Students with blindness and visual disabilities encounter challenges learning mathematics, particularly mathematical equations (MEs), which contributes to their underrepresentation in STEM fields. ...MEs are complex because they have a two-dimensional structure, which makes them difficult to access. In addition, inconsistencies in Braille codes across regions, lack of collaborative math platforms, and a lack of accessible mathematics literature exacerbate their difficulties. Technology and tools currently available limit MEs analysis and solution. This study proposes a mathematical equation analysis and solving software application called SA-MEAS (Sympy-based Automated Mathematical Equation Analysis and Solver) for mathematical linear and quadratic equations and expressions. The proposed solution provides a quick overview and solutions for MEs. The overview provides terms, factors, variables and constants, types of equations, structure and a detailed summary of MEs. Also, it provides correct solutions. Students correlate the summary and solution and build a mental model of the MEs. To develop this application a Python symbolic mathematics library (sympy) was utilized to automate MEs analysis and solution. Similarly, a speech synthesis library verbally summarized the analysis and solution. Furthermore, a Python speech recognition library was used for interactive communication. Finally, a user-friendly interface was designed by utilizing the Tkinter library. The proposed software was empirically evaluated with 32 blind and visually impaired students, and significant improvements were found in math accessibility and learning.
The participation of all in a Physical Education class requires pedagogical resources and proper and/or adapted teaching strategies to each group of participants. The aim of this study was to: ...identify, interpret and categorize the suggestions found in the literature on teaching strategies and learning resources offered to teach blind and visually impaired students. The specific objectives were: 1) Presentation of teaching strategies and learning resources in an illustrative manual, and 2) A description of the illustrations, which can be read in Braille, enabling accessibility to the blind. The re - sults were obtained by the: 1) selection of propositions that describing teaching stra - tegies and pedagogic resources in literature, 2) the classification and categorization of the propositions, 3) development of the illustrative manual, and 4) description of the figures in the manual. The material produced will serve as a tool for academics, teachers, coaches of adapted sports, and for the daily use of teachers.
Purpose
The study aims to discuss the special needs-centric information delivery as a new genre of the academic library services. It also sheds light on the assistive technology used to help blind or ...visually impaired (BVI) students to access the available digital contents and use online services conveniently. A particular emphasis placed on gaining some insights into BVIs’ perceptions towards the orientation and assistance offered by the access service librarians, as well as any experience in using assistive educational technology for reading and information access.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used semi-structured interview survey to gather the necessary data from 35 BVI university students drawn from the Special Needs Services (SNS) Unit at the UAE University. The interview was concerned with use of library e-resources and online services for doing their assignments, easy-to-use facilities to access the e-resources and main challenges facing them in communicating with the librarians.
Findings
The findings revealed that the BVI students considered that the university library does not answer their needs for getting access to digital content and using online services adequately.
Practical implications
The Main Library should cooperate closely with the SNS Unit to get the most benefits from their experience in the BVI-devoted services to develop an efficient library information discovery and delivery to this student group.
Originality/value
There is scarcity of scholarly studies on the pedagogical and information acquisition challenges facing the BVI university students in the UAE higher education. This is the first research study that tackles the experience of the BVI students in using the academic library.
The paper presents outcomes research of features of interpersonal relationships, the level of perception and motivational orientations interaction of those who can see with blind and visually ...impaired students of higher educational institution. The attention is focused on the specifics of the social and psychological training as a means of improving communicative competence of blind and visually impaired students and optimization of their social status in the student body.
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