INNOVATION OF DIMENSION SHEET AND MEASUREMENT OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS IN BRAILLE

Abstract

Braille is a system of raised dot used by visually impaired persons which provides medium to learn language. Braille is composed of Braille character which may single or combined together to form word. In this thesis, I have innovated Dimension sheet which is non-functional and functional. In non-functional Dimension sheet Braille numbers are written in (x, y) form which denote coordinate position with respect to X and Y axis. In functional Dimension sheet X and Y coordinates are drawn with the help of Braille slate, stylus and Braille paper. Different Braille dots are placed at different location of (x, y), example (1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4), (2, 3), (3, 2), (4, 1), (3, 3), (3, 4), (4, 4). Visually impaired learn the number (x, y) from non-functional Dimension sheet and able to find the given number in functional Dimension sheet. This study show that human has the ability to locate the coordinate position by active touch or haptic system. Students are able to locate the position on functional Dimension sheet with average time taken by student is 55 seconds. Average time taken to locate position in functional Dimension sheet depends on the Braille number in the form of (x, y) written on the nonfunctional Dimension sheet. Time taken to locate the position in functional Dimension sheet increases with (x, y) on non-functional Dimension sheet showing that time taken to search the given number increases with increase in (x, y) value. Braille reading accuracy of different Braille Dimension sheet for different age group of individuals was determined and it was found that there is very small effect of age on Braille reading accuracy. Braille recognition time for different Braille height was observed and it was found that there is an optimum Braille height for which signal perception through is highest and it takes minimum time to recognize Braille character. Braille dot configuration is important factor in Braille recognition and time taken to recognize Braille character. Time taken to recognize Braille character was highest for 5 and 9 which may be due different configuration. Exclusion zone length for different Dimension sheet was determined and it was that its optimum value is 1.5 cm for which time taken to search Braille character is least. Increase in length of exclusion zone length lead to longer time to search Braille character which lead to high recognition time for Braille Dimension sheet. Hand dominance is other important factor in Braille reading. It was found that the student who uses both hand for Braille reading have higher Braille reading efficiency and they require less time to recognize Braille character in comparison to right handed or left handed student. Different hand movement pattern has different Braille reading efficiency and it was found that parallel hand movement takes less time in Braille reading in comparison to left mark pattern, split pattern, and scissor pattern.