Doi Kouki, Fujimoto Hiroshi
Assistive Technology Laboratory, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture 359-1192, Japan.
Med Biol Eng Comput. 2007 Nov;45(11):1153-9. doi: 10.1007/s11517-007-0250-6. Epub 2007 Sep 11.
Transparent resinous ultraviolet-curing type (TRUCT) Braille signs are becoming more and more popular in Japan, especially when they are printed together with visual characters. These signs are made by screen printing, a technique that can be applied to various base materials, such as paper, metal, and plastic. TRUCT Braille signs have begun to be used in public facilities, such as on tactile maps and on handrails. Naturally, it is expected that Braille beginners will utilize these signs. However, it has been pointed out that the friction between the forefinger and the base material may affect reading accuracy and speed. In this study, we developed a finger cover made of soft, thin polyester non-woven fabric to reduce friction during Braille reading. We also carried out a study to investigate the effect of its use. The subjects were 12 Braille learners with acquired visual impairment, who were asked to read randomly selected characters with and without the finger cover. The results showed that most participants could read TRUCT Braille significantly faster and more accurately with a finger cover than without it, regardless of the base material and dot height. This result suggests that wearing the finger cover enables Braille learners to read TRUCT Braille more efficiently. The finger cover can be used as a Braille reading assistance tool for Braille learners. An additional, health-related advantage of the finger cover is that the forefinger remains clean. We expect that the finger cover will be in practical use in Japan within 1 or 2 years.
透明树脂紫外线固化型（TRUCT）盲文标识在日本越来越受欢迎，尤其是当它们与视觉字符一起印刷时。这些标识是通过丝网印刷制作的，该技术可应用于各种基材，如纸张、金属和塑料。TRUCT盲文标识已开始在公共设施中使用，如触觉地图和扶手上。自然而然地，人们期望盲文初学者会使用这些标识。然而，有人指出食指与基材之间的摩擦可能会影响阅读的准确性和速度。在本研究中，我们开发了一种由柔软、轻薄的聚酯无纺布制成的手指套，以减少盲文阅读时的摩擦。我们还进行了一项研究来调查其使用效果。受试者为12名后天性视力障碍的盲文学习者，他们被要求在有和没有手指套的情况下阅读随机选择的字符。结果表明，无论基材和点高如何，大多数参与者使用手指套阅读TRUCT盲文的速度明显更快且更准确。这一结果表明，佩戴手指套能使盲文学习者更高效地阅读TRUCT盲文。该手指套可作为盲文学习者的盲文阅读辅助工具。手指套另一个与健康相关的优点是食指能保持清洁。我们预计该手指套将在1到2年内在日本实际应用。
