Exceptional Teaching Inc.

3994 Oleander Way
Castro Valley, California 94546
United States
Telephone: 800- 549-6999 or 510-889-7282.
Fax: 510- 889-7382.
Web: http://www.exceptionalteaching.com.
Email: info@exceptionalteaching.com.

Products manufactured by Exceptional Teaching Inc. (listed alphabetically)

1. 10-INCH BRAILLE READING PLATFORM (MODEL BRS1)

   The 10-Inch Braille Reading Platform, model BRS1, is a bookholder designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This unit is made of acrylic and fits over a Perkins Brailler (see entry), a computer keyboard, or the slate and stylus. It can be used to hold a telephone on top and a brailler beneath. It also fits over braillers with a Brailler Pad and a braille book or worksheet can rest on the platform, which encourages two-handed braille reading. DIMENSIONS: 10 inches high with a 10 x 20 inch platform. COLOR: Clear.

2. 7.25-INCH BRAILLE READING PLATFORM (MODEL KRS1)

   The 7.25-Inch Braille Reading Platform, model kRS1, is a bookholder designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This unit is made of acrylic and fits over a Perkins Brailler (see entry), a computer keyboard, braille notetakers, or the slate and stylus. It can be used to hold a telephone on top and a brailler beneath. A braille book or worksheet can rest on the platform, which encourages two-handed braille reading. DIMENSIONS: 7.25 inches high with a 10 x 20 inch platform. COLOR: Clear.

3. BRAILLE BASICS SERIES FOR TEENS AND ADULTS

   The Braille Basics Series for Teens and Adults is a braille training program designed for use by adults and students age fourteen and over who are blind or have low vision. Sold as a set or individually, the series consists of two courseware packages designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry). The two packages are Braille Basics 1 For Teens and Adults: Introduction to Braille, and Braille Basics 2 for Teens and Adults: Learning the Braille Alphabet. Both packages are in the SAL Activity Mode. Braille Basics 1 contains tactual perception exercises, which help the reader to develop techniques for reading braille. When the basic hand movements become automatic, students experience success, gain speed and confidence, and are ready to move on to more advanced reading skills. The workbook for Braille Basics 1 has 132 pages. Braille Basics 2 contains exercises that provide practice in using braille letters to create labels for food items, makeup, toiletries, music, and appliances. Single words, short phrases, and sentences that are useful in everyday activities are introduced, along with techniques for using braille to support individual needs and lifestyles. The workbook for Braille Basics 2 has 226 pages. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk.

4. DOT MARKER COLLECTION (MODELS DM1 & DM2)

   The Dot Marker Collection is a set of tactile markers designed for use by individuals who are blind or who have low vision. Each set includes dots having seven different textures in sizes ranging from the size of a Braille dot to 11/16 inch. Included are cork, felt, clear vinyl, velour, spongy, transparent dome-shaped, and Braille-sized clear Locator-Dots (see separate entry). The Standard Dot Marker Collection, model DM1(shown), includes 386 dots. The Jumbo Dot Marker Collection, model DM2, includes 772 dots. Both sets include a list of suggested uses.

5. HIGH NOON BOOKS SOUND OUT SERIES SET A-1 (MODEL S0S7)

   High Noon Books Sound Out Series Set A-1 is a set of six braille books that make up a braille training program designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This courseware package is designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry). SAL helps students with minimal reading skills read these books from cover-to-cover. Some pages show pictures; users can press on the word "picture" to hear the picture described. The series gives students practice decoding words. Three of the books focus on short vowels and three focus on long vowels. Titles include The Tug, SOS1, in which Gus's tug is lost in the fog but reaches the dock safely with a little help from Bob's friend; The Red Cap, SOS2, in which Max, a big Labrador retriever, saves Ted and his red cap from a robbery; Up the Hill, SOS3, in which Kim and Pat race to the top of the hill, where a "fortunate" mishap helps Pat race back down; Bass Lake, SOS4, in which Grace and Sue awaken when a forest fire threatens the life of their friend; The Deep Sea, SOS5, in which Dave and Bill's boat sinks and they are left adrift until they make it to Gull Rock; and The Red Gem Mine, SOS6, in which Jake and his mule turn out to be good miners. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk. OPTIONS: Each book is available in contracted and uncontracted braille versions.

6. HIGHDOTS (MODEL HD1)

   High Dots, model HD1, are spongy, adhesive-backed tactile marker dots designed for use by individuals with blindness or low vision. These dots can be attached to computer keyboard keys, to mark maps or other items to provide tactual reference points. Each packet of dots includes 112 small dots, 48 medium dots, and 32 large dots; the largest dots are slightly smaller than a dime.

7. LITERARY BRAILLE PRACTICE SENTENCES (MODEL BRW-FB-US1)

   Literary Braille Practice Sentences, model BRW-FB-US1, is a braille training program designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This courseware package is designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry). The package contains worksheets that allow students to review and practice reading braille letters, punctuation, and contractions. The literary braille contractions are introduced sequentially, and the student is never asked to use a contraction until it has been introduced. This package contains 122 pages. Worksheets are placed on the pressure-sensitive platform of the SAL. The student is asked to find each occurrence of a given letter, punctuation, or contraction on the page and press it. A spoken message after each press indicates whether the student's response is correct. A score is given after each page is completed. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk.

8. PLEASURE OF EATING FOR THOSE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, THE (MODELS PE1, PE2, & PE3)

   "The Pleasure of Eating for Those Who are Visually Impaired" is a manual on eating skills for blind and low vision individuals. The booklet contains practical suggestions and ideas on mastering eating skills collected by the author over many years. The booklet is available in Braille (model PE1, $12.95), large print (model PE2, $6.95), or audio cassette (model PE3, $6.95).

9. PRACTICE WORKSHEETS IN BASIC MATH (MODELS B5 & LT5)

   Practice Worksheets in Basic Math are math worksheets in Braille and Large Print designed to help Braille users acquire automatic recall of basic math facts. Each volume contains 150 worksheets and each set (Braille, model B5, or large print, model LT5) includes four volumes. The basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication or division are introduced systematically and periodic review is provided. SUM-IT covers single digit addition with sums to 18. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE covers minuends to 18 and single digit differences. GOOD TIMES covers multiplication facts through 9. DIVIDE AND CONQUER covers single digit divisors with dividends to 81.

10. SAL2

    SAL2 is a braille reading tutorial program designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This software is designed for use with the Talking Tactile Tablet from Touch Graphics, Inc. (see separate entry). The program helps students acquire new braille skills and enhance their braille reading and writing. Students place a paper braille worksheet on the TTT, then a "virtual instructor" provides encouraging audio feedback as students work their way through the lessons. Students work at their own pace and may repeat lessons as many times as necessary. The system records student performance and provides a teacher report on individual student activities as well as an overview of student progress. Using a main menu, teachers and students select lessons to work on, place or go to bookmarks, or make adjustments to settings, such as speech rate and pitch, volume, or touch sensitivity. The first available lesson module is the Mangold Braille Reading Program for Young Readers (ages 5 to 12).

11. SEE-THROUGH BUMPON COLLECTION (MODEL STBC1)

    The See-Through Bumpon Collection, model STBC1, is a set of tactile markers designed for use by individuals with blindness or low vision. The set includes 304 clear markers in four sizes for a variety of uses and a list od suggested uses. The smallest dot is somewhat larger than a Braille dot and the largest one is dome shaped and about twice the size of a pencil eraser. The collection also includes one sheet of 56 markers that are flat on top and smaller than a dime in diameter. These dots adhere to any smooth, clean surface and peel off easily when not needed.

12. SENTENCE TRACKING (MODEL BRW3)

    Sentence Tracking, model BRW3, is a braille training programs designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This courseware package is designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry) and contains worksheets that provide practice scanning lines of fully contracted Braille with the goal of improving reading speed and word recognition. The learner must differentiate real words from groups of letters that do not spell words. The package contains 108 pages. Worksheets are placed on the pressure-sensitive platform of the SAL and the student is asked to find each occurrence of a given word on the page and press it. A spoken message after each press indicates whether the student's response is correct, and a score is given after each page is completed. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk.

13. STARTING GATE SERIES SET 1 (MODELS SGS1, SGS2, SGS3, SGS4, & SGS5)

    The Starting Gate Series Set 1 is a set of five braille books that make up a braille training program designed for use by students who are blind or have low vision. This courseware package is designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry). The five books in this series offer students reading below grade level an opportunity to experience success. Each book contains four short stories on contemporary topics that appeal to young people and adults. Starting with 101 basic words, each story presents new words to be added to the student's reading vocabulary. By the time all five books have been completed, a new vocabulary of 315 words will have been introduced. The books include The New Computer and Other Stories (SGS1), 42 pages; A Boat Ride and Other Stories (SGS2), 44 pages; Up in the Clouds and Other Stories (SGS3), 45 pages; A New City and Other Stories (SGS4), 47 pages; and The Music Store and Other Stories (SGS5), 49 pages. The books are designed to be read in order from SGS1 to SGS5. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk. OPTIONS: Each title is available in contracted and uncontracted braille versions.

14. TOUCH AND COLOR (MODEL TC1)

    Touch and Color, TC1, is a Braille coloring book with raised line geometric shapes accompanied by the color names in Braille. The coloring book is three-hole punched loose leaf.

15. WORD TRACKING HIGH FREQUENCY WORDS (MODEL BRW2)

    Word Tracking High Frequency Words, model BRW2, is a braille training program designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This courseware package is designed to be used with the SAL Speech Assisted Learning System (see separate entry). This training program contains worksheets with exercises on the 500 most frequently used words in the English language in fully contracted (grade 2) braille. The package contains 63 pages. Each page contains a specific braille word for the student to recognize. Worksheets are placed on the pressure-sensitive platform of the SAL. The student is asked to find each occurrence of the word on the page and press it. A spoken message after each press indicates whether the student's response is correct, and a score is given after each page is completed. In addition to barcoded braille pages, each set of SAL courseware includes print copies of the braille pages and one SAL disk.

Products distributed by Exceptional Teaching Inc. (listed alphabetically)

1. POWER CHORD BRAILLE KEYBOARD

   The Power Chord Braille Keyboard is a braille keyboard designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. It enables students to practice their braille writing skills by entering the answers to the SAL2 writing exercises on an electronic braille keyboard. This unit can be used to complete writing exercises set by the SAL2 virtual tutor (see separate entry). The student receives immediate feedback from SAL2 as to the accuracy of their writing and they experience the feel of using an electronic braille keyboard. This unit plugs into the USB port of a computer. No additional cables, drivers or software are needed. The keyboard is laid out like a standard braille notetaker, with six-dot keys, a space bar and two navigation keys. It can also be used for six-key entry of braille in any braille transcription software program, such as Duxbury, MegaDots, or Braille 2000. The keyboard comes with Power Chord Editor, a software application that enables words and characters to be spoken aloud as they are entered on the keyboard in either contracted or uncontracted literary braille. The computer monitor shows the simulated braille on screen and the student can toggle to show the print view. COMPATIBILITY: For use on IBM and compatible or Apple Macintosh computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Personal computers (PC) require Windows 98 or higher operating system. Macintosh requires OS X or higher operating system.

2. TALKING TACTILE TABLET 2

   Talking Tactile Tablet 2 is a tactile graphics display designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This computer peripheral device consists of a touch screen with a hinged weighted frame that holds a tactile graphic sheet in place against the touch-sensitive surface. When the user presses a point on the tactile sheet, the computer provides identifying audio feedback to the user, as a confirmation and elaboration of the information supplied through touching. By this means, complicated tactile figures can be made comprehendible. The frame is built of steel and aluminum and can be opened and closed by a user with limited manual dexterity. The system comes with a bundle of software. COMPATIBILITY: For use on IBM or compatible computers or Macintosh computer. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: USB cable for connecting to a computer.

See Exceptional Teaching Inc. products that are no longer available.