Are they getting the whole picture?

: tactile books and what they offer children with visual impairment

Abstract

When sighted children are learning to read, parents and teachers try to ensure that they have access to picture books. These concerned with the education of children with visual impairments try to provide a comparable experience by using 'tactile book' : books in which the illustrations can be partially of wholly interpreted through touch.
The attraction of picture books lies partly in the ability to engage children's senses in the learning process. Many tactile books are also able to achieve this and makers work hard to maximise opportunities for sensory training. Picture books can provide children with a wealth of useful information. If children with visual impairments are introduced to appropriate forms of representation carefully, then they may gain knowledge from tactile books that may be difficult for them to access in other ways.

Date of Award	7 Jul 2005
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton