Abstract:

I have developed a system to learn the Japanese kanji writing for a visual impaired student using a haptic interface and voicing speech. The system is aimed at repeated self-learning of writing a balanced Japanese kanji without help of other people. It is a common practice for student with visual impairment to use tactile adaptations such as raised maps, speech access, use of real objects and materials. It is difficult to recognize the detailed shape of objects and materials by using these tactile devices. Furthermore, without the Japanese character background have significant difficulties of learning kanji. Japanese kanjis have complicate stroke constructions and it is made up of several components. To solve these issues, I proposed the Hitugaku support methods using to handwriting and voicing speech of components information. By using the Histugaku created with this system, we conducted the Kanji writing experiment with two blind participants. As the result, it was proven that they were able to repeated self-learning of writing a balanced Japanese kanji without a guide and Japanese character background.

Keywords:

Handwriting, student with visual impairment, hitsugaku, tactile devices, Kanji writing.