FROM THE BRAILLE SYSTEM TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES – REFLECTIONS ON INFORMATION LITERACY OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

The key interdisciplinary phenomena of the information society include information culture and information literacy that form it, as well as the information environment. The information society is characterized by its specific social stratification; one’s location in it is conditioned by information competence, while this in turn is determined by the level of information education. The subject of interest of contemporary typhlopedagogy is the preparation of people with visual disabilities for inclusive functioning in a knowledge-based society. These considerations have covered the basic conditions for the full-fledged presence of people with visual disabilities in the information world, i.e. the use of alternative materials (the Braille system, typhlographics and audio description), the use of information and communication technologies as well as assistive technologies. The reflections referred to the situation of education and the rehabilitation of visually impaired persons in Poland deriving typhlopedagogical attitudes and theoretical and practical postulates.