.
 QIF files now respect the Windows regional settings for dates.
 Adds the Credits Before Debits option in the General tab of the Settings
dialog. The option is used to let you list credit transactions before debits that
occur on the same day.
 Allows self-voicing to work with the registration dialog
Work during FY 2008
Improvements and upgrades to the program, made during FY 2007, are based on ongoing
feedback from the field and include:
Version 1.2, February 2007
 No longer suppresses the Category and Subcategory fields of the register on
printouts
 Improves weekend action handling for recurring transactions with dates at the
beginning or end of the month
 Adds the Select by Date option to the Edit menu
 Adds the ability to move directly to any column in the register
 Adds the Restrict menu. The Restrict menu contains items related to
restricting the view that were formerly found on the View menu.
 Removes support for guessing at the next check number in recurring
transactions. The check number is now cleared when the recurrence posts.
76
 Adds the ability to import Comma Separated Value (CSV) files
 Adds a unique sound for the instance where you move to a cleared
transaction that falls below the minimum balance
 Adds the Lowest Running Balance command
 Adds commands to restrict the view to transactions that occurred this year or
last year
 Increases the speed at which the program closes in an attempt to solve the
update problems seen by some
 Corrects a problem with improper postings of semimonthly transactions
 Corrects a bug that made check numbers get out of sequence when posting
recurring transactions containing check numbers
 Corrects a bug in the category summary where the displayed data were
incorrect if splits were expanded
 Adds the subcategory name “no subcategory” to items in the category
summary that do not have subcategories
 Updates the info for the specified pay name when editing a transaction.
Before, pay name info was only updated when adding a new transaction.
 Fixes a bug where the next check number could appear in the item list twice
 Adds the Hide Selection command to the View menu to let you temporarily
hide any transaction
 Adds H to the list of commands the user may press while in the Status column
to hide the current transaction
 The minimum number of days that can be used for the recurring every X days
transactions are now three. Using one or two days got confusing when
weekends were thrown into the mix.
 Corrects a problem where the program let the user transfer sub-transactions
in a split transaction to another account
 Adds Or to the find capabilities
 Adds the ability to restrict the view to Split transactions
 Adds three commands, U, X, and S, to the commands you may type in the
status column to restrict the view to uncleared, cleared, and split transactions
 Corrects a bug that prevented recurring transactions from posting on the
correct day with the Every X Days setting in some circumstances
 Adds the ability to speak through the self-voicing interface while making a
selection
 Relaxes the way the program imports QIF data. Some QIF files incorrectly put
the !Type: Bank for each transaction in the file, but the specification calls for
only one of these at the beginning of the file. Money Talks now imports these
incorrect files.
 Adds a status bar indicator to show the status of expanded splits
 Adds the ability to delete categories by typing the name and pressing Ctrl+D.
Previously, the user had to locate the list item before deleting.
 Adds the ability to reuse a newly entered category in the Split dialog
77
Version 1.2.X, August 2007
 Adds support for dates in QIF files that contain dashes instead of slashes
 Adds support for dates in QIF files that contain no separator characters
Work planned for FY 2009
Upgrades and improvements will continue to be made based on feedback from the field.
Nonverbal Communication Curriculum
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop an instructional curriculum that will help adults who are blind or visually impaired
understand and integrate nonverbal communication skills into their daily lives
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Karen McCulloh, Consultant/Author
Background
The ability to communicate nonverbally is an essential skill for successful functioning in
occupational and interpersonal situations. Because learning about and producing nonverbal
communication is derived from visual modeling and is based on availability of visual
information, persons with visual impairments may experience difficulties in both understanding
the meaning of nonverbal behavior and producing understandable nonverbal communications.
They may need specific educational experiences to help them understand what is going on
around them and to develop positive methods of nonverbal communication.
This project will result in a curriculum that will help people who are visually impaired learn how
to integrate nonverbal communication skills into their daily interactions. Topics such as
gestures, posture, social distance, appearance, voice intonations, and facial expressions will be
covered. This curriculum will help blind or visually impaired individuals become more
successful within interpersonal communication situations such as job interviews, professional
meetings, advocacy situations, and everyday social interactions.
Karen McCulloh has submitted materials to be used to select and prepare students for the
instructional course. Scheduling complications have slowed down progress, but materials
submitted have been excellent; and McCulloh plans to continue to submit material as quickly
as her work schedule permits. McCulloh has submitted assessment protocols and background
for Session 1.
78
Work during FY 2008
McCulloh has submitted complete materials for conducting Session 1.
Work planned for FY 2009
Submission of materials for subsequent sessions is anticipated. Conference calls will be
scheduled on an as-needed basis.
O&M for Families
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide orientation and mobility instructors with an interactive computer-based tool to
create individualized orientation and mobility (O&M) progress booklets for a student and
his/her family
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Fabiana Perla, COMS, Consultant/Author
Betsy O’Donnell, COMS, Consultant/Author
Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader
John Hedges, Programmer
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Ann Travis, Research Assistant
Background
In order for a student with visual impairments to integrate orientation and mobility skills into
his/her daily life, the student must use these skills in a variety of home and school settings.
The more information families have about their child’s orientation and mobility needs and
about the skills that their child is currently learning, the more they can encourage and support
their child’s use of orientation and mobility skills at home and in the community. Orientation
and mobility instructors attempt to establish and maintain communication with their students’
families. However, large case loads and busy family schedules may not allow enough time for
individualized communication about a number of essential topics. Many orientation and
mobility instructors and the families they serve could benefit from an easy-to-use,
standardized method of communication about a child’s orientation and mobility skills and
needs.
Betsy O’Donnell and Fabiana Perla, experienced orientation and mobility specialists, developed
and field tested a booklet that an orientation and mobility instructor could complete for the
family of a particular student. Perla and O’Donnell are working with the Adult Life Project
Leader to develop a software package on CD-ROM that would guide an orientation and
mobility instructor through the process of creating such a book for a particular student and
79
her/his family.
The software package under development contains information found effective in Perla and
O’Donnell’s original work. The resulting booklet provides information about the purpose of
orientation and mobility and the types of skills taught. The software also includes sections to
be customized by the instructor regarding the child’s eye condition, the functional implications
of this condition, the orientation and mobility skills that the child is learning, and the child’s
current level of mastery of these skills. Additional sections explained the important role of the
family in utilizing teachable moments and participating in various types of games and activities
to enhance development of particular skills. The software allows the instructor to choose from
a list of helpful activities or write individualized ones.
During FY 2006, Perla and O’Donnell completed prototype content and the project leader
completed the final edit of text. All material was “plugged” into the screen-by-screen outline.
The programmer brought this revised material into the program, and early prototypes of the
program were evaluated by the programmer and project leader. Necessary program changes
were outlined, the programmer revised the program, and additional changes were suggested
by in-house staff.
Work during FY 2008
Color, contrast, the appearance of token characters on-screen, and the use of small scroll
boxes for viewing and selecting from long lists of data have been addressed by in-house
testers. Programmer is making changes that will meet these specifications.
Work planned for FY 2009
The computer program will be changed in line with suggestions from project leader and
research assistants. The resulting prototype will be evaluated by consultants, and then will
undergo field review by orientation and mobility instructors. Final changes will be made for a
release version; graphic design will be updated; and the program will become available for
sale.
Parenting Book
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide visually impaired parents with support and information about parenting techniques
that have been effective for other visually impaired parents
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Janet Ingber, Consultant/Author
Kevin E. O’Connor, Consultant
80
Deborah Kendrick, Consultant
Ann Travis, Research/Project Assistant
Background
Janet Ingber, a blind mother, submitted a draft outline and three chapters of a parenting book
based on interviews with 17 effective parents who were visually impaired. Research
conducted at APH confirmed that very little information was available for blind parents
regarding issues related to visual impairment and parenting. The need for an informational
parenting book was further assessed through a survey of professionals in the field of visual
impairment and blindness. Survey results indicated that: training was not available for
professionals in the area of parenting and visual impairment; there were a significant number
of blind parents who could have benefited from information related to blindness and
parenting; and a self-help informational book could maximally benefit many such parents or
parents-to-be. Of particular concern among survey respondents was the need for support and
information to counteract the negative stereotypes about blindness such as the belief that
persons with visual impairments could not be effective parents.
To meet the need for accurate information and support for parents with visual impairments,
the development of an expanded version of Ingber’s work was undertaken.
During FY 2004, a database was developed to record, store, and manipulate information to be
obtained from questionnaires and phone interviews. Parent volunteers were recruited through
APH Ex Officio Trustees, the APH monthly newsletter, e-mail list announcements, contacts with
staff and/or relevant committees of the American Council of the Blind and the National
Federation of the Blind, and word of mouth. Parent participants either had raised or were
raising at least one child when the parent was legally blind. Parents were also selected
because of their interest in and commitment to parenting and because of their desire to share
what they had learned with other parents.
Ingber contacted and conducted phone interviews with 62 blind parents. She recorded results
of these interviews into the database and submitted this material to the project leader. The
project leader completed content analysis and results summaries for the data. Ingber has
submitted first and second drafts of the first four chapters of the book. The project leader and
Ingber have done extensive editing and revisions on these four chapters, which are now in
their final form.
Ingber has completed a draft of all remaining chapters of the book. The project leader has
reanalyzed data to expand on material written, and has edited/written material for all
chapters.
Work during FY 2008
Project leader has completed final edits of all chapters; proof-reading and insertion of photos
has begun.
81
Work planned for FY 2009
Prototype layout will be completed. Kevin O’Connor, a parenting expert, will read the book
draft and suggest any revisions necessary to ensure that the book reflects current promising
practices in the parenting field. Deborah Kendrick, author and journalist, will suggest revisions
based on her expert knowledge of the field of visual impairment and parenting. It is
anticipated that the book will become available for sale in late FY 2009.
Permabraille Sheets for Braille DateBook
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide sheets drilled for the Braille DateBook binder that hold braille dots securely over
time for material that the user wants to keep permanently
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Background
Since the publication of Tactile Treasures in 1997, APH has used vinyl material as braille paper
for products that must hold up under conditions of heavy use. In 2007, Karen Poppe obtained
field test results from blind adults, transcribers, and others regarding the suitability of this
material for durable braille in other settings. Feedback indicated that sheets provided clear,
smooth braille and that dots held up well. As a result of this feedback, APH developed
PermaBraille sheets in a variety of sizes.
Because some materials that users include in their Braille DateBooks is of a permanent nature,
it seemed appropriate to drill packets of 4” X 6” sheets of this paper to fit into the Braille
DateBook binder rings.
Work during FY 2008
Material was cut and packaged by the vendor, then hole-punched at APH.
Work planned for FY 2009
Because PermaBraille sheets were made available or sale in FY 2008, no further development
is anticipated.
82
Printing Guide
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop teaching materials and printing templates to assist persons who are blind to learn
to print legible capital letters according to positions of the braille dots in a cell
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant/Co-Project Leader
Linda Ray, Project Consultant
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Tom Poppe, Model/Pattern Maker
Background
Although computers increasingly are being used as a means of written communication on the
job and in social and recreational life, production of legible written communication still remains
an essential skill. Jotting notes to colleagues, writing a quick comment on a page of printed
material, leaving a note on the refrigerator for a family member, and filling in information on a
check while shopping are only a few of the tasks that are accomplished more easily with a pen
than with a computer.
Some congenitally blind persons have developed legible script and/or print styles. However,
many adults who did not have functional vision during primary and elementary grades have
not learned to produce print or script letters that sighted persons can read.
Linda Ray, a teacher of the visually impaired, submitted one print teaching method for
consideration. With this method, students are taught to shape block print capital letters by
connecting dot positions within a braille cell for each letter. Additionally, students are taught
to print within a template of lines of rectangular openings. By using this template, cell
boundaries can be detected when printing, print remains constant in size, and characters do
not drift into one another.
Early research indicated that, though braille dot positions had been used to teach both printing
and script writing throughout the blindness field, teaching curricula and materials had been
developed primarily for script and not for print. Print samples from persons using Ray’s print
teaching method and from persons who had been taught to print using a variation on this
method were examined. Preliminary data indicated that, with several significant exceptions,
the connecting dots method of print teaching in combination with a printing template resulted
in very readable block print. However, when printed with this method, several letters were
indistinguishable or ambiguous. It was deemed desirable to develop a system that could
eliminate as much ambiguity as possible. Additionally, it was deemed necessary to provide
materials that could help students improve their production of diagonal lines.
83
To resolve ambiguity between block letters of D and O, attempts were made to teach students
to draw curves by using templates with curved rather than sharp corners and tracing boards
with curved letters. Tracing boards also included K, M, V, W, and Y, to help students learn to
draw more complex diagonals.
Results of preliminary field testing showed that curved templates and tracing boards did not
help students print curved letters; D-O and 8-B remained indistinguishable. Results also
indicated that tracing boards might be helpful for teaching diagonals to some students, but a
more streamlined approach to materials development was needed.
To resolve the D-O ambiguity, a Greek Delta character was offered for D; this character is very
recognizable and may be easier to produce than the curved D. The small Y and a restructured
B were also included. The product was reconfigured to provide one learning page per letter.
Each learning page will include a letter description (the braille dot combinations to be
connected for that letter), a raised image of the letter shape, and an engraved, penciltraceable letter. Additional feedback from the field was sought by consulting Sally Mangold
and by conducting a focus meeting at the AERBVI International Conference in July, 2004.
Feedback from the field was reviewed and a plan for the project prototype was finalized. As a
result of this input, an additional description of each print letter based on position in the cell
and not on dot numbers will be included on learning pages. Letters will also be presented in
an order that allows students to master simple strokes and then join them into multi-stroke
letters. Placement of letter descriptions and of embossed and engraved letter shapes on
learning pages was finalized.
Work during FY 2008
Project leader’s schedule constraints precluded further development of the product prototype.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will work closely with the model maker to develop product prototypes,
which will then be submitted for field review. Field test prototypes for the learning pages will
be developed. A guide book for teachers will be written, and a printing template based on the
braille slate will be developed. Field testing will be undertaken.
Step By Step: An Interactive Guide to Mobility Techniques
(Continued)
Purpose
To offer university students who are studying to become orientation and mobility specialists a
visual tool that they can use outside of class time to learn, review, and practice the mobility
techniques that they are learning to teach
84
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant/Co-Project Leader
Sandy Rosen, Author/Consultant
Background
In the Product Idea Submission Form that Sandy Rosen prepared for APH, she provided the
following background information about this project. “A laserdisc prototype (developed
through a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, was originally field-tested by
students and faculty in orientation and mobility at three universities: The University of Texas
at Austin, Western Michigan University, and San Francisco State University. Feedback from
students and faculty not only revealed multiple effective uses for such a database and
interactive learning tool, but it also confirmed that there were significant differences among
the universities in how students were taught to perform mobility skills.
“Surprised by this finding, and wanting to develop a tool that would have national relevance, a
symposium was held at San Francisco State University in February 1993. University faculty in
O&M from throughout the United States were brought together to share the methods of
performing mobility techniques that they each teach at their respective universities and
colleges. In this symposium, participants demonstrated their individual methods for
performing each technique and, as a nationally representative
group, came to a general consensus on acceptable basic standard and accepted alternate
methods for performing techniques.”
Compiling information developed at this symposium, Rosen produced the Step by Step
program, which she describes in the Product Idea Submission Form. “Step by Step combines
text, full-motion and stop-action video, and photographs to demonstrate and describe basic,
intermediate, and advanced mobility skills used by travelers who are blind. It is an interactive
instructional program that has been developed to supplement university professional
preparation programs. Users of the program can test their understanding of the techniques,
identify errors commonly made by those who are learning to travel, and determine appropriate
measures to correct each error. It is a system that lends itself to both individual use and
collaborative learning where small groups of students go through the activities together.
“The focus is on learning the elements of how each technique is performed, visually identifying
common performance errors made by travelers who have visual impairments, and then
learning how to correct those errors in order to enable a person to travel more efficiently,
effectively, and to avoid potential injury.”
Rosen provided APH with both written and DVD materials. Written materials include photos
and detailed descriptions of all techniques covered by the symposium. Additional written
materials provide a quick review of all techniques. Videos and electronic photos provide both
demonstrations of techniques and assessments in which students select the video that best
answers a specific technical question.
85
The co-project leader has viewed videos and has read written materials. Written materials are
well-prepared. They require correction of only a few keyboarding errors in order to be
submitted for expert review.
Rosen has redone a number of photos and videos that were “blurry,” and she will submit
replacement pages and video to APH as soon as they are prepared.
Work during FY 2008
Materials were originally developed with Macintosh® hardware and were to operate on both
the Mac and PC platforms. A persistent problem, involving the cut off of materials in scroll
boxes on the DVD when run on a PC, has been solved by reprogramming by Rosen. Five field
reviewers have been selected, complete materials and a questionnaire have been sent to
them, and expert review results are anticipated from all reviewers before the end of the 2008
FY.
Work Planned for FY 2009
Changes to materials based on field review results will be made as needed, and the product
will become available for sale.
Transition Tote System, Revised
(Continued)
Purpose
To update materials and resource lists in a curriculum that teaches skills necessary for
successful entry into the world of work
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Karen Wolffe, Project Consultant
Background
In light of the high unemployment rates for people who are blind or visually impaired, the
1993 Educational Research and Development Committee of APH strongly recommended that
APH develop career preparation materials. The Transition Tote System was produced to meet
this need. This product provided instruction in the following skill areas: personal organization,
self-awareness, self-advocacy, work exploration, job seeking, and job keeping. An extensive
list of important educational and vocational resources was also included. The Transition Tote
Case was developed to provide an organizational system for storing job-search materials and
to serve as a carrying case for braille and large print media, cassette recorders, note takers,
and laptops.
86
Revision of the Transition Tote System is needed because its resource sections have become
outdated, because experienced users suggest that several new content areas should be
included, and because the Tote Case has never functioned as originally intended. Resource
information was collected during 1996 and 1997. Major changes in assistive technology,
vendor contact information, and service delivery systems have occurred since that time and
need to be incorporated into resource lists. Inclusion of material that might help students use
recorded materials more effectively and that might improve students’ self-advocacy should be
considered. The Transition Tote Case is not sturdy enough to transport electronic equipment,
note takers, and computers safely.
The Transition Tote Case appearance issues were corrected by a new vendor. However, the
new case stock does not resolve issues related to transport of electronic equipment.
Changes to be considered in a new version of the case were discussed in an informal meeting
with a developer of the original project. An additional text section was also discussed.
During FY 2006, the project leader acquired background materials on state standards and
requirements for transition classes.
During FY 2007, the project leader contacted the primary consultant on the original Transition
Tote regarding revision issues. This consultant would like to update and provide major
expansion of the Transition Tote system. During FY 2007, the consultant conducted extensive
exploration of additional funding sources and potential collaboration partners.
Additional information about the Transition Tote System can be found at:
http://sun1.aph.org/products/2005.html#m2
Work during FY 2008
The primary consultant indicated that additional funding sources did not develop for this
project. She proposed a series of revisions which were approved by the project leader. She
has agreed to write the revision material at no cost to APH. To date, she has submitted one
set of revisions and the project leader has returned these to her with suggested edits.
Work planned for FY 2009
Revisions and edits will be completed and the revised Transition Tote materials will be
submitted for graphic design. Production of new materials will begin late in FY 2009 or early in
FY 2010.
87
Travel Tales
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop a story book that models appropriate orientation and mobility skills used by young
blind and visually impaired protagonists
Project Staff
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader
Suzette Wright, Consultant/Project Advisor
Background
Sighted children learn from other children and adults who model relevant travel skills; they see
people waiting for walk lights, boarding public transportation, and moving safely through the
environment on television, in books, and almost everywhere in visual range. Blind children do
not benefit from sighted models for two reasons: first, they cannot see the behaviors being
modeled; and second, many travel skills used by sighted persons are not relevant to the travel
needs of blind children who must learn an alternate set of travel skills that will enable them to
move safely and effectively through the environment without seeing it. Because blindness is a
low incidence disability and because accurate portrayal of effective blind travelers by the
media is extremely rare, blind children generally do not have access to models from whom
they can learn more about the value and applicability of the orientation and mobility skills that
they develop in school.
The original Travel Tales book made story teaching materials—with a young blind traveler as
protagonist and model—available to the orientation and mobility field. When Mostly Mobility,
producers of this book, stopped production, they opened a dialog with APH regarding their
material.
After careful review, it was determined that the original work, if revised, could provide an
excellent resource for use with young persons as they develop their orientation and mobility
skills. Full rights to the material were obtained by APH.
Suzette Wright and Terrie Terlau met to discuss content to be updated. Wright described a
story idea that would introduce the collection and that would help reluctant cane users be
drawn into the book. This introductory story and additional expanded content could make the
book an effective tool for modeling and for motivating orientation and mobility students.
Work during FY 2008
Project Leaders’ full schedules did not allow for work on Travel Tales during FY 2008.
Work planned for FY 2009
As Project Leaders’ schedules permit, new content and story revision will be undertaken.
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Revisions planned include the expansion of some stories; the inclusion of ethnic/racial/gender
diversity in protagonists; and the development of a sequence of stories about children with
low vision using low vision orientation and mobility techniques.
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Art
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Braille Beads
(Continued)
Purpose
To create inexpensive plastic braille beads for students to create bracelets, chokers, and ankle
bracelets for personal use, gifts, and to support fundraising efforts
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Frank Hayden, Technical Research
Tom Poppe, Model Maker
Katherine Corcoran, Model Maker
Anita Rutledge, Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Background
While visiting residential schools for the blind, APH staff noticed that teachers use beading as a
way to create fun, wearable art and to develop skills such as fine motor and sorting. Research
showed that the few types of braille beads available on the market were very expensive
(manufactured from metals and blown glass), making them unattainable through school
budgets or for the average family to purchase.
Work during FY 2008
A request for bids was sent out, and two companies responded. The cost of the movable mold
is too expensive to produce short runs for field testing.
Work planned for FY 2009
APH will determine if rapid reproduction is possible for prototypes.
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Braille
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Alphabetic Braille and Contracted (ABC) Braille Study
(Continuing through 2009)
Purpose
The Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille (ABC) Study was conceived as a 5-year exploration
of literacy environments, skills, and experiences of children who are totally blind or have light
perception only. The organizing factor of the study was a comparison of students who were
initially taught contracted braille with those initially taught uncontracted braille. The study also
collected data on the larger issue of how the learning environment impacts literacy skill
acquisition, especially in the context of braille reading. Children in the United States and Canada
were enrolled. Due to assistance from the Canadian Braille Authority and the American
Foundation for the Blind, the project expanded its budget to include 6 years of research (5 years
of data collection).
Core Team
Anne Corn, Ed.D. Vanderbilt University, Principal Investigator through Summer 2007
Robert Wall Emerson, Ph.D., Western Michigan University, Statistician, Data Storage
Jane Erin, Ph.D., University of Arizona at Tucson, Quantitative Research Team Leader
Sharon Sacks, Ph.D., California State University Qualitative Research Team Leader
Diane P. Wormsley, Ph. D., North Carolina Central University, Principal Investigator beginning
Summer 2007
2006-2007 was the final year of the project. During this past year, 2007-2008, the Research
Team has been conducting an analysis of data and preparing articles for dissemination of the
research information.
Below is the list of contributors to the project and their roles in the project.
ABC Braille Cumulative Contributor List
Research Team
 Lizbeth Barclay, M.Ed., California School for the Blind
 Anne Corn, Ed.D., Vanderbilt University, Principal Investigator through
Summer 2007
 Chris Craig, Ed.D., Missouri State University, 2002-2005
 Frances Mary D’Andrea, M.Ed., American Foundation for the Blind,
University of Pittsburgh
 Rob Wall Emerson, Ph.D., Western Michigan University, Statistician
 Jane Erin, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Quantitative Team Leader
 Stephanie Herlich, M.Ed., Pleasanton Unified School District
 Cay Holbrook, Ph.D., University of British Columbia
 Julie Anderson-Ituarte, M.A., Lecturer, Missouri State University, 2002
2005
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 Alan Koenig, Ed.D., Texas Tech University, Quantitative Leader through
2004
 Sharon Sacks, Ph.D., California School for the Blind, Qualitative Team
Leader
 Debbie Sitar, M.Ed., Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Assessment
Coordinator
 Diane P. Wormsley, Ph.D., North Carolina Central University, Principal
Investigator beginning Summer 2007
Research Support
 Tessa Wright Carlsen, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
 Cheryl Kamei Hannan, M.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Research Assistants
 Jennifer Cook, Vanderbilt University, Year 3
 Julia Hedrick, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University, Year 2
 Sara Hines, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University, Year 4
 Jill Robbins, M. Ed., Vanderbilt University, Year 1
 Tessa Wright Carlsen, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University, Years 5 and 6
Observers







Cynthia Bachofer, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
Jennifer Bell Coy, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
Janetta Davenport, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
Meg Gilchrist, M.Ed., Vanderbilt. University
Barbara Leach, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
Kelly Lusk, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Heather McDonough, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
APH Officers
 Robert “Bob” Brasher, Vice-President, Advisory Services and Research
 Tuck Tinsley III, Ed.D., President
APH ABC Braille Study Staff
 John Aicken, M.B.A. Assistant Director of Research
 Ralph Bartley, Ph.D., Director of Research
 Eleanor Pester, M.S., Braille Project Leader
APH Support Staff
 Janie Blome, Director of Field Services
 Tessa Wright Carlsen, Research Assistant
 Barbara Henderson, Test and Assessment Project Leader
 Kristopher Scott, Accessible Test Editor
 Debbie Willis, Director of Accessible Tests
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 Production Staff
 Technical Research Staff
Financial Contributors
 American Printing House for the Blind, primary financial support
 American Foundation for the Blind National Literacy Center
 Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation
 Special Education Technology, British Columbia
 Texas Tech University
In Kind Contributors
 American Printing House for the Blind
 California State University, Los Angeles
 California School for the Blind
 Governor Morehead School for the Blind
 North Carolina Central University
 Pennsylvania College of Optometry
 Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
 Texas Tech University
 Mila Truan
 University of Arizona
 University of British Columbia
 Vanderbilt University
 Vanderbilt University Vision Research Center
 Western Michigan University
Test Publisher Acknowledgement
We would like to thank the following for allowing APH to emboss the test instruments we
used.
 Curriculum Associates Inc. (Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic
Skills)
 Texas Education Agency (Texas Primary Reading Inventory)
 Kendall Publishing Company (Jerry L. Johns Basic Reading Inventory)
 Region IV Education Service Center (Adapted Assessment of Braille
Literacy Skills)
 Harcourt Assessment (Stanford Achievement Test Series)
Background
The ABC Braille Study is a 5-year study of literacy acquisition in children who are braille
readers. The study explored the development of literacy skills and charted literacy
experiences of children who initially learn contracted braille as well as those who initially learn
uncontracted braille.
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While this study seeks to develop guidance for teachers of students with visual impairments
with regard to initial instruction in braille, it also provides the first in-depth look at how young
blind children are learning to read, write, and spell. This study is the first time a consortium of
eight universities, two organizations, and a special school for the blind, have joined forces to
conduct research.
Children in the study resided in the U.S. and Canada and attended special schools and local
education agencies, as well as pre-kindergarten programs, e.g., Head Start. They were
enrolled in the study in either pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and were followed through the
fourth grade.
Work during FY 2008
This past 2007-2008 academic year involved the consolidation of research data and analysis
by the Research Team. Over the course of the study 45 students were enrolled. Four children
were dropped from the study because they had been identified as having multiple disabilities.
Three other children left the study for various reasons. Data from these children will be
included where it is appropriate to do so. Enrolled children resided in 12 U.S. states and one
Canadian province, with children coming from a range of educational environments.
In addition to specific writing group work, the Research Team presented general results of the
research study at several conferences. At the APH Annual Meeting in October 2007, the
preliminary findings of the research study were unveiled. Two sessions for Ex Officio Trustees
were held: one was on Lessons Learned, and the other addressed the portion of the study
related to hand movement in reading braille. Other conferences or venues where
presentations were made include: The Canadian Vision Teachers Conference, Getting In Touch
With Literacy Conference, California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped
Conference, and the International AERBVI Conference. There was also an informal
presentation at the International Council on English Braille meeting in Melbourne, Australia.
During the course of the past year, a number of small groups worked together on various
aspects of analysis and determining results of the study data. A number of teleconference calls
also moved the work of writing up results ahead. In addition, APH hosted two face to face
meetings. One was held in January at the California School for the Blind which generously
provided accommodations and some meals. The second was held at APH in June, and
included a time when the ABC Braille Research Team could provide feedback to APH on
products related to braille literacy, as well as have time to work in small writing groups.
Work planned for FY 2009
During the 2008-2009 school year, researchers will be continuing to work in their various
writing groups. Writing teams will be pulling together the existing literature and research, and
including the data from the ABC Braille Project into submissions for various journals. At the
moment there are approximately seven teams at work. Two articles are presently being
finalized for submission to JVIB. It is anticipated that many articles will be submitted for
possible inclusion in the special JVIB issue on literacy to come out in 2009, the 200 th
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anniversary year of Louis Braille’s birth.
Braille Code Recognition Program
(Completed)
Purpose
To increase braille reading efficiency through contraction recognition training and testing
Project Staff
Eleanor Pester, Project Leader
Ann Travis, Research Assistant/Co-Project Leader
Background
This is a revision of a product that has been in our catalog since 1965. It is based on research
that is valid, but the materials are badly in need of redesign for use with students in today’s
special education programs. In FY 2003, both the Product Advisory and Review Committee
and the Product Evaluation Team approved this product for redesign. In FY 2004, it was
decided to contact a sample of customers who had purchased this product to determine how
they were using the current product, to ask for suggestions for the redesign of the product,
and to get their opinions on some specifics being considered for the redesign. The current
product materials were reviewed thoroughly, and the product redesign is expected to include
braille student practice exercises to increase the student’s reading speed and fluency and
braille test materials to identify specific contractions the student is having difficulty with so
that work can be concentrated on these. Simplified instructions for the teacher will be
included in both print and braille. In FY 2005, work on the customer survey proved unfruitful
since purchasers had little recall of the product or could not be reached. The practice
exercises were scanned in preparation for production. In 2006, the practice exercises and the
tests were reformatted for presentation in large print. The braille is expected to remain the
same as the original. The writing of a teacher’s manual with instructions for using the
materials with a student was begun. In 2007 reformatting and writing were completed with
the addition of two stories containing all of the Braille contractions for reading practice in
context and with specific directions for pretesting, posttesting, and using the practice
materials.
Work during FY 2008
The teacher’s manual was transcribed into Braille and all print and Braille materials were
printed and packaged. On July 9, 2008, this revised program went on sale under the new
name, Braille Contraction Recognition Program. This product can be ordered as a Print or
Braille Teacher Kit, each containing one complete set of Braille student materials and a
teacher’s manual and materials in the teacher’s preferred reading medium. Additional student
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materials are also available separately.
Revision of Patterns: The Primary Braille Reading Program
(Continued Series)
Purpose
To revise and update Patterns: The Primary Braille Reading Program
Project Staff
Eleanor Pester, Project Leader
Deanna Scoggins, Consultant/Writer
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Rosanne Hoffman, Research/Project Assistant
Carol Roderick, Research/Project Assistant
Elaine Kitchel, Low Vision Project Leader/Writer
Background
Patterns: The Primary Braille Reading Program was designed to teach reading to children who
will use braille as their primary reading medium. It was built on strong reading and braille
principles and has remained an effective learning tool since its debut in 1980. In education,
where textbooks over 5 years old are considered outdated, Patterns is now ancient history.
Times have changed, and for some years full inclusion has been in vogue, first with whole
language and then with phonics playing important roles as methods of teaching reading.
Some teachers are having a difficult time justifying use of a program the age of Patterns.
Young braille readers, however, still need a firm foundation of beginning braille reading upon
which to build. It is the goal of this project to produce an updated and enhanced braille
reading program for beginners by building on the successes and philosophy of Patterns.
In September 1997, the project advisory committee met at APH to discuss revision of Patterns:
The Primary Braille Reading Program. Decisions were made regarding features that should be
kept, features that should be changed, ways to update the content, and topics that would be
of interest to today’s visually impaired children. The committee discussed current trends in
reading for the general population, some new programs, and methods for teaching reading
and language arts, and the use of tactile graphics with young children.
In 1998, a detailed timeline and budget were developed for this project. Work on a revised
prototype of the early levels of the program began. An extensive bibliography on the latest
literature related to braille reading was compiled and reviewed by project personnel. Current
reading programs and methods were also reviewed.
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In 1999, the basic prototype for the kindergarten level of the Patterns revision was developed,
and ideas for possible supplementary phonics and character development tapes, games, and
books were explored.
In 2000, changes were made in the kindergarten level based on conference sessions, reviews
of research, and project advisory committee recommendations. Work began on the 1st grade
level of the program. New approaches to teaching reading continued to be investigated.
In 2001, work continued on the kindergarten and 1st grade levels of the program. A draft of
the kindergarten level was completed and turned over to APH by the textbook writer.
In 2002, work continued on the preparation of the kindergarten level for field testing and on
the development of the 1st and 2nd grade levels. It was decided to talk about a child rather
than children in the text since the majority of braille readers are educated in public rather than
in residential schools and are likely to be working on braille reading individually rather than in
a group. The kindergarten lessons were edited to reflect this change.
In 2003, introductory lessons for the kindergarten level were written and the decision was
made to teach braillewriting of the letter words and letters at the same time as the letter
words, letters, and sounds are taught in reading rather than waiting until the students can
read ten words or so to start writing. Efforts were also made to clear the project leader’s
schedule so that more time could be devoted to this project. Meanwhile the textbook writer
continued work on the text and teacher’s guide for the 1st grade.
In 2004, content editing of the kindergarten level was completed. This included adding a
teacher’s note on using the braillewriter versus the slate and stylus to introduce braillewriting
and adding allergy alerts when food is used as part of a lesson. The mechanics of
braillewriting were taught early to allow the child to be as independent as possible as early as
possible. A checklist for the mechanics of braillewriting was provided to help the teacher track
the child’s progress and identify where the child still needs help. Some selections written
especially for the original Patterns were edited to relate better to kindergarteners and to
emphasize concept development for a visually impaired child. Meetings were held with the
graphic designer to discuss graphics needed and work out designs for covers. Several
meetings were also held to talk about production. Work continued on the 1st grade level
which included the development of original stories and activities for the lessons and additional
planning on selections and phonics and vocabulary to be included. During the summer, the
project leader held a working meeting with six teachers of primary visually impaired children
and the textbook writer. This group discussed state assessment standards and drafted test
and remediation materials for the kindergarten and first grade levels of the revised program.
In 2005, additions were made to the kindergarten level for presenting the tactual graphics on
the covers and those used in the introductions of the color words to children who are blind
and have limited concept development and usually do not automatically recognize two
dimensional representations of three dimensional objects. These textbook introductions were
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also used along with the titles to begin working on the skill of forecasting. Forms were
created for recording the progress on the work covered in each textbook. For field testing, the
eight textbooks were then produced in braille and the Teacher’s Edition, Posttest Manual, and
Assessment Forms were produced in both print and braille. Sample print lessons were laid out
two different ways with icons and formatting for field testing. Using the items written by the
Teachers of the Visually Impaired last summer, the Kindergarten Posttest was put together.
Several evaluation forms were developed for the field testing and expert review.
In 2006, field testing was conducted. Results were reviewed as they came in and then pulled
together in a more complete report. Revisions included additional worksheets, suggestions for
read-aloud books at the end of each lesson, and the correction of copy errors. A general
introduction to the program, a specific introduction for the kindergarten level, and an
introduction for the posttest were written. Acknowledgements, references, a table of
contents, a scope and sequence chart for the level, several appendices, and an index of skills
were added. Copyright permissions were secured where they were needed and replacement
selections were found and lessons rewritten when permissions were unable to be secured.
Such selections were often ones that evaluators had recommended changing anyway. A
number of new books and research articles were reviewed during the writing of the
introduction and are very helpful as the 1st grade level is developed. A group of teachers of
the visually impaired from Ohio is helping with the development of some of the stories.
The kindergarten level of Building on Patterns became available for purchase in November of
2006. In 2007, development of the lessons for 1st grade continued. When a draft of the 1st
grade lessons was about half done, two experts reviewed the lessons. Possible cover art and
titles for the proposed seven units for the level were discussed with one of the experts and our
graphic artists. The other expert felt that too many things were being taught in each lesson.
The project leader worked with this expert/consultant on reordering the phonics and the
language activities, spreading them out over the lessons for the year, and teaching them in a
more systematic way. A few of the reading selections were also reordered to better fit the
phonics and language being taught. This consultant cut and pasted the lessons that were
done to conform to the new plan, filled in new activities when they were needed, and edited
the reading selections and the spelling activities accordingly. The project leader continued on
with work on additional reading selections, comprehension questions, oral reading and fluency
activities, and vocabulary and concept development activities. In May the project leader and
the other expert who had reviewed the lessons co-hosted a meeting with the head of the Ohio
teacher group and two of the teachers from the 2004 Summer Group, one from California and
one from Oregon. The expert proposed reordering each lesson into a 5-day schedule and
supplementing it with additional tactile graphics and other supplementary activities. Following
the meeting, each of the three participants from OH, CA, and OR formed teams of teachers of
visually impaired students to work on this.
Work during FY 2008
Work continued on the lessons in much the same way as it had during 2007 with the project
leader and the local consultant developing lessons but with the addition now of preparing the
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lessons to go out to the teacher teams, working with the teams to try to keep some
consistency in the lessons and new lessons coming to them when they were ready for them,
doing additional editing of the lessons coming back from the teams, checking print layout copy
for the units being prepared for field testing, and answering questions from the Braille
transcriber. In May a new team of three teachers of visually impaired students in Arkansas
were trained in reordering and supplementing lessons by a team leader from CA and the
expert whose idea it was to reorder and supplement the lessons. In June members of the
teacher teams and other consultants met at APH and discussed questions the groups had
about the development of the remainder of the lessons for Building on Patterns Grade 1 and
began planning for the development of BOP Grade 2 as soon as Grade 1 is completed. In
September the first two units of BOP-1 with all accompanying materials were sent out for field
testing. The other 5 units are expected to follow in quick succession. Evaluation forms and a
follow-up posttest for Grade 1 will also be sent.
Work planned for FY 2009
Development of Grade 2 materials will begin using the teams of writers and the lesson formats
that are in place. As soon as possible, data from Grade 1 field testing will be reviewed and
analyzed and any necessary revisions will be made. If revisions are not too extensive,
production of BOP-1 is planned for the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
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Core
Curriculum
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Early Braille Trade Books
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide emergent and beginning braille readers with a wide selection of small books that
provide practice and reinforcement of early reading skills and aid in the development of
reading fluency
Project Staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Dotta Hassman, Consultant
Cay Holbrook, Consultant
Anna Swenson, Consultant
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Anita Rutledge, Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Background
The need for Early Braille Trade Books was identified by the Early Literacy Focus Group
conducted by Suzette Wright in the summer of 2005. These small books for emergent readers
are used in classrooms to support the reading curriculum and are available from several
publishers. In the winter of 2006, APH conducted a reading survey to determine the types and
series of leveled reading materials used by teachers of the blind and visually impaired.
Using information gained from the Early Literacy Focus Group and the customer surveys, the
Wright Group Books were chosen for the first project. Cay Holbrook, Associate Professor at the
University of British Columbia, agreed to serve as the consultant for this project. In July of
2007, Holbrook along with five of the original members from the Early Literacy Focus Group of
2005 met in Louisville Kentucky to review and select books to be included in the kits.
Members of the work group included:
 Anthony, Tanni, State Consultant on Visual Impairment, Colorado Dept. of
Education, Denver, CO
 Brasher, Jeanie, Teacher, Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY
 D’Andrea, Frances Mary, Doctoral Student at the University of Pittsburg,
Pittsburgh, PA
 Hassman, Dotta, retired, Instructional Materials Center, Iowa Braille
School, Vinton, Iowa
 Swenson, Anna, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Fairfax Co.
Public Schools, Dunn Loring, VA
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The group developed a final rubric, based on the work of Holbrook, for selection of books.
They also reviewed 90 books from the Wright Group Sunshine Kits and determined the type of
information about the book to include for the teacher. Hassman agreed to serve as a
consultant to complete a text analysis of each of the books. One set of 13 books was selected
for the development of an initial prototype to be used in field testing and review.
Work during FY 2008
The prototype of a kit of commercially available leveled books adapted for braille readers was
completed. The initial design of the prototype included a commercially available book with
braille overlays and a guide for teacher. The teacher’s guide would include the number and
frequency of the braille contractions in the book, punctuation marks, and composition signs, as
well as the theme of the book with connections to core curriculum and expanded core
curriculum.
In the development of the prototype for field evaluation the format for the teacher’s guide
changed from a print document to a web site hosted by APH. The web site allows the teacher
to continually update the student record and access records of books. Anna Swenson became
a consultant for the project and wrote the follow-up activities for each book.
Work planned for FY 2009
The prototype, including the web site, will be field tested in the fall of 2008. Changes and
modifications will be made to the materials and the web site based on reviewer’s feedback.
Additional books will be selected to add to the collection of Early Braille Trade Books.
Wilson Reading System
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a remedial reading program for students with visual impairments
Project Staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Mary McCarthy, Consultant
Justine Carlone Rines, Consultant
Rosalind Rowley, Consultant
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
The Wilson Reading Program, with its well developed multi-sensory approach, is one of the
most respected programs used to teach reading in the United States. This program has been
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used to teach reading to students with visual impairments who experience reading difficulties
but is not available for sale in Large Print or Braille. Teachers working with students at Perkins,
Arizona, and North Carolina Schools for the Blind have reported good results.
The project was approved by PET and PARC committees in July 2006. Three teachers from
Perkins School for the Blind, Justine Rines, Mary McCarty, and Roz Rowley, were contracted as
consultants for the project. A contractual agreement was reached with the Wilson Reading
Systems to produce the materials in Braille and Large Print.
As there are many components to the system, it was decided to produce the Readers, Levels
1, 2, & 3 in Braille as quickly as possible since the readers required no modification.
Work during FY 2008
Student Readers 1, 2, and 3 became available for sale in Braille in February 2008. The
consultant from Perkins developed supplemental worksheets that reinforce Braille skills and
knowledge of Braille contractions.
Work planned for FY 2009
Develop prototypes of the remaining components of the Wilson Reading System for field
evaluation.
Word PlayHouse
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide emergent, beginning, and struggling readers a tool for learning basic concepts and
skills necessary to become fluent readers
Project Staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Katherine Corcoran, Model Maker
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Tom Poppe, Model Maker
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Background
The National Reading Panel has identified phonemic awareness and letter recognition as the
two best school-entry predictors of how well children will learn to read during the first two
years of instruction. Many reading series provide a set of letter, blends, diagraphs, and word
105
families to help students learn alphabetic principle, letter-sound correspondence, and spelling
patterns. Sets are not available in large print and braille.
A teacher in the field submitted the idea for Word PlayHouse. She had been creating a set of
letters for her students each year and requested that APH make a more durable set. In FY
2006 the submission was approved by the PET and PARC committees. A Product Development
Committee meeting was held to gain input from peers. Research was conducted to determine
the quantities of letters and word families needed for a complete set. Ten prototypes were
developed by the technical research department and were field tested in the spring of 2007.
Field reviewers provided positive feedback but asked for additional letters.
Work during for FY 2008
Revisions based on field reviewers’ comments were completed for Word Playhouse. Tooling
and production were completed. The product became available for sale in July 2008.
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Cortical
Visual
Impairment
107
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Projects and Needs
(Continued)
Purpose
To help APH determine both short and long term goals for future research and product
development in the CVI field
Project Staff
Christine Roman, Ph.D., CVI Project Leader
Erica Rucker, Research/Project Assistant
Background
The groundwork established by the CVI Synergy Group in 2002 led to the completion of
several projects in 2004-05. The Research Department named Christine Roman as part-time
Project Leader. Several projects were developed from the list of ideas presented by CVI
Synergy in May, 2002. Plans to establish a CVI Advisory Committee were begun. The CVI
Advisory Committee will resume the work initiated by the CVI Synergy Group. This Advisory
Committee will provide input to the Project Leader in terms of future projects and field testing
of new CVI products.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and staff will continue to work on a comprehensive functional vision
assessment designed for students with CVI. An additional project is the continuation of a CVI
Starter Kit that will include materials designed to adapt objects and two-dimensional materials
according to the specific characteristics associated with CVI. CVI Sequences and CVI
Challenges will be adjusted according to the input provided by the field reviewers. Finally,
updates have been made to the APH CVI Web site and CVI appropriate adaptations of existing
APH products. This year a CVI Advisory Group was formed to consult with the CVI Project
Leader and as a result, a Statement of Purpose/Position Paper is being developed. The major
goal of this paper is to define the needs of students with CVI as being distinct from the
broader category of visual processing disorders.
Work planned for FY 2009
The major project planned for FY 2008 will be the continued work on the CVI Assessment Kit.
The Assessment Kit will be based on the CVI Range developed by Christine Roman. The Kit
will contain a copy of Cortical Visual Impairment: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention
published by the American Foundation for the Blind. Video samples will be gathered to help
guide users through the assessment process. In addition to the CVI Assessment Kit, the other
major projects will be the completion of the CVI Starter Kit and the CVI Stick & Stay Kit
developed by Billie Frayer. Updates to the CVI Web site will continue to be made.
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CVI Assessment Kit & CVI Starter Kit
(New)
Purpose
To provide educators with materials that will facilitate functional vision assessment of students
with CVI. It will include a text that can be used for background information and
instructions/procedures for conducting the CVI Range (Roman, 2001, 2005). Materials in the
kit will be aimed at assessment of students who have severe (Phase I), moderate (Phase II),
or mild (Phase III), CVI.
Project Staff
Christine Roman, CVI Project Leader
John Aicken, Assistant Director, Research
APH Production Staff
Background
CVI is the primary cause of visual impairment in children in the US and developed nations and
presents unique challenges to educators. Most educational assessments and materials
designed for students with ocular visual impairment are ineffective with students with CVI.
The CVI Range provides educators with a specialized protocol for determining the degree and
extent of CVI. Since functional educational visual assessment is mandatory for eligibility and
program planning, this kit will support teachers in their efforts to make these decisions.
Work during FY 2008
This kit will contain a copy of the text by Christine Roman is complete and available for
purchase. The text published by the American Foundation for the Blind contains assessment
forms and assorted materials that may be used to conduct the assessment. This text forms the
foundation for the specialized assessment used to evaluate the functional vision of infants,
children, and older students who have CVI. The Assessment Kit will contain concrete
materials, video examples, and additional guidelines for the completion of the assessment.
The Starter Kit, which will most likely appear as a separate product, will include “raw
materials” used to make CVI specific adaptations to functional objects and materials used in
daily routines. A guidebook will accompany this kit.
Work planned for FY 2009
Materials used in assessment will be developed to coordinate with specific aspects of the text.
An instructional video will provide guided practice and examples of assessment strategies. An
APH product review will be completed and changes will be made according to reviewer
comments and recommendations. These kits are extensive projects and will require at least 10
additional months of work.
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CVI Complexity Challenges
(Continued)
Purpose
To help students with CVI systematically identity details in two-dimensional materials. The
design would be similar to the APH Common Object Pictures and could be used with or
without the Lightbox. Each card sequence would begin with a single image; subsequent cards
would add a single additional detail until approximately six details are added to the original
image. The complexity cards could be stacked in any order so the student would be less likely
to memorize image by position or order.
Project Staff
Christine Roman, Project Leader
John Aicken, Assistant Director, Research
Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer, BISIG Impact Group
Background
This product addresses specific needs related to the CVI characteristic of visual complexity.
Many students with CVI have difficulty visually attending to two-dimensional images and
identifying salient details of pictures or symbols especially when the image is presented with
additional details or elements.
Work during FY 2008
This product was developed in conjunction with Candace Jaworski from BISIG Impact Group.
Candace Jaworski prepared illustrations that represent the salient image as well as the images
that add complexity. A user manual will provide guidelines for use. The art work is now
complete and the product is currently in field review. An APH product review will be completed
and changes will be made according to reviewer comments and recommendations.
Work planned for FY 2009
This product will be available for sale during 2009.
CVI Sequences
(Continued)
Purpose
To help students with CVI practice locating a figure against backgrounds that increase in visual
complexity. This product would be comprised of a series of sets in which the student would
be asked to locate a common figure (apple, ball, shoe…) against backgrounds that increase in
complexity. The overlay backgrounds would be overall patterns that begin with low
complexity design. Overlay cards would increase in complexity requiring the student to
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extricate the figure from greater degrees of visual “clutter.” Each set would have five cards,
one figure card, and four overlays of complexity. To provide guidelines regarding the medical
conditions associated with a diagnosis of CVI.
Project Staff
Christine Roman, Project Leader
John Aicken, Assistant Director, Research
Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer, BISIG Impact Group
Background
This product addresses specific needs related to the CVI characteristic of visual complexity.
Many students with CVI have difficulty visually attending to two-dimensional images and
identifying salient details of pictures or symbols especially when the image is against a
patterned background.
Work during in FY 2008
This product was developed in conjunction with Candace Jaworski from BISIG Impact Group.
Jaworski prepared illustrations that represent the salient image as well as the images that add
complexity. A manual has been developed to provide instructions and suggestions for use. An
APH product review will be completed and changes will be made according to reviewer
comments and recommendations.
Work planned for FY 2009
This product will be available for sale in 2009.
CVI Stick & Stay Kit
(New)
Purpose
To provide an independent child-centered activity or play kit used in conjunction with a
student wheelchair or highchair tray. Billie Frayer from Dallas, Texas, developed an original
form of this kit, the Stick & Stay Kit. The CVI version will have materials that have reduced
visual complexity and that have strong elements of single color objects. The tray cover is a
washable, black cloth material that has strips of Velcro used to attach the numerous elements
contained in the kit.
Project Staff
Christine Roman, Project Leader
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader, Multiple Disabilities
John Aicken, Assistant Director, Research
APH Production Staff
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Background
This product promotes increased independent play/exploration, visual attention and visual
motor/function for students with CVI who require simple, moving, color materials. These
principles are consistent with the principles of CVI found in the literature. Again, this CVI
version is intended to meet the specific needs of students who require adaptations to materials
based on the characteristic visual behaviors associated with CVI.
Work during FY 2008
Work on the CVI Stick & Stay has begun via discussions with Billie Frayer, the owner of the
original product, Stick & Stay. Adaptations have been made to the background “mat” and to a
number of the individual activities contained in the kit. Educators who work with students who
have CVI and additional disabilities have met with the project leader and have offered
suggestions that are being integrated into the CVI Kit.
Work planned for FY 2009
Adaptations and adjustments will continue to be made. An APH product review will be
completed and changes will be made according to reviewer comments and recommendations.
A manual will be developed to provide instructions and suggestions for use.
CVI Website
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide accurate and beneficial information to families, educators, and medical personnel
who work with individuals with cortical visual impairment
Project Staff
Christine Roman, CVI Project Leader
Erica Rucker, Research/Project Assistant
Inge Formenti, Librarian
Malcolm Turner, Web Master
Background
CVI Synergy, a group of nine professionals, representing both education and medicine, met at
APH in May 2002. The group agreed to act as advisors via a listserve to help APH develop a
new Web site dedicated to CVI. Unable to attend the meeting, Dr. Jim Jan served via
telephone and e-mail as the medical advisor.
In 2003 the Multiple Disabilities Project Leader developed the outline for the Web site and with
a research assistant began writing text for the site and requesting submissions from the field.
The APH Librarian obtained permissions on articles recommended by CVI Synergy to be placed
on the Web site. Photographs of children using homemade and APH products were taken.
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In May 2003, Dr. Jan organized CVI Synergy West in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
This second group, also representing medicine and education, addressed the issue of
definitions associated with CVI. This meeting resulted in the medical-based definition and the
education-based definition for CVI that APH uses on the Web site. APH announced in January
of 2004 that Christine Roman would serve as the new CVI Project Leader/Consultant.
Work during FY 2008
Updates on the CVI Web site include any new definitions of CVI, educational programming
suggestions, information on materials and articles in publication, and current CVI issues.
Featured Presentations provide updated information pertaining to special topics of interest. In
2006 six individuals committed to providing new contributions to the Web site, primarily in the
area of educational applications of CVI methodologies. The CVI Web site has a Contact link
that is available for individual comments, questions and suggestions. These communications
are gathered by the research assistant and responded to by the project leader.
Work planned for FY 2009
The website, a continuing project, will be updated as new information is gathered. A reprint of
an article on the use of CVI adaptations in a special education classroom will be added. A
number of changes and additions will be made based on suggestions from APH staff and
comments offered through the Contact Us link on the Web site.
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Early
Childhood
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Classroom Calendar Kit
(Modernization)
Purpose
The purpose is to modernize the Classroom Calendar Kit and the Individual Calendar Kit to
have them work interchangeably with each other, and have them meet the early childhood
standards used by virtually every preschool and early elementary classrooms.
Project Staff
Burt Boyer, Early Childhood Project Leader
Donna Brostek, Consultant
Background
Classroom discussions relating to the calendar has become more than just learning months of
the year, dates, and events. Several teachers of the visually impaired has suggested that APH
should review the Classroom Calendar Kit and the Individual Calendar Kit and make revisions
that bring them in line with early childhood standards. Teachers of the visually impaired are
presently having to make their own individual calendars because of the following:
1. Patterning is being emphasized during calendar time.
2. Shapes, and colors, are being used for calendar activities. For example:
Yellow circles, blue squares, orange triangles, red rectangles, pink stars,
purple ovals, etc...
3. Teachers mix and match the sets to create patterns on the calendar.
The current size of the calendar is fine. It is recommended that a reusable board that is either
plastic, with either Velcro or magnetic, so it can be reused over with number sets instead of
current paper version. Patterning with shapes and colors at calendar time relates to the
integrated curriculum approach (date, reading, numbers, lettering, patterning, shapes, colors,
etc.), and this revision will address this issue more appropriately and consistently. This
modernization will be very beneficial to teachers of the visually impaired and other service
providers, as they are having to make these calendars as described, and this is very timeconsuming.
Work during FY 2008
Work has just begun on this modernization of the Classroom Calendar Kit and the Individual
Calendar Kit. The early childhood project leader and the consultant have met several times to
discuss the modernization, and have identified some suggestions for consideration as the
product idea moves forward. Some of the suggestions include:
Work planned for FY 2009
Will continue to modernize the Classroom Calendar Kit and the Individual Calendar Kit in FY
2009. The project leader and consultant will work with tech research to finalize the size of the
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calendars, and identify the items to be placed on each of the calendars. The goal is to have
the calendars ready for field testing by September of FY 2009.
The Early O&M Guide Book
(New)
Purpose
This product is designed to be a practical, easy to use guide that encourages early Orientation
& Mobility (O&M).
Project Staff
Burt Boyer, Early Childhood Project Leader
Donna Brostek, Consultant
Background
A comprehensive search of the literature revealed that there is not a lot of information relating
to Orientation & Mobility, the early years. More importantly, there did not seem to be an easy
to use guide for teaching O&M skills to very young children. Donna Brostek, consultant, and
the early childhood project leader concluded that there was a need for such a guide book. A
product submittal form was prepared and submitted to APH for review. The Product Evaluation
Team (PET) reviewed the product and sent it to two project leaders for evaluation. Both
reviewers recommended APH move forward with this product idea. The product idea was first
assigned to the Adult Project Leader, but later assigned to the Early Childhood Project Leader.
The idea was then submitted to PARC for review and for approval. PARC approved the
product idea, placed it on the parking lot, and then immediately moved it from the parking lot
allowing the project leader to move forward with the idea. The product idea addresses 7
components to early O&M training: Sensory Development, Concept Development, Motor
Development, Environmental Awareness, Community Awareness, Formal Orientation Skills,
and Formal Mobility Skills.
It is important to note that the early childhood project leader and the consultant believes this
product addresses the need for a product that gives practical ideas for O&M activities with
young children. It is NOT intended to act as a textbook or require lengthy reading. It is
aimed at O&M specialists working in early intervention and preschool, but can be easily used
by many other service providers, and even caregivers due to its simplicity.
Lessons and products will be collected from those who actually use them on a daily basis, thus
O&M specialists who are working in early intervention. Lessons/products will emphasize skills
needed for proper O&M techniques as identified by the field through research. The market for
this product will be anyone working in early intervention with children who are blind and
visually impaired, specifically O&M specialists.
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Work during FY 2008
The consultant completed extensive research trying to identify work that had been completed
in O&M in the early years. The research identified a few articles, books, and guide books
addressing O&M for the early years, but none addressed the topic in the same way this
product will do when completed. A work plan was developed by the early childhood project
leader and the consultant establishing timelines for various steps in the process. In addition, a
completion date of 2010 was set for this product to be available on federal quota.
The work on this product is moving very slowly, but the plan calls for much work to be
completed during FY 2009.
Work planned for FY 2009
The early childhood project leader and the consultant plan to develop activities for each of the
components (concepts) of this product: Sensory Development, Concept Development, Motor
Development, Environmental Awareness, Community Awareness, Formal Orientation Skills,
and Formal Mobility Skills. In addition, resources supporting the product will be identified:
Pre-Mobility Devices, Adapted Mobility Devices Resources, Adapted Canes and Tips, Tips for
Constructing an AMD or Adapting a Cane, and Professional Books.
Emergent Literacy Needs and Planning
(Continued)
Purpose
To gather input from the field regarding emergent literacy materials, including early books,
needed by students birth to 5 years; to prioritize those needs and initiate planning for projects
to address them
Project Staff
Suzette Wright, Project Leader
Background
Children take their first steps toward learning to read and write early in life. Adults play a
critical role, building upon the child’s interests as he learns language, concepts, and explores
print or braille. Through sharing books and providing other occasions to use written language,
adults help a child develop a desire to read and introduce basic rules of written language. The
development of oral language skills and phonemic awareness is also been linked by
researchers to later reading achievement. Reading aloud, in particular, has been cited as a
critical contributor to future success in learning to read. However, young children who will read
braille face a limited selection of books in braille, particularly print/braille books that typically
sighted parent can read aloud. Young potential braille readers also lack access to pictures
provided in books for typically sighted children. Appealing illustrations add interest and
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meaning for a child who is not yet a reader. For the emergent braille reader, tactile pictures
can provide a similar, though more limited service.
With so many books needed by children with visual impairments in both home and school
settings, APH has made strong and continuing efforts to poll the field to determine needs and
to seek help in prioritizing these needs. A survey was posted at the APH website in April 2004;
the survey collected information from 156 respondents regarding a wide variety of types of
books and formats suitable for the target audience aged 0-8 years. For a very young child,
books with few words and simple illustrations were identified as a top need. A 2-day focus
group was held in June 2004 to assist APH in further exploring and prioritizing needs. The
need for transcriptions of leveled books (such as those produced by the Wright Group) was a
top priority for beginning readers. That project is underway and is being field tested.
Inexpensive books with simple texts for children birth to three were rated a high priority by
the group; additional storybooks in the Moving Ahead series were fourth in priority.
Work during FY 2008
In December of 2007, two brief focus groups were convened at the Getting in Touch with
Literacy conference. The need for very simple, early books for birth to three was again
expressed. Among new ideas mentioned were recipe and cooking-related activities as a means
to involve preschoolers in using written language. A number of the needs the groups identified
could be addressed through offering information and suggestions at an emergent literacy
website. This idea also was favored by the groups.
Project submission forms are being completed for these potential new projects; consultants
have been contacted and consulting arrangements discussed.
Work planned for FY 2009
The new projects will be planned in greater detail and submitted for review and approval to
the PET/PARC committees.
Experiential Learning Kit
(Continued)
Purpose
To set up an experiential learning environment that promotes hand-eye coordination;
cause/effect; exploration of environment (satiates curiosity-encourages movement)/depth
perception; spatial awareness; cognitive mapping
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Tessa Wright Carlsen, Consultant
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Background
In June, 2005, a focus group on early childhood education for children who are blind or
visually impaired met at the American Printing House for the Blind to identify potential
products for APH to consider. There was lots of discussion about "active learning," and having
products that promoted children being active from an early age. Kiara Wilder, one of the
participants, suggested we consider developing an experiential learning kit. This is a "starter
kit" that will enable families, and those working with families and their infants who are either
blind or low vision, to set up an environment that is conducive to experiential learning. The kit
would have, as an example:
1. Elastic
2. Toy rings (example, shower curtain rings because they open and lock
closed)
3. A shiny red pom pom
4. Shiny metal measuring spoons/cups
5. A rubber squishy toy (in a bright color)
6. Large jingle bells
7. Additional items of bright, simple color and interesting texture
Children who are blind or visually impaired, birth to three, need stimulation to explore their
environment, develop auditory and visual skills, and practice their fine and gross motor skills
to continually improve them. The concept is to have a portable bar that can be placed across a
crib with items attached to it that can be manipulated by the child. This is another effective
way to get parents involved in the development of their child
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and the consultant collaborated to complete the following tasks:
1. Researched product name (Experiential Learning Kit) to insure this name
did not meet copyright and patent standards. The research validated
Experiential Learning Kit could be used for this product.
2. Completed research on activities to be included in the guidebook.
3. Activities were written for the concept areas to be included in the
guidebook:
a. Motor Development
b. Spatial Awareness
c. Eye-Hand Coordination
d. Exploration of Environment
e. Depth Perception
4. Researched materials to be used for the bar for items that hang from
apparatus placed over the baby crib or playpen. After in-depth research,
decision was made to have five to seven items made specific for the
Experiential Learning Kit. Commercial items may be purchased to
complement the made items.
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5. Explored materials to be used to develop an apparatus to place over the
baby crib or playpen. Additional exploration led to a decision to purchase a
commercial mobile that would fit inside a baby crib or playpen and allow for
the hang down items to be placed strategically for the infant/toddler to locate
and manipulate.
Work planned for FY 2009
1. Write an introduction to product inclusive of:
 Explanation of the concept/purpose/philosophy of experiential learning
 Developmental areas that can be addressed
2. Identify and select the material used for the bar to be placed on the crib
or playpen to hold the hang-down items
3. Select the items to include in the kit to be used as hang-down items.
4. Purchase commercial mobile(s) to be used for the hang-down items.
5. Adapt the mobile to allow for movement of some of the hang-down items.
6. Have product developed to the point where field testing can occur.
Strive to have the product completed and ready for sale by end of 2009.
Getting To Know You: A Social Skills/Ability Awareness Curriculum
for Students with Visual Impairments and Their Sighted Peers
(Continued)
Purpose
The purpose of this curriculum is two-fold: 1) To provide an opportunity for students with
visual impairments and their sighted peers to learn and teach each other about the social skills
needed to get along in the world and how both sighted people and people with visual
impairments may differ in how they project themselves in social situations and 2) To have
students with visual impairments teach sighted students the techniques they use to be
independent in life. The lesson plans are divided into three levels: Lower Elementary (K-2),
Upper Elementary (3-5), and Middle and High School. Each lesson includes an objective,
targeted skill areas, an introduction, a list of materials needed, and an activity section that
explains how to conduct the lesson. Lessons were designed to be conducted during a short
half-hour period, preferably during students' shared lunchtime.
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Nita Crow, Consultant
Stephanie Herlich, Consultant
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Background
There are well documented articles and books written on the need for social skills training for
students with visual impairments. There are also studies that have found that teachers of the
visually impaired often teach social skills incidentally and not on a regular basis. They do not
have concrete materials needed to teach social skills and time has not been set aside to
address these skills. There is less published information about the curiosity that sighted
students have with regard to how their peers who are visually impaired get around in the
world and conduct every day tasks. While the two topics appear to be quite different, we
found that including them both in this curriculum provided both groups with the opportunity to
learn about each other and do so in a safe and accepting environment. The targeted group for
every lesson in our curriculum is both students with visual impairments and their sighted
peers.
This curriculum focuses on learning those skills that will help students understand each other
and learn how they are similar and different. The lessons teach students various skills either in
the area of social development or adaptive techniques. Understanding each other and getting
along in the world are two of the best educational principles that a student can learn. This
curriculum was originally developed in 1997-99 and the lessons have been expanded in the
intervening years. The authors have used this curriculum for 8 years with various groups and
presented the curriculum at two California State conferences and at the Denver AER
International Conference. Additionally at least three other teachers in California have used or
reviewed this curriculum and two peer reviewers on the East coast have also reviewed the
curriculum. Feedback from peer reviewers has been positive. One suggestion that many
reviewers mentioned was a desire for the inclusion of some of the specialized materials listed
in various lesson plans. They felt this would make the curriculum a great deal easier for them
to use.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and consultants met twice to review the curriculum, and to make revisions
to the original document. In addition, a great deal of time was spent discussing what items to
include in the kit to accompany the curriculum guidebook. The project leader developed a
plan to make some of the items to include in the kit. Some discussion took place as to
whether or not a training video should be considered. The final decision was that this was not
needed at this time.
The project leader worked with BISIG to begin the process of having the curriculum guidebook
prepared for printing. BISIG is in the process of preparing the guidebook, and several
illustrations have been identified to be included in the guidebook. The project leader BISIG
are planning to have some pictures of students taken as illustrations depicting a variety of the
activities identified in the guidebook.
The project leader and two consultants accomplished the following:
1. Reviewed and revised the Getting to Know You product
2. Identified graphics to be included in the product
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3. Identified illustrations to be included in the guidebook
4. Identified items to be included in the kit
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will work, with involvement of the consultants, will develop the kit. Some
items will need to be purchased (blindfolds, simulators, books). Goals to meet for 2009
include:
1. Project leader will develop the kit to accompany the curriculum guidebook.
2. Project leader will continue work with BISIG to take pictures of students
to include in the guidebook as illustrations of a variety of activities.
3. Project Leader will continue to work with BISIG to prepare curriculum
guidebook for printing.
Project leader will work with APH staff to have product ready for field testing by end of 2009.
Growing Up
(Completed)
Purpose
A practical way to assess using the knowledge of parents, who know their child. It is a
complete curriculum that provides for assessment, instruction and monitoring of progress.
Specific activities are identified to use to develop areas of strength and weakness. Growing Up
is a complete curriculum for children birth to 72 months of age
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Lee Robinson, Consultant
John Aicken, Assistant Director of Research
Background
This program was designed for parents in home-based service programs. It has been used in a
variety of settings: schools for the blind, institutions for severely disabled, Head Start
programs, and day care programs. The primary audiences would be parents and teachers who
work with children with visual impairments including those with additional disabilities. The
assessment is completed by parents to identify what the child can do. A profile is developed
from this information and leads to specific activities the parent/teacher can work on to achieve
the next step in developmental sequences. The curriculum covers the six major developmental
domains and has 54 sequences. Each activity suggests materials that can be used.
Because Growing Up is a complete curriculum that provides for assessment, instruction, and
monitoring of progress of blind and visually impaired children, birth to 72 months, the project
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leader wanted to explore how APH might promote this product. Two possibilities exist: It can
be a cash product and carried in the APH catalog, or it could become an APH quota product.
Work during FY 2008
APH staff worked with Lee Robinson to include Growing Up in the APH catalogues. An
agreement was finalized between APH and Robinson, and Growing Up will be a pass-through
item beginning in August 2007. APH will promote the product when exhibiting at conferences
and other functions. This project has been completed.
Moving Ahead: Tactile Graphic Storybooks
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide print/braille storybooks for upper preschool, kindergarten and first grade students
featuring tactile graphics designed to encourage tactual exploration, refine tactual
discrimination, and introduce tactile symbols, simple keys, and maps in the context of a story
Project staff
Suzette Wright, Project Leader/Author
Lois Harrell, Project Consultant/Author
Mila Truan, Project Consultant
Josephine Stratton, Project Consultant
Background
Symbolic visual displays, such as maps and diagrams, play an increasingly important role in
textbooks and computer displays for students with typical vision. They present a special
challenge for students with significant vision loss, who are often expected to use a tactile
equivalent in the course of their studies and in test-taking. Observers have suggested difficulty
interpreting tactile displays may be due, in part, to lack of early exposure. Storybooks
developed in this project are designed to give young students early opportunities to explore
and interpret tactile illustrations that feature raised symbols, lines and areal patterns. Of equal
importance, the storybooks offer exposure to braille and foster key emergent literacy skills.
The print/braille text of the books is intended to be read aloud by an adult reader. Embedded
text (in large print and the user’s choice of either contracted or uncontracted braille) offers
opportunities for the student to explore and read single words and short phrases, just as they
might read labels included in a tactile diagram.
Initially, project leader efforts focused upon identifying objectives and selecting or creating
story texts and graphic media to support these. Lois Harrell served as project consultant,
authoring a book and reviewing drafts of other books. Project leader Fred Otto suggested the
subject and objectives for another of the stories drafted. Based on input from expert
reviewers, four stories were chosen from a large pool of drafts. A variety of tactile media were
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considered. Paper embossed graphics were selected for the first book. A combination of
embossed braille and Tactile Visions graphics was selected for three books.
Multiple prototypes of each of the four books were hand-produced. Accompanying storyboards
(featuring symbols from the story mounted to Velcro-backed pieces) were created to enable
students to create their own tactile displays. A Reader’s Guide including information about
introducing the child to the book’s tactile graphics and briefly discussing emergent literacy
skills and development of tactual learning skills was written to accompany each of the books.
Seven teacher-evaluators at seven sites participated in an expert review and conducted the
field evaluation of the books/storyboards with 23 students ranging in age from 4.5 to 11 years
of age, spanning an eight to ten week period. Without dissension, teachers indicated texts and
tactile graphics for all four books were interesting and appropriate for kindergarten and first
grade students; a majority also extended the books’ value upward to second grade students.
Teachers reported 94–100% of the students, in their opinion, had benefited from using the
books during the evaluation period and would benefit from using the books for a longer period
of time. Reasons given included: “increased motivation to read and exposure to braille and
tactile exploration;” “allowed student to experience tactile graphics with a purpose;” “tactile
graphics made the books more fun and motivated him to use his hands to explore and draw in
information;” “helped tracking skills.” The tactile graphics were also credited with enhancing
understanding of the stories for 90% of the students. Accompanying storyboards were
strongly endorsed by the teachers, who stated that their use improved comprehension, offered
students an important opportunity to create their own graphics, and were highly motivating. A
majority of teachers commented favorably on the Tactile Visions graphics. All evaluators rated
the visual graphics in the books as a “very important” component of the books, promoting
shared reading with typically sighted peers and adults and supplementing tactual information
for the many braille readers with usable vision. The three project consultants also reviewed
prototype books, provided favorable reviews and suggested changes to specific tactile
illustrations.
The four Moving Ahead Storybooks and accompanying components received approval for sale
on quota. It was decided that each of the four books be produced separately to assist flow
through the pre-production/tooling and production phases. Goin’ On a Bear Hunt was
produced and is available.
In order to produce the second storybook (Splish the Fish), sample tests were run to ensure
compatibility of the paper stock, the outside vendor’s inks, and the Tactile Visions process;
several problems with paper were encountered and resolved. It was necessary to design and
add a special switch and tray to the Tactile Visions machine to accommodate the book’s page
size. An initial pilot run of 100 books revealed some inconsistency in registration. A debriefing
addressed possible sources. Subsequent runs of the book have been problem-free.
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Work during FY 2008
After resolving design and production
challenges of Splish the Fish, the
graphic designer began final tooling for
the third book in this series (The Boy
and the Wolf). This book is similar in
format to Splish; both utilize a unique
combination of full-color visual graphics,
Tactile Visions graphics, and paperembossed braille. The storybook’s text
has been translated into braille and
proofed. The designer has also
completed final tooling for the print
Reader’s Guide; it, too, has been
translated into braille. Technical
Research is conducting a limited test of
a one page “spread” on the Tactile
Visions machine. Lois Harrell is the
author of the third storybook in the series.
[Cover art for The Boy and the Wolf,
a Moving Ahead Tactile Graphic storybook.]
Final text for the fourth storybook in the series (Turtle and Rabbit) has been given to the
graphic designer so that creation of final tooling can begin.
Work planned for FY 2009
Technical Research will write final specifications for The Boy and the Wolf; it is anticipated
thatThe Boy and the Wolf will be produced and available in early spring 2009. Completion of
final tooling, specification, and production of Turtle and Rabbit will continue.
Preschool Attainment Through Typical Everyday Routines (PATTER)
(New)
Purpose
Curriculum and assessment tool designed to facilitate a visually impaired child's learning of the
skills that preschool children are expected to master through involvement in typical household
routines
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Sandra Lewis, Consultant
Background
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Research has documented that the families of young children with visual impairments tend to
allow their children to be passive participants in the activities that surround them, especially
the naturally occurring events that are typically required to maintain a home. Because of the
issues inherent in congenital blindness and visual impairment (difficulty with incidental
learning, reluctance to explore, low muscle tone, etc.), it is the belief of the developers of the
PATTER that the families of young children with visual impairments tend to allow their children
to be passive participants in the activities that surround them, especially the naturally
occurring events that are typically required to maintain a home. Because of the issues inherent
in congenital blindness and visual impairment (difficulty with incidental learning, reluctance to
explore, low muscle tone, etc.), these children don't demand, as children with vision do, to be
involved with what the grown-ups are doing. As a result, these children have difficulty
acquiring concepts, language, social skills, motor milestones, and self-concept.
PATTER is designed to invite parents to have their children who are blind or who have low
vision help with making the bed, putting groceries in the cart, washing the car, and so forth. It
is intended to encourage parents to appreciate what it means to "treat the blind child like you
would any other child"--not by waiting for the child to initiate an interest in these activities (as
typical children do)--but by just involving the child. It is the belief of the developers of PATTER
that young children with visual impairments learn through doing--by being actively engaged in
meaningful activities.
The project leader reviewed PATTER materials and decided that the product should be
evaluated as a possible APH quota product.
The product idea form was submitted by Sandra Lewis, Director of the Teacher Training
Program for Teachers of the Visually Impaired at Florida State. The product idea went through
the review procedures at APH, and the decision was to pursue PATTER as an APH product.
John Aicken, Assistant Director of Research, worked with Lewis to secure a contract. The
contract was secured, including APH gaining exclusive rights to PATTER making it eligible to
become a quota product. The project leader obtained the master videos of PATTER from Lewis
and they are being evaluated as to their quality.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and consultant completed the following tasks in 2008:
1. Thoroughly reviewed all components of PATTER for the purpose of
determining whether additional ones should be developed. No additional
components were identified.
2. Developed additional routines for participation by the child.
3. Coordinated PATTER videos transference to DVD format.
4. Videos were reviewed by BISIG to determine their quality. This process is
ongoing.
5. PATTER manuscript was reviewed and revised by project leader and
consultant. Appropriate changes made.
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6. Project leader met with BISIG to begin identifying layout of product, and any
graphics to be included.
7. BISIG finalized guidebook for printing, and prepared DVD for duplication.
8. Appropriate documents and materials have been sent to production to prepare
this product for sale.
The project leader worked with research assistant to complete editing of product. The project
leader will continued work with consultant to finalize written document once editing is
completed. Project leader worked with BISIG to determining what graphics will be included in
the guidebook. A final review was made of the quality of the videos to determine if any
retakes are needed to improve quality. The product will not need to be sent out for field
review as three expert reviewers have provided positive feedback indicating this will be a
valuable product to have on quota for the field to purchase and use. It is anticipated this
product will be available for distribution by August 2008.
Work planned for FY 2009
PATTER will be available to purchase on quota during FY 2009. PATTER does not need to be
field tested.
Reach for the Stars
(Modernization)
Purpose
To review and modernize the product Reach for the Stars.
Project Staff
Charles “Burt” Boyer, Early Childhood Project Leader
Jennifer Grisham-Brown, Consultant
Diane Haynes, Consultant
Background
The need for this product has not changed since it became a federal quota item in 1999. The
educational principles identified when this product was developed has not changed, but new
interventions may result in a revision of this product.
The authors of Reach for the Stars, Dr. Jennifer Grisham-Brown and Diane Haynes, stated, “It
is a person-centered planning process designed to facilitate the development of educational
plans that will lead to inclusive education programs for young children with disabilities. The
process was developed to be used with several audiences. First, families of children with
disabilities can use the material to articulate their hopes and dreams for their child’s future.
The materials are designed so that a family may complete the maps and supporting materials
prior to attending a transition meeting for their child. Service providers may use the material
to interview a family regarding their desires for their child’s future.”
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Research will be conducted to determine if there are national standards pertaining to
transition, especially in early childhood years. Particular attention will be paid to transitioning
from two to three years old because three is the time when public schools get involved with
the education of children, including those with disabilities. Also, transition from the programs
serving children with disabilities who are 3 to 5 years of age. Transitioning from kindergarten
to primary (first grade to 2nd grade) will be addressed.
Reach for the Stars has been an effective transition tool, but the authors and the early
childhood project leader believes the product can be substantially improved and made more
user friendly for families and service providers.
Work done in FY 2008
The early childhood project leader and the authors, Dr. Jennifer Grisham-Brown and Diane
Haynes, met to discuss what would be involved in reviewing and modernizing the Reach for
the Stars. The conclusion was that Reach for the Stars does need modernizing, and the
following steps occurred:
1. The Assistant Director of Research worked with Dr. Jennifer Grisham-Brown
and Diane Haynes to secure a consultant contract with each of them. The
contracts were developed and the authors signed them.
2. Another meeting was held involving the early childhood project leader and the
authors, and the result was to form a focus group to review Reach for the
Stars and make recommendations to modernize the product.
3. A focus group was convened on March 26, 2008, at General Butler State Park
and Resort to carry out the plan. Many recommendations came from the
focus group and everyone felt the activity was very beneficial.
4. The consultants and early childhood project leader developed a plan of action
that included a timeline for completion of the product in 2010.
Work planned for FY 2009
The following activities are planned for FY 2009:
1. The authors will have a specific work plan completed by November 1, 2008. The plan
Includes:
a) Research as to whether or not there are national standards for transition, especially
the early years.
b) Consultants and early childhood project leader will identify components of Reach for
the Stars that need revising.
c) Consultants and early childhood project leader will identify new components to be
included in the modernization of the product.
d) Work will begin on revisions of the product.
e) During the 2008 Annual Meeting of APH Ex-Officio Trustees October 2-5, 2008, the
consultants and early childhood project leader will do a product review presentation.
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f)
A specific work plan will be developed in May, 2009, outlining work to be done so the
modernization can be completed in 2010 and the product made available on federal
quota.
Revision of the Handbook, On the Way to Literacy:
Early Experiences for Visually Impaired Children
(Completed)
Purpose
To revise the handbook for parents and teachers to include the most current information
concerning emergent literacy for children with visual impairments
Project staff
Suzette Wright, Project Leader, Co-author
Josephine Stratton, Project Consultant, Co-author
Monica Vaught, Research/Project Assistant
Background
Children who have not formed a foundation of
skills before entering kindergarten are at risk
for later reading difficulties. During a child’s
earliest years, adults play a critical role,
helping a child develop positive attitudes
about literacy and build early literacy skills.
Josephine Stratton and Suzette Wright coauthored the first edition of the handbook,
which presents a framework for developing
the abilities that form the foundation for
literacy for children with visual impairments,
from infancy through the preschool years.
Since publication of the handbook in 1991,
knowledge in the field of emergent literacy
has expanded, and a product submission by
Dr. Stratton indicated the need to co-author a
new edition of the handbook.
[Photo of the new On the Way to Literacy print handbook
and accompanying CD of accessible files.]
The project authors reviewed the literature regarding emergent literacy for typically sighted
and visually impaired children. The project consultant provided rough drafts of sections
addressing emergent writing, transition to beginning reading, phonemic awareness, tips for
using story boxes and tactile experience stories but was unable to provide further material.
The project leader assumed responsibility for writing the remainder of the new edition and
incorporating material from the first edition with new material. The result is a largely new
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document, with new formatting and over 250 illustrations.
The new edition of the handbook is organized by topic to provide a better overview of the
development of skills within each of the following areas:
 Early communication and language—the ability to communicate, speak
and listen with understanding
 Concepts—understandings, formed through experience, that give meaning
to language the child learns
 Skills needed for learning through touch and for reading braille
 Knowledge about written language—including awareness of the many
ways print and braille are used, knowledge of print and braille conventions,
and the relationship of letters and letter-sounds
It brings together material from a variety of sources: the field of teaching children with visual
impairments, research regarding early literacy for typically sighted children, including recent
findings of the National Early Literacy Panel.
The completed draft of the new handbook and sample formats were sent for review to five
educators and three parents. All indicated the draft was clearly written. Seven of the eight
stated it met the needs of more than 80% of teachers for information regarding emergent
literacy for a young child with a visual impairment. Four of the eight reviewers stated the
current draft met the needs of more than 80% of parents for information; two reviewers
stated it met the needs of most (60-80%) of parents. (Reviewers who indicated the draft met
the needs of less than 60% of parents stated this was because the draft did not explicitly
discuss the needs of a child with multiple disabilities.) A majority of reviewers said the draft
was organized appropriately both parents and teachers. Favorable comments about the draft
included: “This should work as a great reference resource for both families and teachers.” “I
like that you have lots of up to date study results so we can be assured that it’s right on target
for our kids.” “The expository text is well-crafted and chockfull of interesting details. The
bulleted lists will inform readers who don’t want/need
the full dose.” Three reviewers recommended the draft’s
reading level be lowered. It was also suggested the
draft be more explicit regarding applicability for students
with multiple disabilities and refer readers to additional
resources on this and other topics affecting young
children with visual impairments. Following the field
evaluation, the draft was revised in accordance with
reviewers’ recommendations, including provision of a
glossary and expansion of the book’s appendices. The
main text was streamlined by separating and placing
supporting information and research in adjoining text
boxes. A more comprehensive Introduction/Overview
and a Preface, orienting readers to the book, were written.
[Photo of a print copy of the Guide to Designing
Tactile Illustrations for Children’s Books.]
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After final editing, the document was passed to the graphic designer for formatting. A format
was designed based on the sample format preferred by reviewers. Creation of the document in
several accessible file formats followed. These were placed on a CD that accompanies both the
print and braille versions of the handbook. Files leading to production of the braille version of
the book were completed and the braille edition was proofed.
Work during FY 2008
The print and braille editions of the handbook became available in December of 2007.
Advertising copy was prepared to announce the new handbook’s availability.
Although work on the handbook is complete, work continued on a former appendix of the 2nd
edition of the On the Way to Literacy handbook. The new stand-alone document, titled Guide
to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children’s Books, was completed. The project leader
revised and developed the 36-page document as a separate piece upon the recommendation
of the handbook’s field reviewers, who were concerned the material would be overlooked if
published as an appendix. The project leader completed revisions to the document, selected
photos, and added lists of resources. The document was formatted before placement at the
APH website. In the fall of 2008, it will be available at the APH website as a free digital
download (PDF, HTML, and BRF formats are provided). It is positioned under the Research
tab.
Work planned for FY 2009
The 2nd edition of the handbook, On the Way to Literacy: Early Experiences for Visually
Impaired Children is available in print and in braille. The Guide to Designing Tactile
Illustrations for Children’s Books, a free digital download, is also complete.
Teaching Puzzles for the Light Box
(Continued)
Purpose
The purpose is to have learning be fun, and to have puzzles which children can manipulate as
well as use on the light box.
Project Staff
Charles “Burt” Boyer, Early Childhood Project Leader
Background
Several users on the Early Intervention List Serve have suggested more products need to be
made available from APH for use on the Light Box. In addition, early childhood project leader
heard those suggestions from attendees at various conferences who visited the APH booth in
exhibit halls. The Face Puzzle and Ball Puzzle are very popular APH products to be used on
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the light box. The early childhood project leader will develop more puzzles for the light box
that will be manipulatives, and, at the same time, benefit children with usable vision. The
puzzles will be used to teach a variety of concepts, and several categories will be included:
Farm animals, body parts, foods, fruits, shapes, etc.. The puzzles will have color
discrimination and activities will be written for each puzzle to teach about the theme (farm
animals, fruits, shapes, body parts, etc.).
An example of how this will work: Take the category of fruits to include apple, banana,
orange, grapes, etc. Each fruit will be a puzzle, and activities will describe each fruit allowing
the child/student to learn about that particular fruit. The puzzles can be assembled on a flat
surface or on the light box. This type of learning will be fun.
Work during FY 2008
Research was completed on APH products available for use on the light box. Research was
also completed on APH products available for use on the light box than can be used as standalone manipulatives. A review of the literature was conducted to determine what products are
available that are not presently available from APH.
Categories were identified and the early childhood project leader is in the process of writing
activities to accompany the puzzles. The categories include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fruits—orange, apple, banana, grapes, strawberry
Body Parts—arm, hand, foot, leg, head (ears, eyes, mouth, nose)
Farm Animals—children, horse, pig, cow, dog, cat
Shapes—irregular shapes
Tree—branch, limb, trunk, bark, leaves
More categories are under consideration for this product.
Work planned for FY 2009
The following goals will be met:
 The activities for all categories and items listed for each category will be
completed.
 Design of product will be finalized. Each puzzle will be identified in terms
of how many pieces will make up the item (hand, grapes, horse, etc.).
 Written materials will be given to BISIG for development.
 Early childhood project leader will work with Technical Research Division
on design of manipulatives and steps to take to get the manipulatives
produced.
Product will be ready for Federal quota in FY 2010.
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The Best for a Nest
(New)
Purpose
To modernize product; The Best for a Nest is a book that was submitted to APH by Lois
Harrell, and has been distributed by APH as a quota item since 1986.
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Background
The Best for a Nest was created to allow emphasis on prepositions. Each page in the book
offers a controlled written presentation. The corresponding tactile illustrations are directly
related to the text. The simplicity of both allows the focus to be upon what is happening, while
avoiding unnecessary details. Approximately 70% of the 136 word vocabulary is comprised of
words that appear on the Dolch list. The material in the story allows opportunity for further
elaboration. Basic concepts can be explored in the tactile illustrations: counting, left and right,
comparisons, and top and bottom.
Work during FY 2008
The project leaded worked with APH staff, Lois Harrell, consultant for product, and BISIG, the
project leader completed the following tasks:
1. Reviewed and revised the written document, and made changes
determined to be appropriate.
2. Project leader collaborated with APH staff, Lois Harrel , and BISIGl to
identify layout of product:
a) Size of print
b) Size of book (paper size)
c) Where braille is to be located on storybook pages
d) How graphics are to be done (print and tactile)
e) How Story Book will be used as part of the product.
f) Size of Story Book
g) Identified manipulatives to be used on the Story Board, and materials
used to make the manipulatives.
The project leader worked with APH staff on idea of having a family of items that can be used
to illustrate words on each page of the book. The idea is to have Velcro board and then place
items in proper position to illustrate what is on the page (i.e. tree, bird, bird nest, grass, etc.).
133
As each page is read to the child, the child can place the items in the proper position to
illustrate what is on each page. The idea is to have the statement in large print and Braille on
each page, and print graphics showing what is meant by the phrase on a particular page.
Tactile illustration will be done by using the method described above allowing the child to
manipulate items to make the illustration.
Work planned for FY 2009
BISIG has completed their work to have Best for a Nest ready to be sent to Technical
Research Division of APH. The Technical Research Division will work with the project leader to
prepare the product to be printed and Brailed. This part of the product should be completed
in early 2009.
The project leader will work with Technical Research Division to develop the manipulatives to
be used on the Story Board for tactile illustrations of the story. This part of the project is
going to take considerable time to complete. It is anticipated that the manipulatives will be
completed in FY 2009, and the product can be sent out to the field for field testing. It is
anticipated this product will be ready for sale in early FY 2010.
The National Registry for Children with Visual Impairments, Birth to Three
(Continued)
Purpose
To establish a national registry of young children, birth to 36 months, by working with public
and private agencies to collect standardized epidemiological and demographic data on young
children with visual impairments. All data are coded to assure confidentiality of children and
families. Collaborating agencies will forward the data to a national registry center at the
American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Coordinator
Deborah Hatton, Research Scientist
Edwin Shelton, Technical Consultant
Background
In 1995, the Model Registry of Early Childhood Visual Impairment Consortium Group
(MRECVICG) was established to address the issue of data collection to ensure its consistent
and systematic completion. The mission of MRECVICG was to develop and implement a model
registry of birth to 3-year-old blind and visually impaired children, and to demonstrate the
feasibility of a registry that could be replicated on a national basis. The MERCVICG was a highpowered committee representative of agencies serving children with visual impairments,
departments of education, institutions of higher education, and the medical community.
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In late 1998, four members of the MRECVICG developed a proposal requesting that the
American Printing House for the Blind assume the project as a national project. Tuck Tinsley,
Ed.D., President of APH, presented the proposal to the Board of Trustees and in June 1999, it
was officially announced that APH would assume the project. In August 2000, an Early
Childhood Project Leader was employed in the Research Department by APH, and APH agreed
to begin collecting data in January 2001. The Board is to be commended for approving the use
of endowment funds to support this project.
Benefits of the project include:
Establish a centralized registry of children with visual impairments, birth to three.
 Develop a database that will more clearly define the population of infants/toddlers
who are blind and visually impaired as none presently exists.
 Provide APH with a database to identify early trends in etiologies and demographics
which will help give data and direction to APH for future research and
product/materials development
 Allow for the development of outcome research and stimulate studies by other
professionals, e.g. education, medical, sociological.
 Assist personnel preparation programs to be more responsive to the needs of the field
based upon numbers of blind and visually impaired children, changing etiologies and
geographical distribution of children.
 Provide a natural transition from the centralized registry for children with visual
impairments, birth to three, to the Federal Quota Program.
 Assist with program development, assessment/evaluation, pre-service/in-service
training, funding, and advocacy.
 The project coordinator continued efforts to add additional participants to the project.
When the project was taken over by APH in 2001, there were eight states
participating. Presently there are 26 states participating, and another five states have
been trained to get involved. Most states have several agencies providing early
intervention services to blind and visually impaired children, birth to 3. With this in
mind, there are presently 43 agencies participating. A total of 2,155 surveys were
entered into the database as of December 31, 2004. Approximately 3,300 surveys are
now in the database. An analysis was done on the 2,155 surveys, and a PowerPoint
presentation developed. The project coordinator presented the data at several
conferences during 2007.
Work done in FY 2008
The project coordinator continued to encourage more states and agencies to participate in the
project. Project coordinator participated in several conferences and seminars to promote the
project. An Advisory Committee was established to review the present status of the Babies
Count Project, and to recommend strategies to improve the project in the future. Advisory
Committee members included: Dr. Deborah Hatton, Tom Miller, Dr. Lee Robinson, Gail
Cavello, Chris Tompkins, Mindy Ely, and Janie Blome. Some of the recommendations included:
1. To have data entered analyzed on a annual basis.
135
2. To identify 12 to 17 items from the survey to be analyzed annually for each
participating agency.
3. To upgrade/revise the present database.
4. To have a place on the APH web site just for Babies Count.
The project leader for Babies Count did not complete the above-recommendations from the
Advisory Committee. Several new states joined Babies Count during FY 2008: Kansas, Texas,
Montana, Nevada. Interest in the project continues to be fairly high. Pennsylvania, Florida,
and Michigan have shown a desire to get involved.
Work planned for FY 2009
The following goals will be met in FY 2009:
1. Analysis of data entered between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2008.
2. Twelve to seventeen items will be identified from the survey to be analyzed on
an annual basis for each participating agency.
3. There will be a link on the APH web site just for Babies Count.
4. Five new states will be added to the Babies Count Project.
5. Surveys sent to the project leader by participating agencies will be entered
into the database within one week of receipt.
6. Project leader will communicate more effectively with participating agencies
using the message link on the database.
7. Project leader will continue to promote the Babies Count Project by
presenting/attending at conferences and seminars.
This is an important project and provides invaluable information to the field about the
characteristics of children we will be serving in the future.
What Is It?
(Continued)
Purpose
To promote comparative thinking and the ability to generalize
Project Staff
Charles "Burt" Boyer, Project Leader
Lois Harrell, Consultant
Background
The initial opportunity to develop comparative thinking can be different for a child who does
not have detail vision. It initially takes more time and active exposure to things, activities, and
people. With the blind child who does not have a visual memory, the foundation for processing
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consistencies and then moving on to comparative thinking takes lots of active experience with
real objects and purposeful involvement, combined with verbal descriptions to develop images
that can be evoked by words. Some children may parrot phrases or labels, but they may be
actually using empty words that have no value beyond rote memory until real associations are
able to be made. Even when we are aware of the importance of "motor knowledge" or active
experiences for the child's mind to acquire tangible associations, we are often at a loss as to
how to expand on the child's interpreting skills.
The goal is to help the blind child develop the tools for comparative thinking and generalizing
for a real basis. It is for us to become aware of all the rich detail information that can be
internalized and interpreted through other modalities than vision. And it is for us to help the
child become aware of these identifying qualities by gaining purposeful processing techniques.
Why, What Is It? It is a communication game that allows the mind to exercise use of words
and to direct thoughts in terms of associations and descriptors. Also, the shear reward of
thinking may take the focus off of performance for others and just have the fun of, "Yes, I
knew that!" What is it is a game that allows the blind child to have fun, but develop
comparative thinking skills.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader collaborated with Harrell to review and revise the product. Once the review
and revisions were completed, the project leader worked with a research assistant to have the
written product edited, and appropriate changes were made to the product. The words and
descriptors were selected to be included in the product. The project leader worked with APH
staff and BISIG to determine.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Layout of product.
Size of cards showing word and descriptors.
Graphics to be included.
How product is to be packaged.
BISIG, with the assistance of APH staff, prepared the product to be sent to the Technical
Research Division for review and recommendations prior to sending on to production. Ten
prototypes of the product are presently being developed so the product can be field tested.
The product for field testing includes: Instructional Guidebook, Words and Descriptors (101),
and a recipe-type box to store the cards.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will send the ten prototypes to ten professionals in the field of blindness to
have them field test the product. Upon receipt of the feedback from the field testing, the
project leader will work with APH staff to make the revisions that are appropriate and have
Technical Research Division send the product to production for final development. It is
anticipated the product will be available for sale by mid-FY 2009.
137
Educational
Games
138
Sudoku Partner
(Continued)
Purpose
To devise an inexpensive, easily portable, and practical way for blind users to set up and solve
sudoku puzzles
Project staff
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Anita Rutledge, Model Maker/Assistant
Background
With the sudden and expanding popularity of these number-based puzzles for both
recreational and classroom use, finding a tactile adaptation for them seemed appropriate.
Investigation online indicates that sudoku is being used in school classrooms with sighted
students from 4th grade upward for developing logic, memory, and spatial awareness. There
are also adult blind users who have devised their own adaptations, with varying degrees of
success.
Based on the common practice (among sighted puzzle solvers) of using pencil marks to keep
track of possible answers, the project leader wanted to design a tactile system that allows for
a similar kind of note-taking. This feature would set the product apart from other brailleadapted sudoku boards being sold by various companies.
Work done in FY 2008
The project leader continued to experiment with different designs and evaluated samples
produced by the assistant to find the best results.
A small number of prototypes of a 6 x 6 game board were made in order to test the
workability of the concept. These boards were given a pilot feasibility test by five blind sudoku
solvers recruited from an online sudoku discussion group. These adults were located in Hawaii,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin.
All of the respondents had success in using the 6 x 6 prototype and indicated their wish that
APH produce it for sale. Their responses suggest that, after an initial period of familiarization,
they gained speed and accuracy in solving the puzzles using the board. Some improvements
were also suggested, and these will be incorporated in the product design. The evaluators also
urged the development of a full-size 9 x 9 board using the same system.
Work planned for FY 2009
The 6 x 6 version of the solving board will be designed and produced for sale. Development,
prototyping and field evaluation of the 9 x 9 board will take place.
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Treks
(Ongoing)
Purpose
To develop a game for reinforcing compass skills, orientation and travel concepts, and
familiarity with cardinal and secondary compass directions
Project Staff
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Model and Pattern Maker
Katherine Corcoran, Model and Pattern Maker
Frank Hayden, Prototype Specifications
Paul Olson, Original Design
Background
A game called Compass Attack was submitted by Paul H. Olson, who created it for use with
mobility students at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind. The instructions are
both simple and flexible, so the game has initial appeal and the potential for keeping interest
through adaptation. The educational aspect is promoted by the requirement that students
announce the compass direction of every move they make as they send pieces across the
board.
The project leader, in consultation with Mr. Olson, made numerous revisions to the game and
wrote a new game booklet. The revised game features rule variations that can make the game
simpler or more complex. At the suggestion of in-house staff, overlays have been added;
these change the focus of the game from cardinal compass directions to secondary directions
or street names.
Work during FY 2008
The newly designed game board and pieces, along with the instructions and suggested game
variations, were field evaluated in the winter of 2007/2008. A total of 52 students, elementary
age through adult, used the prototypes at sites in these states: Alabama, California, Florida,
Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
In addition to qualitative evaluation of various facets of the game’s design and presentation,
the field test included a set of five tasks designed to show the impact of the game on students’
speed and accuracy in naming compass directions. The results were very positive and held
across age groups: In all five tasks, when students were not already proficient at indicating
directions before playing the game, approximately two out of three students improved their
speed and accuracy after playing just a few times.
Some design revisions were made to the board after the field evaluation, specifically related to
the hole spacing and the coloring of the board. Production specifications were written up.
140
Work planned for FY 2009
The game will move into the production schedule and will become available for sale.
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Low Vision
142
Address: Earth
Large Format Atlas, Section 2
(Continued)
Purpose
The Large Format Atlas provides guidelines for the creation, formatting and appearance of
large print maps. Working relationships with the University of Louisville Geography
Department, National Geographic, and experts in the fields of geography and history also have
been established. Highly-trained consultants have provided useful input in the production of a
truly accessible, enhanced format atlas for students with low vision. These efforts will
ultimately produce an atlas that will be visible, understandable and useful for the student with
low vision who is a large print reader. Section 1 was made available in 2007 and Section 2 is
on track to be produced next.
Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Ann Travis, Research Assistant
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Dr. Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant
Robert Forbes, Project Consultant/University Liaison
Matt Smith, Cartographer
Adam Coomes, Cartographer
Kevin Devine, Cartographer
Amy Sadler, Cartographer
Dr. Jeffrey Lucas, Expert/Writer
Dr. David Pepper, Expert/Writer
Dr. Phillip Cantrell, Expert/Writer
Dr. Anu Sabhlok, Expert/Writer
Iman Azzi, Expert/Writer
James Erwin, Expert/Writer
Dr. Carol Hanchette, Expert/Writer
Dr. Andrew Novak, Expert/Writer
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Frank Hayden, Technical Researcher
David McGee, Technical Researcher
Background
The American Printing House for the Blind received a strong recommendation from the
Publications Committee in 2001 and in previous years to produce a world atlas in large format.
Previous attempts to create such an atlas met with poor results. It was decided to convene a
focus group made up of people who had expertise in both low vision and geography, as well
as people with experience in literacy issues and student use issues in order to develop the
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guidelines. The guidelines were developed in 2001 and 2002, and a work group was convened
in order to learn to use mapping software (ArcView). In 2003 the consultants began to write
the chapter content for the Atlas, while APH staff checked facts, made edits, and maintained
good communication among all parties.
Vice President in charge of Public Affairs, Gary Mudd, and his administrative assistant, Nancy
Lacewell, met several times with officers of National Geographic in Washington, D.C. They
opened a dialogue between APH and National Geographic for the purpose of exploring the
potential for a joint effort in producing a large print atlas. During these conversations, it
became apparent that APH processes and National Geographic processes were not compatible
and collaboration was not feasible. The decision was made to continue work on the atlas with
the expert help available from the University of Louisville Geography and Geosciences
Department. Two years later, National Geographic offered to review maps after they were
developed by APH in collaboration with the University of Louisville’s Geography and
Geosciences Department.
With information about the latest technology, guidelines for the content and proposed format of
the Student World Atlas were shaped. The consultants and APH staff undertook work on the first
section and it was completed and made available in September of 2007.
Work during FY 2008
In 2007 the project leader and department director decided to contact geography and history
experts, to write the units. Most were professors at universities. Contracts were drawn up and
eight experts joined the project. They wrote the units and some sidebars for Russia,
Continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Central America and MesoAmerica.
Section 2 is now being edited. In the next few months, the edited text will be laid out as
photographs and sidebars are added. Maps will be sent to National Geographic for review and
revisions will be made based upon the suggested changes. Content will be reviewed by
experts, teachers, students and bias reviewers. Technical Research personnel will draw up
specifications and production schedules. Production processes will begin.
Work planned for FY 2009
Text editing on Section 3 will continue as will photo acquisition. Layout and review by experts,
teachers, students and bias reviewers will take place. Schedules will be drawn up.
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Appropriate Intervention Techniques
Formerly: Best Intervention Techniques
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide educators and interventionists with a video that displays and discusses appropriate
practices for interventions with young children who have visual impairments.
Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Dr. Amanda Hall-Lueck, Lead Consultant
Dr. Toni Heinze, Consultant
Carol Roderick, Research Assistant
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Background
There are many interventions and steps practitioners take when they perform functional vision
evaluations on very young children with vision impairments. Today, practitioners see very
complicated children who have neurological, cognitive, and physical deficits as well as vision
problems. Guidelines are needed to identify appropriate practices, and to provide guidance to
the practitioner who is dealing with children from uncomplicated, to very involved and
medically-complicated.
Dr. Amanda Hall-Lueck, an educator and researcher in the fields of low vision and early
childhood, proposed and worked on this project. The resulting video/DVD is expected to be of
great assistance to the practitioner who is seeking to find ways to resolve function of the
visual system and lead the young child through appropriate developmental stages and to
students who are planning to become teachers of students with visual impairments.
Drs. Hall-Lueck and Dr. Heinze video taped interventions they performed with young children
who had a wide range of abilities. Once the raw footage was obtained, Dr. Lueck wrote a
script to accompany it. The footage and script were turned over to the project leader for
development of a professional-style video. Dr. Hall-Lueck also developed a short sample video
to use at professional conferences.
Work during FY 2008
The taped material was put into DVD Format to make it more accessible during the editing
process. The footage was reviewed by two staff members of Educational Research and found
to have some problematic areas both in audio and content. In talks with the consultants it
was suggested that APH do voice overs in places where the audio was not usable. Editing of
the script has been completed, but other edits may be necessary when film editing takes
place. A narrator has been selected.
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Work planned for FY 2009
Video clips will now be merged with story boards, introductions, credits and music. Editing will
continue until the video is perfected. The video will then be reviewed by experts. Once the
review is done, suggested changes will be made and the presentation will be closed captioned
and fitted with video description. It will then be duplicated and made available for sale.
CCTV Ruler
(Completed)
Purpose
The purpose for development of the CCTV Ruler was to provide a ruler that could be used with
a CCTV. When regular rulers are used with a CCTV, often contrast between the ruler material
and the measurement marks is low. APH consumers requested a high-contrast, transparent
ruler which could provide the best-possible contrast and the best method to line up the ruler
with the object being measured. Thus the CCTV Ruler was developed.
Project Staff
Erica Rucker, Project Leader
Elaine Kitchel, Project Assistant
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Frank Hayden, Technical Researcher
Background
APH received a request and an idea from a consumer to make a clear ruler for use by people
who also use video magnifiers. Apparently a clear ruler works much better with a video
magnifier because it is much easier to see what is being measured if one can see what is
underneath the ruler. The consumer sent in a prototype to illustrate her thoughts about the
design.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and the Technical Research Department developed several prototypes
including some with metric measurements. A set of prototypes was finalized and sent out for
field testing. Revisions to the product were made based upon data gathered during the field
test. Design and materials were finalized. Specifications and documentation were finalized and
the ruler was produced in two colors and an array of measurements.
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Determining Appropriate Visual Reading Media
for Students with Low Vision
Formerly: Optimizing the Reading of Text
(Continued)
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to conduct basic research to determine visual accommodation
needs, requirements, and strategies of students with low vision when reading passages of
continuous text. With the research now done, the focus shifts to the development of a decision
tree based on data analysis.
Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, APH Project Leader
Dr. Amanda Hall Lueck, Project Consultant & Researcher
Ian Bailey, O.D., Consulting Research Optometrist
Helen Dornbusch, O.D., Consulting Research Optometrist
Background
This was the third in a sequence of studies on how magnification, accommodation, and the
visual reserve affect reading efficiency in students who already know how to read.
Production of reading passages was completed. The team developed comprehension
questions for the selected passages and conducted pilot testing. Data were collected,
analyzed and published.
The data analysis was incorporated into a report and published in the Journal of Blindness and
Visual Impairment in 2006. A decision tree to help teachers and interventionist’s select
appropriately-sized learning media for students with low vision is now being developed.
Work during FY 2008
A working model of the decision tree was developed and was reviewed by APH. The
developers requested more time to make revisions and enhancement to the tool. The writing
of the accompanying manual is underway.
Work planned for FY 2009
The user’s manual will be completed, edited and formatted. A CD of both the decision tree and
the manual will be developed for purposes of accommodation. Once these processes take
place, the project will go into production phase. It is planned for this project to be completed
in FY 2008.
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Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments, Revision
(Continued)
Purpose
The authors of “Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments” asked for an
opportunity to review the latest research and use it to update the product. The APH PARC
Committee agreed that it was important to bring the product up to date, so the revision was
approved. The book itself provides consumers with a comparison between infants with visual
impairments and infants with typical vision, their learning styles, learning needs, and
appropriate interventions.
Project Staff
Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Frank Hayden, Technical Researcher
Dr. Amanda Hall-Lueck, Consultant
Laurianne Matheson, Research Assistant
Background
The first edition of Developmental Guidelines was made available in 1999. Since that time,
there has been significant research conducted in the areas of early childhood, child
development, and development of children with visual impairments. The authors, Amanda
Hall-Lueck, Deborah Chen, Elizabeth Hartman, and Linda Kekelis requested the opportunity to
update the material in the book.
Work during FY 2008
The revisions, formatting, photo search, and edits were completed and copies were sent out
for expert review. Currently the data collected from expert review is undergoing analysis.
Work planned for FY 2009
Revisions will be made based upon expert review. After that, documentation and
specifications will be drawn up. The book will be transcribed into braille and HTML. The
product will be produced and made available.
Functional Vision Assessment/Learning Media Assessment
for Academic Students with Low Vision
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide teachers and practitioners with a functional vision assessment and learning media
assessment for K-12 students who are on an academic educational path.
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Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Dr. LaRhea Sanford, Consultant
Dr. Rebecca Burnett, Consultant
Frank Hayden, Technical Researcher
David McGee, Technical Researcher
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer
Background
Functional vision assessments for students, who are multiply disabled, have difficulties with
expressive or receptive language, or who are deaf blind, exist. Chief among those is ISAVE:
Individualized Systematic Assessment of Visual Efficiency, an APH product written by M. Beth
Langley. Yet, there is no particular functional vision assessment of academic students
available that is accepted as the standard by those who conduct these assessments.
However, Drs. LaRhea Sanford and Rebecca Burnett, have developed one that has established
credibility and use among teachers and practitioners. It was proposed that APH study the
Sanford-Burnett assessment, keeping in mind the possibility of making it widely-available as an
APH product.
For several years Drs. Sanford and Burnett used and distributed a functional vision
assessment/learning media assessment of their own creation. Over the years they have
refined and revised it. They received so many requests for it that the sale and distribution
became a burden to them. They approached APH with a proposal that APH become owner of
the instruments and take on the responsibilities of sale and distribution. This idea was
presented to the PET and PARC committees in January of 2005. The proposal was accepted
and the project was first assigned to the Accessible Tests Department, and later to the Low
Vision Project Leader.
Work during FY 2008
Prototypes of the instrument were developed and sent to recognized experts for further
review. A practitioner’s guidebook designed to accompany the assessments, was also
developed and reviewed. After expert review, suggested changes from the experts were
discussed with Drs. Sanford and Burnett. Specific changes and additions were identified and
made according to expert feedback.
The product specifications and documentation were drawn up and the product entered the
production phase. The product was completed and made available in July 2008.
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Lighting Guide Kit
Formerly: Vivid Vision Lamp
(Continued)
Purpose
Many students with visual impairments are expected to work under lighting conditions that are
not appropriate for their visual needs. Often this problem persists because parents and
professionals, who work with students with visual impairments, do not really understand what
is needed. APH decided to develop the Lighting Guide Kit to provide individuals with recent,
research-based information about what kind of lighting is needed by students with visual
impairments. In addition, APH decided to work with an engineer/inventor to provide the kind
of lamp most often needed by our consumers to accompany the Lighting Guide Book, “What
Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments need to Know about Lighting.”
Project Staff
Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Frank Hayden, Technical Researcher
Darlene Donhoff, Technical Researcher
Robin Mumford, Engineer/Developer
Background
Since 2000, the Project Leader has written chapters she planned to combine into a book called
“What Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments Need to Know about Lighting.”
Since 2001 APH has pursued the development and acquisition of a lamp that would emit light
friendly to persons with low vision. Most classrooms, indeed most schools and workplaces, are
lit by fluorescent tubes which emit light with strong spikes in the UV-A, (380nm to 315nm),
and blue light (500nm to 381nm) ranges. Light in these ranges has been shown to be harmful
to primate retinas, and has also been shown to produce glare, discomfort, and light blindness
with slow recovery in persons with low vision.
The challenge for APH was to develop or locate a light source which emitted light only in the
green and red ranges (680 to 501nm), which would be lightweight and useful for students. In
2006 the project leader became aware that Robin Mumford, an engineer who had devoted
much of his time to studying light and low vision, had developed a lamp which emitted light in
the exact range desired.
In 2007 it was decided that a combination of the book and the lamp as a product would be the
best way to proceed because.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader completed writing the book “What Teachers of Students with Visual
Impairments Need to Know about Lighting.” This book gives information about light and
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lighting in general, but it also provides specific user information about the Vivid Vision Lamp.
The project leader contacted Mr. Mumford about modifications that APH wanted to make to
the lamp, such as the addition of a parabolic lens, and the elimination of all blue light from the
emissions. The developer developed a tube that emitted virtually no blue or ultraviolet light
and he included a parabolic lens.
The book and the lamp together will make up the Lighting Guide Kit.
Work on serialization, contractual agreements, are in the final stages. Packaging and shipping
specifications have been developed.
Work planned for FY 2009
The book will be printed and transcribed into braille and braille files will be available for free
on the internet site. Braille hard copy will be available on demand. Contract negotiations with
the developer of the lamp will be finalized and the Lighting Guide Kit will be made available.
Maximize Multi-Camera Video Magnifier
(Completed)
Purpose
For many years, individuals who help provide materials and technology have asked APH for a
video magnifier for students with visual impairments. Until recently, the technology has not
existed to provide all the features required by APH consumers. When EITAC Solutions, LLC,
presented APH with the appropriate technology, it was decided to pursue the development of
the MaximEyes Video Magnifier because its new technology provides solutions to consumer
needs.
Project Staff
Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Laurianne Matheson, Consultant
Tim Curtin, Technical Developer
David McGee, Technical Research
Frank Hayden, Technical Research
Background
In the late 1960s and early 70s CCTVs began to be used regularly as aids for people with
visual impairments. Today CCTVs are called video magnifiers (VMs) and they are used around
the world as popular devices for individuals with visual impairments who want to increase their
abilities or facility to read and write.
The video magnifier in its most basic form consists of a monitor, a video camera, a lens for the
camera and a reading/writing stand. With all video magnifiers the viewer is able to focus the
lens, adjust the magnification, regulate the luminance and contrast and choose a positive
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(black letters on white background) or negative (white letters on black background)
monochrome picture depending on preference. With today’s VMs, color, handheld and headmounted versions have become available along with the traditional stand models.
Connectability to other media sources such as PCs and DVD players is also now possible.
CCTVs and/or VMs enable greater magnification, simple image manipulation (such as reversing
the image contrast) and more natural working distances than when one uses traditional
magnification devices. The success of the user is traditionally measured by testing the person’s
reading rate, reading comprehension and reading endurance with the VM and with optical
devices alone.
In 2006, APH was approached by EITAC Solutions Group with a version of a video magnifier
that featured a pen fitted with a device which would cause the camera to track it. This
featured allowed the user to just write, without having to manipulate an XY table at the same
time. The Eitac model also featured picture-in-picture capability which would allow the user to
view distant and near objects at the same time. A useful example is that a student could view
the teacher across the room, and the lecture notes he/she is taking at the same time.
The MaximEyes Video Magnifier by EITAC Solutions Group offers the most advantages for use
in the school or workplace through advances in ergonomics, control technology and
connectivity while comparing equivalently in price to similar models so a prototype was
developed by EITAC Solutions Group and tested by persons with low vision. Feedback was
shared with EITAC. Eitac then made modifications based upon suggestions by the test group.
A second prototype was developed.
Work during FY 2008
Several employees of APH with low vision tested the MaximEyes Video Magnifier for long
periods of time and provided feedback to EITAC. Product documentation was completed as
was research and development of an extended warranty.
The product became available in April of 2008.
Tadpole
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide teachers of students with low vision and other disabilities with a standardized array
of classic tools, strategies, and graphics to conduct functional vision assessments and vision
development activities with children 0-2 yrs old. Guidelines for the uses of the tools and
materials are to be included.
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Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Mildred Smith, Consultant
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
David McGee, Technical Research
Frank Hayden, Technical Research
Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer
Background
Numerous and ongoing requests from practitioners in the field led to a project named ToAD
that provides a standardized set of toys, reflective materials and lights commonly used by
practitioners to conduct functional vision evaluations and/or vision development activities with
young children. Practitioners stated that toys and lights developed by toymakers come and go
according to fads. If APH made the array and materials, they would not go out of style or
become unavailable. The array would also be available on quota. An array of objects and
print/graphic materials was developed and field tested along with a teacher’s guidebook.
During the field test stage, teachers who worked with students with severe, complicating
disabilities in addition to low vision commented that the ToAD activities as well as the twodimensional graphic materials were not appropriate for the population they served. They
commented that many of the tools were very appropriate, but needed to be used in a simpler
and less-complicated way, to serve the needs of their students. The project leader, with
approval of PARC, and with advice from the project consultant, developed a sequence of
activities and visual materials for use by this special population. The project leader developed
activities to accompany Tasha Tadpole’s Puzzle Book and sent them to the consultant for her
review and comments. The project leader made changes based upon the consultant’s
feedback.
Work during FY 2008
Work was also completed on the development of appropriate foundation activities for multihandicapped students, to accompany the ToAD array of tools. Work on the text for Tasha
Tadpole’s Puzzle Book was also completed. Early specifications were drawn up as well.
Work planned for FY 2009
Documentation will be completed as well as specifications and processes. HTML and braille
ready files will be developed to provide accessibility for users with visual disabilities. TADPOLE
will then go into production phase probably during the 3rd quarter of the 2009 fiscal year.
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ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Vision
Formerly: Toy Chest
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide teachers with a standardized array of classic tools, graphics and lights commonly
needed to conduct functional vision assessments and vision development activities for young
children. Guidelines for the uses of the tools and materials are to be included.
Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Dr. LaRhea Sanford, Consultant
Dr. Rebecca Burnett, Consultant
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
David McGee, Technical Research
Frank Hayden, Technical Research
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Candace Jaworski, Graphic Designer
James Robinson, Technical Research
Tom Poppe, Model Maker
Background
Numerous and ongoing requests from practitioners in the field led to a product that would
provide a standardized set of tools, toys, reflective materials and lights commonly used by
practitioners to conduct functional vision evaluations and/or vision development activities.
Practitioners stated that toys and lights developed by toymakers come and go according to
fads. Additionally, many toys on the market that are used for vision evaluation purposes are
not really safe. It would therefore be helpful to practitioners to have an array of safe tools,
lights and guidelines that would remain constant and standard across the United States. This
would give more meaning to a functional vision evaluation because evaluators and test
interpreters would know what materials and guidelines were used in every case. Further,
components would not go out of style or become unavailable. The array also is to be available
on quota.
Products for inclusion in the ToAD array have been evaluated according to durability, market
longevity, reflectivity, color, texture, size, shape, luminosity, appropriateness and other
qualities. Three electronic components were developed by the model maker and the technical
research staff. Development of two-dimensional graphic materials was carried out by the
project leader with input from the consultants. One-hundred eight Match-and-Sort cards and
12 Squire Toad’s Puzzles comprised the two-dimensional graphic parts. Five, vinyl, water-filled
mats were designed and prepared in England and field tested, for inclusion in the ToAD array.
Additional purchased components were gathered for possible inclusion. All editing and
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formatting, field test data compiling took place and designs were revised based upon field
data. Specifications and dates were drawn up for production.
Work during FY 2008
Production took place with excellent results. The product is completed and now available.
Turbo Phonics
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide kindergartners and their teachers with phonemic awareness/phonics software
designed to be visible and meaningful to children with low vision. The goal is to devise
software to help students develop emerging literacy skills.
Project Staff
J. Elaine Kitchel, Project Leader
Ann Travis, Project Assistant
Jenny Dortch, Content Consultant
Robert Armstrong, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Mario Eiland, Programmer
Larry Skutchan, Programming Consultant
David McGee, Technical Researcher
Darlene Donhoff, Technical Researcher
Bridgett Johnson, Graphic Designer
Jacque Phelps, Reading Consultant
Carol Stewart, Studio
Erin Jones, Narrator
John Zinninger, Studio Recorder
Background
In the year 2000 a report came out from the National Reading Panel that maintained
phonemic awareness and phonics presentation are the methods that worked best and proved
the most efficient in teaching students to read. The problem is that most materials made for
emergent literacy, even those with large graphics, still do not have graphics and print of a size
needed by most students with low vision. Even computer-based early literacy programs often
contain too much visual clutter, critical items too small to be recognized, and graphics with
colors that do not contrast well enough to be interpreted accurately by a kindergartner with
low vision.
The product idea was presented to the Products and Research Committee and accepted in
2003. The project leader found a reading expert to act as a consultant on the project.
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Contracts were drawn up between APH and its consultants. Lessons were received from the
reading consultant and were paired with meaningful pictures. The engineering consultant
then put together specifications for the software. Work on programming was begun in earnest
in September 2003.
Lessons were developed and graphics and audio files of automobile sounds were found to
accompany them. The lessons were sent to the project leader who modified them to
accompany an animated figure who talks to the viewer. All 26 lessons were then formatted
and put together in the form of a manual for the classroom teacher or TVI, as well as inserted
into the program code of the software. Audio portions were recorded by the APH studio and
labeled. They too were inserted into the program code.
Work during FY 2008
The guidebook and student activity book were edited, revised and then transcribed into HTML
and braille. Braille and HTML files were checked and finalized and placed onto CD and hard
copy for braille. Production runs took place in early August and some printing difficulties were
noted.
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Mathematics
157
Braille/Print Yardstick
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide persons with visual impairments or blindness with an accessible yardstick
Project Staff
Monica Vaught, Project Leader
Susan A. Osterhaus, Consultant
Frank Hayden, Technical Research
Background
In the past, accessible yardsticks were produced by multiple vendors and readily available.
However, more recently, vendors have focused on producing accessible metric system
measurement tools. Thus, the meter stick is more commonly produced than the yardstick.
And, the supply of accessible yardsticks has been depleted. Meanwhile, the need for
measuring large items in English/Imperial measurements remains. Recognizing this need,
Susan Osterhaus submitted the Braille/Print Yardstick as a new product idea in October 2005.
The project leader completed background research and the Product Submission Review in May
2006, and presented the idea to the Product Evaluation Team in June 2006. The Product
Advisory and Review Committee placed the project into active development in July 2006.
Several commercially-available yardsticks were reviewed for accessibility and potential
adaptability. Osterhaus assisted in the review, and she provided desired characteristics and
specifications for the Braille/Print Yardstick. The project leader worked with Technical
Research to develop a concept drawing and sample material. Osterhaus evaluated these items
and gathered input from eight students as well as a teaching assistant and a middle school
math teacher. Per this review process, revisions were made to the Braille/Print Yardstick
concept drawing.
Work during FY 2008
Final tooling and specifications were finalized in February 2008. In March 2008, a production
run of 450 yardsticks was completed, and the Braille/Print Yardstick (Cat. No. 1-03002-00) was
made available for sale. It was officially announced in the April 2008 APH News. The cost per
yardstick is $16.00.
Work planned for FY 2009
This product is now available for sale. No additional work is planned for FY 2009; product
development is complete.
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Consumable Number Lines Large - Print and Braille/Tactile
Formerly: Toss-Away Number Lines
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide an inexpensive disposable number line in large print and Braille/tactile formats
Project staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Terri Gilmore, Graphic Designer
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Barbara Henderson, Project Advisor
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Anita Rutledge, Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Monica Vaught, Research/Project Assistant
Background
The idea for a disposable number line was submitted by a teacher of the visually impaired who
liked the APH disposable rulers. She wanted to make it easier for teachers to create number
lines quickly. She felt that a number line of this kind would be very popular and fill a real need.
The teacher’s idea was sent through the Product Evaluation Team (PET) and deemed worthy
of further development. The project was assigned to a project leader and project staff.
In the second quarter of FY 2006, project staff communicated with the teacher who submitted
the product idea. A sketch was sent to the project leader in preparation for the initial PDC
meeting. The project leader met with other project leaders to brainstorm the idea and to get
input on product design.
In FY 2007, prototypes of a Toss-Away Large Print Number Line and a Toss-Away Tactile
Number Line were developed. A desktop stick-on number line with braille and large print was
requested through another product submission from a teacher in the field. This request will
also be included in the types of number lines available from APH.
Work during for FY 2008
Field testing of the Toss-Away Large Print Number Line and the Toss-Away Braille/Tactile
Number Line were completed. Changes were made to the prototypes and production was
scheduled for August 2008. The name of the product was changed for “Toss-Away” to
“Consumable” based on the feedback from field evaluators who felt that the name Toss-Away
was not environmentally friendly.
Work planned for FY 2009
Develop and field test a prototype for the desk top stick-on number line for use in elementary
classrooms.
159
Embossed XY Axis 20 x 20 Graph Sheets
(Completed)
Purpose
To produce a low-relief embossed graph paper with a standard X-Y axis as a consumable
product for teachers and transcribers.
Project Staff
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Erica Rucker, Project Assistant
Background
APH has received several product submission forms, as well as mailed-in requests, indicating a
need for embossed graph sheets with the Cartesian X-Y axis. Some of the requests also
specified a grid size that would be most useful.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader reviewed the requests and made a design to satisfy their requirements. The
design features a raised pair of axes along with incised (“debossed”) grid lines for the most
contrast and least tactual clutter, and it contains a 10 x 10 one-half inch grid in each quadrant.
Project staff worked with the Braille Department to produce sample tooling. Because of its
simplicity and similarity to established products, this received only an informal evaluation by
math teachers at the Ky. School for the Blind. No changes were required after the evaluation,
so specifications were written and the product was made available for purchase.
Work planned for FY 2009
No further work is planned for this project.
FOCUS in Mathematics, Second Edition
(New)
Purpose
To update an existing product, FOCUS in Mathematics
Project Staff
Burt Boyer, Project Leader
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
160
Ann Travis, Research Assistant
BISIG Impact Group, Graphic Design
Background
In June 2007 PET and PARC committees approved a submission for the revision of FOCUS in
Mathematics. The kit was first produced in 1984. Since that time the National Council for
Mathematics has revised the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Additionally,
some of the manipulatives were no longer available from the manufacturer and/or had
become very dated in appearance and usefulness.
Work during FY 2008
Lessons were reviewed to determine alignment with the Principles and Standards for School
Mathematics and the Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8
Mathematics adopted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Lessons were
added and rewritten to meet the new standards. Lessons were organized by theme and grade
level. Manipulatives were reviewed, modified, changed and/or added to the kit.
Work planned for FY 2009
Complete the prototype of the FOCUS in Mathematics, Second Edition. Select Expert
Reviewers and send prototype to reviewers for evaluation.
Graphic Aid for Mathematics. Revision
(Continued)
Purpose
To revise the current Graphic Aid for Mathematics by changing some components and adding
new ones to make the product easier to use and read
Project Staff
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Background
At the advice of teachers who use the APH kit or homemade variations, staff investigated
ideas for making graphs easier to display and more readable. Some suggestions came from
teacher Ken Kalina, who constructs his own boards with grids made on a braille embosser and
uses a variety of wires and pins to create his graphs; other revisions originate in-house.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader and Technical Research staff purchased a variety of wires and pins to
substitute for existing components of the kit, and investigated changing the surface material
and/or backing board for the grid. A cork composite material proved to be impractical because
of the difficulty of cutting it effectively.
161
The possibility of changing the grid to incised lines, rather than raised lines, led to a delay in
progress, because making a prototype to try out involves materials and staff time that are not
readily available. In the meantime, a plan was made to solicit input from Annual Meeting
attendees at the Information Fair session.
Work planned for FY 2009
A field evaluation will be conducted, taking advantage of the existing customer base, as well
as trustees and consultants who are known to be users of the current product, once the
design and materials are decided on.
MathBuilders
Formerly: Primary Math Units
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop instructional math materials for use with students who are blind and visually
impaired in the primary grades as either a supplement to the classroom math program or as a
core curriculum
Project Staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Derrick Smith, Math Consultant
Katherine Corcoran, Model Maker
Darlene Donhoff, Technical/Clerical Assistant
Jenny Dortch, Consultant/Project Assistant
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Anita Rutledge, Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Ann Travis, Research Assistant
BISIG Impact Group, Graphic Design
Background
Math achievement of blind students has been consistently behind that of their sighted peers.
In recent years, very little research and product development has been done to improve this
situation. Teachers of students who are blind, however, have continuously requested special
braille curricular materials for math similar to those in the Patterns program developed at APH
to teach braille reading. Because of the dramatic increases in the number of blind students
mainstreamed, the use of the itinerant special education teacher model, the math priority
stated in GOALS 2000, and new teaching standards adopted by the National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics, it became critical to focus once again on math materials for visually
162
impaired students. This project received special funding as part of a three-year research
initiative to develop new products in math, science, and geography.
During the Mathematics Focus Group Meeting in September 1994, this program was discussed
and specifications were determined. During fiscal year 1995, work on the project included a
review of the research and literature on math instruction for visually impaired students;
analyses of math curriculum guides; thorough analyses of current textbooks to determine
mathematical symbols, terms, and concepts being taught; a search of the catalogs for
commercially available math related products; and a review of programs on abacus instruction.
By 1996, prototypes of eight Primary Math Units and a general guidebook began to take shape
with guidance from William E. Leibfritz, math consultant. In July 1996, a group of teachers of
the visually impaired met at APH to share ideas they found to be particularly effective for
developing math concepts and practice materials for their visually impaired students in the
primary grades.
In July 1997, project consultants, Leibfritz and Susan Millaway, met at APH and reviewed in
detail the teaching strategies for the kindergarten and first grade Primary Math Units. A draft
of an introductory book that presents the philosophy and overview of the program was
developed by the project leader later in fiscal year 1997. In fiscal years 1998 and 1999
worksheets were developed to supplement the Lessons for Unit 1: Matching, Sorting, and
Patterning for kindergarten through third grade.
In fiscal year 2000, the decision was made to field test by units rather than waiting for the
program to be finished in its entirety. Tooling of Unit 1 prototype worksheets for field testing
began. In FY 2001, evaluation forms for the introduction and Unit 1 were drafted. Tooling of
the prototype worksheets continued with coordination of the print and braille requiring much
more time than originally planned. In fiscal year 2002-2003 Jenny Dortch completed the final
draft of the introductory book and Unit 1. The evaluation forms for the book, lessons, and
worksheets were developed. During fiscal year 2004, the evaluation forms, Guidelines
(introductory material), and Unit 1 Lessons for Kindergarten through third grade were finalized
and prepared for field testing. Materials were placed with teachers having braille reading
students in kindergarten through third grade for approximately six to eight weeks and then
returned to APH for compilation and analyses of data. Results were extremely positive with
only a little revision required. Dortch continued work on Units 2, 3, and 4 during fiscal years
2004 and 2005. These units cover Number Concepts, Place Value, and Number Operation.
Eleanor Pester served as Project Leader during this phase of development.
In FY 2006, the project was assigned to Jeanette Wicker, Core Curriculum Project Leader (a
newly created position). Revisions were made to Unit 1, Matching, Patterning, and Sorting and
to the General Guidelines based on the feedback from the field testing. MathBuilders was
selected as the name for the series. Manipulatives were added to Unit 1 based on feedback
from field testing. Graphic design and braille translation were completed. Tooling for
worksheets began. A consultant, Derrick Smith, a Doctoral Student at Texas Tech, was hired
for Unit 6, Geometry and Unit 8, Data Collection, Graphing, and Probability/Statistics.
Objectives were reviewed for alignment with Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
163
from the National Council of Teachers of Math for Units 6 and 8.
In FY 2007, Unit 1 and the General Guidelines became available for sale. A prototype of the
Geometry Unit was completed and field tested at 10 sites for three months in the spring of
2007. The text for Unit 8 was written and the development of a prototype was initiated.
Work during FY 2008
Revisions based on field reviewers’ comments were completed for Unit 6, Geometry.
Production was completed and the Unit became available for sale in May 2008. Field testing of
Unit 8, Data Collection, Graphing, and Probability/Statistics was completed and revisions were
made based on field reviewer’s comments. A prototype of Unit 7, Fractions, Mixed Numbers,
and Decimals was completed.
Work planned for FY 2009
Unit 8, Data Collection, Graphing, and Probability/Statistics will be scheduled for production in
FY 2009. Unit 7, Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals will be field tested in FY 2009. The
development of Unit 5, Measurement will begin in FY 2009.
164
Microcomputer
Applications
&
Products
165
APH Digital Audio Component
(Continued)
Purpose
To create digital audio recording, playback, and navigation components for use in several
educational, application, and utility programs under development
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
John Zinninger, Senior Technician
Background
With the close work APH does with the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY)
consortium, the National Library Service (NLS), the APH studio, and the software under
development in the Department of Educational Research, APH staff recognized that the creation
of a digital audio component that could be used by a variety of applications made the most
sense.
Several of the educational software projects in development, including Book Wizard Reader, Book
Wizard Producer, Book Port Transfer, Studio Recorder, Talking Typer, Termite Torpedo, Armadillo
Army, Toodle Tiles, and Teacher's Pet require a digital audio recording and playback component.
In addition to its needs for playback and recording controls, the Book Wizard and Book Port
Transfer projects required navigation controls and the ability to speed up the playback of the
recording without affecting the pitch.
Given the diverse requirements and the interesting possibilities offered with custom software,
APH decided to develop its own digital audio record, playback, and navigation component for use
with several projects underway and to develop an interface that uses that control to provide a
studio recording application.
Through the years, staff continues to enhance the component. In 2007, they added the ability to
encode and decode the AMR Wideband Plus format which is what the National Library Service
uses for its new Digital Talking Books.
Work during FY 2008
Finalized the AMR Wideband Plus support.
 Added “Just in time Editing” which lets the user open an mp3 file quickly and
decode on demand if the user requests an editing action.
166
 Corrected a bug where changing the read-only state of non compressed buffers
(.wav and .raw) from read-only to not read-only was not permitted.
 Fixed a bug where using just-in-time editing to change the length of an existing
MP3 file then closing the file would cause marks in the file's .mrk file to become
invalid. Now, .mrk files are not written if just-in-time editing is in use.
 Added the ability to export a buffer containing MP3 data to an MP3 file. This
works whether or not the buffer is insured.
 Added a check to see if the specified parameters can be used to encode the
specified buffer. If not, the parameters are set to the encoder defaults.
 Added a flag is used to allow compressed buffers to be modified if there data are
not using on-demand decoding.
 Added an option to automatically insure buffers which contain compressed files
when an editing function would require decoding. MP3 is the only compression
type currently supported.
Work planned for FY 2009
Staff will continue to enhance the component as needed. Many software users requested the
ability to slow down the speed of the audio playback. This would make learning language or
music much easier.
Windows Direct X filters should be supported. This would allow users of APH audio editing
software to use third party plug-ins, commonly referred to as DirectX Plug-ins, for signal
processing.
There are still several advanced features that require significant amounts of research to
implement. Among these is the addition of a band pass filter and pattern detection.
Yet another area of interest is streaming technology. The digital audio component should
provide full streaming services to the client in a variety of environments. Server side
implementations of the component should be able to provide a local user navigation and time
scale services on the server side, thereby reducing the amount of data that gets transferred.
APH Speech Environment
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop a reusable foundation for current talking software from APH
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Keith Creasy, Programmer
167
Background
APH is developing new talking software that runs under current and future versions of Windows.
While each completed title is different, they also have much in common, especially with respect
to access issues. The APH Speech Environment (ASE) provides the following common services to
all the programs under development:












Speech or braille output
Controls to select speech and braille parameters
Record and restore user access settings
Accessible output to standard Windows menus and controls through an interface
to Microsoft's Active Accessibility (MSAA) components
Standard interface to speech controls and enhancements to standard text-to
speech (TTS) engine behavior targeted for use by blind and visually impaired users
Precise punctuation control and consistent rendering among various text-to
speech engines
Interactive TTS engine selection
Interruptability
Detection of demonstration versus registered program with an interface to
accept and store registration information
Dictionary translation
Digitized audio playback control, including the ability to generate studio scripts
of a program's prompts and an interface that uses those recordings for program
interaction
Control interactive contracted braille
ASE is a program module that provides these core services. While it will not be a stand-alone
product, it is included as part of most APH software developed for Windows and could be
provided to other Accessible software manufactures in an effort to meet the 508 regulations
referring to government procurement of electronic tools.
During the first few years of APH software development, standard services were enough to meet
the needs of the software under development. For example, providing access and speech to
common Windows controls and menus, a means of controlling speech parameters and voice
selections, a means of stopping the speech on request, a way of repeating the information, and
precise punctuation pronunciation control were once enough to meet the needs of the
applications under development at APH. As more titles gain popularity, ASE's capabilities must
expand to meet the needs of the new software.
In APH's first three titles, for example, the software was all written in C or C++ programming
languages, and none of the packages required the ability to echo keyboard input, although each
provided this functionality. Neither did the titles have much need for braille output. ASE's role
has already expanded with the introduction of a user registration mechanism. These algorithms
let the application query registration information and inform the application as to whether it is
168
running as a demo or as a full version. They also provide a user interface that describes the
limitation built into the demonstration version of the calling application and offers the user the
ability to enter a key that he may obtain from APH customer support over the phone or
electronically. Once the customer enters that key, the application is converted from a demo into
a fully registered version of that program.
Now, as APH develops under different programming languages and with the need to provide
these technologies to other companies that wish to license APH's software, the flexibility of ASE's
interface was improved. The first version of ASE was packaged as a standard Windows Dynamic
Link Library (DLL). This is an extremely efficient means of passing large amounts of information
from one component to another. Unfortunately, this technique is feasible to use only with the C
programming language. As ASE's capabilities expand and the demands on it from client software
expands, ASE required moving to the Component Object Model architecture. About 80% of
ASE's functions have been converted to this architecture, and several educational software
products are already taking advantage of ASE's new interface and capabilities.
In addition to its first focus on speech access, ASE's progress in braille is equally important and
essential in future endeavors. APH purchased the source code to a well-known braille translation
program that ran under DOS and converted it to Windows and added functionality. While this
braille subsystem is a separate component, ASE communicates directly with that component as a
convenience to software authors.
Work during FY 2008
Corrected some minor bugs.
Work planned for FY 2009
Expand the support for more complex controls that are not covered by MSAA.
Enhance the keystroke announcement feature to include digitized human speech.
Support accessibility of Web 2.0 application user interfaces.
Correct other known minor issues.
Book Port
(Discontinued)
Purpose
To provide a hardware tool for reading electronic books in a means convenient to the student
and professional
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Steve Gomas, Project Consultant
Rob Meredith, Programmer
169
Keith Creasy, Programmer
Mario Eiland, Programmer
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research/Project Assistant
Background
In FY 2000, APH began distributing a device that uses synthesized speech in a portable,
convenient housing to let the user read electronic books without having to stay near the
computer. While this device, the Road Runner, is no longer available, its popularity and utility
were unsurpassed, especially for those students and professionals who had large amounts of
material to read.
Research staff began planning enhancements to the device and its interface. So, when its
unavailability became apparent, staff began design on a new device that addressed the
shortcomings of Road Runner while building increased functionality and flexibility for the future.
These new issues included: increased, removable storage media, incremental deletes, more file
types, better navigation and review, and a simplified interface. The unit needed to be able to
accommodate memos, so the number of keys was increased to allow braille input for making
annotations. The unit also needed to be able to play digitized audio so that it may play Digital
Talking Books.
Given the expensive and time consuming process of creating a new hardware device from
scratch and writing its associated software, APH partnered with another company to use its
hardware base with the specific needs identified by customers, experts in the field, and focus
groups comprising both experts and consumers. Book Port is a device based on the hardware
from that company combined with software written specifically for APH.
Book Port is a portable device that reads electronic books, takes notes, and plays audio files.
Blind students and professionals find that its combination of synthetic speech and digital audio
capabilities makes Book Port the perfect tool for nearly any reading need. Measuring only 2.75 by
4.75 by 1 inch, its small size, large storage capacity, and battery operation and low power
consumption make it the perfect hand-held device for a portable reading solution.
Book Port features its own high quality text-to-speech synthesizer (for reading electronic text and
Web pages,) and it plays digital audio files such as MP3, audible.com, and Digital Talking Books.
Book Port contains state-of-the-art hardware such as a universal serial bus connector (USB) to
make the connection between the device and a PC as simple as possible and a Compactflash®
card slot for removable mass storage. It contains a built-in microphone and supporting hardware
to let the user record and playback memos on the device. Book Port features its own date and
time clock, multiple alarms, and a sleep timer that automatically turns off the unit after a
predetermined amount of time.
170
The software that comes with Book Port makes it easy to send a variety of file types including
documents and Web sites from your computer to Book Port without leaving the application in
use, and it provides capabilities especially geared toward blind students and professionals. Such
enhanced capabilities include multiple levels of phrase detection for spoken word content digital
audio files and reverse translation for electronic contracted braille files. Digital Talking Books
such as those from "Bookshare.org and Recordings for the Blind and
Dyslexic get sent to Book Port as if the device were especially designed
for them. Sending Web pages to the device for portable reading is as
easy as right clicking the Web page, and then choosing Send to Book
Port from the context menu that appears. You may also send files
directly from Windows Explorer by highlighting the file or files, picking
Send To, then selecting Book Port from the Send To menu. And if the
unit is not connected when you need to send a page or file, the software
queues up the material and sends it the next time you connect Book
Port to your computer.
[Photo of Book Port CD]
The software used to send files from your PC to Book Port shows a preview of the content of the
files you highlight, so it is easy to decide what to send by more than just the name of the file. In
addition, if the file contains digital audio, the software lets you hear the contents of that file, and
the preview window shows statistics about that file. If the file is contracted braille, the preview
window shows the reverse translated version of the first portion of that file.
This device became available in June 2003. More information is available at
http://www.aph.org/tech/bp_info.htm
As the years of software improvements continued, the hardware components became obsolete
and difficult to purchase. A new model was needed that included features like:




More file formats
High speed USB port
Switch to Secure Digital cards
Add on-the-go USB support so that other peripherals (like Braille displays) could
be supported
 Rechargeable battery
 Physical On/Off switch
 External speaker
Work during FY 2008
Continued design on new model.
Found critical flaw in processor, so redesign began.
Stopped work on new model due to numerous problems and the lessened need for such a device
with the release of the Victor Reader Stream and the new Plextor portable DTB player.
171
Work planned for FY 2009
This project has been canceled. APH is still very interested in the concept of a portable book
device, and future investigation and product development will continue.
Book Wizard
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a program that lets a student read textbooks using the National Industry Standards
Organization (NISO) 3.0 Digital Talking Book (DTB) file specifications in whatever Accessible
format is most appropriate for that student. It also provides navigation and control to exploit the
capabilities provided by the new format and to provide simple, efficient tools for creating these
books
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Jane Thompson, Director of ATIC
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Background
The need for a program that supports multiple output media arose from several places, including
APH's and other Accessible media publishers' desire to efficiently produce textbooks in the media
that best meets a student's needs. Such a task requires intelligent software and a file format
that is both universal and expandable.
The first step in creating such software is to identify or define the file format that best supports
the characteristics required by all the output media types. Careful analysis and a worldwide trend
to the extensible markup language (XML) convinced staff that this file format provided the
structure, features, and extensibility required. The existence of math markup languages such as
Math Markup Language (MML) and LaTex also provides the possibility of integration into the final
file format.
XML uses a Document Type Definition (DTD) to define the vocabulary for a markup language,
and these DTD's can become quite elegant and elaborate. Creating one from scratch is not a
trivial task.
The National Library Service (NLS) is also attempting to define the file format for digital talking
172
books of the future. They put a committee together to study DTD's and requirements for digital
distribution of talking books in the United States. The committee consists of talking book libraries
from around the world, alternative media producers, schools and training centers, and experts
from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to identify and define the parameters of this file
format. A large part of this committee is represented by the Digital Access Information System
(DAISY) Consortium, which is another group comprised of alternate media producers from
around the world. Their mission was to create a digital distribution system that met the needs of
the users and producers and one that would be compatible from country to country. European,
Australian, Canadian, and some Asian countries are already using the DAISY 2.x file specifications
to produce and distribute digital talking books.
When NLS first commissioned the study, they were mainly on a quest for information about how
to produce and distribute digital talking books for United States citizens, and this is still their
primary goal. But as the process evolved and their needs coincided so well with the needs of
many others, they soon found themselves, under the leadership of Michael Moody, defining the
standards. They are working through the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) to
define the characteristics of a file format that will meet the needs of all these producers, as well
as the end user, provide compatibility among countries, and remain extensible to provide the
option to grow. The file format they chose uses a number of existing technologies, so it will be
possible to create tools and applications to work with such files much more easily than if they had
defined their own file formats.
The new file format was submitted to the National Information Standards Organization, and it
gained approval in December 2002. A revision was approved in 2005. The format is called NISO
z39.86. The NISO Digital Talking Book combines Simultaneous Multimedia Integrated Language
(SMIL) 2.0, with a Document Type Definition (DTD) that defines the elements in the text, and an
XML file called the Navigation Control to tie the parts together. The Open Ebook's package file,
which contains a list of all of a book's associated files, is also included.
Having attended the meetings defining the standards and insuring APH's interests were
represented, research programmers gathered information about the issues and technologies and
wrote specifications for a software package that uses the NISO Digital Talking Book Document
Type Definition. These standards are integrating the audio representation of a work to let a
student read a textbook in whatever media he desires. The package, Book Wizard, also provides
services to make it simple and efficient to create such a book. Keeping all this in mind, staff is
also aware that using a hand held device like the Compaq Ipaq or other Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA) to read digital talking books is also required. Staff used the Book Wizard services to permit
reading NISO z3986 Digital Talking Books on Book Port.
Staff continued to participate in NISO and DAISY consortium activities and, as they learned more
about specific APH requirements, insured specifications were defined to meet these
requirements. Keith Creasy is a member of the Digital Rights Management committee, and
helped identify features and characteristics about protecting books that would be least intrusive
to readers while still offering publishers the protection they desire.
173
Work during FY 2008
The following enhancements were made to Book Wizard Reader and Book Wizard Producer:
 Fixed problems with namespaces when loading NIMAS files that caused text not
to be displayed.
 Tested and commented on a new NLS protection algorithm.
 Incorporated the new NLS protection procedure into Book Wizard Producer.
 Removes Carriage Return and Line Feed characters from text in the navigation
control.
 Changes the method for getting text so that all nodes in the container are
parsed and text is concatenated with spacing added when necessary. This fixes
missing spaces in the navigation labels when the program strips CR/LF
characters and ensures all of the nav label text is included as a single line.
 Adds new templates to support the namespaces for both the 2002 and 2005
DAISY/NISO formats. Book Wizard uses the appropriate template when
importing or displaying text from a DTBook XML file.
 Enhances the NIMAS import to do a better job with page numbers. Now page
numbers that have a type of "font" are not used to automatically give the page
numbers integer values and the type attribute is carried over into the page map.
Also, Book Wizard uses the text content of the "pagenum" node as the label for
the page and sets the value to the text if it can be interpreted as an integer.
 Adds the launch of the NLS "RSProtector" program after building an NLS
distribution using AMR WB+ encoding. The resulting protected book is placed in
a folder called "pdtb" along with the source files and the unprotected dist folder.
This feature is especially valuable for the studio since it allows them to create
the protected version of the book for NLS with almost no extra work.
 Changes the way Producer generates the message files used for the
announcements in DTBs to meet the new specifications for multi-volume books
from NLS.
 Adds an option in the Build dialog to set a size limit for the SMIL files. (NLS now
requires these files be 100 KB or less.)
 Changes the bookshelf updating to be optional.
 Stops automatically adding the path to the bookshelf when a book is launched
from the command line.
 Adds an Update Bookshelf button to the bookshelf.
Work planned for FY 2009
 Add support for DAISY/NISO Z39.86-2005.
 Improve text navigation; character, word, sentence.
 Incorporate text editing and additional XML editing capabilities.
 Add support for converting only a part of a DTB to audio from text; thus
allowing part of a book to be narrated by a person and part to be generated
from the text.
174

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

Add more command-line options for batch processing.
Add zoom and font selection to text window.
Add better support for rendering graphics and video.
Add hyperlink support.
Add support for the new DAISY DRM (digital rights management).
Book Wizard staff will continue to work in cooperation with the recording studio
and other departments within APH to produce material and work out production
issues related to DTB's.
 Functionality will be added to allow for user response to items in a DTB when
called for. This should allow a DTB to be used for interactive teaching and
computerized testing.
 The cursor used in the text view will be synchronized with the cursor in the
braille view for simultaneous editing of both text and braille.
 Support for special navigation modes such as for tables and lists from the
Navigation Control XML (NCX) will be added.
Future long-term enhancements include the following:
1. Features to produce hard-copy books in braille and large print.
2. Direct support for braille displays.
3. Speech recognition capabilities that will allow a narrator's recording to be
automatically synchronized with a provided full-text of the content.
4. Interactive validation and error correcting features.
5. Enhanced library and project management features.
6. The programmers will continue to write code that performs the functions and
capabilities outlined in the specifications.
7. Hardware drivers, reproduction capabilities, and library management functions
are among the more time consuming components remaining.
8. Programmers will write a new Windows printer driver to address the deficiencies
in the generic text driver provided with Windows that will permit embossing to a
variety of devices.
9. Programmers will develop refreshable braille drivers for several popular
commercial displays. These drivers also make it possible for trained and
qualified proofreaders to make corrections directly to the original file.
Programmers will develop tactile graphics embossing support and applicable drivers for the
corresponding hardware. This work includes an analysis of the requirements and capabilities of
the available devices. While several devices support the capability to provide simple tactile
graphics, others support capabilities way beyond what previous devices have supported.
The programmers will examine the feasibility of creating drivers that use one image and provide
code that transforms the vector graphic or bit map image into a series of printer escape
sequences that gracefully degrades or expands as the device's capabilities degrade or expand. If
feasible, the programmers will write such drivers. If it is not feasible to support the use of a
single image for all possible devices, programmers will write specific drivers for specific devices
175
and add the capability to select among images given the specific output device. They will write
formatting algorithms for both the large print and braille hard copy options. These formatting
functions require the material to be rendered with respect to the style sheets in use and any XML
tags that may include a Media attribute that could include or exclude parts of a book. They will
add image display support. This may include intelligence to select an appropriate image based
on the media output. They will add functionality to the braille translation component to support
forcing characters to upper case in the reverse translation, respect XML tags to control the
formatting and translation process, and work on stylesheets that take braille's unique formatting
requirements into account.
Programmers will incorporate library checkout and check-in facilities and remote server
support. This makes it possible for two editors, both in remote locations, to work on the same
book. This collaboration process is expected to be an effective means of getting more
complex books to students more quickly.
Braille+
Formerly: Linkit
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop a state-of-the-art portable personal data assistant (PDA) that meets the needs of the
modern student or professional who is blind or visually impaired
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Marc Mulkahy, Project Consultant
Mike McDonald, Programmer
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Keith Creasy, Programmer
Background
For several years, APH sought a low-cost, simple-to-use, inexpensive replacement for a notetaking system like the Braille 'n Speak (BNS) Scholar.
Today's more connected world and less expensive parts make it possible to design an all-purpose
device that can serve as a student's tool for a variety of tasks including note-taking, recording,
playing audio content, calculating, timing, web browsing, emailing, and subscribing to periodicals.
Expansion should be possible to permit a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and cell phone
chips contained in the unit’s housing.
The unit should use a commercial operating system designed for low power consumption. This
insures the device continues to evolve and insures the availability of a wide variety of software
176
applications. These applications are often commercially developed packages with rigorous testing
and a known user base.
While the development staff were well on their way to the design of this product, events at the
CSUN 2006 conference changed things. A company called Level Star showed a working prototype
of a unit called Icon that was remarkably similar to what APH had been designing.
[Photo of Braille+]
Level Star and APH agreed to collaborate on a version of the Icon that contained a built-in braille
keyboard. The two companies would share their software expertise, and APH would use Level
Star's excellent hardware design.
The Braille+ became available for sale in April 2007.
Work during FY 2008
 Added an entire support system for refreshable Braille displays.
 Adds the Workspace option to the main menu to help work with frequently used
or new content.
 Adds support for books from audible.com.
 Adds support for connection to the docking station.
 Changes the way the Delete command announces. Now, it announces the next
character rather than the one you just deleted.
 Corrects the delay that occurred when using the email Send and Receive
command while network folders were shared and connected.
 Resumes playback of podcasts from their last position.
 Adds a menu of punctuation symbols from which to choose while using the ABC
keypad.
 Corrects a problem updating the book catalog when there were over 1000 books
in the library.
 Preserves the installation status of third party programs that you install when
you update the unit's software.
 Adds the Send Now option to newly composed email messages.
 Adds the announcement of the number of messages in each folder as you
traverse Email's folder list.
 Adds the BCC field to email headers.
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Adds the Reply to All option to the email program.
Adds the View Headers command for email.
Corrects the email Forward command so that it lets you select from contacts.
Changes the key from Pound to Ctrl+Select or Ctrl+Space to mark one of
multiple choices in lists where multiple selections is supported.
Adds the Caps Lock key to Thumb Braille.
Improves Bookshelf responsiveness in navigation.
Corrects bookshelf issues with not being able to open some books.
Corrects end of book handling in the Bookshelf.
Corrects bugs in calculator
Makes the download manager available at all times in RSS.
Download manager shows the title of the program (not the filename) for
downloaded podcasts.
You may now press Select in Download Manager to open a file.
Version 1.10, March 2008
General
 Adds support for downloadable audio books from National Library Service. (NLS)
 Adds support for playing protected content from Serotek.
 Introduces a new registration system to help associate your device with you and
to help qualify for playing audio content that may be protected from sources like
NLS and audible.com.
 Uses a new install method that makes updates more reliable and enables the
delivery of keys to unlock protected content.
 Backs up and restores your data during the software update process.
 Updates the hard disk recovery partition with the latest software.
 Adds a menu of possibilities when you insert an SD card or external drive.
 Adds support for following links in html documents, RSS articles, email, and
other places where links exist.
 Adds a software manager to help manage third-party software packages you
may install.
 Adds a Reading keypad to make navigation easier in documents you cannot edit.
 Adds the Back Paragraph and Next Paragraph commands using Left Arrow and
Right Arrow while in continuous reading mode for any document where the user
may read continuously.
 Adds audio speed controls to Music Player and Bookshelf.
 Changes the command to access a book's contents from Pound to Hold Program
Menu.
 Adds a Serial Number item to the status menu.
 Adds Bluetooth status to status menu.
 Adds percentage moves through files in the document reader.
 Adds an option menu to the Open File form to let the user delete files, check
sizes, sort, and perform other file management tasks.
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Address Book
 Adds Live Support Mode to provide advanced trouble-shooting capabilities.
 Adds a tactile indicator when the audio volume is at the default level.
 Changes the interface to act more like other applications. You access the folder
list with right and left arrow just as in the email program.
 Adds the ability to select one or more contacts.
 Adds move and delete for selected contacts.
Music Player
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Adds Files to the ways to view your music collection.
Lets you play an entire folder of music.
Lets you add a folder to a playlist.
Copies files from other parts of the hard disk or the network into the music
library.
Adds the Repeat function.
Adds the ability to add the currently playing song to a playlist.
Adds the ability to delete an album.
Adds the artist name to the album and song listings
Changes the main interface to help provide the most useful information.
Adds a template to provide the information you want to know about your audio
when you request status or when moving to the next track.
Adds support for the flac audio format.
Corrects several small bugs.
Book Shelf
 Adds Bookmark support including creation, navigation, and deletion of an
unlimited number of bookmarks.
 Adds direct navigation through heading levels from within the book.
 Adds the author name to book listings
 Shows the author's last name first in listings.
 Adds the Recent Files option to the menu to help quickly return to books you are
currently reading.
 Copies books to the bookshelf.
 Imports and automatically unzips NLS downloaded files.
 Adds options to turn on and off automatic book catalog update.
 Improves the information provided when you press the status command.
 Lets you sort the All Books list alphabetically or by the date added to the library.
Email
 Changes the command to delete a message while the message is open. This
command was Star on the telephone keypad, but that command now moves to
the previous link in a message. Now, to delete a message while it is open, use
Star+Right Arrow.
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File Explorer
 Adds the Sort option to let the user control how files and folders are listed.
 Adds the Share this Folder option to easily turn on and off folders that you may
wish to share over the network.
 Adds the Browse Network Folders option to include resources from other devices
to File Explorer's visibility.
RSS
 Adds the Download Manager for podcasts.
 Adds Read and Unread status to articles.
 Adds a setting to automatically download podcasts after a feed update.
Settings
 Adds the Search Removable Media for Content setting to General Settings.
 Adds Network Settings to let you turn on and off file sharing, SSH, and to set the
name of your device and work group.
Corrections
 Fixes the problems with uploading journal entries to livejournal.com.
 Corrects a problem that could make the unit turn back on after turning it off.
 Corrects a problem that could cause a lock up if attempting to turn on some
units with the keyboard locked.
 Adds ~ and ` to the key map table so they may be produced at the console.
 Corrects a bug that caused the find command to fail on some large braille
documents.
 Changes the Open Document form so it shows only files the word processor can
actually read.
 Adds Alt+Up Arrow and Alt+Down Arrow commands to external keyboards to
turn up and down the volume.
 Adds Hold Escape to external keyboard commands to power off the unit.
Version 1.06.21, October 2007
 Adds virtual memory capabilities that let you open as many applications at a
time as you wish.
 Adds universal speed controls (accessed with Pound+Volume Up and
Pound+Volume Down).
 Adds punctuation control and customized punctuation settings.
 Corrects errors in Voice Recorder.
 Corrects file name entries in play lists for Music Player.
 Restructures and combines the functionality of Wireless Control Panel and
Network Manager into one program called Network Manager.
 Adds WPA and WPA 2 security to the wireless types in Network Manager.
 Corrects the USB networking problems.
 Corrects issues with connecting to wireless networks that do not broadcast their
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SSID.
Fixes a problem that prevented copy and paste from working between different
applications.
Corrects the Task Manager so the list is always current.
Changes the feed selection list to a multi-selection list when adding new feeds in
the RSS Reader.
Adds the ability to automatically download podcasts after a feed update in RSS
Reader.
Improves the way RSS Reader deletes and manages feeds. You may use Star to
delete the current feed.
Improves RSS Reader's status messages. You may now get the status at any
level including folders.
Adds a new method for selecting multiple items in a list. Now, Ctrl+Select
toggles a selection.
Adds Numeric mode to the keypad toggle for use as a review keypad in console
mode.
Improves hardware detection when inserting and removing keyboards, USB
drives, power, and more.
Adds several standard keyboard commands.
Corrects a problem that prevented the bookshelf from remembering your place
in text or brf files you put into the library/books folder.
Corrects word navigation in edit controls.
Adds the Current Word command to standard edit controls.
Adds the Spell Word command to standard edit controls. (Press Current Word
twice.)
Adds the Announce Drive Space command.
Changes the announcement of file size to say the size first when pressing Status
in File Explorer.
Changes internal handling of files to UTF8.
Adds the Recent Files menu option to the word processor.
Corrects the problem of some books from Bookshare.org skipping text.
Corrects bugs in the find and replace form.
Adds the ability to send a contact an email from the address book.
Adds "Add This Sender to Address Book" option to Email.
Changes address book contact listings to show last name first.
Adds the Time Zone field to appointments in the planner.
Adds the ability to select an email address when composing new messages in
email.
Updates the synchronization utility to add time zone information.
Adds index number announcements to indicate the current and total number of
items in a list.
Preserves words the user added to the spell check dictionary during backup and
restore.
Preserves recording settings during a backup and restore.
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Changes behavior of the modifier keys when using Thumb Braille.
Improves the speed of detecting system hardware changes.
Adds the numeric value to the announcement on volume and speed changes.
Uses a new application startup sound that is less harsh.
Adds a "reboot" command accessed with Pound+Star+Program 1.
Work planned for FY 2009
 Continue with internationalization support
 Continue Braille display support
 Continue DTB support
 Begin Global Position System (GPS) work
 Begin cell phone support
 Obtain approval from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD) to play
their protected books
 Streamline and expand browser capabilities to take advantage of Web 2.0
features.
 Redesign the hardware to increase reliability, increase speed, and add
features.
Monitoring Technological Developments and Educational Applications
(Continued)
Purpose
To identify and develop microcomputer materials that support educational needs; to monitor
technological developments and educational applications of technology; to provide support to the
production area for various Digital Talking Book production issues and to disseminate information
on current uses of assistive technology.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Rob Meredith, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Keith Creasy, Programmer
Mike McDonald, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Background
The rapid advances in use and development of software, hardware, accessibility considerations,
and educational theories require significant attention. The Technology Group in the Educational
Research Department monitors and participates in numerous activities to keep abreast of
developing trends and current implementations and encourages trends, policies, and standards
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that use technology to promote APH's mission. These ongoing endeavors help keep APH
personnel knowledgeable and influential in the areas of regular and assistive technology.
The Technology Group stays informed through participation in numerous listserves focusing on
programming and accessibility issues. The group actively uses and beta tests pre-releases of
operating system code, key applications, active accessibility, Java Swing components, screen
enlargement, and speech or braille output accessibility aids. The group attends conferences,
presents products and activities, and demonstrates APH products related to technology. The
Technology Project Leader and two of the programmers are also members of the DAISY
Consortium to help ensure that APH continues at the forefront of the conversion to digital talking
books and that APH is represented in the shaping of guidelines and specifications. In its efforts to
influence direction, the Technology Group creates software for both internal research and use as
direct products, applies expertise to help make APH effective and Accessible in its production of
braille and large print and its application of new and emerging technologies to these processes,
and disseminates information to APH and directly to users. The group promotes accessibility
within APH by establishing techniques that make the entire company Accessible.
Work during FY 2008
Staff wrote a web based application to help manage and track the contractions a student knows
and manage a list of books that she is capable of reading with that knowledge. They also wrote
and debugged editor facilities to create the data for a given book.
Staff programmed and debugged an application to help orientation and mobility specialists
communicate better with their clients and families. See the write up on O & M for Families.
Programmers finalized a low vision friendly phonics training program. See the write up for Turbo
Fonics.
Staff continued working closely with the studio in order to create an efficient means of creating
Digital Talking books.
Staff continued working on a pilot project with the National Library Service to create "digital
talking books" (DTB's). See the Book Wizard write-up for information on how the program was
modified to deliver content straight from the web.
The Technology Group continued to participate in beta testing, monitor listserves, attend
conferences, collaborate with other developers, and disseminate information. It also continued to
study effective means of combining APH's Large Print and Braille areas to accommodate digital
text and digital talking books.
Staff prepared several Digital Talking Books from NIMAS files and conducted training on using
them for a pilot project with the ATIC department.
Technology staff provided advice and expertise at Product Advisory and Review Committee
(PARC) sessions, evaluated products submitted to APH for possible production or sale, helped
ensure the accessibility of APH's web site and online ordering systems, and participated in
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modernizing APH's recording studios.
The Technology Group regularly provides advice and technical assistance to APH's Business
Contract Department and meets with staff from Customer Relations to familiarize them with new
products as they near their introduction date. Staff regularly consults and assists with technical or
information requests via phone and e-mail.
Project staff maintained and updated the demo CD that contains demonstrations of software,
product information, and in depth audio demonstrations of software and hardware narrated by
experts from the department on that product. The CD interface is html based, so it is also used
on the APH Web site.
With three staff members on the DAISY Mark Up and Specification team, the group actively used
the specifications and worked to improve weaknesses in the specifications. The project leader is a
member of the File Specification Group of the American Foundation for the Blind's Solutions
Forum, the Kentucky Department of Education's Computerized Testing Task Force, and a
member of a task force designed to study tools and techniques that help publishers meet the
needs of blind students when providing electronic files of their textbooks.
One programmer is a member of the Daisy Intellectual Property protection working group where
he participates in molding the specifications and techniques that are used to protect digital
content in books distributed by National Library Service and other producers.
Staff provided support and markup services to other project leaders, so each product's
documentation is accessible in electronic format.
Work planned for FY 2009
There are two additional areas of software development that require addressing. They are
automated testing and error reporting. The group will find ways of appropriately addressing these
issues in the coming years.
The Technology Group will increase its involvement in the following:
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Digital document access;
Web streaming technology;
Universal design concepts, and alternative user interfaces;
Ensure critical accessibility of system components and emerging systems;
Disseminate information and advise government, manufacturers, and consumers
about accessibility issues;
 And develop high quality, educationally sound software and hardware solutions
for blind and visually impaired students and adults.
 Investigate the accessibility of Web 2.0 applications.
The Technology Group will continue to pursue ways of applying technology to the production of
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tactile graphics, help educate other project leaders in the Department of Educational Research,
and look for ways to use technological solutions to further APH's mission. The group will pursue
funding for special projects and experiment with emerging technologies. The group also plans to
continue expanding the APH network site license and pursue additional text-to-speech engines
for possible distribution. Licensing APH technology to other manufacturers to help discriminate
some of APH's pioneering work is also under investigation. There have already been a number of
requests from other vendors into the possibility of using the APH Speech Environment, the Digital
Audio Component, and Book Wizard as parts of their own products.
The technology group plans to work closely with the Accessible Tests Department by providing
technological solutions to test access issues as defined by them. Advise, review, support, and
software design and development are among the expected activities that will connect the
Technology Group and the Accessible Tests Department.
The technology group designed, implemented, and hosts a new project for the Core Curriculum
Project Leader called Early Braille Tradebooks. This system runs on the Drupal content
management system and represents the kind of project that will become more common--one
that is accessible via the web and works with a variety of computer types and operating systems.
More involvement with the Linux operating system and the accessibility developments in the
console, X Windows, and GNU Network object model Environment (GNOME) are a high priority.
Staff is especially interested in Speakup, the Linux kernel screen access program and its
compatibility with software text-to-speech systems under Linux, global positioning system
engines that may run under more than one operating system, and the general movement toward
the "cloud computing" environment and its accessibility implications.
The group will continue to make high-interest demonstrations, training, and presentations
available as podcasts on the APH web site.
Refreshable Braille Display
(New)
Purpose
To produce a high quality, portable, inexpensive refreshable braille display that may be used with
the Braille+ or with other portable or stationary devices.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Thomas Friehoff, Project Consultant
Background
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As APH advances its braille interests to all parts of the company, technology considerations
proved especially interesting. Programmers are finalizing a complete integrated software solution
so the Braille+ may communicate with USB or Bluetooth refreshable braille displays. The field has
also long recognized the need for an inexpensive portable display so that students may read in a
variety of environments. While other companies have traditionally provided refreshable braille
displays of even the most small number of cells for prices over $2000, APH in partnership with
BAUM can produce an 18 cell display with dimensions to match the Braille+ using BAUM's
traditional high quality components and workmanship combined with APH software and
specifications to make a small display with a reasonable number of cells for a reasonable price.
Work during FY 2008
 Determined the need for a portable display.
 Rendered 3-d drawings of two proposed designs.
Work planned for FY 2009
 Build prototypes
 Field test prototypes
 Finalize design
 Manufacture
 Make available for sale
Studio Recorder
(Completed)
Purpose
To produce a simple-to-use, robust digital audio recording tool geared toward spoken word
content.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Rob Meredith, Programmer
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
John Zinninger, Senior Technician
Dave McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research/Project Assistant
Background
Studio Recorder is a powerful digital recording and editing software package geared to make
recordings of the spoken word. It includes features not found in audio recording and editing
programs primarily designed for music production. Such features include:
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1. Speed up playback with no pitch distortion.
2. Three levels of phrase detection.
3. Index tone generation and removal.
4. Instant open on large files.
5. Instant cut, copy, paste, and delete.
6. Intercom functionality.
7. Simple user interface.
8. Accessibility for blind and visually impaired users.
9. Multiple user marks and notes.
10 External controller support.
Studio Recorder was originally written for internal use at APH to serve as a tool for creating direct
to digital audio recordings for the National Library Service (NLS). It contains many features that
ease the task of recording, editing, and proofreading audio books. It also includes features that
simplify the production of analog cassette tapes from the digital master.
While Studio Recorder was originally written for use by the professional narrator and narration
monitor, its simple operation makes it ideal for nearly anyone interested in recording, editing, and
producing spoken word audio documents in an efficient manner.
In addition to all of the benefits of digital recording and playback technology common to digital
recording software, Studio Recorder provides unique capabilities geared to both spoken word
content and, more specifically, recordings intended for distribution on audiocassette or via the
World Wide Web. The software supports projects ranging from the quick and simple home
recording to the most demanding and professional task.
Features such as the intercom mode allow recording professionals, who often collaborate from
separate booths, to communicate through the PC's speakers and sound card. Other features,
such as the ability to mark and label points in the recording, make it easy for narrators working
on large works to preserve notes about pronunciation and characterization, allowing quick
reference to information from past recording sessions. The phrase detection capabilities
streamline the process of sifting through cumbersome audio files. Instead of using time as the
criterion for navigation, these features allow the narrator to use content for maneuvering through
the audio file in a manner similar to that of moving through text in a word processing program.
Studio Recorder also provides advanced capabilities such as punch in/out recording, linear fade,
instantaneous editing, and time-specific alarm tones that assist the user in sizing a document to a
cassette tape.
Programming staff brought the proposal of releasing this project as a product to the Product
Advisory and Review Committee (PARC), and the concept of releasing this utility as a general
purpose commercial application was approved. Programmers then began work on the general
market aspects of the program.
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Further development was driven by both studio needs and customer requests and suggestions.
An outstanding response to this input has defined a software package that is robust, flexible, and
enjoys thousands of hours of use each year at APH alone.
As development continues, Studio Recorder becomes a more integral tool in the Digital Talking
Book creation process.
Work during FY 2008
The following enhancements were made to Studio Recorder:
 Adds the ability to encode all open windows.
 Adds the ability to edit compressed files.
 Adds a new pane in the status bar that indicates the progress of any background
processing.
 Enhances the status bar so that messages and the panes in which they are
displayed dynamically resize as needed.
 Corrected minor bugs.
Work planned for FY 2009
Various requests have been made by users of Studio Recorder. Some of these include:
 The ability for markers to be dropped automatically when silence is encountered
while recording.
 The ability for recording to cease when silence persists for a specified time, and
restart again when a specified signal level is detected.
 Implementation of an Accessible graphic equalizer.
See the write-up for the digital audio component for other possible future enhancements.
Talking Learn Keys
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide a Windows-based basic keyboard exploration program for visually impaired or blind
users so they may become familiar with any computer keyboard or to hear keystrokes announced
in applications.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
John Hedges, Programmer
Rob Meredith, Programmer
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Background
Talking Learn Keys provides clearly recorded audio feedback about keys that users of any age
type on the PC keyboard. It can be used in two configurations. In the first, the user can type any
key on the keyboard without fear of doing something wrong because Talking Learn Keys
processes the keys before they are presented to the system. In the second, the learner can use
Talking Learn Keys to announce keys for any program on the computer. This can be useful for
providing high quality feedback for number entry in data processing applications or simply to
verify the user is typing properly in any application. The program uses prerecorded speech from
professional narrators and allows the user to choose either a male or female voice. There are also
options for fast or normal speed announcement of key presses and a pronunciation mode feature
that allows various pronunciations of some of the special keys. A large Verdana font type is used
to display the key name. This feature is adjustable from the menu.
The idea for Talking Learn Keys was discussed and presented to the Product Review Committee,
who approved development of the program. The Technology Group in the Department of
Educational Research developed initial design specifications and a functionality features list. The
programmers wrote, tested, and finalized the code in 1999, and Talking Learn Keys became
available.
As the group continued the development of the APH Speech Environment with its new abilities to
manage user registration, it decided to update Talking Learn Keys to take advantage of this
capability. This also allows the program to be placed on the Web in a demo version.
The program was modernized for new versions of Windows, including Windows XP. In a second
area, new keyboards also may have additional multimedia buttons. These are controlled by
vendor customized software. Support was added to handle the Microsoft multimedia keyboard. In
addition, the other APH products now use the audio from Talking Learn Keys. It was helpful to
create multiple audio components that allow other programs to use the audio files when installed
on the same computer. The setup program has also been updated to use the Inno Setup for
integration with current software distribution tools.
Work during FY 2008
This program is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Updates will occur as needed.
Talking Typer for Windows
(Completed)
Purpose
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To provide Accessible, interactive keyboard training on the Windows platform.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Background
Talking Typer for Windows is a program based on two former APH products, the Talking Typer
for Apple II and PC Typer. Like its predecessors, Talking Typer for Windows includes features
that allow users to create and modify drills and dictation exercises. It also includes features for
recording and storing, and examining student records and performance statistics. The program
also contains a fun game with score keeping capabilities. After completing program specifications,
the basic framework of the project was created. Program specifications included the features
from the DOS-based PC Typer plus additional features identified by users of the previous version.
Enhancements to the previous version are:
1. The program is self-voicing, so no screen access program or speech synthesizer
is required
2. New students automatically receive a default list of lessons
3. Support for special computer keys is included
4. The program includes the ability to record and playback dictations
5. Software is completely network ready
6. Teacher management and lesson activities are combined into one program with
password restricted access to teacher privileged functions like record
manipulation and default settings.
The program entered its field testing phase in September 1999.
The programming group field tested Talking Typer over a six-month period in a variety of sites,
and the field test participants played a very active role in shaping the development of this
product. Field testing began in September 1999 with an early prototype of the system and the
programmers quickly replaced features that were difficult to understand with methods suggested
by participants. The field testers and customers suggested adding some lessons that used
common phrases, so Research Assistant Kris Scott created two new lessons with about 40
phrases in each lesson. Customer feedback indicates these were a great idea and several users
requested the two-phrase lessons be renamed Sentences and to create additional lessons that
come before the sentence lessons that contain shorter, more common phrases. Recent customer
feedback indicates that even more sentences should be included.
One of the most requested features was a better text-to-speech engine, and staff obtained a
license to begin distributing AT&T's Natural Voices with the product.
Work during FY 2008
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This product is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
New features may be added to Talking Typer for Windows V 1, however most will be deferred to
Talking Typer for Windows V.2. Necessary corrections and updates will be made as needed.
Talking Typer V 1.0 is complete.
Maintenance issues continue to arise with this product, and users continually request
enhancements.
Talking Word Puzzles
(Completed)
Purpose
To produce an Accessible educational game on CD that uses hidden word or crossword-type
puzzles.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Mario Eiland, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research/Project Assistant
Background
The need for an educational type of game like hidden word and crossword puzzles has been long
expressed by customers and experts in the field. APH's Product Advisory and Review Committee
(PARC) supported the idea for such a project in May 1998, and the programming group began
work on the program in FY 2000. Project staff wrote program specifications for the program.
Features planned include an intuitive text-to-speech and large print navigation system through
the puzzle grid. The interface includes appropriate, responsive speech and highlighting feedback
as the student uses the shift key along with the arrow keys to mark a word in the grid and
distinguishable characteristics as the student moves across words already marked. Specifications
also call for a creation process that allows the teacher to enter either a list of words or a list of
words and clues to those words in the case of a crossword puzzle. This data gets committed to
persistent storage and all puzzles get dynamically generated from this information.
Work during FY 2008
This program is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Future enhancements will be made as identified.
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Teacher's Pet
(Completed)
Purpose
To develop a program used to create and take tests and practice drills and to provide student
progress record keeping.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
John Hedges, Programmer
Tessa Wright, Consultant/Project Assistant
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research/Project Assistant
Background
APH has long been interested in providing an Accessible means of creating and delivering test
content to blind and visually impaired students. An early attempt at this goal, Teacher's Pet for
the Apple II, was a huge success. Members of Educational Research continue to receive requests
for a Windows-based program that would perform similar functions. The group designed a new
program to deliver content and record progress using Extensible Markup Language (XML) as its
native file format. The design specifications call for software that is self voicing with easily
adjustable display characteristics and a simple user interface that provides mechanisms to repeat
or more closely examine test material. The program must also store and retrieve student
statistics and access settings and provide an interface to make the teacher's job of preparing the
test simple through modern drag and drop capabilities for multi-media objects like graphics and
sounds. Teacher's Pet must also manage and display student records.
Staff wrote program specifications that include the support for a variety of question types
including open-ended, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, matching, information, and multiple choice.
Programmer John Hedges created a prototype of the application in March 2000 using JavaScript
as the programming language. (This was APH's first venture into this language in its attempt to
identify a language that provides rapid deployment possibilities yet supports Accessible design
concepts.) He created techniques for providing user interface elements supporting universal
design concepts and incorporated the APH digital audio component and APH Speech Environment
to provide some of the core services the software required.
The programming team successfully solved a number of access and design issues. The program
received such capabilities as an automatic integrated sound recording and playback facility that
includes the ability to limit the time of the recording (through the APH Digital Audio Control),
Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) support for flexible display adjustment, selection and display
routines, a dialog to open and identify Teacher's Pet test files, evaluation functions that are
extensible enough to permit a variety of formats for acceptable answers, and functions to
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preserve and restore user preferences and access settings. The programmers added the user
interface and input mechanism that lets the student enter the answer in whatever format the
teacher or parent specifies and the dialog and input routines that lets the teacher or parent
create the test material. Functions were written to present the question, to navigate from
question to question, and to move through long questions as is the case when there are several
paragraphs or pages of text to read.
Work during FY 2008
Staff began a major rewrite on this project to convert it to the c# language. Much of the
underlying structure is actually similar to the functionality needed for the Family O&M Book
project, so foundation code is being written to support both projects.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project in version 1.x is complete. A new version is expected to be complete this year.
Verbal View of the Net and the Web
(Completed)
Purpose
To teach blind and visually impaired computer users background information about the Internet.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
A new technology typically affects a specific industry or group of workers or customers. It is a
rarity that an emergent technology affects every industry and virtually every person worldwide.
Usually it takes a long time for a technology to spread throughout its sphere of influence. There
are 2 recent innovations, however, that violate these patterns: the Net -- a worldwide network of
connected computers and the Web -- a global collection of connected multimedia documents.
Both of these developments have emerged in the past quarter century and have already
influenced every aspect of human endeavor throughout the civilized world.
Now, that a personal computer costs about the same price as a quality television set or highperformance stereo system, an individual can afford a personal computer and can access the Net
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and the Web any time anywhere. The personal computer has invaded every area of human
activity, and its ubiquity has made the Net and the Web commonplace. No other technology has
spread throughout the culture as rapidly as the personal computer—those placed on desktops
and those concealed within most appliances—cell phones, microwaves, cars, medical equipment,
and tools of all kinds.
The personal computer, together with the Net and the Web, has altered and enhanced all
aspects of culture and human interaction forever. This tutorial, Verbal View of the Net and the
Web, presents an overview of this omnipresent technology. You will rely on this technology when
you take courses, when you work, when you play, when you communicate with others, and
when you visit a library. Additional tutorials from APH about the Net and the Web describe ways
to send and receive e-mail on the Net, browse documents on the Web, and much more.
These tutorials are written for blind computer users who possess computers (desktops or
laptops) that run Windows XP. They teach readers how to connect to the net, surf the web, send
and receive e-mail, and much more. All the essential aspects are explained, and all the essential
tools are discussed. No prior knowledge of the Net or of the Web is assumed.
There are 2 types of tutorials: descriptive and audio-interactive. The former type is in "textbook"
form. You read the material in a preferred format and then practice it. The latter is in "mimic"
form. You listen to a cassette tape or an audio CD and attempt to follow the instructor's steps.
These tutorials about the Net and the Web are descriptive in style and are distributed as DAISY
books on compact disks. DAISY stands for Digital Audio Information System; this "electronic
book" format is accepted worldwide as a standard form for audio books produced for visuallyimpaired and blind readers.
These tutorials are written for blind users who wish to employ the Net and the Web for
educational, vocational, and recreational pursuits. A few topics are discussed at length, although
omitted from most books, because they greatly benefit blind users.
These tutorials are written for persons who have limited or no access to training centers and
must learn independently. They are written for users who want or need to access the Net and
the Web primarily with the keyboard. The use of the keyboard is emphasized and summarized
throughout. The keyboard and the mouse are compared whenever appropriate so the strengths
and weaknesses of both are apparent.
Work during FY 2008
This project is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. The material will be updated as needed.
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Verbal View of Office 2007
(New)
Purpose
To teach blind students and adults how to use the new interface in Office 2007 and to rewrite the
tutorials for the individual Office components.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background Microsoft completely redesigned the user interface for the series of programs in the
Office suite. While each application is more consistent, the whole pyridine is new, and most blind
computer users are not yet familiar with the new procedures and actions.
APH already offers a tutorial for Microsoft Word, but the user interface is totally revamped for the
2007 edition. Rather than rewriting the existing Word tutorial (See Verbal View of Word and
Verbal View of Word Advanced) project staff recognized that the better approach might be to
write a tutorial that focuses on the new interface for the Office suite and cover the common
components in that book. Such common components include the spell checker and grammar
checker. Then, as sub components, offer separate and new tutorials that focus on the unique
aspects of Word, Excel, and Outlook. Taking this approach should lessen confusion by not
including such varied material in one tutorial and lets the staff combine the Word and Advanced
Word tutorials for the new Word tutorial.
Work during FY 2008
 Researched the new user interface
 Corresponded with key people at Microsoft about differences in the interfaces
and reasons for switching
 Began writing
Work Planned for FY 2009
 Complete writing
 Proofread and correct
 Check for keystroke accuracy
 Record text
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 Make available for Sale
Verbal View of Online Mail
(Completed)
Purpose
To teach blind and visually impaired computer users effective use of email.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
The only prerequisite to this tutorial, Verbal View of the Net and the Web, talks about the Net
and the Web and describes the various ways to connect to the Net.
Online mail -- most commonly called Electronic Mail or E-mail for short -- now ranks with
telephone calls in popularity. This tutorial only discusses e-mail on the Net. (You are able to send
and receive e-mail with mobile phones and other devices.)
Usually, you rely on a word processor (like WordPad or Microsoft Word) to write, edit, format,
and read ordinary documents. They are usually located on your computer.
You must rely on a different kind of program to write, edit, format, and read as well as send and
receive online mail. Typically, you rely on an e-mail program (alias e-mail client) to perform these
tasks.
Outlook express is the e-mail program that comes with Internet Explorer; this e-mail program is
the most used at the present time on Windows XP. The program named just Outlook is the email program that comes with Microsoft Office; this program extends the functionality of Outlook
Express. Outlook Express and Outlook are different programs and Microsoft has 2 different
support teams for them because they are substantially different. Both programs come with an
Address Book in which you can enter information about persons, organizations, or businesses,
called contacts. You must upgrade to Outlook 2003 (part of Microsoft Office) if you want a
calendar and appointment book as well. (You can purchase Outlook 2003 as a separate program
from Microsoft Corporation -- $109.00 on November 4, 2005.)
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Most developers of screen readers and screen magnifiers focus efforts on Internet Explorer and
Outlook Express because Microsoft products currently dominate the Net and the Web. Today,
virtually every newcomer to Windows XP receives and sends online mail via Outlook Express;
therefore, this tutorial covers Outlook Express.
Work completed in FY 2008
This project is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Updates will occur as needed.
Verbal View of Vista
(Continued)
Purpose
to provide a tool to teach the Vista operating system to blind computer users
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
The Verbal View series provides unprecedented instruction and detail about specific topics for
blind computer users. With the release of Vista in February 2007, APH considers it important to
provide pertinent training material on current technology. Vista contains thousands of changes
and enhancements, and this tutorial covers them.
Even since the release of XP, the PC hardware and usage models have changed. Serial ports,
parallel ports, and floppy drives are no longer even shipped on new PCs. The emphasis has
switched from work on the PC to work on the internet.
Work during FY 2008
Researched, wrote, proofread, and tested the text of the tutorial.
Work planned for FY 2009
 Record content
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 Prepare for Daisy distribution
 Release product
Verbal View of Web Documents
(Completed)
Purpose
To teach blind and visually impaired computer users how to make effective use of their internet
browser.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
The prerequisite to this tutorial, Verbal View of the Net and the Web, talks about the Net and the
Web and describes the various ways to connect to the Net. This tutorial focuses on the Web, now
the most useful and influential part of the Net. Web, short for the World Wide Web, consists of
hypertext documents (alias web pages) linked together in a "web" of interconnected documents.
Usually, you rely on a word processor (like WordPad or Microsoft Word) to write, edit, format,
and read ordinary documents. They are usually located on your computer. You learn later that
ordinary documents and other types of documents are also available on the Web and that you
can retrieve (download) them and store them on your computer.
You must rely on a different kind of program to retrieve, display, and read web documents.
Typically, you rely on a web browser to perform these tasks. Internet Explorer is the web
browser that comes with Microsoft Windows XP; this web browser is the most used at the
present time. (Even customers of America Online rely on Internet Explorer although AOL owns
Netscape Navigator, a rival web browser.)
A companion program -- Outlook express -- is the e-mail program that comes with Internet
Explorer. This e-mail program receives its just due in Verbal View of Online Mail.
A web browser (like Internet Explorer from Microsoft or Mozilla from Firefox) lets you retrieve and
read web documents (alias web pages) stored on the Net or on your computer. You don't write,
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edit, or format web pages with a web browser! You just retrieve them and read them. However,
you can save web pages on your computer in 3 different ways: as complete web pages and read
them with a web browser; as html documents and read and edit them with Microsoft Word; or as
text documents and read and edit them with NotePad.
Most developers of screen readers focus efforts on Windows XP and Internet Explorer because
Microsoft products currently dominate the Net and the Web. Today, virtually every blind user
surfs the Web with Internet Explorer from Microsoft. Therefore, this tutorial covers Internet
Explorer.
You can use the keyboard or the mouse in every part of Internet Explorer. In particular, complete
keyboard support is provided: on web pages, on the Active Desktop, and throughout the help
system.
Work during FY 2008
This project is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. The material will be updated as needed.
Verbal View of Web Searches
(Completed)
Purpose
To teach blind and visually impaired computer users effective use of internet searching.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
A web browser lets the computer user reach the Web. A web search program, usually called a
Search Engine, then lets her locate web pages.
This tutorial describes the most important online phenomenon of our time—the Google Search
Engine. Google governs online life, information acquisition, and citizenship in the global
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community. Google influences people in every nation and in every language. Google makes folks
of all races and of all educational and social backgrounds equal while online. Google dominates
the Web in every aspect; it has no rivals!
Google's influence rivals that of television in its scope and its general acceptance. No online
activity, except for e-mail, rivals Google in importance and popularity; 250 million visitors to the
Web Google daily. Now, the word google is used as a noun and as a verb; you read and hear the
phrase "google it" as often as the phrase "watch TV". This book explains why Google outshines
its competitors, and how you will benefit when you also become a daily googler!
This book discusses web searches primarily. Other kinds of online searches are also discussed
because of their usefulness.
Google works well when you learn a few basics. It works magnificently when you learn a few
more web search conventions and tricks. This book covers those mostly ignored web search
options that can make you a power user and master over the Web. Familiarity with Google's
mostly-ignored search options will make your online life more efficient and enjoyable. Besides,
you can impress friends and colleagues with your Google skill -- not to mention save time and
perform better web searches.
Work during FY 2008
This project is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Updates and enhancements will occur as the subject matter evolves.
Verbal View of Windows XP
(Completed)
Purpose
To create a tutorial that explains current versions of the Windows operating system in terms
most useful to blind and visually impaired users.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
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Background
For many years, APH and its advisors and customers have desired an in-depth tutorial that
covered the latest version of Windows from the perspective of a blind or visually impaired
computer user.
Staff identified a tutorial written by Peter Duran and approached him about licensing the rights to
his work then distributing it as a Digital Talking Book.
The result of this collaboration, Verbal View of Windows is a comprehensive tutorial on using
Windows XP from the view point of a blind or partially sighted student or professional. It covers
nearly every aspect of Windows XP, and it presents this material from the keyboard user's
perspective.
Delivered on CD, this tutorial comes in DAISY 3.0 format with its own presentation software. The
CD also contains Microsoft Word, html, contracted braille, and text versions of the document, so
one may send it to a portable device like the Book Port or other note taker with a refreshable
braille display.
The software that comes with Verbal View of Windows XP is a special version of a DAISY reading
program called Book Wizard Reader.
Work during FY 2008
This project is complete. Future revisions are anticipated as new features are added to Windows
and as new versions of Windows get released.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete.
Verbal View of Word
(Continued)
Purpose
To create and distribute an in-depth tutorial that explains the basic functions and features of
Microsoft Word in a format most useful to blind and visually impaired users.
Project Staff
Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
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Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
Microsoft Word is the dominate word processor today. This powerful, fast, and fun software
package has thousands of commands and multiple means of accomplishing a particular task.
Verbal View of Word is a comprehensive tutorial designed to teach the blind or visually impaired
user how to use the basic features of Microsoft Word.
This tutorial is written with three groups of readers in mind: the writer who wants a complete
and organized account of keyboard techniques; the writer who prefers the keyboard instead of
the mouse; and the blind writer who must rely on voice or braille access technology.
The tutorial assumes the reader already possesses a basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows, has
Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, 2003, or later installed on the computer, and wishes to become
an efficient writer using Word as a tool. If the reader is not already familiar with Windows
operation and common usage, he may wish to consult Verbal View of Windows XP also available
from APH.
Delivered on CD, this tutorial comes in DAISY 3.0 format with its own presentation software. The
CD also contains Microsoft Word, html, contracted braille, and text versions of the document, so
one may send the book to a portable device like the Braille+ or other note taker with a
refreshable braille display.
The software that comes with Verbal View of Word is a special version of a DAISY reading
program called Book Wizard Reader.
Work during FY 2008
This project is complete.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Future modifications will be made to the material as new versions of
Word are released. A tutorial for Word 2007 is in the works.
Verbal View of Word Advanced
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide a tutorial that explains advanced topics with Microsoft Word in a format most useful
to blind and visually impaired computer users.
Project Staff
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Larry Skutchan, Project Leader
Peter Duran, Project Consultant and Author
Keith Creasy, Programmer
John Hedges, Programmer
Rodger Smith, Programmer
Kathy Lewis, Technical Support Specialist
Steve Mullins, Special Projects Manager
Robert Conaghan, Studio Monitor
Background
Verbal View of Word Advanced is a comprehensive tutorial designed to teach the blind or visually
impaired user how to use the advanced features of Microsoft Word. It follows Verbal View of
Windows XP and Verbal View of Word in a series of tutorials available from American Printing
House for the Blind, Inc.
This book is written for the blind Word user who wishes to write specialized documents: term
papers, business letters, and even books. Some topics are discussed at length, although omitted
from most books, because they greatly benefit the blind writer. The use of the keyboard is
emphasized and summarized throughout this book. The keyboard and the mouse are compared
whenever appropriate so the strengths and weaknesses of both are apparent.
The tutorial assumes the reader already possesses a basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows, has
Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, 2003, or later installed on the computer, and has already learned
the basics of Word from the Verbal View of Word tutorial. If the reader is not already familiar
with Windows operation and common usage, he may wish to consult Verbal View of Windows XP
also available from APH.
Delivered on CD, this tutorial comes in DAISY 3.0 format with its own presentation software. The
CD also contains Microsoft Word, .html, contracted braille, and text versions of the document, so
the user may send it to a portable device like the Book Port or other note taker with a refreshable
braille display.
The software that comes with Verbal View of Word Advanced is a special version of a DAISY
reading program called Book Wizard Reader.
Work completed in FY 2008
No work was performed on this project during FY 2008.
Work planned for FY 2009
This project is complete. Future enhancements will be made as new versions of Word are
released.
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Multiple
Disabilities
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Digital Light Box Artwork: Supporting Language and Literacy
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide the existing artwork from the APH Light Box Materials in a digital format that can
be used in a Windows or Mac platform to design cause and effect, choice making, early
symbol use, and language development and early literacy activities for multiply disabled
children who use touch screens and switches when learning on a computer
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Multiple Disabilities Project Leader
Wendy Buckley, Consultant and Author
Background
While attending a technology workshop sponsored by the Indiana Deafblind Services Project, a
request was made that APH make the Light Box artwork available for the computer so that
students can make a smooth transition from light box activities to new computer activities.
Teachers do not have time to find artwork and scan it into the computer, plus they want the
commonality of the artwork to help students with multiple disabilities make the transition. The
product will help provide students with activities utilizing slides, transitions, graphics, and
action buttons. An online survey was conducted to help APH determine which of the existing
Light Box Materials artwork needed modernization.
Work during FY 2008
The guidebook was written and the artwork completed. Prototypes were field tested.
Work planned for FY 2009
Field test results will be compiled and reviewed. Changes will be made to guidebook and
artwork as needed. Product will become available.
Jumbo Work & Play Tray
(Completed)
Purpose
APH will provide a large (2’x2’) tray to be used by learners participating in active learning
techniques: learners using a HOPSA Dress explore items in the tray with their feet; infants and
toddlers sitting in the tray will have toys within arm’s reach.
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Sue Douglass, Consultant
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Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Anita Rutledge, Design Specialist/Process Engineer
Background
Sue Douglass submitted the product idea to APH. The project leader held a brainstorming
meeting with APH staff to consider manufacturing options. The prototypes were tested by five
professionals (occupational therapists and teachers of the visually impaired).
Work during FY 2008
The tray was manufactured in house and is available for sale.
Lots of Dots Series
(Completed)
Purpose
This three set series (Lots of Dots: Learning My ABC’s, Lots of Dots: Counting 123, and Lots of
Dots: Coloring the Garden) is designed to facilitate braille character and number recognition
through a series of repetitive activities designed for young children with visual impairments
and multiple disabilities. These raised-line coloring books are designed for future readers who
will use large print or braille.
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Multiple Disabilities Project Leader, Author
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
The development of a raised-line coloring book was recommended by the Multiple Disabilities
Focus Group, and the need was confirmed by the Multiple Disabilities Survey. Upon
introduction of the first book in the series, Lots of Dots: Learning My ABC’s, it was
recommended at the 2003 Annual Meeting that APH create a numbers book. Lots of Dots:
Coloring the Garden is the last of the series.
Work during FY 2008
Field test revisions were incorporated into the product. Final tooling and specifications were
completed. Product is now available for sale. This completes the series.
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Manual for Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children who are
Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities:
The van Dijk Approach to Assessment
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a training manual that documents the validity and reliability of the van Dijk
approach to assessment
Project Staff
Catherine Nelson, Consultant and Author
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Sandi Baker, Consultant
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Background
APH currently sells the CD titled, Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children who
are Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment. This
training manual will be packaged with the CD to provide a comprehensive tool to professionals
working with learners (birth-21) who have congenital deafblindness or multisensory
impairments. The focus of the assessment tool is to gather information for program planning
and educational intervention for learners in educational settings.
Work during FY 2008
The manuscript was completed.
Work planned for FY 2009
The manuscript will be sent to professional reviewers. Revisions will be made. The design and
layout of the book will be completed.
Multiple Disabilities Projects and Needs
(Continued)
Purpose
To assess needs, plan research, and manage product development to better serve individuals
who are visually impaired and have additional disabilities
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
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Background
A Multiple Disabilities Focus Group met at APH in March 2001. The group identified a total of
48 product ideas and held detailed discussions on the revision of APH’s Sensory Stimulation Kit
(SSK), the development of a tactile (communication) symbol system, and the value of
adaptable calendar boxes. The 48 product ideas were developed into a needs survey that was
distributed nationally and received international participation. The results of the survey were
presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting and are still available on the APH Web site:
http://www.aph.org/edresearch/md_results.html
Since that time, the Multiple Disabilities Project Leader continues to work on products
recommended by the survey, and on existing APH products that need to be updated to meet
current APH and educational standards.
Work during FY 2008
The Select Switch, Jumbo Work & Play Tray, and Lots of Dots: Coloring the Garden became
available for sale; the latter completes the three book series. APH continued to work with
Catherine Nelson on the Manual for Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children
who are Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment. Work
continued with Millie Smith on SAM: Symbols and Meaning. Work began on an O&M manual
for wheelchair users and on converting the original Light Box artwork into a digital format for
computer screen touch and switch users. A poster was presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting
that provided attendees with the opportunity to voice opinions on older APH products in
regards to obsolescence and modernization.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will continue to research, identify, and develop needed products; conduct
presentations to the field; and address questions referred from customer service. Work will
continue on the Manual for Child-Guided Strategies for the Assessment of Children who are
Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment, SAM: Symbols
and Meaning, the Digital Light Box Artwork, and the O&M manual for wheelchair users.
O&M for Wheelchair Users
(New)
Purpose
To provide an electronic book with videos for COMS who work with individuals who have visual
impairment in addition to being wheelchair users
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Scott Crawford, Consultant and Author
208
Background
This product was identified by the Multiple Disabilities Focus Group. It was rated the ninth
greatest need of 48 recommended products with a score of 4.15 (on a scale of 1-5) on the
Multiple Disabilities Survey (2001). On a follow-up survey conducted at the 2006 Annual
Meeting, it was rated the second greatest need receiving 12 points. The product rated of
greatest need received 15 points. The target group is COMS working with children of all age
levels and adults.
Work during FY 2008
Contract and timeline were established with the consultant.
Work planned for FY 2009
The manual will be written and video will be filmed.
SAM: Symbols and Meaning
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a program to help build the conceptual foundation for successful symbol use
including words, objects, tactual symbols, pictures, and graphics for learners with visual
impairment and multiple impairments
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant
Millie Smith, Consultant and Author
J.C. Greeley, Contributing Writer
Linda Hagood, Contributing Writer
Zoe Morgese, Contributing Writing
Jennifer Stocker, Contributing Writer
Background
This is the continuing revision and replacement of the modalities of the Sensory Stimulation Kit
(discontinued). This kit is being designed to complete the communication/intervention
continuum that APH has created by the sequential use of the Sensory Learning Kit, SAM:
Symbols and Meaning, and Tactile Connections: Symbols for Communication.
Work during FY 2008
The guidebook and assessments were completed. Field test sites were identified. Field test
videos were filmed. An online training was conducted for the field test sites.
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Work planned for FY 2009
Field testing will take place August 2008 through May 2009. Upon completion, revisions will be
made as recommended by field testing.
Select Switch
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide a multifunction switch that can operate battery-powered toys
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
James Robinson, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
During APH presentations on the Sensory Learning Kit, customers requested a device that
could operate battery-powered toys. Conceptual drawings were presented to Technical
Research. CAD drawings and electrical drawings were created, and a bid package was written.
Work during FY 2008
Prototypes were created in Taiwan and were tested at Visually Impaired Preschool Services,
Louisville, KY. The product was manufactured and is now available for sale.
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Physical
Fitness
211
Jump Rope to Fitness
Formerly: Jump Rope Kit
(Continued)
Purpose
To create a product that is fun and easy-to-learn for an individual who is blind to exercise
independently and safely
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Lauren Lieberman, Author
Haley Schedlin, Author
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Background
Through APH funded research at sports camps, the need for teens to participate in good
cardiovascular activities was reinforced. Jumping rope is an activity that can be enjoyed with
peers or independently, it is light weight so it travels well on business trips; and by using an
anti shock mat, a defined area is established to prevent migration and possible accidents from
happening.
Work during FY 2008
Test results from the camps were incorporated into the manual. Results determined which anti
shock mat and which ropes were chosen for kit inclusion. The manual was completed and the
specifications meeting held.
Work planned for FY 2009
The product will become available for sale.
PE Web Site
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide individuals with visual impairments and blindness, parents, and teachers with a
resource list that promotes health, physical education, and recreation.
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Inge Formenti, Librarian
Ann Travis, Research Assistant
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Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Background
APH funded a 3-year study on parent-child physical activity intervention among families of
children with visual impairments. During year three of the study, APH produced a resource
manual for the participating families. Upon completion of the study, it was recommended that
APH make the information available on its website. The original resource manual was updated
and made available on the APH Web site. Viewers can navigate between PE programs,
organizations, articles, books, equipment, events, magazines, mailing lists, national services,
regional and state services, sport camps, switches, toys and games, and websites. This is a
live document; viewers can submit items to be reviewed for placement on the Web site:
http://www.aph.org/pe/index.html
Work during FY 2008
The project leader continued to monitor the site, solicited and reviewed submissions, and
requested article permissions. Two feature presentations were added to the site.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will continue to monitor the site, solicit and review submissions, and
request article permissions.
Physical Health and Education Projects and Needs
(Continued)
Purpose
To research, identify, and develop products that promote physical activities, good health
practices, social interactions, and self-advocacy
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Background
APH recognized the need and began developing products and funding university research in
the area of physical activity in relation to students who have visual impairments, blindness,
and deafblindness. The positive feedback from the field prompted a new designation in the
budget for Health and Physical Education.
Work during FY 2008
Work on the sport edition of the Portable Sound Source and the Sound Localization Guidebook
was completed. Work continued on Jump Rope to Fitness. Work began on 30-Love: Tennis
Guidelines for Players with Visual Impairments and Blindness.
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Work planned for FY 2009
APH will make available for sale Jump Rope to Fitness and 30-Love. The project leader
presented research and field test results at the Council for Exceptional Children Convention
along with showing APH’s new products that support active lifestyles.
Portable Sound Source, Sport Edition
(Continued)
Purpose
To have a reliable sound source that is small enough and adaptable enough to use in physical
fitness and leisure activities (i.e., basketball, rock climbing, hiking, etc.). The accompanying
book will provide sound locator activities (revision of current APH book for the Portable Sound
Source 2003).
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Robert Wall, Consultant
Rebecca Price, COMS, Consultant
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
James Robinson, Manufacturing Specialist
Monica Vaught, Research/Project Assistant
Background
APH recognized the need for a smaller and more adaptable electronic sound source while
conducting focus group sessions on the Sound Ball. Upon reviewing the Sound Localization
Book that currently accompanies the APH Portable Sound Source 2003, the need for revision
was identified. A product specific electronic survey was conducted to determine new needs for
the Sound Localization Guidebook. Robert Wall designed the sound localization study, and APH
staff conducted the sound localization testing. Nineteen young children participated in the
study, which consisted of a pre test and a post test.
Work during FY 2008
The guidebook (print and braille) was approved. The device was manufactured and is in stock
awaiting the printing of the guidebook.
Work planned for FY 2009
The Portable Sound Source will be packaged with the Sound Localization Guidebook and made
available for sale.
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30 Love: Guidelines for Tennis Players with Visual
Impairment or Blindness
(New)
Purpose
To make available in the United States an adapted tennis game that is currently played in
Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom
Project Staff
Tristan Pierce, Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Background
Continuing work on the PE Web site led to the discovery of a website demonstrating tennis
being played indoors by Japanese who are blind. APH staff began working with the Japan
Tennis Association for the Visually Handicapped to introduce the sport to the United States. A
tennis clinic was held at the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, KY.
Work during FY 2008
The guidelines were completed and field testing was held at eight public schools, three
residential schools for the blind, and one private school. The field test results were reviewed,
recommended changes made, and the guidelines were completed.
Work planned for FY 2009
Product will be available for sale.
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Science
(Projects for this category can be found in the Tactile Graphics section.)
216
SelfDetermination
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V-file
Formerly: Personal Vision Portfolio
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide students, teachers, counselors, and parents of visually impaired students
a tool to collect, organize, and document pertinent information and materials that will
aid in transition from Kindergarten through adult life.
Project Staff
Jeanette Wicker, Project Leader
Edith Ethridge, Consultant
Katherine Corcoran, Model Maker
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Tom Poppe, Model Maker
Background
Edith Ethridge developed the Personal Vision Portfolio during her tenure as low vision specialist
at Kentucky School for the Blind. She used this portfolio with students across Kentucky
through the Outreach Program at the school. This portfolio becomes a working file of
activities, documents, and resources used by the student and teacher. It is an aid to an array
of students through a variety of transitions; from teacher to teacher, middle to high school,
from high school to college and work and adult life. Edith retired from her position on July 1,
2006. The popularity and continued demand for the sharing of her work by groups and
organizations around the U. S. led to a product submission.
In January 2006, the product idea was approved by the PET and PARC Committees.
Edith Ethridge agreed to serve as a consultant. The initial work of writing and
revising the portfolio began.
Work during FY 2008
The consultant continued to write, revise, and update the text for the teacher’s manual as well
as the various forms to be used in the portfolio.
Work planned for FY 2009
Complete a prototype of the V-file.
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Tactile
Graphics
219
3-D O&M Kit
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a comprehensive kit of three-dimensional items that can be used for orientation
and mobility instruction, especially with young children who benefit from more realistic,
concrete representations
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Background
Past research indicates the efficacy of using interactive, three-dimensional models for teaching
environmental concepts, especially to young children. From constructed 3-D representations,
generalizations to the actual environment can be made. Realistic models allow information to
be presented in small scale without the added complexity that simple raised-line images can
pose for inexperienced, young tactile readers.
The need for 3-D models for mapping purposes was expressed in compiled data from past
field test activities and in the results from product-specific, on-line surveys. The need was also
supported by multiple submissions of previously designed kits (e.g., Buddy Road Kit
manufactured in New Zealand) for APH's review.
In 2003, the project leader conducted an on-line survey regarding the need for a 3-D O&M Kit.
The survey requested feedback as to needed components if development of such a kit was
undertaken. The results of the survey revealed the following:
 27 of 31 respondents indicated that APH should develop and make a 3-D
O&M Kit available
 Many of the respondents had created labor-intensive, homemade kits of
their own
 Preferred components of an O&M kit would include labeled buildings,
several generic buildings, realistic streets, sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, grass
strips/islands, railroad tracks, street sign/traffic lights, pedestrian models, and
model cars
 Recommended target populations extended beyond the expected "young
students with visual impairments/blindness" category to multiply-disabled
students, as well as both adventitiously- and congenitally-blinded adults.
In August 2007, with permission from the Product Advisory Review Committee, the project
leader transferred the 3-D O&M Kit from "PARC-ing Lot" status to active development.
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Work during FY 2008
The project leader focused attention on the development of the prototype throughout the third
and fourth quarters of the fiscal year. Notable activities encompassed the following: designing
3-D models of cars, people, and buildings; determining amount and structure of grassy areas,
railroad tracks, roads and other manipulatives; tailoring components around a newly designed
tri-fold Velcro board; acquiring commercially-available labeling materials; and authoring
accompanying lesson plans.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will oversee the field test stage and eventually prepare a final report of the
field test results. Product enhancements will be based upon the reviewers' feedback. PDC
members will reconvene to re-evaluate the current timeline and to determine final production
quantities. The project staff will prepare necessary tooling and related specification drawings
that are needed internally and/or by an outside vendor to mass produce the product.
ALL-IN-ONE Board
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide a multi-platform, adjustable board for use
with either hook-Velcro® accessories or magnetic pieces
(homemade, obtained from APH, or purchased
commercially), as well as with dry erase markers, that
would facilitate a variety of learning activities within a
home or classroom setting. Target populations include
young children, students, and adults with visual
impairments, as well as parents and teachers working
with this population.
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
[The prototype of the All-In-One Board is shown.
The DryErase/magnetic side is positioned at an
upright angle.]
Background
After researching and eliminating the risk of duplicating a similar tool already commercially
available, the project leader submitted a formal proposal to develop a unique product that
would provide the following:
 An adjustable, dual-purpose board for use with both Velcro and magnetic
interactive pieces.
 A compact and portable tool for both home and classroom use
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 A flexible surface for use with existing APH products. For example, the
two-sided board can be used with Tactile Connections' tactile cards which are
usually mounted to a felt board and/or a magnetic sheet to create
communication boards, daily calendars, monthly schedules, etc.
 A versatile platform for assessment, instructional, and recreational purposes
 A tool helpful to students/adults of various ages, visual acuity levels, and
instructional needs
Both magnetic-and Velcro-backed pieces are successfully and commonly used with visually
impaired/blind students because they are interactive and stay in place during tactile/visual
exploration. Provision of the ALL-IN-ONE Board will allow teachers and parents to use a widevariety of existing magnetic and Velcro accessories that can be handmade, commerciallyacquired, or purchased from APH. Although only a few magnetic options are available from
APH at this time (e.g., magnetic sheets included with Feel n' Peel Stickers II), this product line
can certainly be extended once the board is available and as guided by requests from the field
[See separate report on Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes].
In January 2007, the project leader conducted a "Brainstorming" Product Development
Committee (PDC) meeting to garner additional advice and ideas from a larger audience of APH
staff. It was determined that the primary task of designing the prototype and eventual
production tooling would be carried out by the Model/Pattern Maker. A complete timeline was
determined and posted on the active development chart.
Despite the complexity of the prototype design, the pace of development was expedited by a
quickly-identified solution to the adjustable handle that allows for various slant angles,
regardless of which side of the board is used. Other prototype activities by the project leader
and Model Maker involved the following:
 Selection and acquisition of materials that would result in a colorful frame
built from two laminated layers. (one blue, one yellow)
 Original molds for, and duplication of, the slant mechanism uniquely
designed to allow a variety of resting angles.
 Location of a vendor for smooth-edged metal sheets that are conducive to
the application and clean erasure of dry-erase markings, as well as secure
attachment of magnetic parts.
Early reviews from members of the Educational Product and Advisory Committee were very
positive indicating that they liked the lightweight, colorful, and adjustable features of the
board. They expected that the product would be very popular with their teachers and
recommended that APH anticipate large sales.
By the end of August 2007, multiple prototypes of the ALL-IN-ONE Board were completed (a
month ahead of schedule) and available for field testing. The project leader then developed an
evaluation form and contacted field test sites. The field test stage was formally initiated by the
end of the fiscal year.
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Work during FY 2008
The field test stage was completed on schedule in December 2008. Field evaluations were
completed by 10 teachers representing the states of California, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi,
New Mexico, New York, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Virginia(2). The student sample of 44
ranged in age from 3- to 17- years old with 32% between 3 and 5, 23% between 6 and 8,
20% between 9 and 11, 14% between 12 and 14, and 11% between 15 and 17. The sample
was nearly equally divided between males and females (57% and 43%, respectively). The
majority (68%) was white; 18% Hispanic; 9% African American; 2% Asian, and 2% “two or
more races.” Nearly three-fourths of the student sample (72%) were in grades Pre-K and
third grade. The students’ primary reading medium was reported as 34% large print, 20%
braille, 16% undetermined/nonreader, 9% regular print, 9% combined braille/print, 7% prebraille, 2% pre-reader, and 2% pictures. Students with cortical visual impairment represented
close to one-fifth of the sample. A large percentage (64%) was reported as having additional
disabilities.
A total of 85 teacher-determined tasks/activities were performed using the ALL-IN-ONE Board
with the students. The majority of the tasks (73%) were assessed as “Highly Successful,” 25%
were rated as “Somewhat Successful;” and only 2% were reported as either “Not Successful”
or between “Somewhat” and “Not” Successful.” The types of learning activities facilitated by
the ALL-IN-ONE Board included the following:
 Identified magnetic print letters and numbers
 Played bingo, tic-tac-toe
 Used commercially-available products (e.g., Math Window) to complete
algebraic equations
 Practiced one-to-one correspondence, counting, patterning, and
sequencing
 Matched color, shape, and size of various magnetic objects
 Used with braille flashcards, spelling words, and contractions
 Used magnetic money for identification and addition
 Used for visual scanning and finding a target object
 Manipulated magnetic gears to promote fine motor development
 Created Venn diagrams
 Practiced handwriting
 Drew pictures and used for art projects.
 Used in combination with the Picture Maker manipulatives
 Practice positional concepts and O&M mapping concepts.
 Used for coloring activities
 Practiced basic focusing and reaching for objects
 Retold stories with Velcro characters—(e.g., Brown Bear, Brown Bear)
The teachers gave very high ratings of the board’s design features, indicating a 4.0 (the
highest possible rating) for both its color/attractiveness and its various slant positions. Other
ratings included overall size (3.85); weight (3.75); multi-purpose format (3.9); portability
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(3.5); and durability (3.55). One-hundred percent of the teachers reported that the ALL-INONE Board offered specific advantages over dry-erase, magnetic, and/or other Velcro boards
they had previously used, most notably the adjustable slant positions and the dual-platform
presentation.
Product enhancements were based upon the reviewers' feedback. Given that the current
design of the board itself was very well received, no structural changes—functional or
aesthetic—were made to it. The only noticeable change from the prototype model to the final
version will be the inclusion of a carrying bag to protect and transport the board.
In February 2008, the project leaders and Product Development Committee members
reconvened to re-evaluate the current timeline and to determine final production quantities.
The third and fourth quarters of the year were dedicated to the following tasks:
 Locating a vendor for the dry-erase portion of the board and evaluating
received samples.
 Locating an overseas vendor for the handle and hub portion of the board and
evaluating pre-production parts.
 Locating a vendor for the carrying case
 Preparing artwork for the carrying case
 Preparing content and final layout of the product instructions
 Selecting the type of dry-erase markers to include with the product
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leaders will monitor the final production of the ALL-IN-ONE Board and ensure its
quality. Post-production activities will include preparing marketing materials, demonstrating
the product at conferences and workshops, and developing educational accessories, especially
magnetic ones, to extend the usability and versatility of the ALL-IN-ONE Board.
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set
(Completed)
Purpose
To develop an accessible, interactive study set for students learning about the Periodic Table
of the Elements
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader/Author
Samir Azer, Project Consultant
Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant/Science Advisor
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
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Bisig Impact Group, Guidebook Layout
Background
The project leader originally proposed the idea of an interactive periodic table to APH’s former
Product Review Committee, along with the idea for a static reference chart of the periodic
table itself. Within a year after proposing the product idea, the project leader conducted a
Tactile Graphics Brainstorming Committee meeting in August 2002. One of the participating
members was Samir Azer, a science teacher at the Kentucky School for the Blind. During this
meeting, the committee reviewed this teacher’s handmade, magnetic, interactive model of the
periodic table that has been very successful and motivating for his students. To avoid
“reinventing the wheel,” the project leader recommended that APH use Azer’s model for the
interactive version.
Progress on this project during FY 2004 was intermittent as other projects took precedence.
Nevertheless, the following goals were achieved in 2004:
 Finalization of a contractual agreement with the project consultant
 The project staff met with project consultant several times to review expected
components of the product.
 Several mockups of an atomic model were designed and submitted to the
project consultant for use with his students.
 Initial artwork of each chemical element was prepared by the project leader and
then applied to a sturdy substrate with Velcro attachments.
Throughout FY 2005, the development of the Periodic Table of the Elements Reference Chart
was given priority over the development of the interactive model because of the field’s urgent
need for the chart itself. However, refinement of the atomic model and separate element
pieces dominated most of the year’s efforts. By July 2005, a complete, single mock-up
according to the consultant’s specifications was developed by the project staff.
Significant strides on this project were made throughout FY 2006, particularly during the third
quarter of the fiscal year. The APH project staff was instrumental in executing the following
prototype-related tasks:
 In response to initial review by the consultant, the total of element pieces was
increased to 360. All elements were represented at least once.
 Preparing artwork for all hexagonal-shaped element pieces. The project leader
coordinated element colors with those on APH's Periodic Table of the Elements
Reference Chart.
 Selecting tactile symbols to represent metal, nonmetal, and metalloid
classifications on the actual element pieces.
 Printing, laminating, and brailling 360 pieces for each of 10 prototypes.
 Building two atomic models for each prototype. The Pattern/Model Maker
simplified the original design to make it user-friendly and to ease mass
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production. Velcro-backed, textured subatomic elements were constructed as
well.
 Working with the outside graphic designer on the outer cover art for both
the housing binder and the guidebook covers.
 Preparing divider sheets for the binder for storing the 360 interactive
Velcro pieces.
 Authoring content for the guidebook, as well as taking photos to illustrate
the various uses of the product's components.
By the end of August 2006, multiple prototypes of all the tangible pieces for the Azer's
Interactive Periodic Table Study Set were built. Throughout the remainder of the fiscal year,
the project staff's attention was focused exclusively on the completion of the guidebook
content and supportive photos. Because of the consultant's busy teaching schedule, the
responsibility of guidebook preparation fell solely upon the project staff.
The field test stage was initiated October 2007. Field evaluators were contacted, evaluation
packets developed, and prototypes mailed. Given the expanse of the kit's components and
potential usefulness throughout the school year, the evaluators were afforded 5 months to use
and review the prototype with their students. Field test sites represented the states of
Washington, Tennessee, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas.
The sample consisted of 34 students with visual impairments/blindness in a variety of settings
including residential schools, itinerant programs, and resource centers. Of the students
reported, all were between the ages of 12 and 18 [19% between the ages of 13-14; 56%
between the ages of 15-16; and 26% between the ages of 17-18]. Fifty-three percent of the
students were male and 47% were female. Exactly half of the sample used braille as their
primary reading medium, 44% were large print readers, and the remainder was reported as
combined auditory/braille readers or dual readers of both large print and braille. Slightly over
one-fourth (26%) of the students had other disabilities, including cerebral palsy, severe
hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
With regard to the actual prototype, 100% of the evaluators were pleased with the following
features and components:
 The interactive Velcro pieces as an appropriate way to demonstrate the
concepts related to the periodic table to students with visual impairments and
blindness
 The size of the Velcro pieces and accessories (e.g., subscript number,
oxidation numbers)
 The dual presentation of print and braille on all of the pieces
 The tactile symbols used to designate metals, nonmetals, metalloids,
Polyatomic ions, etc.
 The overall size and structure of the Atomic Models
 The shapes of the subatomic pieces (i.e., protons, neutrons, electrons)
 The Velcro base board as a helpful component
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 The photos included throughout the guidebook
 The product's compliance with the National Science Education Standards
 The inclusion of a Skills Checklist (also provided on CD)
A high percentage of the evaluators were pleased with the textures of the subatomic pieces
(86%); the content of the guidebook (88%); the layout and presentation of the guidebook
(88%); the storage binder and organization system for the Velcro pieces (88%); and the name
of the product (88%). All of the evaluators recommended that the product be produced and
made available from APH, noting that the product was 100% suitable for both tactile and low
vision readers in secondary grades; 75% of the evaluators extended that suitability to both
tactile and low vision readers in grades 6-8, and 88% rated it as appropriate for sighted peers
as well.
Regarding the student's experience with the prototype, 100% were reported as enjoying the
use of the prototype. Specific comment include: "Wow, it's great to be able to solve the
problems on our own and not have to rely on sighted students to give us the information," and
"Now I wish I could take chemistry over again…it would have been much easier." One teacher
noted that students enjoyed the ability to move the parts, explaining that "regular print
students draw diagrams but blind student have to rely on someone else to make diagrams.
This allowed blind students to manipulate the models."
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The chart below summarizes student knowledge as assessed by their teachers:
Assessment of Student Knowledge and Skills after Using Azer's
Interactive Periodic Table Study Set
Based upon your observations, indicate each student's progress in mastering the
objectives covered in the prototype. Use the following rating scale for each
student who participated in field testing.
NA = Not applicable: Did not cover this objective
AM = Student already mastered skill before field test
1 = No progress shown after using the prototype
2 = Demonstrated a little more understanding of this concept than in the past
after using the prototype
3 = Demonstrated significant strides in understanding this concept after using
prototype
n = 27
Learning Objective
Arranging element categories on the
Velcro board
# of Students reported for each
rating
15--Rating of 3
10--Rating of 2
1--Rating of 1
1--Rating of AM
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Learning Objective
Distinguishing between metal and
nonmetal elements
Identifying the location of subatomic
particles in an atom
Arranging electrons in energy levels to
determine electron configurations
Determining oxidation number of
elements
Identifying an element's valence
electrons
Building electron dot diagrams
Demonstrating how elements combine
via ionic bonds
Demonstrating how elements combine
via covalent bonds
# of Students reported for each
rating
15--Rating of 3
9--Rating of 2
2--Rating of 1
1--Rating of AM
17--Rating of 3
4--Rating of 2
5--Rating of 1
1--Rating of AM
13--Rating of 3
8--Rating of 2
6--Rating of 1
7--Rating of 3
4--Rating of 2
8--Rating of 1
8--Rating of N/A
12--Rating of 3
9--Rating of 2
6--Rating of 1
15--Rating of 2
6--Rating of 1
6--Rating of N/A
12--Rating of 3
5--Rating of 2
3--Rating of 1
7--Rating of N/A
8--Rating of 3
9--Rating of 2
3--Rating of 1
7--Rating of N/A
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Learning Objective
Balancing simple chemical equations
Balancing complex chemical equations
# of Students reported for each
rating
10--Rating of 3
11--Rating of 2
5--Rating of 1
1--Rating of N/A
5--Rating of 3
9--Rating of 2
1--Rating of 1
12--Rating of N/A
Several improvements to the prototype, based upon evaluator feedback, are planned and
include:
 Larger Velcro board for balancing chemical equations and arranging the entire
periodic table
 Additional element pieces (e.g., carbon, hydrogen)
At the conclusion of the field test stage, the project leader conducted a Product Development
Committee (PDC) meeting to familiarize production staff with the components of the kit and
planned production processes. A complete timeline was developed; June 2008 was set as the
expected availability date.
The third and fourth quarters of FY 2007 were devoted to final production tooling, selecting
materials, and identifying vendors for each of the kit's components. Quota approval from the
Educational Product Advisory Committee was received in October 2007.
Work during FY 2008
Tooling efforts continued for Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set throughout the first
and second quarters of FY 2008. These activities encompassed preparing thermoform
patterns, silkscreens, cutting dies, final guidebook layout and design, braille translation, HTML
preparation, and specifications for outside vendors. All of the tooling was completed to
produce the following components:
 Tri-fold Velcro Board
 Atomic Models and textured subatomic pieces (80 electrons, 22 protons,
and 22 neutrons)
 Housing binder with storage panels
 Velcoin placement template
 (296) Hexagonal elements
 Accessories (e.g., coefficient numbers, arrows, assessment pieces, etc.)
 Large print teacher's guidebook
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 Braille teacher's guidebook
The project leader monitored the quality of the pilot and first production runs of the product
throughout the third and fourth quarters. A product brochure was readied.
Work planned for FY 2009
Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table Study Set is now available; no further product-related work is
anticipated. The project leader will present the product at local and national conferences.
Flip-Over Concept Books
(Continued)
Purpose
To provide young children with an interactive tactile book series that encourages the
development and understanding of basic concepts and tactile skills related to shape, texture,
spatial concepts, etc.
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Bisig Impact Group, Logo Design
[Shown is the prototype design of the logo for
Flip-Over Concept Books: Parts of a Whole.]
Background
In April 2006, the project leader submitted a formal proposal to develop a series of interactive
tactile/print books to encourage young children's development and understanding of basic
concepts related to shape, texture, spatial concepts, counting, etc. Inspired by
recommendations from the Early Books Focus Group, which met at APH in June 2004, these
books will address the group's specific requests for both "concept books" as well as
"inexpensive, simple books for children 3- to 5-years of age." A decade has passed since the
introduction of Tactile Treasures, an APH product that provides static worksheets for the
review of basic concepts and general exposure to tactile graphics. Unlike Tactile Treasures, the
Flip-Over Concept Books will incorporate an interactive feature whereby the child
independently flips pages or adjacent print/tactile panels that can be matched or sequenced.
The panels turn so that, for instance, the child can find all the panels that have a rough
texture, continue a line path, complete a sequence, build an image, etc. Additional skills
targeted include page turning, fine motor skills, independent choice-making, and problemsolving. The product idea was officially approved for development by the Product Advisory
Review Committee (PARC)
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In January 2007, the project leader conducted a "Brainstorming" Product Development
Committee (PDC) meeting to familiarize a wider APH audience with the product and explore
design options. The project leader stressed the goals of making the books full-color and
tactile, and durable. Although the primary goal of the project was to develop a new series of
tactile/print books, a secondary goal emerged: to explore a new process for printing and
registering print and tactile parts minus the in-house, labor-intensive, and costly process of
screen printing. In lieu of screen printing, wide-format printing in combination with
thermoforming became the project staff's new challenge. If successful, the implications of this
process could be far-reaching and open new possibilities for the design and production of
future dual-format products.
Throughout the first and second quarters of FY 2007, the project leader was engaged in the
design of two selected Flip-Over Concept Books—Parts of a Whole and Line Paths. Specific
tasks related to the prototype development of each included:
 Selecting and creating original drawings to include in each book
 Working with the Model/Pattern Maker to determine tactile counterparts
for all print images
 Utilizing a CorelDraw template, created by the Manufacturing Specialist, to
plot the print images and assign high contrast colors
 Selecting ideal materials for the panels and back and front covers
 Experimenting with wide-format printing capabilities both in-house and
outside vendors
 Planning the eventual construction/assembly of the books for mass
production (e.g., die designs, twin-loop binding procedure, needed
production fixtures).
 Purchase of non-skid material to affix to back covers of the books
By the end of July, prototype development was approaching an end—all visual artwork was
readied, thermoform masters were complete, and accompanying documentation was
authored. The remaining task was to fully test the wide-format printing and thermoforming of
the panels which, by that time, was determined to be a flat-bed, wide-format printer to
prevent slippage of the heavy-weight vinyl as it was being printed, consequently maintaining
exact alignment between the printed and tactile elements.
Because of the additional time needed to investigate and refine this new printing process, the
actual field test stage was delayed until the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. The project leader
readied an evaluation packet (reviewed by Research staff for objectivity and thoroughness)
and began to identify possible field test sites.
Work during FY 2008
The field test of the Flip-Over Concept Books was completed in January 2008. Field
evaluations were completed by 13 teachers representing the states of Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,
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Texas(2). The student sample of 41 students ranged in age from 3 to 16 years old with 24%
between 3 and 5, 46% between 6 and 8, 24% between 9 and 11, and 5% between 12 and
16. The sample was nearly equally divided between females and males (56% and 44%,
respectively). The student population reflected cultural diversity: 34% were White; 32% were
Hispanic; 20% were African American; 7% were Asian; and 7% were reported as “two or
more races.” A full 73% were in grades Pre-K through third grade; 20% were in grades 4-6;
one student was in 12th grade; and remaining percentage (5%) were reported as non-graded.
The largest percentage of the students (41%) were braille readers; 37% read print or large
print; 7% were reported as prereaders; and remaining percentage were classified as dual
readers, auditory readers, or nonreaders. Over half (51%) of the students had other
disabilities.
Both Flip-Over Concept Books (Line Paths and Parts of a Whole) were reported as helpful by
the teachers in supporting the development and reinforcement of various skills and concepts,
with student improvements reported in various areas: more careful tactile exploration,
matching, line tracking, page turning, spatial understanding/concept development, overcoming
tactile defensiveness, on-task behavior, self-esteem, peer interaction, and interest in tactile
games/activities. The Line Paths book was reported as being the most ideal for tactile readers
in grades K-3; however, a full 85% of the teachers reported that the book was also useful for
tactile readers and low vision readers in preschool. Similarly, 92% of the teachers reported
that the Parts of the Whole book was appropriate for tactile readers in both preschool and K-3;
85% said the book was useful with low vision readers in preschool. Additional Flip-Over
Concept Books were requested including books addressing basic shapes, textures, counting,
sequencing, and recreational themes. The most significant change to the books, based upon
field test results, will be the conversion from a twin-loop binding to one that allows removal,
minimization, and randomization of the separate panels.
Quota approval for the two Flip-Over Concept Books (as well as for other future books
developed in the series) was received from the Educational Product Advisory Committee in
May 2008.
The Flip-Over Concept Books continued to serve as the testing ground for wide-format printing
in combination with the thermoforming process. This investigation occupied the project staff’s
time throughout the third quarter of the fiscal year. Concurrently, a new binding system, to
allow convenient opening and closing of the rings to minimize or randomize the panels, was
explored and located.
In August 2008, the PDC regrouped to establish the remainder of the timeline—from “Final
Documentation” to “Availability.” Extensive efforts to prepare actual production tooling (other
than that prepared during the prototype stage) extended until the end of September.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project staff will continue necessary tooling tasks to ready the books for final availability.
The project leader will oversee the pilot and production runs of the books. Future development
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of similar books, as encouraged by field evaluators’ and EPAC’s recommendations, will be
pursued.
Life Science Tactile Graphics
(Continued)
Purpose
To create a collection of durable, high-relief tactile graphics depicting structures, concepts, and
organisms commonly studied in life science and biology courses.
Project Staff
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Rosanne Hoffmann, Project Assistant
Katherine Corcoran, Model and Pattern Maker
Background
Since the publication of Basic Science Tactile Graphics several years ago, APH has been aware
of the need for similar reference materials for students of higher level science. Like the earlier
product, this one will feature tactile drawings produced on vacuumformed vinyl sheets and a
teacher's guidebook. Unlike the Basic Science volume, Life Science will have both printed and
raised images registered together on the same page, along with labels in print and braille.
Initial work to define the scope of the product and list drawings was done by the project
assistant, who has an extensive background in science instruction.
Work during FY 2008
A field evaluation was conducted in the winter of 2007/2008, involving 35 middle and high
school science students. Fifteen teachers participated at 14 sites, of which five were schools or
agencies specifically for blind students. Sites were located in Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas and West Virginia.
Evaluators generally approved of the tactile graphics and the selection of topics covered.
Because of evaluator comments, several graphics were re-designed or expanded to make
them clearer.
Patterns for all of the remaining graphics (those not included in the field test) were also
completed and made into molds. A great deal of investigation has been underway into the
best methods of printing the vinyl used in vacuumforming for other products, and the tooling
progress of Life Science Tactile Graphics has been delayed pending the results of those trials.
Still, preliminary work on assigning colors to the graphics has been done.
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The guidebook content was finished and artwork was approved for the cover and for the outer
binder.
Work planned for FY 2009
Colors and labels will be laid out for each diagram. Project staff will continue to consult with
vendors on a printing process that ensures the printed and tactile images match up accurately.
Specifications for the graphics and guidebook will be written by project staff and Technical
Research, and the project will move forward to production.
PermaBraille Sheets
(New/Completed)
Purpose
To offer a variety sizes of PermaBraille Sheets for the purpose of creating durable braille
materials: address labels, math flashcards, maps, personal files, recipe cards, charts/graphs,
bulletin board displays, menus, etc. The material can be used with a braillewriter, slate and
stylus, and serrated tracing wheels. Target populations include the following: teachers
preparing materials for braille readers; transcribers; braille-reading students; and adult blind
consumers.
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Background
Since the initial production of Tactile Treasures in 1997,
APH has used PermaBraille material to generate many
tactile and braille products. The material has been
successful in capturing fine detail in a durable format and
has proven ideal for products that need to withstand
repeated use. Anticipating that this specific material
might have extended braille uses beyond APH
manufacturing of tactile materials, the project leader
decided to request feedback from teachers, transcribers,
and blind adults about its potential uses. Field testing of
the material was initiated in May 2007.
[Four sizes of PermaBraille sheets are shown
along with product instructions.]
Nineteen evaluators participated in the field test of PermaBraille Sheets and represented the
states of Pennsylvania(2), Alaska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina,
Texas(2), Michigan, New York, Nebraska, Arkansas, Utah(2), Louisiana, North Dakota; it was
also tested at the South Australian School for the Vision Impaired. Field evaluators included
certified braille transcribers, adult braille readers, an LRC director, a VI Media Coordinator, and
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a Coordinator of Rehab Teaching, and a Chaplain at a firehouse. A complete list of the
participating evaluators appears in APH’s 2007 Annual Research Report under
“Braillable/Thermoformable Vinyl.” Visit http://www.aph.org/edresearch/ar2007/index.html
Field evaluators indicated that PermaBraille Sheets offer special features that regular braille
paper and other plastic materials (e.g., Brailon) don't. Special advantages reported by
evaluators included the following:
"Created very smooth braille"
"Was very nice to use to create two copies" at the same time which “were equally easy to
read."
"The fatigue factor with the slate and stylus is reduced due to the fact that you don't have to
press hard."
"Flexibility of the paper."
"Tactile surface is user-friendly."
"Liked the dots…sharp enough, easy to read, very pleasant to touch."
"Braille was clearer and less likely to get pressed down when it was put in a folder."
"The material was easy to manipulate and handle. Brailling is easy with both slate and brailler,
and produces clear, smooth, easy-to-read braille; easy on fingers; great for documents that
are designed for long lasting and heavy use."
"Easier to insert into the braillewriter than Brailon. Symbols and markings made with the tools
from the Tactile Graphics Kit were clear and readable even when done through two layers.
Dymo tape labels applied more easily than on Braille paper."
"Good instructional purposes, especially for teaching braille reading to novices who tend to
scrub the dots to examine them. Good to wipe water marks. Durable and long-lasting."
"Nice feel, nice weight, good braille from brailler, and with some exceptions, good
reproduction."
"This paper appears to be slightly more flexible than most Thermoform paper."
"Is so durable—braille is excellent, very clear. It would be washable for things used over and
over again."
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"It would hold up better, especially for new Braille users who have a tendency to press too
hard when reading."
"It makes very distinct dots; it is very easy to read tactually; the fingers do not stick like with
regular thermoform paper and other types of plastic."
The only repeated disadvantage noted by some of the evaluators was the difficulty in erasing
dots, but as one noted, "no worse than plastic or thermoform paper."
Of the four different sheet sizes tested, nearly 60% of the evaluators indicated that 8.5 x 11
and 11.5 x 11 were the sizes most needed. However, 5 of the evaluators rated the 5 x 3 size
as either the first or second "most needed" and 6 rated the 6 x 4 as either the first or second
"most needed." With regard to which they would likely purchase, 74% indicated 8.5 x 11,
68% indicated 11.5 x 11, and an equal percentage (53%) indicated the two smaller sizes.
Given the encouraging assessment of the material by field evaluators, the project leader
formally prepared a Product Submission Form in July 2007. The product was approved by the
PET and PARC committees. In September 2007, the project leader and the Product
Development Committee developed a timeline for the various sizes of PermaBraille Sheets.
Work during FY 2008
The first quarter of the fiscal year was dedicated to preparing final tooling of the product
including print and braille product instructions and appropriate housing boxes. By January
2009, all in-house tooling was complete.
Although originally slated for availability by March 2008, production of PermaBraille Sheets was
delayed due to the outside vendor’s construction of the storage box. The 2-piece “stationery
box” design, preferred by the project leader, posed unexpected difficulties for the vendor and
was eventually changed to a “playing card” style box with a Velcoin closure.
The project leader monitored the first production run of PermaBraille Sheets which became
available on June 25, 2008 in the following packaging styles:
 1-08881-00 PermaBraille 5” x 3” @ $6.00 per pack of 50 sheets
 1-08882-00 PermaBraille 6” x 4” (2-hole drilled for APH’s Braille Date
Book @ $6.00 per pack of 50 sheets)
 1-08883-00 PermaBraille 6” x 4” @ $6.00 per pack of 50 sheets
 1-08884-00 PermaBraille 8.5” x 11”@ $12.00 per pack of 50 sheets
 1-08885-00 PermaBraille 11.5” x 11” @ $15.00 per pack of 50 sheets.
All of the packages can be purchased with Quota funds.
Work planned for FY 2009
The product is available; no further work is anticipated. However, the project leader will
continue to monitor customer-identified uses of PermaBraille Sheets.
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Picture Maker Accessories: Geometric Textured Shapes
(Continued)
Purpose
To broaden the assortment of interactive Velcro® pieces that can be used with the Picture
Maker (or other existing Velcro boards)
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Erica Rucker, Research Assistant
Terri Gilmore, Documentation Layout
Background
Since the debut of APH's Picture Maker: Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit in 2000, the project
leader has received numerous requests from workshop attendees and from respondents to
product-specific surveys to provide a wider variety of Velcro pieces that can be used with
Picture Maker. These requests range from more lengths/textures of strips to more geometric
shapes of various sizes and textures. Although additional hook-Velcro is included with the kit
to create self-constructed pieces, teachers find it more convenient to have ready-made
materials available from APH.
Picture Maker continues to be one of APH's most popular and versatile products. As detailed
in the accompanying guidebook, Picture Maker can be used for many concept-teaching tasks.
By adding a greater variety of Velcro-backed manipulatives, the product's uses and
applications can be extended. Target populations include young children, students, and adults
with visual impairments, as well as parents, teachers, and O&M instructors working with this
population.
Despite lagging behind the development of related products, that is, Picture Maker
Accessories: Textured Strips and Storage Panel [see separate reports], notable tasks were
accomplished on Geometric Shapes including:
 Investigation and acquisition of additional textured papers and materials from
outside sources. Research project staff prepared a poster of various samples
for future selection.
 Early sketches of planned shapes, including basic shape sorting puzzles.
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Work during FY 2008
During the months of January and February 2007, the project leader focused attention on
designing and selecting planned components for this third accessory package for Picture
Maker. The Product Development Committee met to establish a complete time and initial
production quantities.
By end of March 2007, the project leader had compiled a final list of the accessory pieces
which include the following:
1—Geometric Shapes Pack
4—Stars [same size as Web Chase pieces], azure polyblend (.023”) backed
by black hook Velcro
4—Stars [same size as Web Chase pieces], silver mylar affixed to white
polyethylene (.023”) and backed with black hook Velcro.
6—1” diameter donut, white polyethylene (.023”) backed with black hook Velcro
6—.5” circles, white polyethylene (.023”) [salvage pieces from donut shapes]
6—X-shapes, red flocked styrene (.020”) backed with black hook Velcro. 1”
crossbars
5—1” squares, green Tactile Colour pebbly/rough texture adhered to .023 white
polyethylene and backed with black hook Velcro
4—2.25” x 1.5” rectangles, pink felt adhered to .023 polyethylene and back with
black hook Velcro.
5—1-3/16” x 1-1/16” isosceles triangles, yellow polyethylene (.023) and backed
with black hook Velcro.
6—5/8” x 9/16” isosceles triangles, orange felt adhered to polyethylene (.023)
and backed with black hook Velcro.
4—1 5/8 x 1 ovals, purple craft foam affixed to white polyethylene and backed
with black hook Velcro
4—Round Craft “Wiggly” Eyes with Lids and Lashes—Multicolor, 2 sizes, non
adhesive backed
4—22mm Rhinestone round jewel, pink
4—25mm Rhinestone round jewel, peridot
4—15 x 15mm Rhinestone square jewel, jonquil
1—Yellow, Bumpy Shapes Frame
Note: All parts have .032” radius corners
(1) 5-pointed star inscribed in 2-1/16” diameter circle, yellow bumpy
(1) oval (2-7/16” x 1.5”), yellow bumpy
(1) square (1 9/16” sides), yellow bumpy
(1) triangle (base 1-9/16”, 1-3/4 high) yellow bumpy
(1) circle (diameter 1.5”), yellow bumpy
(1) regular hexagon with 1-1/2” across flats, yellow bumpy
(1) rectangle (2.5” x 1-9/16”), yellow bumpy
(1) trapezoid (2” base, 1-3/8” height, sides angled 20 degrees),
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yellow bumpy
(1) regular pentagon (inscribed in 1-3/4” circle), yellow bumpy
(1) heart (1-13/16” wide and 1-5/8” high), yellow bumpy
(1) octagon (1-7/8” across flats), yellow bumpy
(1) diamond (1-3/8 across flats with 70-degree points), yellow bumpy
1—Red, Smooth Shapes Frame
Note: All parts have .032” radius corners
(1) 5-pointed star inscribed in 2-1/16” diameter circle, red smooth
(1) oval (2-7/16” x 1.5”), red smooth
(1) square (1 9/16” sides), red smooth
(1) triangle (base 1-9/16”, 1-3/4 high) red smooth
(1) circle (diameter 1.5”), red smooth
(1) regular hexagon with 1-1/2” across flats, red smooth
(1) rectangle (2.5” x 1-9/16”), red smooth
(1) trapezoid (2” base, 1-3/8” height, sides angled 20 degrees), red smooth
(1) regular pentagon (inscribed in 1-3/4” circle), red smooth
(1) heart (1-13/16” wide and 1-5/8” high), red smooth
(1) octagon (1-7/8” across flats), red smooth
(1) diamond (1-3/8 across flats with 70-degree points), red smooth
1—Strip of (20) ½” black hook Velcoins
The project leader provided preliminary specifications and vendor contact information to
Technical Research and Purchasing staff. The project leader also authored a brief Product
Instruction sheet that was professionally laid out by the graphic designer; it was also
transcribed into braille.
The Pattern/Model Maker was instrumental in designing the cutting die layout to build the
puzzle frames and related pieces, as well as building the necessary thermoformed patterns to
produce the textured components.
Although the contents of the kit were fully defined by the end of March, the product lagged
somewhat due to available time in Technical Research area for finalizing the Specifications
document. The goal date for this milestone was updated from August 2008 to October 2008.
Quota approval for this third package was received from the Educational Product Advisory
Committee at the same time as the two earlier packages—in October 2007.
Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will monitor the first production run of Picture Maker Accessories:
Geometric Textured Shapes, which will be the last produced of the three, planned accessory
packages. The final product will be a hybrid of parts acquired from outside vendors and those
uniquely produced by APH.
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Picture Maker Accessories: Storage Panel
(Completed)
Purpose
To provide additional storage space for the Velcro®
pieces currently included in the Picture Maker: Wheatley
Tactile Diagramming Kit, as well as for planned Picture
Maker accessory packages: Textured Strips and
Geometric Shapes [see separate research reports]
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Terri Gilmore, Documentation Layout
[Picture Maker Storage Panel is shown covered with
original Picture Maker strips and inserted inside the
existing Picture Maker Velcro® Board.]
Background
Since the debut of APH's Picture Maker: Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit in 2000, the project
leader has received product feedback from workshop attendees and from respondents to
product-specific surveys. One commonly expressed complaint is the lack of room to store the
100-plus strips and shapes included in the kit. Typically half of the existing board is devoted to
storage, consequently minimizing the available drawing/mapping area. To correct this
drawback, the project leader proposed an 8.5" x 11", 2-sided Veltex®-covered panel to house
additional shapes and diagramming strips. The design mimics a component in the Azer's
Interactive Periodic Table Study Set [see separate research report] that incorporates a 3-hole
punched polyethylene edge for storage in a standard binder. Customers also have the option
of sandwiching the panel into the bi-fold Picture Maker board and securing it with Velcro tabs.
In May 2007 the Product Development Committee established a complete timeline for the
project, slating January 2008 as the "Availability" date. Field test was assessed as unneeded
due to the simplicity of the design and established need for the product. The Model/Pattern
Maker furnished prototypes to outside vendors to acquire estimated costs. The project leader
prepared a product information sheet and had it transcribed into braille, as well as graphically
enhanced by the Graphic Designer for final production purposes.
Work during FY 2008
By early October 2007, the product’s “Specifications” meeting was conducted and the timeline
was abbreviated. The Picture Maker Storage Panel became available, ahead of schedule, on
November 6, 2007; 250 kits were stocked. Its introductory price was $15.00 (available with
Quota funds).
Work planned for FY 2009
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The product is available; no further work is anticipated.
Picture Maker Accessories: Textured Strips
(Completed)
Purpose
To broaden the assortment of interactive Velcro® pieces that can be used with the Picture
Maker (or other existing Velcro boards)
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Frank Hayden, Technical Research Specialist
Terri Gilmore, Documentation Layout
Background
Since the debut of APH's Picture Maker: Wheatley
Tactile Diagramming Kit in 2000, the project leader
has received numerous requests from workshop
attendees and from respondents to product-specific
surveys to provide a wider variety of Velcro pieces
that can be used with Picture Maker. These requests
range from more lengths/textures of strips to more
geometric shapes of various sizes and textures.
Although additional hook-Velcro is included with the
kit to create self-constructed pieces, teachers find it
more convenient to have ready-made materials
available from APH.
[New Picture Maker Accessories –Textured
Strips- mounted on a Velcro® Board.]
Picture Maker continues to be one of APH's most popular and versatile products. As detailed
in the accompanying guidebook, Picture Maker can be used for a many concept-teaching
tasks. By adding a greater variety of Velcro-backed manipulatives, the product's uses and
applications can be extended. Target populations include young children, students, and adults
with visual impairments, as well as parents, teachers, and O&M instructors working with this
population.
In January 2007, the Product Development Committee (PDC) established a partial timeline for
the project—Goals 1 through 5a. Prototype development and related field testing were
deemed unnecessary because of the amount of teacher feedback previously gathered through
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surveys and at conferences, as well as the general similarity of the planned materials and
production methods of the new components compared to the existing Picture Maker pieces.
Extending over the next 3 months, the project leader prepared drawings of 75 new textured
strips, specifying quantity, dimensions, color, and material selection for each. A new material—
flocked styrene—was chosen for some the strips. Unique pieces such as "railroad tracks" and
"dashed road" strips were incorporated to facilitate mapping needs.
Once expected components were more clearly defined, the PDC met again to establish the rest
of the product timeline. Hard tooling (i.e., thermoform masters, silkscreen art, and cutting
dies) was readied. Early cost estimates were requested and received from the vendor for the
remaining pieces. The project leader prepared content for the product information sheet,
which was then transcribed into braille and professionally prepared for print production. By the
end of July, all in-house tooling was complete, 3 months ahead of schedule.
Work during FY 2008
The project leader monitored the first production run of Picture Maker Accessories: Textured
Strips. The majority of the parts were produced by an outside vendor, but the railroad strips
and dashed road strips required in-house silkscreen and vacuum-form processes.
The Picture Maker Accessories: Textured Strips became available January 8, 2008; 499 kits
were stocked. Its introductory price was $72.00 (available with Quota funds).
Work planned for FY 2009
The product is available; no further work is anticipated.
Sense of Science: Astronomy
(Continued)
Purpose
To develop a set of materials for blind and low vision students in grades K-3 that promote
active, hands-on learning activities emphasizing basic concepts related to astronomy. This is
the third module of a planned series.
Project Staff
Karen Poppe, Project Leader/Co-author
Tom Poppe, Pattern and Model Maker
Background
Sense of Science: Astronomy is the third module of a planned series intended to make the
“world of science” accessible to young students with visual impairments. This new set of
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science materials will resemble in both content and design the introductory life science
modules, Sense of Science: Plants and Sense of Science: Animals, by incorporating both funfilled, hands-on activities and tactile/visual overlays for use with APH light boxes.
Initial development tasks included investigating and purchasing existing, commerciallyavailable educational materials related to astronomy. Concurrently, lists of helpful, studenttargeted web sites and children’s literature related to planets, galaxies, space exploration, etc.,
were compiled by the project staff.
In September 2002 the product idea was presented to the Product Evaluation Team (PET) and
the Product Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) and received approval from both.
Extensive product development throughout both FY 2005 and FY 2006 was limited due to the
project leader’s involvement on other products of higher priority. However, some writing of
content material continued, and more thought was given to possible overlay depictions, as well
as actual preparation of tactile masters (e.g., moon phases, cross-section of the Sun). The
project leader explored inclusion of 3-dimensional models that would assist the young student
in understanding many of the abstract concepts encountered in astronomy. The project leader
also kept up-to-date with the print/tactile astronomy books (e.g., Touch the Universe, Touch
the Stars) published by the National Federation of the Blind in order to prevent duplication of
effort or design. APH's astronomy module will be designed with a younger audience in mind,
incorporating more interactive, tactile components.
Efforts throughout FY 2007 focused on the continuation and more consistent development of
the prototype components. Significant strides were made, especially in the creation of more
than a dozen visual/tactile overlays and materials. By the
end of August, thermoformed parts of the tactile images
were readied; from these first-off parts, the project leader
began to prepare print counterparts. Other prototype tasks
involved the origination and authoring of complementary
activities that referenced the use of the tactile/print
overlays. Other materials, such as the Quick Fact cards and
electronic worksheets were refined. Additional input
regarding needed overlays, as well as initial editing of some
of
the written activities, was garnered from a very creative,
experienced teacher who served as a consultant to the
project and a user/field evaluator of previous Sense of
Science modules.
[Ursa Major constellation is shown
superimposed on bear image/outline.]
Work during FY 2008
During the first quarter of FY 2008, extensive prototype continued on the development of
Sense of Science: Astronomy. In February 2008, prototypes were mailed to evaluators located
through a Field Evaluator Survey posted in an issue of the APH Newsletter. The evaluators
were given until mid-May to use the prototype with as many students as possible.
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The prototype was reviewed by 10 teachers representing the states of Texas (2), Ohio,
Connecticut, Georgia, West Virginia, Idaho, Kentucky, Florida, and Louisiana. A total of 85
students were involved in the field testing.
One hundred percent of the teachers indicated that Sense of Science: Astronomy offered
specific advantages over other available materials that they have used in the past with their
students to teach astronomy. Specific comments included the following:
“No other commercial product has ever given them such great overlays and tactile overlays.”
“These are time-consuming and the ones I make are not as accurate or as durable. There is
just enough time in the year to get overlays this beautiful and they are not all in the text
braille books.”
“What an advantage having ready-made tactile graphics. They save time.”
“I haven’t seen anything that even comes close.”
“Benefit to both sighted, low vision, and blind students.”
The kit’s overall strengths as noted by the evaluators included the following:
“Tactile overlays;”
“Graphics are very stimulating;”
“Materials are arranged and contained well;”
“The provision of basic, yet standard, information on the Quick Fact Sheets;”
“Portability and ease of set up;”
“Durable, accurate, and accessible;”
“Easy to understand for teachers of all grade levels;”
“Bridges the concepts to a tactile picture;”
“Depicts items that have always been just explained;”
“Opened my eyes to what the student actually knew about astronomy;”
“Labeling is clear, concise, and print and braille;”
“Great lesson plans;”
“Brailled worksheets that were laminated.”
In June 2008, the project leader reconvened the Product Development Committee and
furnished them with an outline of the expected components of the kit. A complete timeline
was established.
Work planned for FY 2009
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“Documentation” and “Tooling” efforts will characterize the majority of the new fiscal year, all
done in preparation for final product availability in July 2009.
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 5]
(Completed)
Purpose
To continue the development of new issues of SQUID: Tactile
Activities Magazine which feature an assortment of activities for
developing young children's tactile skills within a recreational
context
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Project Leader/Tactile and Visual Designer
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Katherine Corcoran, Pattern/Model Maker
David McGee, Technical Assistant
Bisig Impact Group, Layout of Print Activities Booklet
[Front cover of SQUID: Tactile
Activities Magazine, Issue 5.]
Background
The premier issue SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine debuted in FY 2005. This magazine
series is intended to encourage young children's development of important tactile skills within
a recreational context. Each issue's activities reflect a variety of tactile methods such as
thermoform, embossed paper, and thermography for the purpose of familiarizing young
children with a variety of raised-line images. Visual counterparts of all the tactile activities are
included as well with the expectation that they could be used by peers with low vision and
sighted parents, teachers, and siblings. The momentum to continue the development and
production of the SQUID series was quickened by the positive reception of the first issue;
nearly 1000 issues were sold in less than a year's time. Unlike a “subscription” ordering
method, customers are able to order needed amounts of SQUID issues for their
children/students. The Premier Issue and all future issues of SQUID are planned to be
available for future generations of children to enjoy. SQUID issues will hopefully become
commonplace in home settings where the children can acquire early tactile skills within a
relaxed atmosphere with their family and friends.
A timeline for SQUID: Issue 5 was established by the Product Development Committee in
March 2007. Between April and June, the project leader originated new activities and finished
documentation that encompassed the design of both the print and tactile activities, as well as
the content updates for the "Solutions" section of the magazine.
Early tooling activities reflected the following timeline of events:
July
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 Project leader opened a job ticket with the outside graphic designer to
prepare final layout design of the print activity booklet and turned over final
documentation.
August
September
 Outside graphic designer provided first proofs of the layout of the print
booklet.
 Project leader and research assistant reviewed proofs from the graphic
designer.
 Project leader prepared brailling instructions for the paper-embossed
activities.
 Part numbers were assigned to product components.
 Final layout of print guidebook and related cover art was proofed and
approved by the project leader and research assistant.
 Braille text and layout of thermoformed activities were delivered to the
Model Shop.
 Braille Order Forms were issued for the tooling of the paper-embossed
and Green Machine-produced activities.
 Technical assistant prepared final specifications document.
 Tooling of thermoformed masters was initiated.
 Tooling of braille plates was initiated.
Work during FY 2008
Tooling preparation for SQUID: Issue 5 continued into the FY 2008 and was completed on
schedule by the end of October. The activities included in this new issue are the following:
Alligator Alley
Broken Arrow
Bubble Trouble
Eggs-tra Fun
Favorite Season
Hair Dilemma
House Hunt
Melting Away
Mouse Trap
Oh No Dominos!
On Target
Opposites Attract
Piece It Back Together
Popcorn Pick Up
RAINBOW Coloring Page
Rain Down
Smooth Ride
Talking In Circles
That's Where the Ball Bounces
Three-Ring Circus
TRANSPORTATION Word Search
Turn Over a New Leaf
Word Play
Yummy Ice Cream
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This issue also contains a sheet of tactile star stickers that can be used to complete one of the
activities.
Although the original “Availability” date was set for December 2007, delays occurred on the
Production floor due to other on-going products. The project leader monitored the
pilot/production runs of SQUID: Issue 5 during the second quarter of 2008. On April 3, 2008,
this latest issue became available.
Post-production activities included preparing marketing information, showcasing the product at
workshops/conferences, and initiating work on SQUID: Issue 6.
Work planned for FY 2009
Issue 5 of SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine is now available. For the official announcement
of this newest issue, visit the following: http://www.aph.org/advisory/2008adv05.html
The project staff will continue the development of additional SQUID issues.
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 6]
(New)
Purpose
To continue the development of new issues of SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine which
feature an assortment of activities for developing young children's tactile skills within a
recreational context.
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Project Leader/Tactile and Visual Designer
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Katherine Corcoran, Pattern/Model Maker
David McGee, Technical Assistant
Bisig Impact Group, Layout of Print Activities Booklet
Background
The premier issue SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine debuted in FY 2005. This magazine
series is intended to encourage young children's development of important tactile skills within
a recreational context. Each issue's activities reflect a variety of tactile methods such as
thermoform, embossed paper, and thermography for the purpose of familiarizing young
children with a variety of raised-line images. Visual counterparts of all the tactile activities are
included as well with the expectation that they could be used by peers with low vision and
sighted parents, teachers, and siblings. The momentum to continue the development and
production of the SQUID series was quickened by the positive reception of the first issue;
nearly 1000 issues were sold in less than a year's time. Unlike a “subscription” ordering
method, customers are able to order needed amounts of SQUID issues for their
children/students. The Premier Issue and all future issues of SQUID are planned to be
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available for future generations of children to enjoy. SQUID issues will hopefully become
commonplace in home settings where the children can acquire early tactile skills within a
relaxed atmosphere with their family and friends.
A timeline for SQUID: Issue 6 was established by the Product Development Committee in
October 2007. The original goal of producing two issues of SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine
per year was modified to one issue per year due to the popularity of previous issues
demanding production floor time.
Work during FY 2008
During the second and third quarters of the fiscal year, the project leader originated new
activities for SQUID: Issue 6 and finished documentation that encompassed the design of both
the print and tactile activities, as well as the content updates for the "Solutions" section of the
magazine.
Early tooling activities reflected the following timeline of events:
July
 Project leader opened a job ticket with the outside graphic designer to
prepare final layout design of the print activity booklet and turned over final
documentation.
 Braille text and layout of thermoformed activities were delivered to the
Model Shop.
 Project leader prepared brailling instructions for the paper-embossed
activities.
 Braille Order Forms were issued for the tooling of the paper-embossed
and Green Machine-produced activities.
August
September
 Outside graphic designer provided first proofs of the layout of the print
booklet.
 Project leader and research assistant reviewed proofs from the graphic
designer.
 Part numbers were assigned to product components.
 Final layout of print guidebook and related cover art was proofed and
approved by the project leader and research assistant.
 Technical assistant prepared final specifications document.
Work planned for FY 2009
Tooling of the activities booklet, thermoform masters, and braille plates for SQUID: Issue 6
will continue into the FY 2008 and be completed by the end of October. The activities included
in this new issue are the following:
Across the Pond
Best Seat in the House
BIRDS Word Search
On the Straight and Narrow
On Top of Spaghetti
Piñata Party
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Caught in the Web
Give Me A Vowel
HOT AIR BALLOON Coloring Page
It’s Okay to be Square
Lucky Lady Bugs
Making Tracks
Mind Your Ps and Qs
Name Calling
On the Fence
Purr-fect Trap
Rainforest Residents
Sea Life Sequence
Snow Buddies
Star Maze
Tricky Triangles
Two Faced
Watermelon Wager
What’s the Hang Up
Word Play
Issue 6 of SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine is slated to be available in January 2009. The
project leader will monitor the pilot and production runs. Post-production activities will include
preparing marketing information, showcasing the product at workshops/conferences, and
initiating work on SQUID: Issue 7.
State Map Collections
(Completed)
Purpose
To produce sets of embossed state outlines for transcribers, teachers, and students to use as
a starting point in making tactile maps. Users will add labels, symbols, and other information
as needed to make complete tactile graphics.
Project Staff
Fred Otto, Project Co-Leader
Monica Vaught, Project Co-Leader
Matt Smith, Mapping Assistant
Background
The need for this set of products was suggested by several respondents to surveys done in
recent years. While APH has offered state outline maps before, those offered have used a large
format that is incompatible with standard textbooks. The current project will produce maps in
standard 11.5" x 11" format, and will combine printed and embossed images on each sheet.
Maps of U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are included.
Project leaders chose to combine states into four regions and provide three copies of each state
map within each region. Each set also includes a regional map to show the states in relation to
each other.
Work during FY 2008
Production of the four sets of maps was completed, and they are now available for purchase.
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Work planned for FY 2009
Project staff will monitor any production issues or customer comments regarding the four map
sets, apart from which no further work is planned.
Tactile Graphics Research
(Continued)
Purpose
To study and develop techniques for making useful tactile graphics, to work toward standards
in tactile graphic presentations, and to evaluate product submissions and ideas from the field
related to tactile graphics.
Project Staff
Karen Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Fred Otto, Project Leader
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Background
APH has a variety of means for producing tactile graphics, including embossed paper, puff ink,
capsule paper, thermography, and vacuumform. One goal of this research project is to learn
which media are appropriate for which uses. Another goal is to identify and expand the
available methods/tools useful for the production of tactile displays, whether by APH or by the
individual teacher, transcriber, or student.
In addition, tactile graphic products are frequently submitted by teachers or other
professionals who would like to collaborate with APH in producing their materials; project staff
provides written reviews of these submissions. Yet another aspect of this research is to
monitor developments in practice, technology, and philosophy as they evolve.
Work during FY 2008
Throughout the year, project staff conducted a variety of tactile graphic workshops and
training sessions (both in-house and at national conferences), initiated contacts and gathered
input from the field, and proposed new product ideas. Examples of these activities are listed
below:
 The Tactile Graphics Committee (sub-committee of the APH Braille
Committee) met periodically to find ways of ensuring all of APH’s braille and
tactile production efforts are coordinated and consistent. Their primary focus
this year was on the continued graphic population of the new Tactile Graphics
Database.
 Investigation of wide-format printing in combination with in-house
thermoformed graphics to produce dual-format, accurately registered
tactile/print components continued. The prototype development of Flip-Over
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Concept Books [see separate report] served as the test for this new process.
 The project leaders provided product-development advice to other project
leaders developing products with tactile graphic features/components.
 Occasional tactile graphic workshops were conducted for visiting focus
groups, in-house staff, visiting teachers, sighted parents and children, and so
forth.
The Pattern/Model Maker constructed a tactile map of Frankfort Avenue which was presented to
the Kentucky School for the Blind in August to commemorate APH’s 150th Anniversary [see
separate Model Shop report].
Work planned for FY 2009
Project staff will continue to monitor advances in technology and practice as they relate to
tactile design and teaching, conduct workshops and conference presentations, and work inhouse to promote consistently good tactile design.
Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes
Formerly: Textured Magnetic Sorting Circles
(Continued)
Purpose
To tactually adapt commercially-available sorting
circles, offered by Learning Resources, Inc., which can
be used for creating Venn diagrams on a magnetic
surface
Project Staff
Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Monica Vaught, Research Assistant
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker
Bisig Impact Group, Graphic Designer
[Venn diagram showing two overlapping
circles with contrasting textures.]
Background
In February 2007, a product submission was received from a teacher in Texas who suggested
that APH tactually adapt Magnetic Sorting Circles available from Learning Resources [visit
http://www.learningresources.com/p2p/searchResults.do?method=view&search=basic&keywo
rd=magnetic+sorting+circles&sortby=best&asc=true&page=1]
for the purpose of demonstrating Venn diagrams to visually impaired/blind students. The
project leader presented the teacher's product idea to the Product Advisory and Review
Committee (PARC). The product was approved and moved to the active development timeline
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in June 2007. It was suggested that the product be field tested with the All-In-One
Magnetic/Velcro Board [see separate report].
Work during FY 2008
Concurrent with the development of the ALL-IN-ONE Board [see separate report], the project
leader ordered and adapted multiple sets of Learning Resources' Magnetic Sorting Circles. The
project leader modified the sorting circles by applying APH's Graphic Art Tape in tactuallydiscernible patterns: red circles received a solid line of graphic tape; yellow circles received a
spiraling pattern of graphic tape; and the blue circles remained smooth [see photo]. The
application of the graphic tape did not hinder the adherence of the circles to a magnetic
surface.
In October 2007, a tactually-adapted set of the sorting circles and shapes were sent to the
same evaluators of the ALL-IN-ONE Board. Field test results revealed the popularity of the
manipulatives with 100% of the field reviewers having used the sorting circles and shapes in
combination with the ALL-IN-ONE Board with both low vision and blind students. All but one
of the evaluators indicated that it was helpful to have the circles tactually adapted with the
graphic art tape.
In February 2008, the project leader reported a re-direction of the project to the PARC. Given
the extensive in-house labor that would be involved in applying the graphic art tape to the
Learning Resources' Venn diagramming circles, paired with the less-than-satisfactory textures
of the commercially-available pieces, it was decided that APH would pursue the development
and production of originally-designed sorting circles and textured shapes (for use with the AllIn-One Board and other Velcro boards). In April, a Product Development Meeting was held to
set a complete timeline and initial pilot/production run quantities.
The third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year were dedicated to tooling preparation and
vendor identification. Specifically the following were accomplished:
 The project leader contacted and received samples of various magnetic
sheeting in different colors, textures, and thicknesses.
 The project leader prepared the initial cutting die layout to generate the
needed textured shapes.
 The project leader identified necessary attribute labels (e.g., smooth,
rough, small, medium, triangle, star, etc.) to compliment the kit of shapes and
circles.
 The project leader authored content for the Product Instruction booklet
and created accompanying graphics.
 Vendors for the magnetic sheeting were identified.
 The vacuumform patterns to create applied textures were prepared.
 Documentation layout was readied by the outside graphic designer.
 The project leader selected an ideal re-useable storage box for all of the
contents of the kit.
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Work planned for FY 2009
The project leader will monitor the quality of the initial pilot and production runs in December
2008. Once available, the product will be showcased at training workshops and conferences.
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Model/Pattern
Maker
255
Model Shop
Product Involvement during FY 2008
Model Shop Staff
Tom Poppe, Supervisor/Pattern-Model Maker
Katherine Corcoran, Pattern/Model Maker
Anita Rutledge Pattern/Model Maker (part-time)
Purpose and Background
The Model Shop is part of the APH Research Department and provides a unique service to the
APH product development process. With regard to Research endeavors, the Model/Pattern
Maker frequently interfaces with project leaders to build prototypes of early concepts, planning
for eventual mass production that will take place in-house, by an outside vendor, or a
combination of both. The Model/Pattern Maker is a regular participant in a product’s evolution,
from the early prototype stage to the final tooling, eventually offering direct monitoring and
guidance during actual production runs.
With regard to Production efforts, the Model Shop provides direct support by preparing hard
tooling associated with thermoform masters, molds, repairs to older equipment, and initial
orientation to production setups/processes needed to produce a given product. The Model
Shop frequently furnishes Technical Research staff with final specifications/drawings for the
construction of various product components; these are inserted into the final specifications
documentation.
Typical efforts engaged in by the Model Shop in the pursuit of new product designs include:
 producing conceptual drawings of new products
 construction of conceptual prototypes for field test purpose and for eventual
mass-production
 construction of original molds for outer case designs
 designing cutting dies
 designing and laying out tactile graphics
 originating visual artwork for specific product components
 investigating and implementing new production processes (e.g., liquid resin
casting) and materials (e.g., vinyl, foam, etc.)
 investigating new products and materials to be incorporated into new APH
products
 identifying possible manufacturers and vendors and dealing with them directly
regarding product specifications
 serving as a regular members of the Tactile Graphic Committee
 participating in conferences and listserves (e.g., Association of Professional
Model Makers) to keep abreast of new technologies related to prototype
development
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Work during FY 2008
The following are specific examples of the Model Shop’s contributions to projects developed
during FY 2008:
APH 150th Anniversary Tactile Map
The Model Shop staff participated in the APH 150th Anniversary Tactile Presentation Map
Committee. The committee met regularly to plan the commemorative map to be given to
Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) in August. The final map was produced in its entirety by Tom
Poppe. It is a tactile representation of a mile-long section of Frankfort Avenue, including APH’s
and KSB’s locations. KSB intends to use the map with its students for O&M training purposes. The
map is made of a rigid thermo-set material, is painted in multiple colors, and has a brailled key.
The map was then permanently attached to an adjustable-height table.
All-In-One Magnetic-Velcro Board
Tom Poppe originated the entire design of an adjustable, two-sided magnetic/Velcro board.
This involved:
 working with the project leader to determine ideal colors and thickness of the
substrate boards
 designing and molding the handle brackets
 selecting a color for the handle brackets
 locating vendors of the dry-erase portion of the board
 constructing multiple prototypes of the final design
The Model Maker was active not only in aiding the project leader in finding suitable dryerase/wet erase magnetic boards, but also active in dealing with the outside vendor who will
supply the specially-molded handles and mounting brackets. The Model Maker furnished
design specifications of the entire board to Technical Research for duplication purposes in the
final Specifications document. The Model Maker will assist in overseeing the received parts
from vendors and the in-house construction of the board itself.
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set
Tom Poppe completed hard tooling of the entire project. This involved the completion of three
large thermoform patterns which form material later cut into nearly 400 separate parts. The
Model Maker also supplied Technical Research with the dimensions and specifications used to
generate the silkscreen artwork for all the separate pieces. Additional work included
thermoform patterns to generate the textures of the subatomic pieces, as well as the overall
design and construction style of the atomic models, including die drawings.
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Flip-Over Concept Books
Tom Poppe was involved in the preparation of prototype copies of two Flip-Over Concept
Books—Parts of a Whole and Line Paths. Tooling tasks included:
 originating print artwork for the panels and the outer covers
 building thermoform masters for the panels and the outer covers
 determining expected binding process for the books, including cutting die
layout
Multiple prototypes of two books were built for field test purposes. This project was selected,
as encouraged by the project leader, to be a production “guinea pig” to determine if the pages
can be full-color printed using alternative processes. If successful, this will lead to significant
cost savings and alleviate APH in-house production staff of time-intensive and expensive silkscreening methods. The Model Maker was involved in arranging vendors to do the printing on
the project. Numerous meetings have been attended. Color and printing tests have all been
made, tested, and/or rejected. When printing plans are determined, the Model Maker will
prepare production thermoform patterns, as well as related artwork to ensure accurate
registration.
Food Pyramid
Model Shop was consulted to determine the best approach for this project. Several concept
models were made and later refined into the finished prototype. There are two levels of the
project: one for elementary-aged students and one for students in secondary grades. Both
convey basically the same information.
Jumbo Work/Play Tray
Model Shop staff generated the original design of the Jumbo Work/Play Tray via electronic file.
Staff then located an outside vendor who had the ability to use rapid-prototyping to generate
the frame of the tray. The rapid-prototyped parts were then mounted to a vacuum-box and
used to make multiple field test copies of the tray. During the time it took to make the dozen
or so parts for field testing, the rapid-prototyped pattern began to come apart. Repairs were
made, and, after field testing was completed, a pilot run of a limited number of units was
begun. Before completion of the pilot run, the rapid-prototyped parts had to be repaired.
Later, before the actual production run was initiated, the rapid-prototyped pattern was used to
make an aluminum-filled thermo-set plastic pattern. This pattern was then used to make the
remaining 450 parts for the first production run. The pattern is not expected to require
replacement.
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Life Science Tactile Graphics
This project consists of 61, 8.5 x 11 printed and thermoformed science graphics. The project
leader did basic drawings of the all the graphics. Katherine Corcoran then made temporary
field-test thermoform patterns (about 15) used to create the field test prototypes. After field
testing, some modifications, and in some instances, complete redesign of the original tactile
model had to be done. The construction of the thermoform patterns is still underway. The
project has been side-lined temporarily as the project leader awaits the outcome of wideformat printing options being investigated for the Flip-Over Concept Books.
MathBuilders Unit 8
The Model Shop staff completed the thermoform patterns required to make multiple field test
prototypes. After field testing was completed, work was begun to prepare final production
patterns. Work on this project is underway.
Picture Maker Accessories: Geometric Textured Shapes
Tom Poppe and the project leader designed tactile sorting puzzles that will be included with
the kit. They also provided Technical Research with a full listing of the dimensions, type of
material, and quantity of all the shapes included in the kit—essentially all of the specifications
needed for the production of the kit. Thermoform patterns were readied for the production of
the textured puzzles.
Sense of Science: Astronomy
Tom Poppe continued to work with the project leader to design and conceptualize the tactile
graphic representations of all the basic concepts presented in current science textbooks. All
tactile representations were built and multiple prototypes were produced in the model shop for
field test purposes. Following the field test stage, revisions were made and hard tooling was
initiated; this tooling is necessary to mass produce the final product. Hard tooling
encompasses six thermoform patterns to produce the tactile overlays, as well as original
screen art for all the print counterparts. Other parts designed by the Model/Patten Maker
include two compartment trays, a large Northern Circumpolar Dome, and a fold-out “Relative
Distances of the Planets.” Die drawings will be originated in the Model Shop. The
Model/Pattern Maker will oversee the production of this kit during its initial production.
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 5]
Katherine Corcoran prepared thermoform patterns according to the project leader’s original art
designs. The product is complete and now available.
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SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 6]
Katherine Corcoran prepared thermoform patterns according to the project leader’s original art
designs. The tooling is complete; production is expected in December 2008.
Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes
Tom Poppe and the project leader designed the die layout duplicated by Technical Research
for the production of the various parts. The Model Maker consulted with an outside die maker
to determine the best radius for the star pieces.
Treks
The Model Shop staff worked with the project leader to design the game board. A mock-up of
the board was made to test peg shapes and determine the best peg-hole diameter, spacing,
depth, and so forth. Many prototype test pegs were made and tested. The tactile board
overlays were made and tested as well. In all, 15 complete sets of pegs were made along with
multiple boards and overlays. The project is on-going.
Sudoku Puzzles
The Model Shop staff worked closely with the project leader to develop a tactile representation
of popular Sudoku puzzles. Several test samples were conceived, produced, and tested for
effectiveness. Numbers of the Sudoku puzzle are represented by large multiple pop-up bubbles
(based upon the existing Pop-A-Cell and Score Card designs). Development work on this
project is ongoing.
Tactile Town: 3-D O&M Kit
Tom Poppe met frequently with the project leader to determine needed tangibles for the kit.
Multiple preliminary sketches were made and preliminary concept models were built. Master
models of the tangible items were duplicated and sent to three possible vendors for price
quotes. Using vendors for prototypes is not common, but was necessitated in this case due to
the large number of separate items needed for the kit.
Tactile/Print Yardstick
When asked by the PL if APH could produce a 36-inch rule, Tom Poppe suggested that it might
be possible to mount production tooling into existing APH machinery in an innovative way to
produce parts of a greater size than previously thought possible. Tom Poppe built the
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thermoform pattern, prepared the layout of the original graphic artwork for printing and die
cutting, and built a special diagonal clamp frame.
Wings of Freedom Award
Tom Poppe made the base for the Wings of Freedom Award—an award presented during
APH’s Annual Meeting to a person who does outstanding work in the field of blindness. The
base is made from walnut and has an oil finish. Braille plates with the honoree’s name are
affixed to the base.
Word Playhouse
The Model Shop worked closely with the project leader and used design features borrowed
from another recently created product (i.e., Azer’s Periodic Table). Constructed thermoform
patterns were used to produce the hundreds of pieces in Word Playhouse.
V-File
The Model Shop staff consulted with the project leader on several occasions regarding the
production of a tactile, three-dimensional human eye. Several conceptual patterns were made
and explored. Discussion about the basic type of presentation to be made is ongoing.
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Technical
Research
Division
262
Technical Research Division Activities
(Continued)
Purpose
The Technical Research Division functions as a “bridge” between the concepts of the project
leader’s product and the concrete reality on the production floor. The purpose of the division is
to remain as faithful as possible to the project leader’s intent and function of the product while
making it as inexpensive and as easily produced on the manufacturing plant’s floor as possible.
The division is involved in all aspects of the product including design work, materials selection,
vendor selection, and process development. After developing and documenting the product’s
specifications the Technical Research Division works with production workers, floor
supervisors, upper levels of APH management, and outside vendors to shepherd the project
leader’s product throughout its entire pilot and first production runs.
This development, documentation, and preparation of the product for actual manufacture,
along with the monitoring of the manufacturing process by the division, help to assure the
greatest probability of success for a new product.
Technical Research Staff
Frank Hayden, Manager
David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist
James Robinson, Manufacturing Specialist
Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist
Technical Research Involvement during FY 2008
ALL-IN-ONE Board
(Continued)
The All-in-One Board is a two sided, multi-platform board for use with either hook-Velcro
accessories or magnetic pieces and has an adjustable / locking handle assembly to allow the
board to stand upright at incremental angles established by the locking handle mechanism. At
a December 2007 PDC, meeting the project leader presented the results of field-testing and
added the stipulation that for the dry erase surface to be compatible with both dry and wet
erase markers. The project leader also expressed a desire to include a carry bag to protect the
All-in-One Board during transport. Also addressed at this meeting was the need to contact
vendors to manufacture the handle assembly, the two color laminated board to which the dry
erase and Veltex is applied, and for an appropriately sized shipping carton. The current plan
for manufacture of the All-in-One Board is to purchase the yellow and blue laminated PVC
foam board with the black Veltex applied to one side. APH would attach the purchased dry
erase panel and handle components to the board. The completed board will be packed inside a
carry bag along with a “low Odor” dry erase marker set. Locating a vendor that can supply a
metal or “magnetic” dry erase panel with the surface characteristics that allow for the use of
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both dry and wet erase markers has proven difficult. The field-tested units that seemingly
displayed receptiveness to both types of markers were made from a scrap material that had
been used in a long since discontinued APH product. The vendor of this material and its exact
surface makeup is unknown leaving only currently available commercial dry erase products to
try to meet product specifications. Numerous samples of dry erase materials have been
obtained and tested. Nearly all samples tested had a problem with either “ghosting” or
incomplete erasing of what has been applied to the surface or lack of compatibility with wet
erase markers. The wet erase marker ink beads up, leaving the lettering unreadable and
smear able. Several companies that apply coatings to metal substrates were also contacted.
None of these companies was willing to produce materials for APH because our order would
not begin to meet their minimum production quantities and/or did not want to supply a panel
that finished to our exact dimensions. Ultimately, a material was located the met the project
leaders specifications. Unfortunately, the selection of this material from this vendor created
additional dimensional changes to the All-in-One Board. There is unanimous agreement on
important specifications for the dry erase panel, these are 1) the dimensional tolerances must
be exact, 2) the radius of the corners, and 3) the panel must have edges free of fractured or
rough edges. The vendor express concern about the radius specified, stating that this would
significantly raise the price. It was agreed that a change to a standard 2” radius would be
acceptable. The change in the dry-erase panel also affects the dimensions of the laminated
baseboard because all components had matching radius on all corners. Technical Research
made changes to CAD drawings reflecting the changed corner radius and had them approved
by the Model shop before turning over to Purchasing in order that the updated drawings could
be sent to the vendors. In January 2007, a meeting was held with a representative of a
plastics molding company to discuss the specific requirements for handle components used for
the All-in-One Board. The handle assembly is based on the one used on the Mini-light box,
which this same vendor manufactures. With the exception of one new component (a hub, that
attaches the handle to the board), and the project leader specifying a different color than the
one used for the Mini-light box, the parts can be made from existing molds. Since the parts
are a different color (Red instead of the existing blue/green of the light box), all parts needed
to have new part numbers. Technical Research had the required parts numbers setup and also
took photos of the individual parts and tagged them with the newly established part numbers.
These were sent to the vendor so that all the items can be properly identified at the overseas
manufacturing facility. The initial pre-production handle parts displayed an improper alignment
within the locking mechanism that when attached to the All-in-One Board caused the handle
arm to be slightly non-parallel to the board. This sample and the second sample following
were rejected by the Model shop. The third sample, which was also molded in what was to be
the actual red color arrived in late July. While the alignment issue was not 100% correct and
the new Hub piece had a smooth finish vs. the matte finish of the existing handle components,
parts were approved for production pending a better color match. The vendor immediately
sent a molded part that the project leader approved for color in early August. In mid February,
a vendor that makes carry bags for APH brought in three sample bags of different designs at
no charge to APH. The Project leader selected a bag that wraps around the entire board
assembly with a cutout in the section that goes around the handle. This bag ultimately
provides the highest percentage of coverage of the board and handle but is also the most
costly of the three prototypes. A final bag sample was obtained in June and approved for
production. Part numbers required to purchase materials, manufacture, and ship the product
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have been requested and obtained as of March. Plans for obtaining a new shipping box
following the December PDC meeting was initially dismissed because of a plan in place to
reduce the number of individually sized boxes from inventory. While determining the
dimensional requirements for a carton, Technical Research recognized that making slight
modifications to the dimensions would allow this carton to be used for both the All-in-One
Board and the Azer’s kit under development. The carton design was finalized in February. This
dual use will allow APH to obtain better pricing by ordering it for both kits and fits the plan of
eliminating one-use boxes. The long developing issues with final tooling have delayed
completion of product specifications. Specifications are currently being finalized. Most of the
major components with long lead times, the handle components, carry bag and dry erase
panel have been pre-ordered to help gain back some of the time lost in development.
APH Insights Calendar 2009
(Completed)
Technical Research met with all parties in late November. In that meeting a game plan for inhouse production of the calendars was agreed upon. Final print files are to be given to large
type by late Jan. Large type to furnish the tactile graphics department proof copies to use in
tooling the plates for the calendar. Plates would be completed and production to begin by midto late February. Technical Research met with all parties February 21st to discuss where the
product was in terms of finished art, Braille tooling, and production plans. It was learned that,
although the art was 2 weeks behind, it was complete. Proof copies were to be run the next
day with Braille tooling to proceed after final sign off on the proofs by the project leaders.
Technical Research continued monitoring this project through its production and into stock in
August.
Azer’s Interactive Tactile Periodic Table
(Completed)
The Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table Study Set is a collection of interactive components used
to teach concepts / understanding of Periodic Table of the Elements. The kit consists of nine
catalogs or replacement part components, most all of which require multiple manufacturing
steps. Technical Research worked with the project leader, model shop, purchasing, and
various vendors to determine best production methods for a number of components for this
kit. The three bags of Interactive Periodic Table Pieces are a main component of the kit. Each
bag contains 100 or more pieces made from printed / vacuum formed vinyl. There has been
ongoing research in to manufacturing processes to replace screen-printing. With the large
amount of screen-printing required for this kit, it was quickly placed on a list as possible
candidates for one of these alternate methods. The two methods being investigated involve
printing directly on vinyl using either Large Format Printing or Offset Printing. These methods
used both vinyl and inks that can withstand the heat from the vacuum forming process. A
sample sheet layout was provided for testing of the first crucial step of determining
registration through the remainder of the manufacturing process (vacuum forming and die
cutting). The same layout was provided to the project leader to lay in color and print
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information. Vendors were contacted to get pricing on vinyl on rolls vs. sheets. A sample file
was sent to a vendor for producing a small run (on paper only) to insure that registration
could be held, which is critical for production methods. Worked with the project leader to
make changes in the original template and to layout and finalize the remaining parts that
makes up the kit. After reviewing some preliminary samples of large format printing, the
project leader preferred using a screen-printing process to make the parts for this kit because
of the need for solid colors. The Large Format printing method creates colors with the
combination of individual color dots, making the background color somewhat broken, not
smooth. It was necessary to resolve questions on how and where to make or have parts
made, how to structure the parts within the kit, and how they are to be made available for
sale, before specifications could be finalized. Solving these and other issues caused dates on
the product timeline to be moved back several times. Technical Research worked closely with
several key departments and an outside vendor in order to gain some of this time back. This
helped minimize delays in actual production. A great deal of effort has been placed into using
as many existing stock materials as possible for manufacturing this kit. However, the design
of the product and the specific requirements of materials resulted in twelve new materials or
purchased parts along with approximately thirty existing materials needed to produce this kit.
Several of these new parts are assembled items that receive little or no additional processing
before being placed into the kit. Following the initial addition of pieces from field-testing, there
was need to revise the layouts several more times because of potential gains / cost savings
resulting from these changes. After the first round of changes were made, the Model shop
inquired / suggested paring down previous screen / vacuum-form layouts from five to only
three. This would change the original five sheets of three-part groupings to three sheets of
five-part groupings. These changes, though extensive, would reduce; 1) the number of
vacuum form molds needed to be made by the Model shop, and 2) the number of vacuum
form setups needed in production to manufacture the parts. In the early stages of revisions,
Technical Research realized that additional repositioning of part groups by color would further
reduce setups in screen-printing. Print copies of the revised layouts were provided to the
project leader and the Model shop to check for any print errors and layout concerns. Several
minor print errors were found and subsequently corrected. Another round of revisions was
needed to spread part groupings further apart from what had been originally specified. At this
point, no hard tooling had been created so the changes were corrected in the software
program only. After these changes were made, revised layouts were plotted on clear film to
serve as templates to assist the Model shop in laying out the vacuum form patterns. Tooling
created by Technical Research was used to generate film needed for making the ten silk
screens required for the three production sheets. While working up costs based on the
finalized tooling and production processes, it was determined that the manner in how the
project leader planned on making components available for sale vs. how they were laid out for
production would create significant increases in production time and cost. Technical Research
offered a suggestion on an alternative packaging of some small parts in the kit to the project
leader that reduced the cost of that particular piece from an estimated $102.66 to $76.76, a
savings of $25.90 or 25%. Another area that had to have major reworking of tooling and
production processes involved Accessory Pieces for the Atomic Model. Preliminary work had
some of these pieces being made with existing tactile tooling. Further analysis found that
these plans would again be costly due to excessive scrap in the production process. Technical
Research laid out a plan to maximize the formed material using vacuum-form molds that
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would still need to be produced. The project leader and model shop agreed and the new forms
were created. All print tooling was re-proofed and Technical Research created the ten separate
screens needed to produce three production sheets. The unique cutting dies needed to
separate the finished parts from the screen-printed, vacuum formed groupings were also
generated from the layered CAD drawings that make up the tooling. Part of the Interactive
Periodic Element sheet redesign allows for one die to be used for twelve of the fifteen
groupings that are split out of the three sheets, the other dies will be unique to a particular
group and will not be interchangeable. Color samples of existing silk-screen inks were provided
to the project leader for in order to evaluate for use in manufacturing of the element pieces.
These were turned over in early December. The project leader has since selected those to be
used. Technical Research did extensive work in developing the Tri-fold Board. After a vendor
was selected from the bidding process, pre-production samples from the vendor seemed to
lack an understanding of exactly what was desired. A CAD drawing showing exact dimensional
information and further communication with the vendor eventually resolved conceptual
problems as an acceptable sample was produced. A late February meeting with the vendor
selected to manufacture the Tri-fold Veltex Board resulted in reworking a portion of the
product specifications and the board changed from a buy to a sub-contract part. APH agreed
to supply the black adhesive-backed Veltex to the vendor, who then would apply it to the
vinyl-covered board 36” x 24” folding board assembly. This required setting up a new part
number for the Veltex, requesting quotes from the vendor who supplies the Veltex, and
changing the specifications, bills, and routings. A CAD drawing, listing dimensional and
materials information was created and supplied to purchasing for a final quote, which was also
included in with the product specifications. The project leader also made a decision to change
the color of vinyl for the board from a blue / green color to red. The project leader asked
about options for having the name printed on the outside surface of the tri-fold board.
Technical Research located a clear adhesive-backed label, which is a standard 6-up label on an
8.5” x 11” sheet and can be run on the Production floor copier. The black print on a clear label
will provide sufficient contrast on the red vinyl covering the tri-fold board, satisfies the need
for labeling, and provides flexibility to change or rename the board for future kits. The
introduction of Tri-fold Veltex Board led to needing a new size-shipping carton. Due to the Trifold Boards dimensions in conjunction with other components, no existing APH shipping carton
was suitable. Technical Research realized that a carton being created for another kit, the “ Allin-One Board” was close to the same requirements for this kit. Slight changes to the
dimensions would allow the carton to serve both kits. Technical Research evaluated possible
carton styles and determined that an end-loading design would offer the best strength and
protection from possible product damage when cutting carton open along taped seams. A
sample of the final design arrived April 18, was reviewed by the project leader and Production
to determine if there were any potential problems with its design. Additional changes to
product specifications resulted from a February meeting with the vendor selected to
manufacture the Atomic Model. This component changed from a buy to a sub-contracted part
with APH agreeing to supply the black adhesive-backed Veltex and 2 mm white expanded PVC
foam board in the sizes needed by the vendor. The vendor would laminate the two together,
die-cut to the finished size, kiss-cut, remove the appropriate material, and send the finished
Atomic Models to APH. This required new part numbers set up for the Veltex and PVC board,
quotes from the Veltex vendor, changes to specifications, bills, and routings. To insure that
there would be no problems with any of the 14 cutting dies required for this kit, Technical
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Research scheduled a visit to the local cutting-die vendor to discuss any possible problems.
This meeting resulted in a few minor revisions to several of the CAD drawings, which were
resent, including with revisions to the vendor before work began. The project leader approved
the final layouts created by Technical Research for the three Interactive Periodic Table
Element sheets in late April. The process of making color separations for each of the three
sheets was completed, with the separations being plotted and subsequently made into film to
be used to make the ten production screens. While verifying the inks selected for
specifications, Technical Research found that the purple ink selected was not compatible for
this application. It is a transparent type of ink and when printed over another color, becomes
extremely dark, almost black. Technical Research made the project leader aware that a new
ink would need to be acquired to satisfy requirements for this kit. An ink sample, based on the
color selected by the project leader was acquired, tested, and subsequently approved. The
binder used to store the Interactive Periodic Table Element pieces also created its share of
difficulties. The purchasing department located an off-the-shelf binder for possible use in the
kit. This binder had several differences from the binder used in field testing, 1) 3” versus 2.5”,
2) It has inside pockets on front, spine and back covers and 3) It has rivets in the clear view
pocket of the back cover that would interfere with insertion of printed inserts. Ultimately, the
project leader opted for a custom made binder that met exact specifications. Product
specifications, bills of materials and production routings were completed in April 2008 with
production scheduled to begin as a Pilot Run in July. Production of a number of the in-house
components and several items manufactured by outside vendors was moving along well when
APH received a call from the vendor producing the Atomic Model. The vendor was having
great difficulty in producing the models as developed. A group was called together to discuss
possible quick fixes with the vendor. The vendor made one more attempt to make the parts
but this attempt also proved unsuccessful. The problem seemed to center around changes in
materials from those used in the field-testing models. Though several options were discussed
on how to fix the problem, Technical Research proposed a method that would use the existing
material, thus saving over $5000 worth of scrap. The plan called for a reverse model of the
Veltex layout to be routed into a board for use as a fixture. The Veltex would then be die-cut,
placed into the fixture and held in place by hook Velcro nested in the routed slots. Once in
place the release paper is removed from the die-cut Veltex and then the mounting board is
aligned and pressed onto the exposed adhesive. A trial setup was developed to prove out the
method. Results were satisfactory and at the amount of in-house time required would be less
than the vendor cost. The decision was made to go with this method for at least the first
production run. Additional research is currently underway to find material that has the same
characteristics, but may work better in manufacturing. Production of the Atomic Models was
well underway, with enough pieces completed by the end of July for 100 full kits to be
produced and made available for sale on August 8, 2008.
Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table, Braille Guidebook
(Completed)
This guidebook is part of the kit and available separately as a catalog item. Technical Research
completed and turned over specifications in April 2008. Guidebook completed and stock on
July. Guidebooks will be made available at the completion of the full kit.
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Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table, LP Guidebook
(Completed)
This item is not part of the kit and will be made available separately as a catalog item.
Technical Research completed specifications and turned them over in April 2008. Guidebook
completed and stock on June. Guidebooks will be made available at the completion of the full
kit.
BookPort II
(Abandoned)
This product was progressing on schedule until a flaw was discovered in a computer chip vital
to the operation of the unit. The manufacturer of the chip was contacted and asked about the
defect. The manufacturer acknowledged the flaw but considered the defect unimportant and
had no plans to correct the flaw. This resulted in the need to completely re-structure the
operating systems for the unit in order to use another company’s chip. This resulted in a delay
in the development in the product. During this delay the working agreements between APH
and the partnering company in development were reevaluated. Ultimately, APH and the
partnering company decided to terminate the agreement. APH is working to develop a product
to replace the BookPort in the future.
Braille Contractions Recognition Braille Teacher’s Kit
Braille Contractions Recognition Print Teacher’s Kit
Braille Contractions Recognition Braille Student’s Kit
(Completed)
The product’s name was changed from “Braille Code Recognition Program” to “Braille
Contractions Recognition”. There are three products; the “Braille Code Recognition Braille
Teacher’s Edition, Braille Code Recognition Print Teacher’s Edition, and Braille Code
Recognition Braille Student’s Edition. Technical Research completed specifications and turned
them over to production in February. The product made it through the first production run
with a few problems. These were discussed at the debriefing meeting held in August.
Braille DateBook Calendar 2009
(Completed)
Technical Research requested catalog numbers and associated part numbers for the 2009 kit
in January 2008. Created bills of materials in SYSPRO and worked with Cost / Inventory
Control to determine production forecast for the coming year. Technical Research worked with
the tactile graphics department and the braille production department to have new tooling
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produced and then monitored the first production run of this product. Delayed production of
the Calendar Tabs caused the kit to be produced slightly behind the scheduled date of June
2007. These were completed and stocked in late July 2008.
Braille DateBook 2009 Calendar Tabs
(Completed)
The catalog and associated part number obtained in January. Copies of the 2009 calendar
turned over for plate tooling in mid February. After the plates for making the embossed
Calendar Tabs were produced, Technical Research checked and found the margins to be
incorrect. Plates were returned with the specific correction noted. The plates were remade and
all tooling was in place by early March. Production was scheduled for June, but due to the
workload in braille production area, production was delayed until mid July and completed at
the end of the month. Embossed items made their way to Educational Aids were the product
was completed and sent to stock by the end of July 2008.
Braille Docking Station
(New)
This item is used with the Braille+ and will be a pass through item. A meeting was held in May
to map out and organize a product development plan. Negotiations regarding purchase price
and quantities for this item were initiated. Technical Research will continue to monitor this
item through its first production run.
Braille Print Yardstick
(Completed)
Technical Research met with the project leader, who also was in contact with an outside
consultant (Susan Osterhaus) to discuss the basic features required for the product and
discussed the tooling challenges. Technical Research provided a concept drawing to which
minor revisions were made. Technical Research met with the Model Shop to obtain the
shrinkage factors needed in order to make a mold for the yardstick. The Catalog and raw
material numbers for purchasing and/or making components were requested and entered into
the SYSPRO system. Technical Research cut a female or negative pattern for the mold and
delivered it to the model shop to pour a male or positive mold for the yardstick. After the mold
was complete several sample parts were run off the mold. Technical Research used the
formed parts from the vacuum form pattern to create the remaining tooling (print and dies).
Art ultimately used to create the silk-screen was plotted on clear film and laid over the formed
part. Once verified, this plot was used to produce film needed for making the screens. Due to
the size of the 3-up Yardstick pattern, extra large screens were ordered. The art was
transferred to film mid February and the screens were received on February 18. The silk
screen was completed and in place for production by February 20. Technical Research
completed a CAD drawing for the cutting die and sent it to the die vendor mid January. The
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die was received and verified mid February. Specifications were completed; bills and routings
were setup in the system. A specification meeting was held February 20th. Technical Research
worked with production to work in an early Pilot Run of 100 pieces in late February. Since the
tube used to package the yardstick is the same tube used to package the Meterstick, the
production supervisor agreed to package 100 kits prior to the arrival of the mailing tubes. The
remaining production was completed upon the arrival of mailing tubes for the yardstick and
the 100 tubes used from stock to package the Meterstick were replaced by the tubes received
for the yardstick. The kits were able to be packaged over 1 month ahead of schedule by doing
this. Technical Research worked closely with production, setting up silk-screen art and
following through vacuum forming and die cutting. The Airplane announcing availability for
sale came out on March 6th. Following the production run, Technical Research was requested
to add 6’ wide double-sided tape to bills due to the high cost of material and significant
amount used to create parts. The production-debriefing meeting was held on April 16th. No
problems in production were reported.
Brigance Green: Large Print Edition
(Continued)
Technical Research met with the project leader in a series of brain storming meetings on this
series of products. Technical Research provided the project leader with samples of various
papers and other materials to be considered for printing, options for materials storage, a
concept drawing for a single-sided polyblend folder for packaging, and options on binding. The
project leader initially rejected the idea of the single-sided folder to be bound in the book for
storage of pullout pages. However, after Technical Research provided handmade sample
folders and passed them around in December 2007 meeting, it was decided to pursue a 1-off
prototype sample fabricated by a vendor using polyblend material. A sample of the folder
option was ordered in early February 2008 and obtained in March. Ten sheets of 100# matrix
(the material specified by the project leader for the “pullouts”) were obtained for test fitting
into the sample folder. It is likely we would need two folders to hold all sheets due to the
thickness of the paper and the fact that the sheets are folded double (from 11x17 to 8.5x11).
This effectively makes twenty sheets to store. The project leader requested cost comparisons
for this type folder and associated binding costs vs. a labeled, clear gusseted carry folder.
Costs of materials and estimated labor costs were obtained and presented to the project
leader. The project leader ultimately decided against the proposed bound in folder in favor of
the labeled gusseted folder. Sample of existing stock legal size gusseted carry folder taken to
project leader to review in March. Project leader expressed concern with size of existing stock
folder. Technical Research researched and found an 8.5” x 11” clear gusseted folder that
would be a better fit for the contents of this test. A sample of a carry folder correctly sized for
the product was taken to project leader and was subsequently approved. A new size of
protective clear cover material is also needed for this product. The existing material is 8.5” x
11”, the project leader requested a 9” x 11” size that when bound into the test book would
offer protection for divider tabs that extend out from the 8.5” width of the pages. Part
numbers for the carry folder and cover material were requested by late March. With the
knowledge that this project leader typically made glare reducing materials part of large print
“test” products, an inquiry was made to determine if these would be included with this
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product. The project leader confirm adding the existing catalog item “GlaReducers” and also
added catalog item “LP Consumable Rulers” to product. Project leader was provided with an
advance copy of specifications for review by mid April. Project leader sent back copy with
notes for several recommended changes / corrections. Technical Research met with Ops
Engineering in April to review specifications in order to establish bills and routings in SYSPRO.
Specifications, bills of materials and production routings completed and turned over to
production in June with production scheduled for August. Technical Research will continue to
follow this product through production.
Brigance Yellow
(Continued)
Technical Research met with the project leader in a series of brain storming meetings on this
series of products. Technical Research furnished the project leader with samples and examples
of various paper and other materials to be considered for printing, various storage devices
from other kits to be considered, a new concept drawing for a single-sided polyblend folder for
packaging, and options on binding in October. The project leader is currently
examining/evaluating these samples. The project leader initially rejected the idea of a singlesided folder to be bound with the book. However, after hand making sample folders and
passing them around in December, it was decided to pursue a 1-off prototype sample
fabricated by a vendor in the polyblend material. Technical Research has not received any
updates on this product. No additional information to report.
Building on Patterns Grade 1
(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the project leader to determine the basics of what these two
levels of Patterns will contain and formulated a length of time required for content
development and field-testing. Content is now final for units 1, 2, 3, and 4. Print file layout for
these units is nearly complete. Braille translation is complete for units 1 and 2. Technical
Research developed a method for embossing the Arabic page numbers on the page in a dot
pattern for the worksheets. This is currently being tested to be sure it will work. Once this
method is proven the units’ worksheets will be able to be made on an embosser rather than a
clamshell press. Tactile graphic worksheets will still need to be made on the clamshells but
over 80 percent of the work can be moved off the clamshell presses. This will help speed up
the work on the field test copies. In August Technical Research called a meeting with the
project leader, all production departments, and all production support departments to discuss
the schedule for completing the prototypes and moving ahead with field testing. Technical
research is now actively working with all production and production support areas to
coordinate tooling deliveries, production work, labeling, and packaging procedures. The plan is
to release the grade 1 level materials for field testing by unit. Units 1 and 2 are planned to be
released for field testing by mid-September. Units 3 and 4 are planned for release by midOctober. Technical Research continues to monitor the development on these products.
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Building on Patterns Grade 2
(Continued)
A meeting was held in June to coordinate the composition of content for the grade 2 materials.
Grade 2 materials are being composed as work for grade 1 materials are nearing completion.
Technical Research continues to monitor the development on these products.
Consumable Number Lines, Braille/Tactile
(Completed)
Technical Research met with the project leader a number of times since May 2007 to
discuss/modify what is needed for this project. Working prototypes of the braille number lines
were created of the raised line tactile number lines. The braille number lines are tentatively to
be run on the new Interpoint 55 braille embossing machine in the braille production
department. This machine can emboss a continuous 11” wide to a specified sheet length. This
feature allows seven braille number lines to be set up and run on an 11”x24” sheet, which will
then be die-cut to separate the individual lines. The tooling for the raised line number lines is
set to match the same dimension characteristics as the print and braille. Tooling requirements
for the print and braille documentation will follow the same guidelines as those in the print kit.
Technical Research worked with production to obtain the required materials for the Project
leader to use for field-testing. A Beta version of graphics software for the Interpoint 55 Braille
Embosser was used to lay out and produce the required Braille Embossed Number Lines. The
Beta version did not allow for saving of files so the layout will need to be recreated for actual
production. A print layout to assist tooling of the plates needed to make the Raised Line
Number Lines was generated and provided to braille tooling. Paper needed to produce fieldtesting materials was obtained and cut to size. Cardboard mailers were retrieved from stock
and modified to meet the packing requirements of the Number Lines. Mailers and the
embossed Number Lines were turned over to the project leader with additional assistance
provided in the packaging. Technical Research met with project leader late December to
review results of field-testing. The name of the product changed because of negative
comments about the connotation of “Consumable” name. The project leader made a decision
on this and officially had the name changed at the following New Products Meeting. Changes
discussed were to increase numbers of all strips by two to three pieces each, add a 21-point
blank embossed number line. Only an 11-point blank number line was sent out for fieldtesting. Updated software for the Interpoint 55 arrived in February. New tooling was created
using this software and it was then turned over to production. With content finalized,
specifications could be finalized. In a follow up meeting with the project leader in late January,
additional updates on tooling were discussed. Discussions with production have led to changes
in manufacturing methods from those used to produce the field-test materials. These changes
will make items easier to produce on the floor and should reduce production costs slightly.
Technical Research scheduled a meeting with the braille supervisor and engineering to discuss
the unique layout requirements for the braille insert / parts list needed for both kits. Tooled
plates, along with embossed samples were provided in late April and samples of the raised line
sheets were taken to the project leader for review. The only pieces of tooling remaining to be
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finalized were the inserts / parts list and the 3 braille embossed number lines that will be
produced on the Interpoint 55 and only minor corrections were needed to the file for the
braille embossed number lines. Revisions to product specifications were completed; bills of
materials and production routings established and the product specifications were turned over
in June with production scheduled for August. Work is in process on a number of the
components and the kit still has a projected completion date of August.
Consumable Number Lines, Large Print
(Completed)
Technical Research and the project leader met to discuss product requirements. Preliminary
print tooling was designed and presented to the project leader for approval. Final print tooling
was determined by dimensional requirements of the Consumable Number Lines, Braille/Tactile
that was under development at the same time. The dimensional spacing of points for print and
braille/tactile will match exactly. The print tooling is designed in such a manner as to allow the
multi-up printed sheets to be split to a finished size that matches the size of the braille/tactile
number lines. The size requirements of print documentation were later discussed with project
leader and graphics designer. The kit will be packed in a simple folded cardboard mailer that
has dimensions of 18” x 3.25”. Technical Research was able to provide design guidelines for
that would be a multi-up printing job. In order for materials to fit into the mailing folder, it was
necessary to work with the braille translation department to find a workable solution for
manufacturing braille documentation. Technical research obtained enough material needed to
produce the required number of large print number lines needed for field-testing. Cardboard
mailers were retrieved from stock and modified to meet the packing requirements of the
number lines. The mailers and printed number lines were turned over to the project leader
and Technical Research assisted with the packaging. In December, there was a meeting with
project leader to review results of field-testing. Changes discussed were 1) change in name, 2)
increase numbers of each type of strip, 3) increase boldness of number line, 4) increase
boldness and font size of numbered lines, and 5) possibly add a two color 21 point blank
number line that can be used for skip counting, etc. After revisions / additions of new tooling
were put into place, specifications were begun. Additional changes / updates to tooling were
discussed with the project leader in late January 2008. Preliminary changes made with
samples of several suggested changes presented to the project leader for approval. There has
also been discussion with production concerning improved methods for manufacturing some of
these items. Layout samples of all print number line tooling were provided to the project
leader in April. Technical Research met with the braille supervisor and engineering to discuss,
unique layout requirements for braille insert / parts list needed for both kits. Layout samples of
all print number line tooling were provided to the project leader on April 12. Revisions to
product specifications were completed; bills of materials and production routings established
and the specification were turned over in June with production scheduled for August. Work is
in process on a number of the components and the kit still has a projected completion date of
August.
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CVI COMPLEXITY MAIN KIT
(New)
This will be a kit containing a combination of the Sequencing and Challenges kits listed below.
CVI Complexity Challenges
(Continued)
A meeting was held in December 2007 to explore options for producing a series of transparent
sheets. Technical Research worked with Purchasing and production to obtain sample materials
and produced samples using the iGen3 in February. Unfortunately, the samples were not of
unacceptable quality. The same files were run on the APH wide format printer with better,
although less than perfect results. Technical Research worked with Purchasing and an outside
vendor to obtain samples. Upon receipt of the samples Technical Research mailed samples
from all three sources to the project leader. Technical Research next met with the graphic
design department and the project leader in June to discuss things. Technical Research is
currently working with Purchasing to obtain price quotes for custom-made items needed for
this kit. (Printing on clear vinyl, special clear vinyl pouches, a custom 2-ring binder). Tests on
various printing methods were reviewed. Offset printing directly on plastic had an acceptable
quality of printing and was chosen for its economy of production in the quantities expected.
Prototype pieces were obtained in January to use for field-testing. Technical Research met
with the project leader to learn more about the structure of this product. The kit will consist of
the printed plastic pieces, a custom 2-ring binder, and custom vinyl pouches for storage and
presentation. This kit and the Sequencing kit will be put together with a Print Guide, a Braille
Guide, and the Innovations Tote Bag to form a kit. Technical Research will continue to monitor
this product.
CVI Complexity Sequencing
(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the graphics designer, Purchasing, and an outside vendor to
obtain tests to demonstrate the output of various printing processes on various materials
being considered for use in this project. These items will be kept on file both at APH and at
the vendor to use as reference materials for future products that may want to explore various
process/materials combinations. Tests on various printing methods were reviewed in
November/December. Offset printing directly on plastic had an acceptable quality of printing
and was chosen for its economy of production in the quantities expected. Prototype pieces
were obtained in January to use for field-testing. Technical Research met with the project
leader to learn more about the structure of this product in February. The kit will consist of
printed plastic pieces, a custom 2-ring binder, and custom vinyl pouches for storage and
presentation. This kit and the Challenges kit will be put together with a Print Guide, a Braille
Guide, and the Innovations Tote Bag to form a kit.
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CVI Swirly Mats
(New)
Technical Research has not received any further information for these mats. It is possible this
product will be dropped. APH already sells two other versions of the Swirly mats, one of, which
is specific for use with CVI.
Desktop Stick-On Number Line – Large Print
(New)
Technical Research has had preliminary discussions with the project leader over the concept
and projected application of this product. The product will likely contain a set of large print /
tactile number lines with a removable / re-position able adhesive backing similar to that found
on Post-it-notes. Samples of double-sided tape for this application have been obtained. One
side of the double-sided tape is more aggressive to hold firmly to the number line. The
opposite side has a release paper, that when removed will allow it to be applied to a desktop.
The type of adhesive on the user side should allow it stay in place once placed, but can be
easily removed. A December 2007 meeting to review field-testing results for Consumable
Number Lines was also used to redefine needs for this product. At a follow up meeting that
included the model shop, it appeared that the proposed method of manufacturing this product
could not begin until early 2009 because of the existing backlog of work in the model shop. In
July 2008, Technical Research became aware of a new manufacturing process that may lend
itself to producing this product. A representative of this vendor met with Technical Research
and the project leader in order to review the specific needs and determine if this method
might be viable process for the product.
Developmental Guidelines
(Continued)
The project leader conducted a brainstorming PDC meeting to discuss revising an existing
product, making it more accessible. This would likely include a CD with HTML, BRF, and TXT
files of the book and consumable forms. Technical Research met with the project leader
regarding the various parts to this product in February. Part numbers were requested and
received and Technical Research will begin working on preliminary product specifications when
the departmental workload permits. This will be three individual products. The print kit and the
Braille kit will have the guidelines and the Summary Consumables. The Summary Consumables
will be made available separately. Technical Research will complete product specifications and
then schedule a meeting to turn over specifications and establish a production schedule.
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Embossed XY Axis 20x20 Grid Graph Paper
(Completed)
This product was added to the schedule in April 2007. Technical Research worked with the PL
to develop a drawing that was used to make a Braille plate to make prototype samples for
expert review. The samples were approved in August and the PL sent the samples out for
expert review. Once the reviews were completed, Technical Research developed specifications
and conducted a meeting on this product. The production run was completed and stock in
December.
Experiential Learning Kit
(New)
Technical Research has been working with the project leader and the purchasing department
to find a source for a combination crib and freestanding activity center for low vision and blind
infants. A company was located in California that has agreed to supply the activity center. APH
will custom design the toys that will be suspended from the activity center. Work on this
project is ongoing.
EZ Track Calendar 2009
(Completed)
Technical Research selected a new butterfly photo for the front cover and gave it to our
Graphics Designer in February. The Graphics Designer designed a cover, which was approved
and forwarded to Bisig to include in the new APH catalog of products. Technical Research then
turned over files to Production. The calendars are scheduled to be finished and in stock in
August 2008.
Flip-Over Concept Books - Line Paths
Flip-Over Concept Books - Parts of a Whole
(Continued)
Technical Research attended a PDC meeting in January 2007. There are two books under
development; each book has 10 layers of three side-by-side panels that can be flipped
individually in order to match the appropriate print/tactual images. In the initial stages of
development, there was extensive research with the project leader and model shop to develop
a method of production using a large format printer printing directly onto vinyl versus a
traditional silk screening method. Hand drawn line art of all individual images designed by the
Model shop has been scanned and converted into CAD files. Images were then placed within a
master template based on positioning information also provided by the Model shop. The
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completed CAD files were imported into a CorelDraw format and provided to the Project
leader. The project leader was then able to follow the template and add colors of her
choosing. The final file was next prepped by Technical Research and provided to Purchasing to
have prototypes made for field-testing. Preliminary testing on the Large Format Printer at APH
provided un-satisfactory results. The print was somewhat blurry and there were visible
striations in the solid colors. There was a detectable problem with compression of the print
image, which prevented registration of the printed sheet and the vacuum-form mold. The
compression was thought to have been the result of printing sheets on a roll feed system. The
file was given to a local vendor that has multiple large format systems to have a sample run.
This vendor has three types of wide format printing systems, flat bed, Eco-solvent, and
solvent. Concurrent investigation into obtaining vinyl material on rolls proved unfeasible due to
the delays in obtaining the material in the format and the cost (minimum purchase quantities).
The vendor has quoted a minimum of 1000 rolls, which is how many can be pulled off a full
factory roll. Rather than going away from the large format printing process that allows
unlimited colors, the project leader decided the flat bed printing would be acceptable for field
testing purposes. At the same time the other two printing systems that the vendor had
available would also be investigated. The project leader found that the initial samples
appeared to have a good enough appearance to convey the concept of the books for fieldtesting. This sample was vacuum-formed which verified the registration was correct. Additional
vinyl was obtained and sent vendor so that enough sheets could be produced to satisfy the
number of books needed for field-testing. The model shop vacuum formed the sheets, die-cut
and ultimately finished the flipbooks. Tooling developed by Technical Research was used to
order a cutting die to separate the fifteen-flipbook pages per sheet. These were sent out midOctober. There was continued investigation into the best options for obtaining the vinyl on
rolls or for how to insure registration once the images were printed on the roll. While the
books were being field tested, Technical Research was informed that production would be
eliminating the existing twin looping and switching to spiral binding. The books were designed
with twin-loop binding and this would likely create a major redesign in tooling. After the Model
shop worked with production to test spiral binding with the format that these flipbooks, it was,
determined that spiral binding would not work. Production has initially said that the [sic]
“Twin-looping process may have to stay around for special products like this”. Based on field
testing results, it was decided to change the binding from twin looping to a method that allows
flip pages to be removable. One proposed method of removable binding was a modified “Tuffy
Ring” system. There were several meetings with purchasing and various vendors to discuss
the Tuffy Ring proposal and solicit ideas for other options. A vendor that currently uses Tuffy
Rings returned quotes for this type of binding and presented an option to use small metal
rings. The “Tuffy” options were somewhat expensive, due to a great deal of scrap with
modifying existing rings and the labor in attaching them to the backer board. A mockup was
put together using the vendor’s proposal for using “Tuffy Rings”. This sample was given to
project leader in early March. Project leader continued research into Tuffy Rings and
eventually contacted the manufacturer of these rings. The vendor offered to manufacture
rings to the exact specification required for the flipbooks, but APH would have to pay for the
injection mold and buy in minimums that somewhat exceed what would be required to bind
the projected sales of books. Technical Research found an alternative binding method (GBC
editable plastic rings) and created a mockup that was presented at the next product
development meeting. After a good deal of testing and evaluation, it was decided to use this
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method of binding mechanism. This material comes in strips and can be quickly cut to the size
(number of rings) required for the three panel flipbook. The rings were tested by Technical
Research in the following manner; rings were opened and closed over 200 times after being
placed in both a freezing and heated environment. There was minimal degradation of the
holding capability after this many cycles. With continued concerns with Large Format Printing,
the decision was made to investigate further into offset printing on vinyl. Several vendors had
said that they had successfully produced materials, but one concern was whether or not they
could print on the specific vinyl APH uses in its process. This vinyl has a controlled shrinkage
rate in the vacuum-forming process. Three vendors were contacted; one vendor’s high prices
immediately removed them from consideration. A second vendor was only willing to print on
material that they currently use, a sample was provided, and it did perform quite well in the
vacuum-forming test. The third vendor agreed to both use the specified vinyl and obtain inks
formulated specifically to withstand vacuum forming. The third vendor also had the best price
quotes. The material was obtained and sent to the vendor for a sample run. This test run is to
confirm several key points. The primary concern and point of this test is to determine if the
registration of the print image to the sheet and how consistently registration holds between all
sheets within the run. Color matching and print quality will also be evaluated in this test. The
vendor should have the samples run by mid August. Once the issues with printing and binding
are resolved, writing specifications can be placed back in queue and will likely take a minimum
of a month to complete.
Focus in Mathematics
(Revision)
Technical Research met with the co-project leaders several times to discuss the changes and
additions to this product. In August Technical Research met with the project leader and an
outside vendor that uses a process called “flow molding”. This process may be suitable to this
kit for use in making both the counting cards needed and textured shapes needed. The vendor
was given basic specifications for the product and basic files as examples of product content.
The vendor will provide estimates of both per piece pricing and tooling costs. This will be
compared with other processes available to determine the process with the best quality of
parts and the best pricing of the parts. Technical Research will continue to work with the PL’s
to develop new manipulatives for the product. Work on this project is ongoing.
FV/LMA Kit
(Completed)
This product’s full name is “Functional Vision Assessment/Learning Media Assessment Kit” It is
available for sale as six individual products. The full FV/LMA Kit, FVLMA Protocols,
Practitioner’s Guidebook Print w/CD, Practitioner’s Guidebook Braille w/CD, and then later the
FVLMA Protocols Large Print, and the FVLMA Practitioner’s Guidebook Large Print w/CD.
Technical Research completed product specifications for the full kit, the protocols, and the
print guidebook and turned them over to production in mid-April. Technical Research designed
specs for the Braille Guidebook and turned them over to Production the end of April. Technical
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Research will develop product specifications for the remaining two products as finalized
information becomes available from the PL. Technical Research monitored the first production
run of this product in July and scheduled a debriefing meeting.
Functional Skills Assessment
(Continued)
The name was changed from Functional Assessment/Curriculum. Work is continuing on
product specifications and documentation as the specifics of this product becomes more
clearly defined.
Graphic Aid for Math
(Revisions)
Technical Research worked with project leader to find possible alternative materials to use to
1) make the board from, and 2) to use with current or revised board. Suggested materials
included rubberized cork material for the board and vinyl coated, thin gauge solid wire that
might be used a graphing material. Vendors have been contacted to obtain samples of board
material and wire was ordered for the project leader to evaluate. Samples of cork material and
wire were delivered to the project leader December 28, 2007 for evaluation.
Home Grown Video DVD: Loving Me
(Completed)
Technical Research completed product specifications in January and turned them over to
production. The first production run was completed and the product went into stock in June
2008.
Home Grown Video VHS: Loving Me
(Completed)
Technical Research completed product specifications in January and turned them over to
production. The first production run was completed and the product went into stock in June
2008.
Home Grown Video: Sensory Learning Kit
(New)
Technical Research will be beginning product specifications for this latest of the homegrown
video series.
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Jumbo Work and Play Tray with Yellow Insert
(Completed)
This product is unique in some sense because part of the vacuum-form tooling was produced
using the rapid prototyping process. APH has begun explore this process to determine how
viable it might be in the development of vacuum-form molds and field-testing materials. Trays
made for field-testing were made from the mold. The project leader reported at the October
2007 New Products meeting that field-testing was complete. At a follow up meeting with the
project leader and model shop, several issues were discussed. Before work could progress, a
number of questions needed to be answered. Would the trays be made available as two
catalog items, one for a black tray and the second for a yellow tray? This would require a
second catalog number. How many of each type of tray to produce? The project leader initially
decided on 400 each. Would there be the need for second vacuum form mold based on
number of trays of each color to be manufactured? There was some concern about the
vacuum-form mold holding up because of the rapid prototyping components that were
integrated into it. It was decided that a Pilot Run of 100 would be used to evaluate how the
vacuum form mold held up. What were possible methods of making the tray non-skid? It was
recommended using pieces of 1/16” thick self-adhesive sponge rubber. The project leader
decided on placing four 1” x 5” x 1/16” strips of the self-adhesive sponge rubber in the kit for
customer application. In addition, how to package and ship the completed tray was discussed.
In November, a group consisting primarily of the project leader, purchasing, model shop and
Technical Research got together to discuss several issues that affect purchasing of material /
production / packaging. The purchasing department reported that the yellow ABS had very
high minimum order. Based on the quantity of trays scheduled for production at the October
PDC meeting, it would be necessary to order several years worth of material. Purchasing
submitted an idea of making only black trays with a removable yellow insert. The project
leader liked the concept because it would in effect provide two trays in one kit. This would be
a cost-effective solution and allow APH to furnish the trays in two colors at a minimal expense.
The only reservations that the project leader expressed was how the yellow insert might fit
within the molded black tray and how it might affect the sound qualities when making contact
with the tray. This second point was deemed a critical component; the sound generated
between the tray and flooring at times is an important part of auditory feedback. Sample
pieces of a couple types of materials were fabricated for the project leader to test with a
prototype tray. Of these, 1/8” ABS provided the results the project leader desired. Purchasing
obtained quotes to have this material to come to APH cut to size and shape. Production
methods were reviewed and status of existing tooling was confirmed. The method for
packaging this kit was the remaining topic at this meeting. No stock shipping cartons were
available that could be used for the packaging of this product. This left the option of having an
additional carton for use with only this product. With APH attempting to pare down the
number of cartons now stocked, this did not seem to be a viable solution. Purchasing
suggested wrapping the tray with nested items in cold seal material. It was discussed that the
tray is rugged enough that it might not actually need the protection of a box, just something
to allow it to be delivered to the customer. Purchasing contacted the vendor that we were
currently getting cold seal material from in a width that could be wrapped and sealed around
the edges of the tray. The sample of cold seal material arrived from the vendor in mid
February. A mockup of packing the tray using this packing method was completed and
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evaluated by Technical Research. Because of the design of the tray nested inside, the cold seal
material was vulnerable to being punctured. Results were shown to the project leader, who
agreed with Technical Research that it would not be an acceptable method of packaging. A
box vendor that APH was working with brought in a sample of a stock box that proved suitable
for this product. The overall dimensions (26” square) were correct but the thickness of the
preformed box was twice the required dimension. Technical Research investigated possible
filler materials to use with this box to make it the most cost-effective solution. Being an off the
shelf stock box, it can be ordered at lower quantities and lower cost than a custom-made box.
All tooling was completed as of April and, once the packaging method was finalized,
specifications, bills of materials and production routings were completed and presented to
production in March 2008. A pilot run of 100 was completed in May. Prior to the pilot run,
several pre-production parts were formed and used by Technical Research to setup and refine
the router program that cut and finished the formed trays outer dimensions. There were minor
repairs necessary to the vacuum-form mold following the May pilot run. The failure was not
with the rapid prototyping components, but was a separation of filler materials. The mold was
repaired and the remaining production was completed and stocked in July. There were no
additional points of concern expressed at the product-debriefing meeting.
Jump Rope for Fitness Kit
(Continued)
This product contains a electronic Ropeless Jump Rope, three plastic beaded ropes that come
in different length / color combinations, a competition style jump rope, anti-fatigue mat and
both print and braille guidebooks. Following field-testing, Technical Research met with project
leader and Accounting/Inventory Control in early December 2007 to discuss product
structure/replacement part requirements. Following this meeting, catalog and part numbers
were requested. The project leader also turned over the items used in field-testing, along with
a list containing the sources that items were obtained from. Technical Research contacted
these vendors and verified / documented specifications / ordering information. Technical
Research initiated the inclusion of cautionary warning information addressing both
strangulation hazards associated with ropes / playground equipment and advisory notice
concerning obtaining a health checkup before beginning any physical fitness regimen to the
kit. Specifications and bills of materials and production routings were established in June 2008.
Product specifications were turned over to production in July 2008 with production scheduled
for November due to long lead times on one of the items placed into the kit. Technical
Research will continue to monitor this project through its first production run.
Life Science Tactile Graphics Kit
(Continued)
This product will be similar to the Basic Science Tactile Graphics Kit. Technical Research met
with the project leader and model shop to discuss the possibility of scanning the already
produced thermoformed patterns. Technical Research proposed a method of scanning and
electronically generating screen art vs. tracing by hand and laying it out by hand. A variation
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of this process, scanning line drawings was used for graphics templates in the Flip-Over Books.
Scanning of actual tactile forms may prove to be more difficult and these molds were made
from basic sketches that have been heavily modified to suit the needs of the vacuum-forming
process. Preliminary tests on scanning of raised tactile images are currently underway. There
has been some discussion about the possibility of using large format printing as possible
production method because of the large amount of tactile graphic sheets being created for this
kit. There are approximately 56 sheets, in a four up pattern with 3 to 4 colors on each
grouping would still require 42 to 56 separate setups to print the sheets. Investigation into this
manufacturing process is ongoing for several current products under development.
Listening Post III
(Completed)
Technical Research approved parts for production in September. Production of the new
Listening Post III was timed so that the new materials arrived shortly before stock of the
current product (Listening Post II) was depleted. Technical Research worked with the
Production supervisor to build the last of the Listening Post II circuit boards and put them into
stock. Technical Research then worked with the model shop to modify the current drill fixture
in January. Circuit boards were received from Taiwan in early April. Technical Research
electronically tested the circuit boards. They passed and were put in stock. 140 units were
produced and put into stock in April.
Lots of Dots, Coloring the Garden
(Completed)
A PDC meeting was held on this product and a timeline was set. Technical Research worked to
get prototypes made and delivered to the project leader. Prototypes were sent out for fieldtesting on schedule. The Production Division Manager came in on a Sunday to personally run
the field test copies. The PL completed field-testing and sent Braille a list of minor changes to
be made to several of the pages. It was decided to have the enrichment guide translated in to
Spanish and added to the kit. Technical Research completed specifications and conducted a
meeting with production in December. Technical Research monitored the first production run
for this kit into stock in August.
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels
(Completed)
The MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels are designed for providing greater flexibility / ease of
use when used with APH Cat. No.1-07411-00 Sherlock adhesive-backed labels. The 1-15/16” x
1-15/16” MagneTacher label is slightly larger than that of the current Sherlock adhesivebacked RFID label to make it easier to place the Sherlock label on the MagneTacher.
MagneTacher labels are die-cut 12-up in to 8.5” x 11” sheets of laminated 15mil plain flexible
magnetic material and 15mil plain flexible rubber steel. Specifications were turned over in
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October 2007. Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were
completed, allowing kit to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research
conducted a Production Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels w / Sherlock Labels
(Completed)
This kit contains the same MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels but is packed with twenty-five
Cat. No. 1-07411-00 Sherlock adhesive-backed labels. Specifications were turned over in
October 2007. Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were
completed, allowing kit to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research
conducted a Production Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
MagneTachers for Small Braillable Labels:
(Completed)
This product contains two sheets containing eighteen 4-1/8” x 1- 3/16” die-cut/pre-scored
MagneTachers in an 8.5” x 11” sheets of 25mil plain flexible magnetic material thick flexible
magnetic material for use with small braillable labels. Specifications were turned over in
October 2007. Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were
completed, allowing kit to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research
conducted a Production Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
MagneTachers for Making Braille Labels
(Completed)
This product contains two 10” x ½” wide x 0.012” thick flexible magnetic materials for use in
making braille labels. The material has a white vinyl coating on one side that assist in proper
orientation and helps hold the embossed braille. Specifications were turned over in October
2007. Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were completed,
allowing kit to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research conducted a
Production Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
MagneTachers for Making Large Print Labels
(Completed)
This product contains two 10” x ½” wide x 0.015” thick flexible magnetic materials for use in
making large print (36PT) labels. The material has a white paper / smear resistant coating on
one side that assist in proper orientation. Specifications were turned over in October 2007.
Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were completed, allowing kit
to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research conducted a Production
Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
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MagneTachers for Making Larger Labels
(Completed)
This product contains two 10” x 1 wide x 0.015” thick flexible magnetic materials for use in
making large print (84PT) labels. The material has a white paper / smear resistant coating on
one side that assist in proper orientation. Specifications were turned over in October 2007.
Materials arrived from vendor in early November. Braille inserts were completed, allowing kit
to be packaged and stocked by December 2007. Technical Research conducted a Production
Debriefing Meeting to review any problems with production.
MathBuilders Unit 6 (Geometry)
(Completed)
Technical Research assisted the project leader in helping to obtain and fabricate materials that
were sent out for field-testing. Technical Research completed product specifications and bills
of material on the products. Technical research then met with operations engineering to have
system routings set up. A specification meeting was conducted January 24th with production.
Technical Research monitored the first production run which was placed into stock and
available for sale in May 2008.
MathBuilders Unit 7 (Fractions)
(New)
Technical Research met with the project leader and an outside consultant October 17th to work
out the basic components required for this product. This kit required creating two types of
fractional teaching aids. One is a set of circles made of parts segmented into 1/8, 1/6, ¼, 1/3,
½, and whole units. A vacuum-formed tray to facilitate assembling the circles will also be
included. The second tray will be made with rows of removable rectangular pieces that are
broken into 1/10, 1/8, 1/6, ¼, 1/3, ½ units. The whole unit (1.0) is to be formed into the
tray. Both types of teaching aids will have both large print and Braille numbering. Preliminary
drawings for the major manufactured items were created and approved by the project leader.
Technical Research worked with the project leader to lay out the Braille label sheets needed to
label all of the fractional pieces. Technical research created silk screens and had Braille plates
made for the label sheets. Technical Research worked with the production floor to have the
sheets silk screened and Braille embossed. Technical Research contacted a die cutting vendor
to make production dies and die cut the materials. A vendor was selected and made sample
urethane fractional circles. These were cut from the backer boards they were shipped on using
a band saw and placed in plastic zip lock bags for field-testing. The rectangular pieces for
field-testing were made by Technical Research using the CNC router. These were completed in
April. It was decided to make the trays for the prototypes only out of machined Ex-Cel using
the CNC router. This avoids the need to have a vacuum form pattern made by the model shop
and will help speed up the process for field-testing. The actual production trays will be vacuum
formed out of white styrene. Work was started on final drawings and sizing of the two trays (1
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for the circles and 1 for the bars). Cutting drawings were completed on both the bar tray and
the circle tray in April. Ex-Cel for making the trays was ordered and received in April. Tray
fabrication on the CNC router in Technical Research was completed in June. Material that will
be used for the 2-sided coins (yellow slick and blue fuzzy) was ordered and received in April.
The coins were die cut and packaged in zip lock bags. The die cut labels are the last item
needed for field test samples. These are scheduled to be completed in early September.
Technical Research will continue to monitor this project and assist in the fabrication of field
test samples as needed.
MathBuilders Unit 8 (Data Collection, Graphing, and Probability/Statistics)
(Continued)
Technical Research met with the project leader and an outside consultant in April to work out
the basic parts of what this product will be and created drawings for the two trays and
graphing pieces to go in this product. Drawings of the trays were turned over to the model
shop in July. The molds were made and parts were generated for field-testing. Technical
Research assisted the project leader in the collation and packaging of the prototypes. The
prototypes were sent out for field testing. Field test results on this product are in and there
have been minimal changes on this project. There will be an extra spinner overlay added to
the kit. Technical Research cut a female pattern of the tactile spinners and turned it over to
the model shop to pour the vacuum form pattern. Two other patterns were made from scratch
in the model shop. The model shop completed the 3 vacuum form patterns needed for this kit
in July. Work is progressing on product specifications.
MaximEyes Video Magnifier
(Completed and Continued)
Final approval and certification by regulatory agencies (UL and FCC) was received on this
product in April. Work on sub-assemblies had already begun and final unit assembly was
started in April. The main kit and the corded pen tracker were completed and made available
for sale in April. The last item, the wireless pen tracker is still in development. The vendor is
working on a permanent, rechargeable battery for the pen. On April 29 Technical research
accompanied the APH production, purchasing, and marketing departments on a trip to visit
Eitac (vendor for this project) to examine their production facilities. Technical Research noted
the vendor had 32 units completed and in stock. Production facilities were examined and
discussed. Quality assurance procedures were demonstrated by the vendor. Technical
Research asked about the wireless pen tracker and the vendor indicated there had been no
progress to date on this item but still felt it would be available in the near future. Technical
Research will continue to monitor the wireless pen tracker portion of this project. The other
portions of this product were completed and placed into stock in April 2008.
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MiniBook
(Continued)
Field test results were received in early 2008. Review of the data noted interest in both types
of binding (a mini-binder as well as spiral binding). This project has the potential of splitting in
to 2 products. The plastic mini-slate included in the kit is also being reviewed as several field
test sites had made recommendations for changes to the slate. Technical Research and the
purchasing department have begun discussions with the vendor to see what changes can be
made in the part and what those changes will cost. Technical Research will continue to work
with the project leader and monitor the progress of this product.
On the Way to Literacy — Teacher's Handbook, Print Version
(Completed)
This product has evolved into a complete new design of the existing product. Field-testing was
completed. Layout of the print manual was completed. Files were turned over to Purchasing in
October. This item was printed outside as a pass through item. Technical Research monitored
the progress of this project, which was completed and placed into stock in November 2007.
On the Way to Literacy, Teacher's Handbook, Braille Version
(Completed)
The files were delivered to Braille translation in July 2007. Technical Research worked with the
project leader to develop specifications and a conducted a meeting with production on October
25th. Both the print and the Braille versions were produced ahead of schedule which allowed
the project leader to display actual copies of the manuals at a Literacy conference in late
November 2007.
PermaBraille Sheets, 5” x 3”
(Completed)
Formally listed as PermaBraille Paper, this product contains fifty 5” x 3” x 0.056” PVC material
for use a long lasting braillable paper. It comes to APH packed in a white wrap around
cardboard box and is placed in a padded mailer with a print and braille insert. Specifications
were turned over in January 2008 with production scheduled for March. Production was
delayed due to box design issues. The PermaBraille Sheets, 5” x 3” were completed and
placed into stock June 2008. Production debriefing was held in July, No production problems
were reported.
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PermaBraille Sheets, 6” x 4”
(Completed)
Formally listed as PermaBraille Paper, this product contains fifty 6” x 4” x 0.056” PVC material
for use a long lasting braillable paper. It comes to APH packed in a white wrap around
cardboard box and is placed in a padded mailer with a print and braille insert. Specifications
were turned over in January 2008 with production scheduled for March. Production was
delayed due to box design issues. The PermaBraille Sheets, 6” x 4” were completed and
placed into stock June 2008. Production debriefing was held on July, No production problems
were reported.
PermaBraille Sheets, 8.5” x 11”
(Completed)
Formally listed as PermaBraille Paper, this product contains fifty 8.5” x 11” x 0.056” PVC
material for use a long lasting braillable paper. It comes to APH packed in a white wrap
around cardboard box and is placed in a padded mailer with a print and braille insert.
Specifications were turned over in January 2008 with production scheduled for March.
Production was delayed due to box design issues. The PermaBraille Sheets, 8.5” x 11” were
completed and placed into stock June 2008. Production debriefing was held on July. No
production problems were reported.
PermaBraille Sheets, 11.5” x 11”
(Completed)
Formally listed as PermaBraille Paper, this product contains fifty 11.5 x 11” x 0.056” PVC
materials for use a long lasting braillable paper. It comes to APH packed in a white wrap
around cardboard box and is placed in a padded mailer with a print and braille insert.
Specifications were turned over in January 2008 with production scheduled for March.
Production was delayed due to box design issues. The PermaBraille Sheets, 11.5” x 11” were
completed and placed into stock June 2008. Production debriefing was held on July. No
production problems were reported.
PermaBraille Sheets, 6” x 4” 2-Hole Drilled
(Completed)
This product is a pack of fifty 6” x 4” sheets of 0.056” PVC material, 2-hole drilled along the 6”
margin for use with Braille DateBook product. It comes in a simple white cardboard wrap
around box with print and braille labeling. Specifications were turned over January 2008 with
production scheduled for March. Production was delayed due to box design issues. The
PermaBraille Sheets, 6” x 4” 2-Hole Drilled were completed and placed into stock June 2008.
Production debriefing was held on July. No production problems were reported.
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Picture Maker Accessories: Geometric Shapes
(Continued)
Catalog numbers for each were set up following a brainstorming PDC meeting in January
2008. The project leader held a PDC meeting in May to provide the final product makeup.
New dates were established at a PDC meeting with specifications scheduled for completion in
August 2008, no pilot run and full production scheduled for February 2009. Technical Research
is working on specifications as time allows.
Picture Maker Accessories: Textured Strips
(Completed)
Technical Research completed drawings with material specifications of all parts for the
textured strips. These drawings were sent out for vendor quotes and later used as vendor
specifications for the contracted parts. The vendor fabricated all parts with the exception of
four parts that are silk-screened and vacuum formed by APH. These components are then sent
to the vendor to laminate, die cut, and place in the bag with the rest of the parts. The model
shop worked on the tooling needed for vacuum forming the pieces and coordinated with the
outside vendor’s efforts and needs. Technical Research completed specifications, set up bills
and routings and turned over specifications to production September 2007. Technical Research
made two screens, one for each of the two sub-contracted parts. After in-house processes on
the two parts were completed, the printed and formed sheets, two dies supplied by APH were
sent to the vendor. First piece production samples for the project leader’s review were
received and approved in December 2007. The vendor began production of the materials and
the completed packs of the parts arrived January 2008. Kits were packaged in January
following a slight delay in having the Braille inserts produced. The product was stocked in
January. A debriefing meeting was held in February along with the companion product Picture
Maker Accessories Storage Panel. There were no production problems were reported.
Picture Maker Accessories: Storage Panel
(Completed)
This an 8.5” x 11” poly sheet covered on both sides with black Veltex. The decision was made
to have outside vendor to produce this item. Technical Research completed specifications; bills
and routings were established and turned the information over to production. The panels were
received prior to the turnover of specifications. Following slight delay in production of braille
inserts, kits were completed in October 2007. Product released with the completion of its
companion product the Textured Strips in January 2008. A debriefing meeting was held in
February along with the Textured Strips. No production problems were reported.
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Portable Sound Source – Sport Edition
(Completed)
The Portable Sound Source: Sport Edition (PSS) comes in as two pieces, a PSS Receiver and a
PSS Remote. The combination of Receiver and Remote creates a remote controlled, selfcontained “sound source” unit that can perform the same functions as the existing APH
Portable Sound Source. Technical Research designed and developed circuitry for this device.
The product is now a smaller more portable electronic version of the original. It will now be
remote controlled with a key fob sized remote that can turn the unit on and off, change the
pitch, rate, and volume from a tested range of 100 to 150 yards. The kit contains a Guidebook
in both print and Braille, including a CD with an html file of the book. Samples of the first
printed circuit boards were received, and an approved sample was sent back to the vendor in
June 2007. Work on the injection molds for the plastic parts progressed and first piece tooling
samples for the main unit’s case and the buttons for the main unit were received in July.
Evaluations were completed in early August with minor revisions needed to the molds. New
samples of the cases and buttons arrived in September. The new samples included cases for
the remote control unit as well. First piece plastic case samples were received and tested.
Minor revisions to the parts are required. The second round of samples was tested in
November and December. One sample operated flawlessly. All samples passed the drop test
designed to test the ruggedness of the product and all testing on the receiver units control
operation. However, two samples showed erratic control functions beyond 60 feet of distance
in the remote operations of the controls. This was explained to the vendor and the
questionable samples returned. The vendor worked on the problems detected in testing and
re-submitted production samples. The fact that samples were hand-fabricated (hand soldered)
was believed to have created the problem. The vendor believed that the next samples, made
using production based soldering equipment the soldered connections would be more reliable
and will alleviate the anomalies noted in the testing of previous samples. Samples are required
to function with a remote key fob at a distance of no less than 100 feet. Up to this point, most
units tested operated up to 250 feet with no problems. Work began on test fixtures and
testing procedures for the APH QA department to use on incoming inspection in December. A
third round of samples was received mid January 2008. These samples also exhibited erratic
reception. Technical Research isolated the problem on the receiver board in the unit. Technical
Research requested 25 samples of the receiver boards only for further bench testing. The
second set of 25 receiver boards exhibited the same instability of operation. Intensive testing
on the electronics bench in an attempt to prove this was the problem. Waveforms were
examined on an oscilloscope and were found to have irregular leading edges. Through testing,
four modifications were made to the receiver unit. Three modifications were made to the main
board and one modification was made to the receiver board. The waveform was then
examined on the oscilloscope and was markedly improved. Next, the unit was tested in
practical distance reception. The standard was 100 feet minimum. The third sets of samples
were only able to receive signals to around 80 feet. Many units would not receive that far.
With the modifications, the unit consistently received signals from 225 feet. The six remaining
sample units were modified in the same fashion. All six units now had good waveforms on the
oscilloscope and had reception distances from 200 to 250 feet. All modifications were
communicated to the vendor. The vendor produced five more pre-production sample boards
per specified modifications. When the samples arrived, they were tested using the same
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procedures. Production samples of the receiver units had been received and approved in early
March. However, several of the transmitters failed testing for transmission distance (100’
minimum range). After numerous phone calls with the vendor and several exchanges of
sample transmitters, the design flaw was finally located. Two components were of the correct
value as specified by the APH Technical Research division’s design. However, the tolerance
levels of those components were too wide. While this saved a few cents in component costs, it
allowed component values to vary outside the range of value that allowed the transmitters to
work. This was the reason for transmitter performance was varying from unit to unit. Once a
tighter tolerance of component was purchased by the vendor all transmitter samples passed
with a transmission distance of between 200’ to 250’. The vendor is absorbing the higher cost
of the correct tolerance components and the cost of the discarded wider tolerance
components. Testing of latest batch of transmitters was completed in March. All samples
passed testing criteria, allowing APH to notify the vendor that production samples were
approved for full shipment to APH. Specifications were already in process and were quickly
finalized in order to be in place before the projected delivery on the units in May. The project
leader realized during the review of specifications, that an adjustable strap wasn’t included
with the kit. This item, initially part of the kit, was to have been dropped. However, a review
of the product guidebooks mentioned its use and indicated that it was part of the kit. The
project leader decided upon a type of strap used in other kits, with the caveat that it be wider
than the 1” wide currently used. One purpose of the strap is to attach the PSS: Sport Edition
to an individual. It was determined that a wider strap would provide greater comfort to the
wearer. A quick investigation into existing APH parts turned up a 1.5” D-ring that is used as
the buckle / cinching mechanism for these straps. Technical Research requested a sample of
1.5” wide cloth strapping material in the color specified by the project leader. After approval
by the project leader, a new part number was setup and quickly incorporated into the
specifications. During the review of specifications for the separately available braille
guidebook, it was determined that the seven plate embossed graphic pages used in the fieldtested copies needed to have corrections made to them. In March, the plates with errors were
located and taken to braille tooling to be corrected. Technical Research met with operations
engineering in early April to review specifications in order to move bills and routings to Level
0. Due to scheduling conflicts with key personnel, the specification meeting could not be
scheduled until April. Specifications turned over to production in May 2008 with production
scheduled for August.
Printing Guide
(Continued)
This product will be a mechanical template to help teach printing skills. Technical Research
designed and fabricated several versions for the project leader’s review and produced ten each
of the two preferred designs. Technical Research worked with the project leader to help
design and fabricate tooling for this project as needed and will develop product specifications
as final decisions are made. Technical Research will assist the project leader in monitoring the
product through the first production run.
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SAM; Symbols and Meaning
(Continued)
The project leader held a BS-PDC meeting May 2008, presented the concepts of the product,
and opened the floor brainstorming for ideas on how to make some of the items in the kit.
Some items originally discussed as needed for the kit turned out to be impractical to
manufacture and have been dropped from the original list, such as weighted cup(s) with
removable handles (or weight wrap for use on cups), weight wraps (for use on utensils,
toothbrushes, hairbrushes. Technical Research met with project leader, purchasing, and
vendor to discuss the specific of several purchased items needed for this kit. These are a
portable recording device (likely a mini cassette or personal digital recorder), a custom-made
bag made in three sizes and a collapsible mesh box (cloth). Remaining items are either stock
APH items (such as Calendar Boxes or Small Work and Play Tray) or easily purchasable items
like cloth and binders. These materials were obtained for a projected field-testing start time of
August. Technical Research provided assistance in producing, obtaining, and packaging these
items.
Select Switch
(Completed)
Technical Research worked extensively with purchasing and the vendor to develop tooling (the
injection mold and all circuit board tooling). Minor problems were encountered on some of the
initial sample pieces and corrected. Production samples were received and tested in
December. All samples passed all testing. Technical Research contacted the project leader and
asked she review the samples as well. The project leader approved the samples. Production
was started overseas on this item. Technical Research worked to create a test fixture and
incoming inspection procedures for the unit. The Select Switches arrived from the vendor and
were inspected and subsequently approved. The accompanying product documentation was
already in place, allowing final packaging to begin in early March. Production was completed
and stocked with the product airplane being sent out on March 5th. The production debriefing
was held on March 17th. No reported problems with production.
Sense of Science — Astronomy
(Continued)
Technical Research is in process of experimenting with directly scanning the vacuum form
molds for this item in order to create print tooling using computer graphics versus creating the
print tooling by hand. The testing conducted by Technical Research on with scanning and
converting to electronic files may prove beneficial for this item and the Life Science Tactile
Graphic project in order to create print tooling using computer graphics versus having to
create the print tooling by hand. Product is currently out for field-testing.
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Sudoku Partner
(New)
Technical Research has worked with the project leader and the model shop to create drawings
for use in the CNC router in technical research to make patterns for molds to use in making
field test prototypes. The project leader is currently reviewing a second revision of the part
drawing before cutting proceeds.
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 5]
(Completed)
Technical Research completed specifications and turned them over to production in October
2007. Production was completed in April 2008. Technical Research conducted a debriefing
meeting in May.
SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine [Issue 6]
(New)
At the SQUID 5 specification turnover meeting it was decided to extend this issue out one year
instead of the previous 6-month production cycle. This was primarily due to the heavy
workload in all departments. Technical Research has worked with the project leader several
times to work out details with production tooling over the last several months. Technical
Research has also worked with the plate-tooling department to clarify tooling requirements.
Specifications scheduled for October, 2008 are only in preliminary stages.
Tactile Food Pyramid
(New)
Technical Research started working with the Model shop mid-March 2008 to create art for the
print, tactile, and thermoformed Food Pyramid. The product has expanded to four separate
catalog items; Tactile Food Pyramid, Primary Kit, Desktop Food Pyramid, Primary pack of 10,
Tactile Food Pyramid, Secondary Kit, and Desktop Food Pyramid, Secondary pack of 5. The
two kits will contain a purchased 36”x24” folded size food pyramid poster, a print / tactile food
pyramid, and a copy of print and braille documentation. The Desktop Food Pyramid, Primary
consists of a pack of 10 of the 17”x11” printed/embossed paper food pyramid. The Desktop
Food Pyramid, Secondary consists of a pack five of the 17”x11” screen-printed / vacuum
formed tactile food pyramid. Technical Research preliminary screen art made from the
scanned image provided by the Model shop. In March, catalog and part numbers were setup.
Technical Research made revisions and added a scanned logo in April. The art was plotted on
film, checked for alignment with a template, and delivered to model shop. Model shop
contacted Technical Research in April about making changes / corrections to the current art
layout. Most of the requested changes were with positioning and font sizing. Technical
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Research furnished a plotted copy of the art on film with the colors printed, as they would be
on an actual finished item to determine if further adjustments to the layout would be
necessary. While reviewing the number of colors be placed on the sheet (6 colors + black),
Technical Research suggested that this item may be a candidate for large format printing
along with several other products currently being developed. Each color requires a separate
set up in screen-printing. This may make the large format printing the lower cost option. Large
Format printing could print all colors in one pass. A member of the APH Engineering Dept.
went to a vendor to evaluate the large format printer for in-house production use in April. This
equipment is a sheet fed model that might eliminate existing concerns with roll fed equipment.
In addition to concerns about how to slit and sheet material and maintain registration run on
roll fed systems are the logistics of obtaining the specific 0.010” white vinyl used for vacuumformed parts. The vendor APH obtains this material from in sheet form has quoted a minimum
of 1000 rolls, which is how many can be pulled off a full factory roll. Since APH uses this
material in a variety of sheet sizes currently, Technical Research has requested Purchasing to
investigate the possibility of producing only 2 to 3 rolls while processing orders for some of our
existing sheet stock. If the equipment being evaluated proves a viable method of production,
the problems with obtaining material and concerns with cutting to sheets that can be properly
registered are no longer a consideration. Technical Research provided a copy of the art file to
engineering to use when running samples at the vendor’s facility. The samples were brought
back to APH for evaluation. After lengthy research, obtaining the vinyl in a roll format does not
appear to be a viable option. Several local vendors that can sheet feed in the large format
printing process have been contacted and samples have been obtained. Technical Research
had been working to refine the tooling for both the secondary (printed on vinyl) materials as
well as the primary (printed on paper) materials. Samples of the in-house printed-paper
version have been printed are waiting testing to determine how the paper stock selected
handles embossing. Technical Research has also been involved in selecting vendors to print
the primary and secondary posters. Price quotes have been obtained and a number of posters
will be obtained for field-testing. Once the embossing testing on the primary Tactile Food
Pyramid materials are complete. Work will begin to produce enough for field-testing. The file
for the vinyl printed secondary Tactile Food Pyramid has been turned over. The vinyl materials
needed to produce materials for field-testing have been ordered.
Test Ready
(New)
Technical Research met several times with the project leader in early 2008 to try to establish
the basic structure of this series of products. It is important this structure be finalized prior to
the request of part numbers. There will be over 100 catalogue and/or part numbers needed
for this project. It is important the product structure be reasonably finalized before the
numbers are requested so the numbers do not need to be re-done. The project has shifted on
several occasions. However, it appears Technical Research and the project leader are near
agreement on the product structure. When this is finalized, numbers will be requested and
Braille Detail Order Forms will be submitted on the first unit’s (Math 7) components. This unit
7 will serve as a test of the product form and layout for the rest of the levels and subtests
covered by this series of products.
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Textured Magnetic Sorting Circles
(New)
Project leader called a PDC meeting in March 2008 to provide the final product content and
establish dates for the production timeline. Project leader reported that most tooling was
already completed. After Technical Research began, working to document tooling and
production methods it was determined that there were several methods in which materials
could be produced. Determining which method(s) would be most cost effective will likely move
this product out in the production timeline. Locating materials and a workable production
processes had resulted in substantial redesign of all tooling. As of August 2008, there are
several issues to yet to resolve, including selection of potential vendors. Even with the
assistance of purchasing, vendors that can perform all of the specific requirements of the
product have been difficult to find. The investigation of how components are made and what
materials they will be made from is still not complete as of August 2008. Specifications are
scheduled for September with a pilot run set for December 2008 and production January 2009.
Catalog numbers were setup and provided to the project leader in March.
The Best for a Nest
(New)
Technical Research met with the PL and the Model Shop several times to discuss how best to
design prototypes. Technical Research worked with the PL and outside vendors to order the
materials needed to build the prototypes. These materials were received on April 21 st. One
material needed was obtained by technical research at no cost. While working on another
project with the Educational aids supervisor, technical research noticed scrap pieces of a
material needed for fabrication of the storyboard for this project. Technical Research asked for
and was given the scrap to use in this project’s prototypes. Options for fabricating the
storyboard pieces are currently being explored. Translation of the storybook was started in
August. This book was designed to fit the production capacity of the in-house iGen color
printer. Samples of paper will need to be obtained to make field test copies on this machine.
Technical Research continues to work on this project and monitor this project’s progress.
The Boy and the Wolf Storybook, Moving Ahead Series
(New)
Technical Research working with the PL took files down for Braille translation in July for the
storybook. Technical Research is also working with the PL in making sure this book will run
correctly on the Green Machine.
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The Boy and the Wolf, Braille Reader’s Guide
(New)
Technical Research working with the PL took files down for Braille translation in July for the
reader’s guide. Technical Research will develop product specs as time allows.
30-Love Sound Adapted Tennis
(New)
Technical Research met with the project leader and Purchasing in April to discuss what was to
be included in the kit, the companies that will provide the parts, the structure of the kit
(replacement parts), and set production dates for the kit. Product specifications are nearly
completed and it is anticipated they will be turned over to production in the near future.
Production dates will be established at the specifications meeting. Technical Research will
monitor the first production run of this product into stock.
3-D O and M Accessory Kit
(New)
A PDC meeting was held on March 2008. The project leader presented an overview of product
and established tentative timeline. Specifications are scheduled for September with a pilot run
set for January 2009 and production March 2009. Technical Research will begin on
specifications as time allows.
ToAD (Tools for Assessment and Development)
(Completed)
Due to purchasing restrictions, a number of items required the selection of new vendors
and/or the selection of alternative items for those already selected for inclusion in the kit.
Technical Research worked closely with purchasing in specifying, testing, and obtaining
approval from the Project leader to get material changes resolved so that specifications could
be finalized. Technical Research insured that materials met the project leaders’ requirements
while providing the best price options for most of the items being placed into the kit.
Specifications were completed in June 2007. There have been a number of changes to the kit
up to and following release of the product specifications. One major change has to do with the
Swirly Mats sets. With the ongoing concerns with leaking and delivery lead times, the Swirly
Mats will be packed in a separate carton, with all remaining components packed in a large
Materials Carry-All. Technical Research created drawings for seven cutting dies and other
miscellaneous engineering drawings for components made for APH by outside vendors. All
cutting-dies were ordered and in place before production. Technical Research inspected all
new parts for the kit as they arrived. Pre-production samples of a couple items that were
initially rejected, with follow samples still needing to be re-inspected to insure they match the
approved samples upon arrival. Production of the components, which are also part of the full
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kit, was scheduled to begin in October, with the full kit scheduled for November 2007. The
assembly of all sub-components was used as the Pilot Run on this kit. It should be noted that
there are over 160 items to either be bought or made to produce this kit. Most of the items
included in this kit are packaged together as groups of items. These bagged items are
available as catalog or replacement parts. By early September, most materials required to
manufacture this product had arrived at APH, been inspected, and received into stock. As
items came in, Technical Research made production aware that assemblies of parts that make
up bagged replacements or catalog items could be assembled. Nearly all sub-packs were
completed prior to early October. The plan was that producing the stock able level
components would help expedite the final packing of the kit and had the added bonus of
helping keep production areas busy that were experiencing a lull in workload. The only
components not packaged prior to the scheduled production date were the Light Source Items
and Swirly Mats. The Swirly Mats arrived in early November, slightly behind schedule. With the
mats packaged in a separate carton from the main kit, their late arrive did not stop packaging
of the full kit. Technical Research, with assistance from several departments was able to put
together a kit for Annual Meeting using the objects packaged as they would be in actual
production. Technical Research actively began tracking status of production as the scheduled
date neared. This investigation turned up that the print guidebook was the last remaining
component to be made. The start of guidebook production was being held up because of a
purchased pack of tab dividers that were included with the guidebook. Technical Research
contacted purchasing to determine why the tab dividers were past due on delivery. It was
determined that errors in the shipping department of the vendor had left the order unfilled.
With information that the tab dividers would be shipped as soon as possible, Large Type was
contacted with a request to begin production of the guidebooks. This is a break in normal
policy that all components that make up an item are in stock before work begins. Large Type
did agree to start on a partial production run, which 1) avoided large amounts of incomplete
work setting on the floor, and 2) allowed a couple days for the tab dividers to arrive. Two
hundred guidebooks were completed and sent to Educational Aids to begin final packing of the
full kit in December. To expedite the launching of the Airplane, a notice was sent to the cost
department to be looking for final labor numbers in order to complete final cost rollups. The
Airplane was released in December. Just prior to the release of the kit, Technical Research
sent a pre-emptive notice to APH Customer Service to be aware that they might receive calls
about the LED flashlight used in the kit being inoperative. This new flashlight technology
requires that the batteries be placed in the flashlight in a specific manner concerning polarity.
It was advised that Customer Service have the customer reverse the batteries to determine if
the flashlight was indeed defective in the event of a complaint. This product and associated
catalog items were produced and an airplane came out in December 2007. Two partial
production runs were completed by the end of February 2008. Due to scheduling conflicts, a
debriefing meeting could not be scheduled until February. There were no reported production
problems.
ToAD Object Cards
(Completed)
This is a set of 108 print cards along with 16 clear vinyl pocket sheets. Technical Research
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turned over specifications June 28, 2007 with production scheduled for October 2007.
Production tooling files were turned over at the specification meeting and sent to vendor. Print
samples of the Object Cards were provided and approved by the Project leader. The Vendor
initially tried to find pre-made clear vinyl pocket sheets; these were rejected by Technical
Research, as the sheet did not meet the guidelines required by the project leader. The vendor
then custom manufactured vinyl pockets sheets; samples were approved. The pocket sheets
used to hold the individual Object Cards are packaged with Object Card Sheets and come to
APH shrink-wrapped together as a finished goods item. In August, the finished Object Cards
arrived from the vendor, approved, and stocked. The vendor adjusted the files to correct color
and image clarity that were concerns of the project leader. The changes that the vendor made
to files to correct color and image clarity were approved by the project leader in November.
The vendor also said that on future jobs that required lamination, proofs will be finished
(laminated) in order that submitted proofs not have the appearance be changed by such
lamination. The Airplane for the completed catalog item was released along with the full kit on
December 2007. Due to scheduling conflicts, a debriefing meeting could not be scheduled until
February 2008. There were no reported production problems. The question of whether
corrected Object Cards files had been provided to APH for archival purposes at the productiondebriefing meeting. The Graphics Department followed up and confirmed that APH did have
copies of the corrected files from the vendor. The adjustments to the print files addressed
greater intensity of colors and increased contrast / definition accomplished by increased depth
of black.
ToAD Light Source Items
(Completed)
This group of items; consisting of three types of Light Tips (Wand, Cube, and Sphere) with
LED Flashlight, a String Light, and two Key Fob Lights is part of the kit and will be available
separately as a catalog item. Finalizing the tooling of parts that make up the Light Source Tips
created delays in final specifications for this catalog item as well as the full kit. Technical
Research worked with Purchasing and potential vendors. It was determined for the best
pricing and consistency of parts that it would be best to have them machined from Lucite. The
prototype parts were made of cast urethane, which exhibited inconsistencies in both color and
dimensional stability. The project leader had recently specified a polished finish on the three
parts. After inspecting preliminary samples, the project leader was not satisfied with the
amount of light emitted through the tips. Additional testing by Technical Research showed that
a frosted finish, similar to the prototypes caused more light to be refracted within the tip
making them appear to light up or glow with a greater intensity. Technical Research worked
with purchasing to provide detailed drawings and specific color samples of the light tips to be
used for general reference. Samples of the Light Source tips were received and approved. The
LED flashlight for this kit also presented problems due to purchasing restrictions (minimum
quantities and costs) as well as strict size requirements of the light itself. A suitable light was
located and approved. The three types of Light Tips (Wand, Cube, and Sphere) arrived from
the vendor in batches, with approximately half of the order in stock by the end of October
2007. The last remaining item to be received was the String Light, which arrived in October.
The String Light assemblies were inspected and approved for receipt into stock. Notice was
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sent out that enough of all components had been packaged to produce a pilot run. The Light
Source items were stocked allowing the assembly and packaging to begin. Sub-components of
the full kit were packed and stocked by early November 2007. These pre-packed subcomponents could then be pulled from stock to reduce the packaging time required for the full
kit. Twenty-five of these packs were sent to inventory as finished catalog items. The Airplane
for the completed catalog item was released along with the full kit in December 2007.
ToAD Guidebook, Braille
(Completed)
Technical Research turned over specifications and production was scheduled for October 2007.
The CD used in both the print and braille guidebook was found to have the incorrect product
name information. The project leader allowed this CD to be used for the first product run of
the product. It will be corrected for the next run. Books were completed and stocked in
September. The book is only sold separately and is not part of the kit. The Airplane for the
completed catalog item was released along with the full kit in December 2007.
ToAD Guidebook, Print
(Completed)
Technical Research turned over specifications and production was scheduled for October 2007.
All tooling, with the exception of a master CD was turned over and in place for production.
Upon receiving a pre-production sample of the guidebook, the project leader sent out a notice
stating that the tooling originally turned over to production for the guidebook cover and CD art
had incorrect information. The cover did not have the final approved product name listed. A
quick check by Technical Research found that the print guidebooks had not been produced,
but the included CD’s had been duplicated. The project leader allowed the CD’s to be used for
the first production run, but corrected tooling needed to be in place for future runs. After
corrected files were provided, Technical Research delivered the corrected files and retrieved
the old files to prevent an accidental reuse of them. The production run was completed in
December. The guidebooks were completed and stocked in December and made available at
the same time as the full kit in December 2007.
ToAD - Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book
(Completed)
Production tooling files were turned over at the specification meeting and were sent to the
vendor. The books will come in to APH shrink-wrapped and labeled as a finished goods item.
The books called for a non-glare laminate to be applied to all pages in this book; due to mix
up at the vendor facility, the vendor applied standard laminate. This laminate has a shiny
appearance that is objectionable for low vision purposes. The vendor recommended a possible
fix of applying a non-glare aqueous coating on the first production run only, with future
production having the correct lamination applied. A sample was presented to the project
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leader and approval was given. The puzzle books with a non-glare treatment applied over the
laminated pages arrived September and were approved to be received into stock. These were
made available for sale at the time of the full kits release in December 2007.
ToAD - Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book - Braille
(Completed)
Following a meeting of the APH Accessibility Committee, the Project leader notified Technical
Research that a braille version of Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book would need to be manufactured.
Specifications were drawn up; bills and routings were put into place as quickly as possible and
were turned over to production departments. Tooling was completed and was in place to meet
the same production schedule (October) as the other components of ToAD. This item was
completed and stocked in September. This book is not part of the kit, but only available
separately as a catalog item. The Airplane for the completed catalog item was released along
with the full kit on December 2007.
Tasha Tadpole’s Puzzle Book
(Continued)
After field-testing of ToAD, it was decided to design another puzzle book that would follow the
ToAD kit format. Technical Research has not begun any work on these products. This is due to
the decision of Project leader that these items are not part of the ToAD kit but will be a
separate product. The project leader has re-established time lines for this item. Work on
product specifications is anticipated in late spring to early summer 2008. This was moved to a
lower priority to allow more efforts to be concentrated on projects nearer their deadlines for
completion of specifications.
Tasha Tadpole Manual, Braille
(Continued)
After field-testing, it was decided to add another manual for multiple handicapped children in
both print and braille. The project leader has re-established time lines for this item. Work on
product specifications is anticipated in late spring to early summer 2008. This was moved to a
lower priority to allow more efforts to be concentrated on projects nearer their deadlines for
completion of specifications.
Transparent CCTV Ruler - Clear
(Continued)
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Following an April 2008 meeting to discuss possible revisions to tooling from field-testing, the
co-project leaders provided notice that a decision was made that no change in layout was
needed but a second set of CCTV Rulers in clear vinyl would be made. Catalog and associated
part numbers were requested along with changes in description to reflect two products were
initiated on the same day. The Kit will have six rulers; one marked in 1/8 inches, one in ¼
inches, one in ½ inches, one in 1 inch, one in 10 mm and one in .5 cm increments. Rulers will
be screen-printed eight-up on existing 0.020” clear rigid vinyl with both standard and metric
rulers die cut into the finished size with the same cutting die. This is the same die used for
producing field-testing materials. Specifications were completed and turned over in June 2008
with production scheduled for August. In August, the recently arrived shipment of 0.020” clear
vinyl used to manufacture the rulers was rejected due to the vinyl being frosted instead of
clear. Obtaining a new shipment of material will likely delay production.
Transparent CCTV Ruler - Yellow
(Continued)
This project was originally started in August 2007; work began on designing a set of rulers in
four different increments for field review. Technical Research submitted sample pieces for
review by the project leader that same month. Art generated by Technical Research used to
generate film needed to make the two silk screens for production of the CCTV rulers in the
recently completed darkroom. This item was the first production item made in the new
darkroom. Technical Research obtained sheets of transparent yellow vinyl from stock then
setup, silk-screened, die-cut and bagged in sets the CCTV rulers. Twelve sets were delivered
to the project leaders in early December for use in field-testing. Additional sets of rulers were
requested and Technical Research was able to provide two sets held as samples and was able
to track down additional material that was used to produce four additional sets for the project
leader in December. Following an April 2008 meeting to discuss possible revisions to tooling
following field-testing, the co-project leader provided notice that a decision was made that no
change in layout was needed, but that a second set of CCTV Rulers in clear vinyl would be
made (see above). Catalog and associated part numbers were requested along with changes
in description to reflect two products were initiated on the same day. The kit will have six
rulers; one marked in 1/8 inches, one in ¼ inches, one in ½ inches, one in 1 inch, one in 10
mm and one in .5 cm increments. Rulers will be screen-printed eight-up on existing 0.020”
transparent yellow rigid vinyl with both standard and metric rulers die cut to the finished size
with the same cutting die. This is the same die used for producing field-testing materials.
Specifications were completed and turned over in June 2008 with production scheduled for
August. In August, the shipment of 0.020” yellow vinyl was rejected due to visual blemishes in
surface. Obtaining a new shipment of material will likely delay the production of this item.
Trek
(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the purchasing department to create a purchase order for the
tooling and 25 pre-production sample pieces. These pieces were evaluated at APH and used in
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field testing the product. The test pieces arrived in September. Technical Research created a
drawing for the CNC router to use to drill the Trek Boards. Drilling was completed in October.
The trays were sent out for field-testing in November. Drilling the holes on the CNC router
saved the time it would have taken the Model Shop to hand drill 3,000 holes needed for field
test samples. Field test results were reviewed in the late spring of 2008. Technical Research
has generated 2 new drawings of the board offering options based on field test comments.
The project leader is currently in process of reviewing the third version of the board. Since
tooling had to be made to produce copies for field testing, any changes to the board will result
in new tooling (a urethane mold) being made. Technical Research will continue to monitor this
project through development.
Turbo Phonics
(Continued)
The product contains the Turbo Phonics software CD, a print copy of the Teachers Guidebook
in 2 volumes and a Student Activity Book, pack of 5. Technical Research worked with the
project leader to resolve issues with packaging and availability of components that make up
the product. The project leader wanted the Turbo Phonics program to be part of the Teachers
Guidebook but did not want the software to be available in the separate purchase of just the
Teacher’s Guidebook. Technical Research recommended placing the software CD in a selfadhesive sleeve and then placing the sleeve in a standard cardboard mailer to be placed into
the kit. The mailer will have instructions to install the sleeve inside the Teachers Guidebook.
This unusual method of packaging software allows it to be included with only the full kit. Final
revisions and edits to the content of the guidebook were made in early September. Preliminary
specifications were provided to the project leader just prior to APH Annual Meeting. With no
further changes required, Technical Research was to work with Operations Engineering to get
bills of materials and production routings put into place and then schedule a specification turn
over meeting. A last review found the need for additional changes; after these changes were
incorporated specifications were completed and turned over to production in December 2007.
This kit is largely designed for visual users. Just prior to the specification meeting; the project
leader made the decision to make a braille version of the guidebook available separately from
the kit. This created significant challenges in getting the product to the point it could be
manufactured. It was learned in the December specification meeting that the print tooling was
incomplete. Translation could not begin until the text was completed. Added to this was an
unusually heavy backlog of work in braille translation. This back up had the potential to last
up into March. Dates for production and subsequently availability for sale could not be set at
that time. The project leader and head of the braille translation department were to meet with
the contact person for the prison braille program to determine if routing the transcription
through KCI may better option. Even after transcription, there might be necessary corrections
to the print content before all tooling can be considered complete. It was agreed that when
initial print tooling was complete (completion was anticipated within a week after the spec
meeting) a decision would be made on where transcription would take place. When the
transcription was completed and prior to proofing Technical Research would be notified in
order to set up a meeting to bring everyone back together to finalize the remaining dates on
the schedule. Ultimately, the Braille translation of the print documentation was out-sourced in
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mid January 2008. The translation was completed March. Once the transcribed text arrived
back, it was proofed against the print tooling to correct any errors. Technical Research had
scheduled a meeting in April to establish new dates for production. With the early completion
of the translation, Technical Research rescheduled the April meeting and moved it up to March
24th. Following this meeting, it was determined that Student Activity Book had not been turned
over with the Guidebook for translation. The braille copy of the Student Activity Book was to
be attached to the end of the hard braille copy and as a separate .brf file on the CD included
with both the braille and print versions of the Guidebook. Technical Research contacted APH
Braille Transcription to see if this item could be scheduled in their workflow in order to prevent
delays on production dates that had just been scheduled. It was reported that the backlog of
transcription work that led to the plans for having the transcription of the Guidebook and
Student Activity Book being outsourced was essentially caught up. Technical Research worked
with the project leader to obtain the required copy of the Student Activity Book and got it
turned over to Braille translation in order to transcription to begin. Shortly after being turned
over, the braille department contacted Technical Research with questions on how to handle
what appeared to be errors in the print document. Technical Research picked up materials and
met with the project leader to review and decided upon solutions, and immediately returned to
braille to finalize the file. In this interim period from when the specifications for the product
was turned over to production (December 2007), a new method of binding books had been
instituted. This is a change from twin looping to spiral binding. Production initially was only
providing black spiral binding. It was pointed out that this product had originally specified
white twin looping and that the project leader had specific reasons for maintaining white as
the default low vision criteria for using white binding. Technical Research investigated the cost
and logistics of obtaining white spiral binding to use on specified products and then worked
with production, operations engineering, purchasing and inventory control to set up part
numbers, cost, routings, and warehouses for white spiral binding material for this product
(both print and braille). This issue created the need to update specifications and bills and
routings for the both the print and braille Guidebooks and, by default, the specifications for
the complete kit. Just as the specifications for the braille guidebook were being finalized, the
project leader made the decision to make the Student Activity Book available separately but
also include it with the Turbo Phonics Teachers Guidebook. Technical Research worked with
various departments working out the details of how this would be accomplished, made the
necessary changes, revised specifications, and turned them over to production. The braille files
for the seven Teachers Guidebook volumes and separate file for the Student Activity Book
were placed on the server in April. Technical Research notified Technology Research
Department that the required files for the product CD were available to create the master CD.
It was requested that, if possible, the master file be completed by the end of April in order
that CD duplication could begin immediately after yearly inventory conducted on April 24 and
25th. This kit will be able to be stocked once the print guidebook is produced.
Turbo Phonics, Teachers Guidebook, Print
(Continued)
This guidebook will be available as a separate catalog item. The guidebook consists of two
volumes, along with a CD containing html and brf copies of the Teachers Guidebook. The
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Student Activity Book and will be installed inside the back cover of volume 1. Specifications are
complete barring any changes and will be turned over to production at same time as the full
kit. Specifications were turned over in December 2007. A number of issues detailed under to
full kit above document the delays in production of this item. The guidebook is currently in
production queue as of August 2008.
Turbo Phonics, Teachers Guidebook, Braille
(Completed)
A decision to produce braille version of the Turbo Phonics Guidebook was made at the
December 2007 Turbo Phonics specification meeting. Catalog and associated part numbers
quickly obtained along with the drafting of preliminary specifications. This guidebook will be
available as a separate catalog item. It will consist of seven volumes with the same CD that
come with the print version. The braille version of the Student Activity Book is at the end of
Volume 7. The braille guidebooks were completed and stocked in June 2008 and will be made
available at the same time as the full kit is released.
Turbo Phonics, Student Activity Book (Pack of 5)
(Completed)
The Student Activity Books is part of the kit and available separately as a pack of five.
Specifications were completed and turned over to production at the same time as the full kit in
December 2007. Production was completed and the books were stocked in May 2008. Product
will be made available when the remaining components are manufactured and made available
for sale.
Turbo 6 Talking Battery Charger, English Version
(New)
Work has just started on this project. Technical Research will develop product specifications
and monitor the first production run of this product into stock.
Turbo 6 Talking Battery Charger, Spanish Version
(New)
Work has just started on this project. Technical Research will develop product specifications
and monitor the first production run of this product into stock.
Verbal View of Web Searches
(Continued)
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Product specifications were completed in April and tooling was scheduled to be completed the
same month or in May. Problems with the recording software created delays preventing this
product from being completed by a tentative mid-June date. Although resolving these issues
while the recording was in process did delay the release of the product, it also provided
resolution for some ongoing software problems. The recording and final proofing were completed
July. There have been a number of setbacks on this product that has prevented its manufacture.
Most had to do with the software used to record the product in the studios to make it a fully
synchronized text/audio Daisy Digital Talking Book. The CD Production Department reported that
the files were corrupt and they could not be produced as of the end of August. Technical
Research will continue to monitor the progress of this item.
Verbal View of Email Lists
(Abandoned)
Verbal View of Windows Vista
(New)
Technical Research requested catalog and associated part numbers for the product in April
2008. The Specifications are nearly complete. In August, the project leader provided notice
that the project is nearly ready to be turned over. Technical Research will review the
specifications and then schedule a meeting to turn over the specs. This will likely take place in
September.
V-File Vision Portfolio
(Continued)
Technical Research met with the project leader and consultant in December and again in
February to begin defining what the product would be in an attempt to set goals for the
research portion of the product development time lines. Technical Research met with them in
April to discuss the binding of the print matter and a system of tabs/folders for organizing the
materials. Technical Research has begun work on an outline document in an attempt to
establish the rudiments of the project. The name for this product has been changed from
“Personal Vision Portfolio” to “v-File Vision Portfolio.
Lighting Guide Kit
Formerly: Vivid Vision Lamp
(Continued)
This project’s name was changed in August to Lighting Guide Kit. Content for the Lighting
Guidebook needed some minor changes. The print files were updated to reflect the changes
and then files were turned over to Braille translation in August. Specifications were updated to
make these changes. Technical Research will conduct a specification meeting in the near
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future to turn over specifications and establish a production schedule. Technical Research will
monitor this project through production and placement into stock.
What Is It?
(New)
This project is a series of cards with clues printed on 1 side and the answer in print and in
Braille on the other. The clues will be given in Braille in a separate booklet. Technical research
worked with the project leader to design a layout template. This template was sent to the
graphics designer to use for layout of the print. This same layout was used for Braille
translation to position the Braille answers for the cards. Proof copies of the Braille and of the
print files were checked using a registration guide created by Technical Research. All items
were in register. The plates and print files were taken to large type for prototype production.
Prototypes are scheduled for completion in August. Technical research will work with the large
type supervisor and area workers to complete the prototypes.
Wilson Reading Program
(New)
Technical Research worked with the project leader, Braille translation, and the Braille
production departments to get 5 copies each of the 3 Student Readers produced in time for a
Literacy Conference to be held in late November 2007. By October 24th the PL had five copies
each of all 3 Readers. It was very important that this deadline be met as the conference is
only held every other year. If the materials were not ready for this conference, it would be 2
years before they could be shown at the conference. Technical Research kept in very close
contact with production in order to assure that these would be ready in time. With a great deal
of extra effort, production was able to beat the deadline the materials were needed by over 3
weeks. Technical Research was notified by the project leader in December that Wilson was
requesting the copyright information on the materials be updated. Technical Research worked
with the project leader, the Braille translation department, and the graphics design department
to coordinate the file changes needed. In addition, Technical Research contacted the
production floor to halt work on any production using the current files. Work resumed on the
current production run of 50 copies of each of the 3 readers when the new Braille and print
files were received. In January Technical Research worked with the Braille and large type
production supervisors to expedite the 3 Wilson Readers and to try to make up for the time
lost due to copyright changes. By working with the area supervisors this item was produced
and available for sale January 31st. This was in time for publication in the February APH
newsletter. Technical Research requested and received catalog numbers for the next 6 items
(workbooks for the readers, 2 workbooks per reader) in mid-February. These numbers will be
used to track the Braille translation of these items. The project leader presented overview of
product in a March 11th PDC meeting. Technical Research has contacted vendors to discuss
printing / screen printing directly onto flexible magnetic material for the tiles included in this
kit. These conversations have resulted in several manufacturing possibilities, 1) obtaining the
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material and screen-printing and die cutting at APH. 2) having the vendor print and die-cut
materials and send back to APH as a finished part. Possible layouts are being developed to
send out for vendor quotes.
Woodcock-Johnson III, Student Braille Edition
(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the project leader to develop a page template to assist in
layout of test book pages. The project leader turned over files to braille translation in June
2007. One of the items that has taken the longest time to resolve is the scoring CD for the kit.
This component will have the longest pre-production time line for this kit, but is essential for
using this kit. The scoring CD has been resolved and the kit should now be able to move
forward in development of specifications, bills, and routings. There have been several PDC
meetings throughout the year, with further decisions on how to produce various components
of the product. Technical Research continues to gather information to develop specifications as
information becomes available.
Word Playhouse
(Complete)
Results from field-testing required extensive revisions in tooling. Technical Research worked
with the project leader to create new tooling based on these new requirements. The primary
change was the addition of a number of new pieces in each of the four groups: vowels,
consonants, contracted and uncontracted. The project leader decided to make the groups
available separate as replacement parts. The four reconfigured groups were laid out to keep
all parts of the group to be manufactured and packaged at the same time. Groupings have
been laid out in 25 to 36 piece arrangements that will each use the approximate dimensional
footprint, which allows for the purchase of the same materials for all four components. Each of
the four groups will be screen-printed and vacuum formed in a 3-up or 4-up pattern, with
different multiples of the groupings needed to meet the requirements for the kit. The revised
layouts for silk screens, router files, braille placement templates, and cutting dies were
completed in September. To expedite tooling, Technical Research routed base sheets for
preliminary vacuum form tooling. Two of the base sheets have point symbols (open circles and
vertical bars) unique to each group, along with trim lines and a backer sheet grid engraved
into them. The two remaining base sheets have only the trim lines and grids lines engraved.
The engraved pattern and four transparent overlays were turned over to the model shop in
October. These were used to create vacuum form patterns and to provide precise braille pin
location within the pattern. The print art was used to make film positives, from which the
screens were made. Each setup required two screens, one for the “field” or color background
and one for the individual letter groupings. Swatches of existing silkscreen colors were
presented to the project leader to determine if any of these may be acceptable for production
in early November 2007. The project leader approved these colors, thus eliminating the need
to obtain and stock new colors. The CAD drawings for the “vowels, consonants, contracted
and un-contracted cards” cutting dies were sent to the vendor. Quotes were received and dies
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were ordered. The dies were received in January 2008. Mockups of the 11.5” x 11” Veltex
covered polyethylene panels to be used for card storage were created to determine whether it
would cost would be less to buy the item from an outside vendor or to manufacture it inhouse. After receiving quotes it was determined that the most cost-effective route would be
for APH to buy the raw materials in a size large enough to make 4 items at a time and then
die-cut them to the finished size. A CAD drawing for the storage panel die was sent out. The
die was ordered and arrived at APH in January 2008. The product specifications were turned
over in January 2008. Shortly after the specifications were turned over, testing of recently
completed vacuum form molds with unprinted vinyl turned up random in-correct braille
content errors and of a greater concern, poor forming or lack of definition of the braille. The
braille errors were identified and corrected, but additional formed sheets still displayed
improper or unacceptable definition in braille forming. Two patterns were acceptable but of
moderate quality and two patterns had unacceptable quality of formed braille. Additional
samples were requested by the project leader. To assist with resolving problems with molds,
Technical Research setup and printed multiple samples of each of the four production sheets.
Once printed and formed, slight scaling errors were detected between the screen art and
vacuum-forms. Technical Research made corrections to the art and new film and screens were
generated to correct these issues. Production was scheduled for April but with delays in tooling
and delivery of purchased materials, the Pilot Run of 50 did not take place until June. The
remaining production of 350 was completed by the end of July. The production-debriefing
meeting was held shortly after the June pilot run. No significant problems were reported.
Wright Group: Sunshine Kit, Upper Emergent Early Braille Trade Books
(Continued)
This product is a collection of simple trade books (K to 1st grade level) that are already
published in print. APH will add Braille and lesson plans for the TBVI teacher. The PL held a
brainstorming PDC meeting in April and a second meeting in July to discuss this project
further. Technical Research worked with the project leader and Braille Translation to have
tooling created for the Braille labels that will be added onto the book pages. The PL conducted
testing of the two materials at Annual meeting and follow-up meetings to discuss the findings
and make decisions on how to proceed were held in November and December to review the
comments on the prototypes displayed at annual meeting. All feedback was positive. Technical
Research worked with the project leader, Purchasing, and the Braille translation manager to
establish a size for a new custom die-cut label material to be used on the books. The size was
established and Purchasing worked with our vendor on tooling costs, per label pricing, and
minimum order quantities. This new size of label will work not only for this series of books but
is anticipated to be used in a variety of applications as a standard part. The label has been
ordered and received. A test run of one file for a book was run using the new label and works
exactly as anticipated. Technical Research is working with the PL and Braille Production to get
prototype samples of the labels run to send out for field testing.
Other Technical Research Projects
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Product Updates/Redesigns
Technical Research was asked to work on redesigns for several products this year. Many of the
redesigns involved material changes to help improve the product and to improve worker safety
conditions. Some of the work was necessary due to problems/quality issues with existing
products as well as new products. In addition some, but not all, changes resulted in cost
savings that allowed APH to minimize or even avoid cost increases on these products. Some of
the products impacted are listed below.
Light Box
(Product Maintenance)
Technical Research has worked with the production supervisor and the UL inspector on several
occasions this past year to maintain product compliance with UL safety standards for portable
luminaries. UL has obtained ISO9000 certification for their company. One of the requirements
for this certification is that all processes within UL are traceable with accurate records. This
has resulted in the new UL requirement for all measuring devices used in the inspection and
testing of the light box. Technical Research is currently working to update UL standards on file
and work towards the conversion of the UL approval stickers from the current printed versions
to a new holographic version. This will entail destroying current label stock and purchasing the
new version of labels. This change will impact production beginning in July 2009.
Alphabet Scramble
(Product Maintenance/Redesign)
Technical Research met with the project leader to discuss customer complaints received
concerning breakage of the plastic rings in the vinyl binder for the book. APH had received a
complaint in October about the breakage and replaced the binder. However, several more
complaints surfaced in November and it was decided to change binding methods from a 3-ring
vinyl binder to 2 spiral bound book. Technical Research worked with purchasing, engineering,
the vendor, and various APH production departments to make the changes to the bills and
routings and obtain the parts needed to switch the binding of the book. The breakage is most
likely due to the heavy weight of the pages in the binder. Alphabet has the most pages of any
of the on the way series. Technical Research had raised this concern in the initial design phase
of this product but it was decided to go with the standard binder. Given the customer
complaints on breakage it was decided to change binding methods to a spiral binding. This
resulted in the need to redesign the reader’s booklet to accommodate the smaller Alphabet
Scramble book with the new binding. Technical Research worked with the graphics design
department to change the layout of the reader’s guide. When the first run of the new binding
for the book went through the production floor, Technical Research was notified by the
Production Manager that they did not have a correct file for the reader’s notes for the Alphabet
Scramble book. Technical Research obtained a copy of the newly designed reader’s guide (this
booklet was re-designed by the Graphics Designer from an 8.5”x11” booklet to a 5.5”x8.5”
booklet in order to fit in a new, smaller pouch needed due to changes in binding methods on
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this item) and delivered the file to the Large Type Production Supervisor. The production run
was completed without any further complications.
Special Testing of Older Patterns and BOP K Materials
In late November, Technical Research learned that a Dr. Bickford at Portland State University
was working on a study that would attempt to compare the effectiveness of the new series of
Building on Patterns with the established versions of Patterns. Dr. Bickford had purchased
items from both the existing patterns products and the Building on Patterns Kindergarten
Level. Dr. Bickford was also looking for any electronic files on the 2 patterns items. Technical
Research worked to quantify which files Dr. Bickford needed and then met with the Braille
translation supervisor to discuss what files would, or would not, be available. The files for the
BOP series were current and readily available. These were immediately sent to Dr. Bickford.
However, the established version of Patterns was done on plates many years earlier and there
were no existing files. Technical Research worked out a plan with the Translation supervisor to
OBR scan hard copies of the Braille materials of the existing Patterns series. During discussions
it was learned that the scanning could be done relatively quickly but proofing the files, as is
traditionally done, would take at least 2 months beyond what scanning would require. Further
discussion revealed the scans were found to be 98+% accurate when proofed. Technical
Research proposed the idea of scanning the files but not proofing them here at APH. The
translation department supervisor, the director of APH research, and Dr. Bickford were all in
favor of the idea. Scanning was completed and on Dec 11th all scanned files and 1-off hard
copies for proofing at Portland St. U. were mailed. Dr. Bickford received these on Dec 14 th.
This not only avoided a 2 month delay in Dr. Bickford’s project but also saved Dr. Bickford and
his staff most of the work to create the electronic files for the project.
Mini-Lite Box
(Product Maintenance/Redesign)
Component availability has forced the overseas factory to source new components for this
product. Production approval samples were received for parts approval. All parts with 1
exception (a positive temperature coefficient thermistor) were approved. Technical Research
faxed operational curves for the PTC thermistor to the vendor. The vendor located an
acceptable part and production on the units was begun. The units arrived at APH’s dock in
November 2007. The units passed incoming inspection and were received to stock without
incident. The current production run has been delayed due to lack of availability of the PTC in
quantities that are suited to the size of our production runs. A minimum of a 5 year supply of
parts is required using the current thermistor. Technical Research located a vendor that would
sell a smaller quantity of parts for this production run. Technical Research is currently working
on redesigning the circuitry of the unit to enable the use of a more common PTC. This would
enable APH to purchase much lower quantities for production runs. This change will not be in
place for the current run but should be in place for the 2009 production run.
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CD Duplication
Technical Research continues to work with all involved areas to facilitate the in-house
production of CDs. Tooling delivery and tracking are still issues but have somewhat improved.
Technical Research continues to monitor the situation and will assist in the process in
whatever ways requested.
150TH Anniversary Celebration for APH – Tactile Map Committee
A staff member from Technical Research served on the tactile map committee. This was one
of several sub-committees formed to help organize events for the celebration in 2008. This
committee was charged to design, develop, and produce a printed tactile map that will be
presented to the Kentucky School for the Blind in honor of the close working relationship the 2
organizations have had over the years. Technical research provided downloaded satellite maps
of the area to other committee members as a starting point for information gathering for the
project. Technical Research assembled a hydraulic table and investigated methods for
installing a key lockout switch into the pre-made control assembly. Technical research then
installed the key lockout switch. In addition, a Technical Research staff member attended the
kick off event in the APH museum introducing the planned 150th festivities to local metro
council members and state representatives on December 12th and the Founders Day
celebration at the Olmstead on January 25th. Technical Research has had at least 1
department member present at every event to represent the department and to support the
company’s 150th anniversary.
Lightbox Level III Materials
(Product Maintenance)
Technical Research met with the project leader and a vendor to discuss the ink colors currently
used for silk-screened materials. The project leader approved the last shipment of materials to
avoid scrap and delays in production but several of the colors were somewhat off. The vendor
took samples of the desired colors and made draw down samples of the inks for project
leader’s approval. Technical Research suggested that 3 sets be made: 1 to be kept by APH, 1
kept by the local sales rep, and 1 kept at the factory. All color samples for this kit except 3:
red, yellow, and skin tones were approved by the project leader on the first sample
submission. A second submission of ink samples for the 3 colors noted above was approved.
The new inks are now in place for future production runs.
Swirly Mats
(Product Maintenance)
This product was originally produced in England. Following the first production run in England,
another vendor in the USA was selected for production. This was done due to rough shipping
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conditions from overseas. US production had an added benefit of saving time, customs duties,
and shipping costs. The company selected was Compton in Chicago. A shipment from
Compton also had damages. The damaged mats were sorted and removed by the vendor. APH
was given a credit for the value of the damaged mats. Prior to having a second production run
produced at Compton the company was bought out by Trendex of Minnesota. Technical
Research worked with the new company in communicating product specifications, standards,
and testing procedures. On October 10th Technical Research visited the plant in Minneapolis to
observe and offer advice regarding the production of the mats. The vendor was performing all
tests required. They had even incorporated a more severe test using 2 plates of aluminum
weighing 35 pounds each. A freshly produced mat is placed between the 2 plates. The top
plate is held perpendicular to the bottom plate with 1 edge resting on the bottom plate. The
top plate is then allowed to swing forward and fall on top of the mat, sandwiching it between
the 2 plates. This places a good deal of abrupt stress on the mat. Two pieces of newsprint are
also placed on either side of the mat to detect any seepage of the oils due to impact. The one
item not yet in place was a log or check-off sheet to document the testing of the materials
produced. The head of Trendex production sent a form via email October 19th. This form was
approved and is being used to document testing results. Technical Research inspected the first
shipment of materials that came in from the vendor in early November. No defectives were
found on incoming inspection (statistical sampling). Technical Research then worked with the
area supervisor to assure a 100% test and inspection of all mats as the kits were being
packaged. Technical Research had worked with the vendor to individually pack the mats in zip
lock bags with a paper that darkens if oil leaks out of the mat. This made inspection much
quicker and easier. Only 2 leaking mats were detected in over 4,200 mats (99.952% good or
less than one half of one tenth of one- percent defective). The mats were on backorder and
were immediately packaged in late November/early December. To date, no complaints have
been received on mats produced by this vendor.
Dark Room
Technical research set up a dark rook for film development. This will primarily be used to
create film positives for making silk screens and printed circuit board prototypes. It costs
approximately $80.00 per piece of silk screen artwork to have a film positive made by an
outside vendor. Material costs for a silk screen piece of art made in-house is in the $15.00
range. Cabinets, a countertop, a light exposure table, and a sink were installed. The light
exposure table and cabinets were made by Technical Research from materials retrieved from
salvage. The film vacuum pumps were re-wired and an external light exposure source with
timer was installed. Research was conducted on the potential hazards of the developing and
fixing chemicals. The chemical manufacturers, MSD sheets, the metropolitan sewer district,
and the in-house APH safety and quality liaison were consulted. The chemicals used in
developing the film are shipped in powdered form and reconstituted using water. The PH of
the fixer and the developer neutralize each other when mixed. The chemicals can then be
flushed down the drain with copious amounts of water. PPE (personal protection equipment):
goggles, gloves, and an apron are in place and an eye wash attachment for the wash sink was
ordered and put in place. It was learned that the room must be ventilated when using these
chemicals. Technical Research met with the Maintenance to plan the installation of a small
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exhaust fan and make-up air inlet for the room. Following this installation, the first batch of
chemicals was mixed as a test of the PH neutralizing properties of mixing the 2 chemicals for
safe disposal. Safe lights for film exposure (also scavenged from salvage) were installed.
Following the installation of the safe lights and chemical tests the exposure table needed to be
calibrated in exposure time for the specific film used. The room was then ready for operation.
Technical research built a small drying unit to help dry the film after developing. The first piece
of film was developed for actual production tooling use (CCTV rulers) in November. A minor
problem was found with the draw down vacuum of the exposure table but this has been
corrected. Technical Research continues to make films for silk screens, possible PCB
prototypes, and other areas as needed. All developing procedures were documented in a
procedural handbook or “How To” book. To date films for 30 silk screens have been produced
for both new products and as repair/replacement tooling for existing products. Film for each
silk screen was costing $80 from an outside vendor. The materials used for the film production
here at APH cost $15. This is a total cost savings of $1,950 in 10 months. Technical Research
will continue to track this savings and turn it in near the end of FY 2008 as a continuous
improvement. Also, Technical Research recently learned the vendor that shot the film went out
of business. Shops that develop film are becoming increasingly harder to locate. Setting the
dark room up at APH has allowed those projects that needed silk screen films to continue their
product development without delays and with better control of the quality of the film negatives
(scaling factors, negative density, etc).
Digital Clock Model
(Product Maintenance)
This item has had an inordinate number of problems in FY 2008. Shipments of this item have
been rejected 4 times for problems ranging from faulty ink, improper/poor assembly, incorrect
Braille, and not functioning to specifications. Technical research has worked with purchasing,
the warehouse, inventory, and the vendor to try to straighten out several bad shipments of
product. On the initial shipment of 1,000 clocks it was noted the detent mechanisms were not
a solid, clear detent. Also, the numbers did not align across the face of the clock in the detent
position. The vendor was contacted and the shipment was returned for re-work. An advance
sample of the re-worked clocks was received and it was found to have ink that flaked off and
smeared. This shipment was discarded. A third advance shipment was received and inspected.
The print number and Braille numbers did not align properly. The vendor had mis-registered
the print numbers to the molded Braille numbers. Finally, a fourth shipment was received. This
shipment was also inspected and rejected due to improper assembly of the wheels in the
clock. The poor assembly caused the clocks to bind as the wheels were rotated. Technical
Research is currently working with purchasing and the vendor to perform a 100% inspection
to sort out the defective units and obtain good units to fill back orders. Technical Research
continues to work with purchasing and the vendor to find a solution to the current shipment’s
quality problem and to work towards an understanding with the vendor to facilitate shipments
of acceptable product quality in the future.
Lead Content in Products/Child Safety
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Technical research spent a good part of February and March researching a notice received by
an ex-officio trustee who had had an outside firm testing their facility and equipment for lead
content. The trustee noted that the APH “grandstand” had come back testing positive for lead
content. Despite repeated efforts to contact the trustee to gain more information on the
particulars of their test and results the trustee could not be reached. Technical Research then
took the various components of a grandstand and submitted them for testing at an
independent local laboratory. While the testing was being conducted, technical research began
investigating current standards for child product safety regarding lead levels. It was discovered
that standards are sketchy at best and are currently in a state of flux. Most of the standards
applied to lead based paint and actual lead metal parts used in toys and children’s jewelry.
There were currently no definitive standards for lead content in plastics used in toys. It was
also discovered there are 2 main standards: total lead content and total “bioavailable” or
“leachable” lead. The initial tests run were for bioavailable lead. The laboratory’s allowable
standard for the testing was shown as 5ppm. European standards, which have been adopted
by US toy makers on a voluntary basis, are currently 90ppm. All pieces to the grandstand
tested negative for lead except the plastic used to make the stand. It tested at 0.9ppm---well
under either standard. Technical Research found a statement by a CSPC (consumer product
safety commission) official that stated the lead in plastics was not readily bioavailable and not
a major concern for their division. The most common total lead content standards were at a
600ppm allowable level. Technical Research had more samples of the Sintra brand foamed
PVC plastic tested for total lead content in addition to the tests run for bioavailable lead. Tests
showed 568ppm. This was within limits but only 32ppm below allowable standards. Even with
all the evidence supporting the use of lead in plastics so long as it was contained within the
plastic, technical research recommended the company move away from Sintra brand materials
to other brands that do not contain lead. Technical Research worked with purchasing and
production to identify all areas this material was being used. Technical research obtained test
swab kits to detect the presence of lead. These swabs would turn pink or red when they came
in contact with materials containing lead. At least 1 sample from every single sized piece of
foamed PVC material was tested to show which pieces were Sintra brand, having lead content,
and which ones were another brand that did not use lead in the materials. Technical Research
worked with purchasing and the vendor and located a similar material (brand name Ex-Cel)
that will be used in all future production. In addition, all shipments in-process of Sintra brand
materials were able to be stopped at the vendor and replaced with Ex-Cel material. Technical
research gave a full report to the director of research, the vice-president of research and
advisory services, and the company president. In addition, technical research helped compose
a statement the vice-president used in his March monthly electronic newsletter to ex-officio
trustees. It was decided not to recall materials already out in the field containing Sintra based
on the facts noted above. However, all future production will be run using Ex-Cell or other
brands of foamed PVC materials to avoid the slightest appearance of lead in a product.
Technical Research continues to attempt to monitor the development of regulations.
Box Consolidation and Packaging Options
Technical Research worked with the Purchasing department to consolidate similarly sized
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boxes to a common size, thus reducing the total number boxes stocked by streamlining to a
smaller family of standardized boxes. In the initial stage of this process, we combined 18
variously sized boxes into 5 boxes. Part of this process was to also look at alternative methods
of packaging with materials other than boxes. One material evaluated was corrugated cold
seal packaging material. This material comes on a roll and has a special glue applied to the
inside corrugated surface. This glued surface sticks only to itself. When a sheet is wrapped
around an object, the edges are aligned and, with a slight pressure, become a sealed package.
Another packing material investigated was a high tensile strength shrink-wrap material that
has a light blue-gray coloration. The vendor states this material is US Postal Service approved.
The primary focus of this investigation has been to down size the number of boxes / cartons in
inventory. The total number of boxes had been paired down a number of years ago but has
grown back to approximately 80 unique sizes. A number of these are custom boxes, sized for a
particular product, but there was a good number that were only ¼” to 1” different in one or
more dimension. As a starting point, we looked at the dimensions of boxes being considered
for use in several products under development. The dimensions of all stocked boxes were then
put into an Excel table so they could be sorted by the three dimensions. From this list we were
able to evaluate the possibility of switching from smaller boxes to ones slightly larger when
packaging a particular product. Investigation into this showed that most products were
receiving some type of filler material to prevent the packaged object from shifting within the
box. Production areas agreed that using a slightly larger box would only necessitate inserting
slightly more filler, which is generally re-cycled cardboard or braille paper. In the initial stage
of this process, we have combined 18 variously sized boxes into 5 boxes. The criteria for
dimensions of the new boxes wasn’t only using the largest individual dimension of a box within
the combined group, but also looking at how it would work with typical APH products, i.e.
could it accept print or braille books along with miscellaneous components. Work will continue
with the evaluation of the combination on remaining boxes. This process is accomplishing the
following, 1) reducing the number of boxes used to package items that were initially
developed a number of years ago and are being purchased in ever lower quantities at ever
increasing costs. 2) Obtaining better overall pricing on boxes by buying higher quantities of
fewer individual sizes. 3) Better utilization of warehouse space from the elimination of little
used boxes that will now be used to store materials for new products. 4) Improving packaging
options for new products without having to add to corrugated box inventory. When this is
completed Technical Research will work with purchasing to quantify cost savings and submit it
jointly to continuous improvement.
Picture Maker Bag A Materials
(Product Maintenance)
Technical research was notified of adhesive “creep” on the foam items in the bag a parts of
the PM Wheatley tactile diagramming kit. The foam materials were shifting after the parts
were manufactured resulting in a misalignment between the foam layer of the parts and the
polyethylene substrate. Technical research worked with the project leader, production, and
purchasing to sort all materials that were currently in stock. All defective sets of materials
were removed. In checking the history of the parts with the vendor it was learned that these
parts had originally been made using a liquid adhesive. This had been switched at some point
to a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive). This was done for ease of assembly and for esthetics.
315
Future runs of the parts will be made using the liquid adhesive.
Small and Large Work Play Trays
(Product Maintenance)
Technical Research was informed by the project leader that the field preferred a different color
of tray than the traditional “battleship gray”. Technical Research worked with the purchasing
department and the vendor to drop the gray trays and make new production for both the
small and large trays in black. This was also a better color for contrast and for CVI vision
training. The small and large yellow trays will still be produced.
Sound balls (Techno beat and Boing Boing)
(Product Maintenance)
Following a successful production run of 1,000 balls a second production run of 1,000 was
initiated. The vendor sent advance samples of the balls. These balls were tested and failed the
return bounce test (A drop on to a concrete floor should result in a 50% return travel by the
ball from the bounce). The sales representative that works with the factories in Taiwan worked
extensively with the vendor at the factory attempting to produce a sample that met standards
and would allow production to begin. Samples tested repeatedly by Technical Research could
not meet the 50% return bounce standard. The sales rep then pursued other factories in
China for ball production. One factory agreed to make trial samples. The samples were made
using an existing mold at the China factory to avoid shipping the molds from Taiwan
unnecessarily. The samples were made and had the APH electronics installed in them to
simulate the full weight of the ball. The samples arrived in August and were immediately
tested by technical research. The balls did pass the return bounce test. The project leader also
examined the samples and liked the feel and bounce of the balls. The sales rep was contacted
and told the samples did pass what testing could be performed. It was also noted these
samples were not fully functional and were not from the production molds. The production
molds are in process of being shipped from Taiwan to the potential new vendor in China. APH
is requiring another round of samples to test for full functionality (electronics, balance, bounce
return, color, cosmetics, etc). Production will not be approved until fully functional samples are
furnished that are exactly as the customer will see them. Technical Research continues to
work on this item with the purchasing department and the sales representative.
Stackups
(Product Maintenance)
Technical Research received notice of a customer complaint regarding separation of the Velcro
from the cubes in the Stackups kit. The customer’s returned parts were examined and found
to have the white hook Velcro separating from the cubes. The blue loop Velcro was not
separating. The project leader and Technical Research examined materials that were in stock
and found no separation but it was noted the white hook Velcro was easier to remove from
316
the cube than the blue loop. Samples were placed in a high heat environment to try to speed
the process of adhesive failure but samples survived this test. Technical Research is working
with the purchasing department and the vendor to find adhesive for the hook material that will
hold as well as the loop material. The vendor is in-process of making samples for review by
the project leader and technical research. To date only 1 customer complaint has been
received. Technical research will continue to monitor customer complaints and to work with
the vendor to improve the Velcro hook material adhesion.
Stokes Braille Placeholder Board
(Product Maintenance)
During the investigation of box combinations, the Purchasing Dept. requested assistance in an
immediate solution to a box that needed to be ordered for the Stoke’s placeholder. The box
originally specified for this product was in need of being ordered. This item is currently selling
less than 50 or so a year and the minimum order for the box originally specified would be a
10-year supply. Technical Research analyzed current inventory and found a box, though
slightly larger provided an adequate substitution. There was plenty of inventory of the
substitute box, thus eliminating the expense of the order.
Variable Beam Flashlight Kit
Technical Research was requested in investigate a customer concern about a perceived lesser
amount of visible light or lumens from the MagLite Flashlight used in this kit versus the
flashlights in the original kit. Technical research set up a controlled test using a light meter
and a tunnel that was fabricated by the department. Both units were placed in the tunnel, 1
unit at a time, and the light readings were noted. The tunnel allowed the units to be tested at
a uniform distance from the meter without the results being skewed by ambient light. The
tests showed a slight difference with the red filter in place and a more noticeable difference
with no filter in place. Neither difference was substantial and was believed to be due to the
fact the old unit operated using “D” cells while the new unit operated using “AA” cells. The
results of these tests were furnished to the director of research.
APH Plastic Frame Signature Guide
(Product Maintenance/Redesign)
The costs on this project were beginning to increase to the point that the selling price on this
item was going to be substantially increased. Technical Research worked with purchasing to
have a mold created to mold these units in black plastic. This helped to avoid most of the cost
anticipated on this item this year. There has been limited customer feedback concerning
breakage of this item. Technical Research is working with the vendor to both redesign the
mold to avoid “short shots” (when the plastic does not flow through the mold properly) and to
evaluate different, more durable plastics in order to prevent problems with this product. Work
on this is ongoing.
317
Presentations and Workshops
Finley, R. & Pester, E. (2007, December). Full Speed Ahead with Primary Braille Literacy.
Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference, Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL.
Henderson, B. W., Lee, L., & Torres, C. (2008, March). Conference Session: Making Test Items
Accessible for Students Who Are Visually Impaired. Association of Test Publishers (ATP)
Conference on Innovations in Testing, Dallas, TX.
Henderson, B.W. (2008, July). Conference Session: Taking a Position: IQ Testing of Students
Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. AER International Conference, Chicago, IL.
Henderson, B.W. (2008, July). Workshop for ACB Teacher Division. Louisville, KY.
Henderson, B.W. (2008, August). Workshop Session: APH Custom Contract Services and Web
Casts. Making Test Items Accessible for Students Who Are Visually Impaired, Louisville,
KY.
Henderson, B.W., Torres, C. & Skutchan, L. (2008, August). APH Workshop Session:
Accessible Computer-Based Testing. Making Test Items Accessible for Students Who
Are Visually Impaired, Louisville, KY.
Henderson, B.W. (2008, August). Workshop Session: APH Custom Contract Services and Web
Casts. Making Test Items Accessible for Students Who Are Visually Impaired, Louisville,
KY.
Holbrook, C. & Pester, E. (2007, October). Beginning the Journey to Literacy with Building on
Patterns. APH Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.
Holbrook, C. & Pester, E. (2007, October). Building on Patterns: Patterns Expands Its Core.
APH Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E. (2007, October). Address: Earth – A Workshop for Users. APH Annual Meeting,
Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E. (2007, October). ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Visual Skills. APH
Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E., LeJeune, B., & Thompson, J. (2007, November). Research Autopsy: Forensic
Examination of Research Methods for the Rehabilitation Teacher. Annual Conference of
the Mid America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers, Las Vegas, NV.
Kitchel, E. (2008, January). Improving Lighting Conditions for Students with Low Vision.
Jefferson County teachers of visually impaired students, Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E. (2008, January). Understanding the Text, Graphic & Visual Needs of Test Takers
who are Partially-Sighted. National Test Publishers and Editors, Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E. (2008, July). Understanding Light and Its Effects on Persons with Low Vision.
American Council of the Blind Conference, Louisville, KY.
Kitchel, E. (2008, August). Color and Text Guidelines for the Development of Power Point
Presentations and Web Pages for Audiences that May Include Persons with Low Vision.
National Test Publishers and Editors, Louisville, KY.
Olson, P. & Otto, F. (2008, July). A Tactile Strategy Game to Enhance Functional Use of
Compass Directions in Students with Visual Impairment—A Field Study. AER 2008
International Conference, Chicago, IL.
Otto, F. (2008, January). Tactile Learning Considerations. Jefferson County teachers of visually
impaired students, Louisville, KY.
318
Otto, F. (2008, March). Basic Science Tactile Graphics and Teaching Touch. Vanderbilt
University teachers of visually impaired in-service, Louisville, KY.
Otto, F. & Poppe, K. J. (2008, May). Making Test Items Accessible for Students Who are Blind
or Visually Impaired: Issues, Guidelines, and Resources: Tactile Graphic Considerations.
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Division on Assessment of Special
Education Students (ASES), Louisville, KY.
Otto, F. & Poppe, K. (2008, May). Test Adaptation for Tactile Readers. CCSSO-ASES meeting,
Louisville, KY.
Pester, E. (2008, July). Building on Patterns Kindergarten and Fun with Braille. American
Council of the Blind Conference, Louisville, KY.
Pester, E. (2008, March). Building on Patterns: Patterns Expands Its Core. Poster Session,
Kentucky Chapter, Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired, Carrollton, KY.
Pester, E. & Scoggins, D. (2008, February). Braille Sessions of Dits, Dahs, & Dots: Using Morse
and Braille Codes. Saturday Museum Program for the Girl Scouts, Louisville, KY.
Pester, E. & Wicker, J. (2007, November) Reading, Math, and Other New Products from APH.
Fayette County Teachers of Visually Impaired Students, Lexington, KY.
Pierce, T. (2007, October). Spring Cleaning APH Products Survey. 139th Annual Meeting of the
Ex Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY.
Pierce, T. (2008, January). Product training: Walk/Run for Fitness. Louisville, KY.
Pierce, T. (2008, January). Product showcase: Walk/Run for Fitness, Sound Ball. Jefferson
County Public Schools, Louisville, KY.
Pierce, T. (2008, March). Product showcase: Sound Ball, Walk/Run for Fitness, Tangle Toy,
Lots of Dots Series. Vanderbilt University, Louisville, KY.
Pierce, T. (2008, April). Effects of a Sound Localization Curriculum. Council for Exceptional
Children Convention, Boston, MA.
Pierce, T. (2008, July). Product showcase: Select Switch, Digital Light Box Artwork, Portable
Sound Source & Sound Localization Guidebook, Jumbo Work & Play Tray. Teachers
Group for American Council of the Blind Convention, Louisville, KY.
Pierce, T. & Smith, M. (2007, October). SAM: Symbols and Meaning. The 139th Annual
Meeting of the Ex Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind,
Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2007, October). Periodic Table of the Elements: A Hands-On Experience. The
139th Annual Meeting of the Ex-Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the
Blind, Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2007, October). Do We Need More SQUIDs in the World? The 139th Annual
Meeting of the Ex-Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind,
Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2007, October). New Sense-ational Products: StackUps and Scattered Crowns.
The 139th Annual Meeting of the Ex-Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for
the Blind, Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2007, November). Setting the Stage for Tactile Literacy. Getting In Touch with
Literacy Conference, St. Petersburg, FL.
Poppe, K. J. (2008, January). Tactile Graphics Products In-House Training Workshop.
Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2008, March). Tactile Graphics Products. Vanderbilt In-Service Training,
319
Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2008, April). Draftsman: Tactile Drawing Board. Product Demonstration
Workshop, Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2008, June). Tactile Graphics Product Demonstrations. Ex Officio Trustee
Training Event, Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K.J. (2008, July). Tactile Graphics Product Demonstrations. American Council of the
Blind Conference, Louisville, KY.
Poppe, K. J. (2008, August). Tactile Graphics: Making Tests Accessible to Students with Visual
Impairments. Training Workshop, Accessible Tests Department, Louisville, KY.
Rosenblum, L. & Terlau, M. (2008, July). Reclaiming Independence, A Video and Resource Guide
to Help Elders Stay in the Driver's Seat When They No Longer Drive. Biennial Conference
of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired,
Chicago, IL.
Skutchan, L. (2008, July). Developing Software for School and Work. National Federation of
the Blind Annual Convention, Dallas TX.
Skutchan, L. (2008, July). Accessible Software Development, Blind Information Technology
Specialists Luncheon. American Council of the Blind National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Terlau, M. (2007, November). An Overview of the Braille Plus. The Mid America Conference of
Rehabilitation Teachers and Southeastern Association of Rehabilitation Teachers, Las
Vegas, NV.
Terlau, M. (2007, November). Reclaiming Independence: Staying in the Driver’s Seat When You
Can No Longer Drive. The Mid America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers and
Southeastern Association of Rehabilitation Teachers, Las Vegas, NV.
Terlau, M. (2008, March). Reclaiming Independence: A Tool To Help Elders Stay In The Driver's
Seat When They No Longer Drive. International Conference on Aging, Disability, and
Independence, St. Petersburg, FL.
Terlau, M. (2008, March). Labeling and Marking: Sherlock, MagneTachers, and More.
International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence, St. Petersburg, FL.
Terlau, M. (2008, July). Excel and a Screen Reader: Teaching Tips for Quick and Easy Record
Keeping by Persons With Recent Vision Loss and Old Timers Too. Biennial Conference of
the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired,
Chicago, IL.
Terlau, M. & Boules, Bill. (2007, November). Excel for "Quick-and-Dirty" Record-Keeping for
Persons Who Have Recently Lost Vision. The Mid America Conference of Rehabilitation
Teachers and Southeastern Association of Rehabilitation Teachers, Las Vegas, NV.
Terlau, M. & McCarty, M. (2008, July). Braille Plus Mini-Workshops. National Convention of the
American Council of the Blind, Louisville, KY.
Terlau, M. & Smith, R. (2008, March). Poster Presentation: Elders with Low Vision Can!
International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence, St. Petersburg, FL.
Wicker, J. (2007, November). Teacher Training: MathBuilders, and General Guidelines for
Teaching Math to Young Braille Users. VI Teachers In-Service, Lexington, KY.
Wicker, J. (2008, January). Teacher Training: Core Curriculum Products. Jefferson County VI
Teachers, Louisville, KY.
Wicker, J. (2008, March). Product Showcase: MathBuilders and Wilson Reading System.
Vanderbilt Students, Louisville, KY.
Wicker, J. (2008, March). MathBuilders. KAER, Carrollton, KY.
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Wicker, J. (2008, July). Product Showcase: MathBuilders, Wilson Reading System, and Word
PlayHouse, Teacher Group, American Council for the Blind Conference, Louisville, KY.
Wicker, J., Gissoni, F. & Skutchan, L. (2007, January). Panel Discussion: How Technologies for
the Blind Have Evolved Over the Past 150 Years, State of Affairs. National Public Radio,
Louisville, KY.
Wicker, J. & Holbrook, C. (2007, October). Early Braille Trade Books. The 139th Annual Meeting
of the Ex-Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY.
Wicker, J., Rines, J. & Rowley, R. (November, 2007). Wilson Reading System ®. Getting in
Touch with Literacy Conference, St. Pete Beach, FL.
Wicker, J. & Smith, D. (2007, October). MathBuilders. The 139th Annual Meeting of the Ex
Officio Trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY.
Wright, S. (2007, December). Implications of the National Early Literacy Panel for Children
with Visual Impairments. Getting In Touch with Literacy, St. Petersburg, FL.
Wright, S. (July, 2007). New APH Products: On the Way to Literacy 2nd edition. American
Council for the Blind Workshop, Louisville, KY.
321
Product Materials
Henderson, B. W. (2008). Test Ready: Introduction to the Teacher’s Guide for the Audio
Version. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Henderson, B.W. (2008). Examiner’s Manual for Brigance® Diagnostic Inventory
Of Early Development (IED II), Tactile and Large Print Edition (Revision).
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2007). ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Visual Skills.
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2007). Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the
Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2007). Address: Earth – A Large Format Atlas, Ed. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Otto, F. & Rucker, E. (2008). Embossed XY Axis 20 x 20 Graph Sheets. Louisville, KY: American
Printing House for the Blind.
Pierce, T. (2008). Lots of Dots: Coloring the Garden Enrichment Guide. Louisville, KY:
American Printing House for the Blind.
Pierce, T. (2008). Select Switch. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Poppe, K. J. (2008). Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table Study Set: Teacher’s Guidebook [Large
Print and Braille Editions]. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Poppe, K. J. (2008). PermaBraille Sheets. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the
Blind.
Poppe, K. J. (2008). Picture Maker Accessories: Storage Panel. Louisville, KY: American
Printing House for the Blind.
Poppe, K. J. (2008). Picture Maker Accessories: Textured Strips. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Umsted, R.G., Pester, E.J. & Travis, M.A. (2008). Braille Contraction Recognition Program
(BCR) Teacher’s Manual. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Umsted, R.G., Pester, E.J. & Travis, M.A. (2008). Braille Contraction Recognition Program
(BCR) Lists 1 through 19, Exercise Sets 1 through 4, and Oral Reading Forms A & B.
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Wicker, J., Smith, D., & Leibfritz, B. (2008). MathBuilders, Unit 6, Geometry, Teacher’s Guide.
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Wicker, J. (2008). Word PlayHouse, Letter and Word Family Cards, Teacher’s Guide. Louisville,
KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
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Publications
Kitchel, E. (2007). ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Visual Skills.
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2007). Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the
Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2007). Address: Earth – A Large Format Atlas, Ed. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Revised Guidelines for Formatting Graphics in Test Documents in Large
Print, 2nd Rev. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Reading, Typography and Low Vision: A Few Guidelines for Making Large
Print Tests More Accessible, 2nd Rev. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Color and Text Guidelines for the Development of Power Point Presentations
and Webpages for Audiences that May Include Persons with Low Vision, 2nd Rev.
[Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Properties of Light. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing House
for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). How to Observe Light. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Natural and Artificial Light. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Lighting for Low Vision, 2nd Rev. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American
Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). How to Conduct a Lighting Assessment. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY:
American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). How to Improve Lighting. [Multimedia]. Louisville, KY: American Printing
House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Graphics &Testing: Concerns of Test Publishers. [Multimedia]. Louisville,
KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Kitchel, E. (2008). The Effects of Blue Light on People with Pre-existing Eye Conditions.
Westerville, OH: National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Guidelines for the Presentation of Power Point Presentations for Audiences
that may Include Persons with Low Vision. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Dept. of
Education. Web site:
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/speced/pdfs/ppt_develop_guidelines_low_vision.pdf
Kitchel, E. (2008). Low Vision and Power Point Guidelines. East Lansing, MI: Michigan
Developmental Disabilities Council.
Kitchel, E. (2008). Guidelines for the Development of PowerPoint Presentations for Audiences
that may Include Persons with Low Vision. Boise, ID: Idaho Special Education, Idaho
Training Clearing House.
Web site: http://itcnew.idahotc.com/qrm.htm
Kitchel, E. (2008). FVLMA: Functional Vision, Learning Media Assessment, Ed. Louisville, KY:
American Printing House for the Blind.
323
Terlau, M. & Penrod, W. (2008). ‘K’ Sonar Curriculum Handbook. Louisville, KY: American
Printing House for the Blind.
Wright, S. & Stratton, J.M. (2007). On the Way to Literacy: Early Experiences for Children with
Visual Impairments, 2nd Edition. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
Wright, S. (2008). Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children with Visual Impairments.
Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind. Web site: http//:
www.aph.org/edresearch
324
2008 NEW PRODUCTS
APH InSights 2009 Calendar ....................................................................... 5-18971-09
APH Plastic Frame Signature Guide .......................................................... 1-03530-01
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set ............................................... 1-08856-00
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table, Br Guidebook .................................. 5-08856-00
Azer's Interactive Periodic Table, LP Guidebook .................................. 7-08856-00
BCR Teacher's Kit, Print .......................................................................... 1-03251-00
BCR Teacher's Kit, Braille .................................................................. 1-03252-00
BCR Student's Kit, Braille ................................................................... 1-03253-00
Braille Datebook Calendar 2009 ............................................................... 1-07899-09
Braille Datebook Calendar Tabs 2009 ................................................. 1-07898-09
Braille/Print Yardstick .............................................................................. 1-03002-00
Braille+ Mobile Manager.......................................................................... 1-07450-01
Brigance Green Large Type 2 .................................................................. 4-00000-00
Compact + (Portable Video Magnifier) Blue .............................................. 1-07570-00
Embossed XY Axis 20x20 Grid Graph Sheets ............................................. 1-04045-00
EZ Track 2009 Calendar .......................................................................... 1-07900-09
EZ Track 2009 Calendar Inserts ......................................................... 1-07901-09
FVLMA Kit .............................................................................................. 7-96151-00
FVLMA Practitioner's Gdebk Br. w/CD ....................................................... 5-96153-00
FVLMA Protocols ............................................................................... 7-96152-00
FVLMA Practitioner's Gdebk Pt w/CD .................................................. 7-96153-00
Home Grown Video: Loving Me VHS......................................................... 1-30021-00
Home Grown Video: Loving Me DVD .................................................. 1-30021-DVD
Jumbo Work & Play Tray w/Yellow Insert ................................................. 1-03764-00
Large Work-Play Tray Black ..................................................................... 1-03761-00
Listening Post III .................................................................................... 1-00942-00
Lithium Ion Battery ................................................................................. 1-07453-00
Power Sync Cable w/USB-A ............................................................... 1-07454-00
AC/DC Adaptor-Charger .................................................................... 1-07455-00
Earbud for Braille+ ........................................................................... 1-07458-00
Lots of Dots: Coloring the Garden ............................................................ 1-10002-00
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels ........................................................... 1-07413-00
MagneTachers for Sherlock Labels w/Sherlock Labels.......................... 1-07414-00
MagneTachers for Small Braillable Labels ........................................... 1-07415-00
MagneTachers for Making Braille Labels ............................................. 1-07416-00
MagneTachers for Making Large Print Labels (1/2") ............................ 1-07417-00
MagneTachers for Making Larger Print Labels (1") .............................. 1-07418-00
MathBuilders Unit 6 Braille Kit.................................................................. 5-03563-00
MathBuilders Unit 6 Braille Teacher's Guide ........................................ 5-03563-01
MathBuilders Unit 6 Consumables Pack .............................................. 5-03563-02
MathBuilders Unit 6 Print Kit .............................................................. 7-03563-00
MathBuilders Unit 6 Print Teacher's Guide .......................................... 7-03563-01
MaximEyes, Video Magnifier .................................................................... 1-03915-00
325
MaximEyes, PenTracker Corded ......................................................... 1-03917-00
MaximEyes 1 yr Extended Warranty ................................................... 1-03918-00
On the Way to Literacy Handbook, Br. 2nd Edition .................................... 6-77520-00
On the Way to Literacy Handbook Print 2nd Edition ............................ 8-77520-00
PermaBraille Paper, 5"x3" (50 pk) ............................................................ 1-08881-00
PermaBraille Paper, 6"x4" 2-Hole Drilled (50 pk) ................................. 1-08882-00
Permabraille Paper, 6"x4" (50 pk) ...................................................... 1-08883-00
PermaBraille Paper, 8.5"x11" (50 pk) ................................................. 1-08884-00
PermaBraille Paper, 11.5x11 (50 pk) .................................................. 1-08885-00
Pic. Mkr. Acc.: Textured Strips ................................................................. 1-08838-02
Pic. Mkr. Acc.: Storage Panel ............................................................. 1-08838-03
Portable Sound Source: Sport Edition ....................................................... 1-03045-00
PSS Replacement Remote Kit ............................................................ 1-03045-01
Sound Localization Manual, Braille ..................................................... 5-03045-00
Sound Localization Manual, Print ....................................................... 7-03045-00
Select Switch .......................................................................................... 1-08617-00
Small Work-Play Tray, Black .................................................................... 1-03751-00
SQUID: Tactile Act. Mag., Issue 5 ............................................................ 1-08862-05
ToAD Kit ................................................................................................ 1-08152-00
ToAD Object Cards ........................................................................... 1-08152-01
ToAD Light Source Items .................................................................. 1-08152-02
Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book, Print Version ............................................ 1-08152-05
ToAD Guidebook, Braille .................................................................... 5-08152-00
Squire Toad’s Puzzle Book, Br. Version ............................................... 5-08152-05
ToAD Guidebook, Print ...................................................................... 7-08152-00
Turbo Phonics Kit.................................................................................... D-00100-00
Turbo Phonics Student Activity Book, Prt ............................................ 7-00100-01
Turbo Phonics Teacher’s Gdebk, Br. ................................................... 5-00100-00
Turbo Phonics Teacher’s Gdebk, Prt. .................................................. 7-00100-00
VIPs Seeing Things in a New Way ............................................................ 1-30024-DVD
VIPs Learning About the World .......................................................... 1-30025-DVD
VIPs Becoming a “Can Do” Kid .......................................................... 1-30026-DVD
VIPs Making Friends: Social Skills ...................................................... 1-30027-DVD
VIPs Going Places: Orientation .......................................................... 1-30028-DVD
VIPs Through Their Eyes ................................................................... 1-30029-DVD
VIPs Moving Through the World ........................................................ 1-30030-DVD
VIPs Hands-On Experience ................................................................ 1-30031-DVD
VIPs Successfully Adapting PreSchool Environment ............................. 1-30032-DVD
VIPs Power at Your Fingertips ........................................................... 1-30033-DVD
VIPs Full of Hope .............................................................................. 1-30034-DVD
VIPs Growing My Way – Part 1 .......................................................... 1-30035-DVD
Word Playhouse...................................................................................... 1-03562-00
WRS Student Reader 1, Braille ................................................................. 6-79502-00
WRS Student Reader 2, Braille ........................................................... 6-79503-00
WRS Student Reader 3, Braille ........................................................... 6-79504-00
326
CHART I
[This is a summary of 88 Completed Projects. See “Summary Page” for details.]
327
CHART II
[This is a summary of 174 Active Projects. See “Summary Page” for details.]
328
CHART III
[This is a summary of 24 Parking Lot Projects. See “Summary Page” for details.]
329
CHART IV
[This is a summary of 27 Pipeline Projects. See “Summary Page” for details.]
330
CHART V
Project Status: Summary
As of 9/30/08
Active
Assessment
27
Assistive Technology & Electronics
7
Career Education & Transition
0
Communication Modes & Literature Education 40
Daily Living & Social Interaction
10
Early Childhood
16
Insights/Special Touch
0
Math
30
Orientation & Mobility
7
Physical Education
1
Recreation & Leisure
4
Social Studies & Geography
11
Science & Health
12
Visual Efficiency & Low Vision
9
Total
174
Parking Lot Completed Pipeline
0
12
0
1
10
9
1
0
0
2
19
6
5
13
4
4
14
3
0
1
0
1
7
2
4
2
0
0
4
0
1
2
0
2
0
1
3
3
2
0
1
0
24
88
27
[Summary page of 88 Completed, 174 Active, 24 Parking Lot and 27 Pipeline Projects.]
331