The study investigated ways of increasing reading rates by nine blind adults using the Optacon (Optical to Tactile Converter), a portable reading aid for the blind that converts the image of the printed letter into a pattern of vibrating rods. Ss' reading rates were examined when using instructional materials emphasizing linguistic structure, the cloze procedure, and simultaneous input of auditory information. Data of tape recorded oral reading samples are detailed in separate graphs for each S. Results included that there was a considerable increase in the reading rates for each S from baseline to the end of the intervention; that the overall reading errors were decreased; and that Ss with higher braille reading rates had higher oral reading rates with the Optacon. Extensive appendixes include sample reading passages and exercises. (CL)