Accessible Test

Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement

Braille Adaptation

(Completed)
Purpose

To make this widely used Psycho educational Assessment instrument available in braille/tactile format

Project Staff

Barbara W. Henderson, Project Leader

Lynne E. Jaffe, Ph.D., Learning Disabilities and Reading Specialist, Project Consultant

Carol Anne Evans, Ph.D., School Psychologist, Farmington, UT Schools, Project Consultant

Lana McClurg, M.A., TVI (deceased), Arizona Schools for the Deaf & Blind, Project Consultant

Dena Garrett, Accessible Media Editor, Project Advisor

Nancy Etter, Braille Transcriber

David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist

BISIG Impact Group, Design and Layout
Background

The Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ-III) Tests of Achievement are widely known and trusted, and commonly used to assess academic strengths and weaknesses in children and adults. More than any other single title, practitioners in the field of visual impairment have expressed their desire to have APH provide an adaptation of the Woodcock-Johnson for braille readers. The WJ continued to be identified by recent focus groups, workgroups, and in assessment surveys as one of the top three needed tests alongside Brigance Green (CIBS-R) and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). WJ-III was brought forward as a project in 2001 in preparation for publication of the 2001 revision. Copyright permissions were sought from the publisher and a search for qualified consultants was carried out.

Written permissions arrived in FY 2003. Consultants were hired, prototypes of three of the tests were developed, and field testing/expert review was carried out in nine locations across the country. Braille transcription was ongoing for the remaining tests and review of the braille was performed by the consultant(s) and project leader as each was completed.
When field test/review results came back, the PL analyzed reviews and initiated appropriate revisions. Review and revision occurred between FY 2004 and FY 2005. Revised braille tests were then reviewed by the consultants.
The PL and BISIG collaborated to design cover art and regular print product components. Work in this area continued through FY 2006.
Writing of the Examiner’s Manual for the Braille Edition and the Supplemental Manual for the Braille Edition was finished in early FY 2007. In the same period, the project consultant conferred with the author, Dr. Richard Woodcock, who became very interested in the edition for braille/tactile readers. He proposed substituting certain “equivalent” tests for existing tests in the WJ III, so that all clusters would remain intact. In this manner, no parts of the test would be inaccessible to persons who are visually impaired. Additionally, Dr. Woodcock offered to furnish a special Compuscore CD for the braille adaptation as his contribution to the project. A teleconference was held with Riverside Publishing staff and the staff of the Woodcock-Munoz Foundation in Olympia, WA, to discuss the compuscore programming. During this timeframe, the project leader and the project consultant began work on the new test items from Dr. Woodcock with the assistance of APH braille transcribers.
In FY 2008, the project leader and consultant facilitated creation of the Test Record for the Braille Adaptation. Programming on the special compuscore CD began and was completed by Woodcock-Munoz Foundation staff, and Quality Assurance was carried out by outside contractors with the assistance of the Woodcock-Munoz Foundation. The PL worked closely with the programmers at the Woodcock-Munoz Foundation and the project consultant to supply information and content for the software program and packaging; a desktop icon was designed for the special software program; new cover artwork was designed by BISIG for the software splash screen and packaging. The PL and transcriber continued to work on development of the new braille tests from Dr. Woodcock and made revisions on existing tests.
Work During FY 2009

Revisions and new transcription of tests were finalized in the first quarter of FY 2009. The PL worked with Technical Research staff to complete templates for the print component of the braille tests and with the consultant and BISIG Impact to finalize content on product manuals. Availability was promised for the end of September 2009.

The PL and staff began planning training workshops and informational web casts on the WJ III braille adaptation targeted at school psychologists and test administrators. The first training will occur in Phoenix, AZ, as a National Instructional Partnership (NIP) Event in FY 2010, with Lynne Jaffe presenting a two day session on Administering and Scoring the WJ III Tests of Achievement—Braille Adaptation.
It is only through the kind permission and cooperation of Riverside Publishing, the dedication and contributions of test author Dr. Richard Woodcock, the steadfastness of our chief consultant Lynne Jaffe, and the willing partnership and good work of staff at the Woodcock-Munoz Foundation that this historic equivalent version of the Woodcock-Johnson III: Tests of Achievement in braille has become a reality. The Compuscore and Profiles Program and the accessible version of the achievement batteries will be usable by school psychologists and test administrators across the country in order to more accurately assess the abilities of students who are blind or visually impaired.

Research Department

Ralph E. Bartley, Ph.D.

Director

Adult Life

Adult Life Needs

(Ongoing)
Purpose

To develop adult life products and services that are affordable, user-friendly, and consumer driven and that address the diverse needs of the blind and visually impaired population

Project Staff

Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Project Leader

Carol Roderick, Research Assistant
Background

Product development in the area of Adult Life was initiated at APH in the summer of 1998. The first products derived specifically from this effort were made available during FY1999. Product research along with consumer and professional networking has continued to characterize the development of products for adults.

Work during FY 2009

APH Adult Life products and their applications to specific populations were presented by the Adult Life Project Leader at the following venues: Annual Conference of the Association of Southeastern Rehabilitation Teachers and the MidAmerica Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers, Birmingham, Alabama, November, 2008; American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 89th Annual Conference Expo, Houston, Texas, April, 2009. Information about specific products under development is provided in the remainder of this section.

Work planned for FY 2010

Investigation and development of new products for adults will continue. The Adult Life Project Leader will continue to seek input from the field by networking with APH Ex Officio Trustees and consumer and professional groups. Focus groups will be conducted as needed.