There is also a graphing calculator program called Graphit that operates
much like the graphing calculators you see at stores. However it is able
to emboss the graphs of up to 10 equations on a braille embosser. It can
also display in some fashion the information in an audio format. This
audio output is good for single equations.
Graphit runs on any of the Blazie Engineering notetakers like the
Braille 'n Speak. There is also a PC version of the program. It works
with most braille embossers that have a graphics mode.
On Tue, 10 Sep 1996, Dave Schleppenbach wrote:
> Dear Chris,
> The problem you are facing of teaching mathematics to blind people is
> not a new one, and fortunately some terrific advances have been made
> recently in the field. First of all, let me reccommend that you e-mail
> Dr. Nemeth, as others have suggested, and ask his opinion.
> Second, I have written a paper, Teaching Science to the Visually
> Impaired, which deals with the topics of math and science education for
> the blind. This, together with other infomation on our homepage, the
> VISIONS Lab homepage, may prove useful to you. The address is
> Third, we have developed custom software specifically for teaching math
> to the blind. Specifically, we have written a program that converts
> print equations into braille, which is available on our Web page.
> Version 2.0 of our program, which we have recently finished, includes
> support for Nemeth Braille output as well as MathSpeak output, which is
> the spoken form of mathematics also invented by Dr. Nemeth. This should
> be of great use to you in teaching your student.
> Finally, let me mention that Drs. Mike Kress and Al Blank have
> developed an AudioTactile beginning Calculus course, which uses sound
> and tactile graphics to teach calculus. This, along with some of our
> work in tactile images, may be another route for learning for your
> Feel free to e-mail or call me if you have any questions.
> Dave Schleppenbach
> VISIONS LAb director
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