Examines, in 30 normal infants from three age groups, differences in exploratory and sucking responses to artificial nipples varying in material and shape. Results suggest the existence of a developmental trend influenced by the type of nipple. Findings support the view that the mouth has a perceptual as well as a nutritive function. (Author/RH)

Four stages in the development of tactual perception are described (awareness of tactual quality, shape conception and recognition, graphic representation, and symbology systems). Educational applications for blind infants and children are given for each stage. (CL)

The studies involving two blind adults evaluated a new system-- Trigemina--that relates visual information to blind persons by tactile stimulation through a matrix of 10 x 10 vibrating rods applied to a postage stamp-sized area of skin over the forehead. (Author/SBH)

The study demonstrates that, with a brief training period, deaf adolescents (N=8) can attain a high level of perceptual performance with a tactual speech system in discrimination of certain hard to lipread word pairs pronounced by both a male and a female speaker. (Author/SBH)

To facilitate appropriate line choice for tactile graphic displays, 42 visually impaired Ss traced four types of tactile lines in a simple display (without intersections), and in a complex display (having intersections). (Author)

Investigated the feasibility of adding haptic and auditory displays to traditional visual geographic information systems (GISs). Explored differences in user performance, including task completion time and accuracy, and user satisfaction with a multimodal GIS which was implemented with a haptic display, auditory display, and combined display.…

Small-set segmental identification experiments were conducted with three deaf-blind subjects who were highly experienced users of the Tadoma method. Systematic variations in the positioning of the hand on the speaker's face for Tadoma produced systematic effects on percent-correct scores, information transfer, and perception of individual…

Many studies in visual face recognition have supported a special role for the right fusiform gyrus. Despite the fact that faces can also be recognized haptically, little is known about the neural correlates of haptic face recognition. In the current fMRI study, neurologically intact participants were intensively trained to identify specific…

This study examined the role of visual imagery in the centripetal execution principle (CEP), a graphic rule that is related to the drawing of complex figures that are composed of embedded geometric shapes. Sighted blindfolded children and children with early-onset low vision and early-onset blindness copied raised-line drawings (using only the…

The authors investigated the mechanical basis of length perception through dynamic touch using specially designed rods in which the various moments of mass distribution (mass, static moment, and rotational inertia) were varied independently. In a series of 4 experiments, exploration style and rod orientation were manipulated such that the relative…

This study shows that in a novel task--bimanual haptic tracking--neurologically normal human adults can move their 2 hands independently for extended periods of time with little or no training. Participants lightly touched buttons whose positions were moved either quasi-randomly in the horizontal plane by 1 or 2 human drivers (Experiment 1), in…

A series of studies on tangible pictures and their application to blind persons are reviewed and possible explanations for the suggestion of depth offered by outline drawings are discussed. Findings from ancient cave and rock art, together with drawings made by blind children and adults suggest that outline drawings contain some elements that are…

In order to test detection thresholds and discrimination for certain speech sounds, 10 individuals received tape recorded programs of speech signals transduced into vibrotactile information. Stimuli were presented to the fingertip, palm, wrist, forearm, and thigh. Results indicated that thresholds of detection could be elicited at all five body…