MinaDot: an innovative application for automatic transcription into Braille to enhance literacy in Braille


Published: Sep 24, 2024
Keywords:
Braille Automatic Transcriptions MinaDot Braille Literacy Accessibility
Apostolos Garoufos
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5005-279X
Zoe Gavriilidou
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5975-6852
Abstract



The Braille writing system serves as a vital tool for both communication and educational inclusivity among individuals with visual impairments. This publication aims to introduce MinaDot, an intuitive and cost-effective application designed to automatically transcribe text from Greek and English into Braille, adhering to the official Braille standards in Greece. By providing comprehensive accessibility, MinaDot assists educators and learners alike in learning and producing Braille, thus promoting literacy in this essential medium. Moreover, this publication underscores the importance of user-friendly technological solutions that enhance accessibility in education and the everyday lives of individuals with special educational needs.




Article Details
  • Section
  • Articles
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Bell, E. C., & Silverman, A. (2018). Rehabilitation and Employment Outcomes for Adults Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: An Updated Report. Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research, 7(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.5241/8-148
Γαβριηλίδου, Ζ., Μητσιάκη Μ., Φλιάτουρας Α. (2021). 100 Βασικές Έννοιες για τη Γλωσσολογία. Gutenberg.
Γαβριηλίδου, Ζ. (2024). Διδάσκοντας και μαθαίνοντας γλώσσα με το ChatGPT. Κριτική.
Dmitriev, M. (2002). Language-specific make technology for the Java programming language. ACM SIGPLAN Notices, 37(11), 373–385. https://doi.org/10.1145/583854.582453
Ferrell, K. A. (2006). Evidence-Based Practices for Students With Visual Disabilities. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 28(1), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/15257401060280010701
Ferrell, K. A., Mason, L., Young, J., & Cooney, J. (2006). Forty years of literacy research in blindness and visual impairment: Technical Report. University of Northern Colorado, National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities.
Hoskin, E. R., Coyne, M. K., White, M. J., Dobri, S. C. D., Davies, T. C., & Pinder, S. D. (2024). Effectiveness of technology for braille literacy education for children: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19(1), 120-130. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2022.2070676
Johnson, L. (1996). The Braille Literacy Crisis for Children. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90(3), 276-278. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X9609000323
Koenig, A. J., & Holbrook, M. C. (1989). Determining the Reading Medium for Students with Visual Impairments: A Diagnostic Teaching Approach. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 83(6), 296-302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X8908300609
Layton, C. A., & Koenig, A. J. (1998). Increasing fluency in elementary students with low vision through repeated readings. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 92(5), 276-292. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X9809200506
Luckner, J. L., Bruce, S. M., & Ferrell, K. A. (2016). A Summary of the Communication and Literacy Evidence-Based Practices for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Visually Impaired, and Deafblind. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 37(4), 225-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740115597507
Marshal, L. & Moys, J-L. (2020). Readers’ experiences of Braille in an evolving technological world. The journal of visual communication research, 52(1), 6-29. ISSN 0022-2224
McCall, S., McLinden, M., & Douglas, G. (2011). A review of the literature into effective practice in teaching literacy through braille. RNIB. School of Education University of Birmingham.
McCarthy, T., Rosenblum, L. P., Johnson, B. G., Dittel, J., & Kearns, D. M. (2016). An artificial intelligence tutor: A supplementary tool for teaching and practicing Braille. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 110, 309–322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X1611000503
National Federation of the Blind. (2009, March 26). The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: A Report to the Nation by the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.
Παπαδόπουλος, Κ. (2002). Η Δημιουργία Γραμματοσειράς του Ελληνικού Braille Κώδικα και η χρήση της σε Χάρτες Αφής. Τεχνικά Χρονικά, 2(1), 101-110.
Παπαδόπουλος, Κ. Σ. (2005). Τύφλωση και Ανάγνωση. Διαβάζοντας με την αφή. Ζήτη.
Roe, J., Rogers, S., Donaldson, M., Gordon, C., & Meager, N. (2014). Teaching Literacy through Braille in Mainstream Settings whilst Promoting Inclusion: Reflections on Our Practice. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 61(2), 165-177. ERIC Number: EJ1032319
Ryles, R. (1996). The Impact of Braille Reading Skills on Employment, Income, Education, and Reading Habits. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90(3), 219-226. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X9609000311
Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The gamification of learning: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32(1), 77-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w
Spungin, S. J. (1996). Braille and Beyond: Braille Literacy in a Larger Context. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90(3), 271-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X9609000321
Wormsley, D. P. (2004). Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach. American Foundation for the Blind.
Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικών Υποθέσεων. (2017). Συνταξιοδοτικές ρυθμίσεις Δημοσίου και λοιπές ασφαλιστικές διατάξεις, ενίσχυση της προστασίας των εργαζομένων, δικαιώματα ατόμων με αναπηρίες και άλλες διατάξεις. Νόμος αριθμ. 4488. ΦΕΚ 137, 2017 τ΄ Α΄.
Most read articles by the same author(s)