[AERNet] Braille reading rates of adults who read Braille

[Jody W. Ianuzzi]

Hello everyone,

I was bothered by the expectation that Braille readers could only achieve 
speeds of 60 words a minute, so I asked adults who read Braille how fast 
they read.  I have posted some of their comments below:

These adults are not exceptional, they are average readers who were expected 
to read and who applied themselves.

Here is what they said:


"I don't know my reading rate, but I can tell you that a reading rate
of 60 words a minute will result ijn very low comprehension rates.
That's one word per second. That kind of expectation is a disgrace! I
think I have heard it said that one must reach 150 words a minute for
meaningful comprehension to occur."
- Evelyn

" I usually test out in braille over 200 words
per minute.   I didn't catch the top of this discussion.

One varies the reading speed with the material, I'd say.  But it is
best (is it not) to have a high expectation and try to meet that than
a mediocre one." - P

"I know of people who read three hundred wpm. I've never measured my
reading speed but I can read braille at well over 150 wpm because I know
what that sounds like and I can read as fast as I can speak." - M

"I guess I would ask if the student plans to give presentations/speeches
from his reading medium of choice, and for how long a period the 95 wpm can
be sustained.

I read well over 150 wpm in braille, so that reading aloud from full text
is easy.  But this level of proficiency doesn't come painlessly.  Speed
definitely depends on the material and the purpose for reading it.  I think
there are not many people who can accurately read faster than 250 wpm,
although Dr. Jernigan was one of them.

My wife's  reading speed is close
to mine.  But most of the rest of the braille-readers she works with read 
much
slower.

I think that part of the 60 wpm expectation for children comes from
experience trying to get newly-blind adults to read proficiently.  When
this number is assumed to apply to children also, a self-fulfilling
prophecy ensues." - L

"You are right.  I learned as a  child, started when I was six, and my
reading rate is around 250 words per minute." D

"Early readers seems to have more of an opportunity to become faster 
readers.
Many younger braille readers do not receive the intensive braille
instruction that was once available to blind students. So many educators
don't "get it" that braille is truly important." - W

"I'm enjoying this discussion of Braille
reading speed. Do any of you read with all your fingers at once, or
with both hands at the same time? I've always been a one-fingered
Braille reader,  although I follow the line with the pointer of my
other hand. I wish I'd learned early in life to use all my fingers.

I'm still fairly fast, but don't know if I read as fast as I speak." - C

"I'm a leftie.  but I use 3 fingers on the left hand and three on the
righty as I approach the end of the line.
I used to hold my head up with my right hand; I couldn't understand
why the teacher was so grieved with me--especially because, proud
child that I was, I could read faster than any kid in the class." - P

"I also read with both hands, using my right index finger as my main
reading one and my left index finger to move ahead to the next line to guide
the right index finger. It pays off on my proofreading job. However, right
now, I am mainly proofreading books transcribed in uncontracted Braille,
which slows me down a little. Just my two cents' worth. Talk to you all
soon." - M

"Shalom I use my index fingers on each hand to read.  I was born blind
and learned braille as a youngster.  My reading speed in the eighth
grade was 210 words per minute reading aloud.  I know I read much faster
than that now as a senior adult.

My guess is that after all these many years I am
reading close to 400 words per minute aloud."
 - D

"When I want to, I can go upward of 240.  Yes, by all means,  tell
what you've learned.
There are exercieses out there to relax the arms and shoulders and
give the hands a lighter touch." - P

JODY

"WE MUST BE THE CHANGE WE WISH
TO SEE IN THE WORLD" ~ Gandhi