Research Articles

Article #1:

Low vision aids for visually impaired children: A perception-action perspective

Authors: J. Schurink, R.F.A. Cox, A.H.N. Cillessen, G.H.M.B. van Rens, F.N. Boonstra 

Summary: This article discusses the lack of research that is available on the topic of low vision aids (LVA) for children with visual impairments. It discusses the large amount of information on LVA that is available for adults and relates how they can be applicable to children. It mainly focuses on the pros and cons associated with LVA for children, and discusses further issues that need to be researched in the future. The article also provides background information on the causes and different types of visual impairments that exist for children, as well as background information on the general understanding and use of a low visual aid.  

 

Article #2:

i-Math: Automatic math reader for Thai blind and visually impaired students

Authors: Wararat Wongkia, Kanlaya Naruedomkul, Nick Cercone

Summary: This article introduces a new Assistive Technology program called iMath, which is used as a tool for visually impaired and blind students to access math documents in the classroom. The iMath program is used to automatically read mathematical questions and materials out loud to students using the computer software. The article also discusses a study that was conducted on the effectiveness of the program and 78 visually impaired and blind students. The results supported that this program can really help support teachers in the classroom with making the same math lessons easily accessible to blind and visually impaired students in the classroom. The students also expressed how easy and comfortable they were with using the program for math.