Braille Module 30. Transcriber Support Organizations

Transcription

1 Braille Module 30 Transcriber Support Organizations

2 Braille Module 30 Transcriber Support Organizations Summary Goal: The goal is for students to become familiar with the various support organizations in the braille field. SMART Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive By the end of this module, students should be able to: BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. BS30.2: Know where braille writers can be repaired. Instructor: Braille instructor Delivery Method(s): Lecture Hands on Length: 5 hours Seven topics Any Applicable Business and/or Soft Skills? Corresponding LOC Manual: Take Away Message(s): Building your support network is an important task in maintaining a successful business. You may want to hook up with another transcriber who had similar circumstances or you may meet someone new when you get home. Whoever you choose, make sure they are knowledgeable in the braille rules. There are a number of organizations and associations that provide helpful resources for braille transcribers. Learn to seek help early on and you will be a success. Braille Module 30-1

3 Instructor Preparation Title of Module: Transcriber Support Organizations The purpose of this module is to provide the students with an understanding of the various organizations that specialize in braille. Agenda topics to be covered in the module and length of each item Topic: Transcriber Support Organizations Time Allotted: 5 hours A. Braille Authority of North America (30 minutes) B. Braille Transcriber Organizations (1 hour) C. National Braille Press and American Printing House for the Blind (1 hour) D. Library of Congress (30 minutes) E. National Federation for the Blind (30 minutes) F. Repair of Braille Writers (1 hour) G. Schools for the Blind (30 minutes) Materials and Supplies items needed in order to carry out the agenda and classroom activities 1. Computer connected to speakers 2. Handouts: Guidelines for the Production of Braille Materials (30.A.1), National Braille Association Committees (30.B.1) 3. Videos: APH s A Gateway to Knowledge (30.C.1), NBP s Feel the Power of Literacy (30.C.2), AMAC Braille Department Video (30.C.3), Perkins School for the Blind s Repair of the Perkins Brailler videos 1-6 (30.F.1-6). Classroom Preparation steps to follow when setting up the learning environment 1. The room should be arranged to allow comfortable interaction between students, and the instructor during small and large group activities. 2. The classroom should be set up for friendly interaction and peer support. Braille Module 30-2

4 Curriculum Content A. Braille Authority of North America (30 minutes) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) by visiting the website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION Review the mission statement of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) available on the organization s website: Mission The mission of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) is to assure literacy for tactile readers through standardization of braille and/or tactile graphics. BANA's purpose is to promote and to facilitate the use, teaching, and production of braille. It publishes rules, interprets and renders opinions pertaining to braille in all existing and future codes. It deals with codes now in existence or to be developed in the future, in collaboration with other countries using English braille. In exercising its function and authority, BANA considers the effects of its decisions on other existing braille codes and formats; the ease of production by various methods; and acceptability to readers. -BANA The Braille Authority of North America is made up of the member organizations shown below. One representative of each member organization serves on the BANA Board. There are both full and associate members. Current member organizations of BANA are: American Council of the Blind American Foundation for the Blind American Printing House for the Blind Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Braille Institute of America California Transcribers and Educators of the Blind and Visually Impaired The Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Braille Module 30-3

5 National Braille Association National Braille Press National Federation of the Blind National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind (associate member) Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (associate member) T-Base Communications, Inc. (associate member) BANA members work through committees tasked with updating and codes, formats and techniques. The technical committees currently are computer notation, linear braille, literary braille, mathematics, music, and braille formats. Ad hoc committees are also formed, such as foreign language code, tactile graphics, braille signage, and the Unified Braille Code. These committees consist of up to five persons with expertise in their particular field, and are a mix of teachers, transcribers and consumers. BANA depends on feedback from the field to do its work. It is the readers, transcribers, teachers, and producers of braille who are its stakeholders, and from whom suggestions for changes, additions, and clarifications of code and format rules should come. Examples of these guidelines and codes for braille production are also available through the BANA website. Hand out copies of Guidelines for the Production of Braille Materials (30.A.1) to students and then review. B. Braille Transcriber Organizations (1 hour) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the National Braille Association by visiting the website: The instructor should also become familiar with the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. through their website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION Instructors should introduce the National Braille Association to students as a fundamental resource in continuing braille transcription. The organization, founded in 1945, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing continuing education to those who prepare braille, and to providing braille materials to persons who are visually impaired. Braille Module 30-4

6 National Braille Association (NBA) is an international organization with no local units or chapters. All members join as individuals. Many of them work through philanthropic, religious or service groups in their own communities or are professionals in related fields. All serve NBA in a volunteer capacity, including those on the Board of Directors. In addition to having a board of directors, the NBA has various skills committees to help transcribers build their skills. Hand out and discuss the various committees and descriptions described in Handout-National Braille Association Committees (30.B.1). NBA offers twice-yearly professional development conferences at various locations throughout the nation and offers assistance and resources regarding technical braille issues. In addition to offering conferences and workshops to its members, the NBA also provides a subscription to the Bulletin journal which provides transcribers with code updates and tips on braille production as well as discounts on publications. The NBA has several publications including dictionaries and reference manuals for transcribers. California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) is another membership organization which transcribers can join for professional development and to get more acclimated to the Braille world. CTEBVI works to enhance and improve the lives of people of any age who are blind or visually impaired by advocating braille literacy, teaching techniques, and personal independence by offering programs that are new and technically advanced. The organization provides a forum for members to share their expertise through links on the website, through pages of The CTEBVI Journal, the annual Conference, and special workshops. Invaluable person-toperson contacts develop into friendships leading to exchange of information on techniques and resources. The members of this organization include: Transcribers, both volunteer and professional Educators, including resource teachers and itinerant teachers Orientation & Mobility Specialists Rehabilitation counselors and counselor-teachers Administrators, both school and agency Parents of visually impaired children Librarians Paraprofessionals Students, both those learning to work with persons who are visually impaired and those who are visually impaired themselves Many other advocates for the special needs of individuals living with blindness and visual impairment. Braille Module 30-5

7 C. Braille & Accessible Material Producers (1 hour) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the American Printing House for the Blind by visiting the website: The instructor should also become familiar with the National Braille Press by visiting the website: NOTE: All video material is provided on CD. CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION Have students watch American Printing House for the Blind s A Gateway to Knowledge (30.C.1) video. The American Printing House for the Blind promotes independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and services needed for education and life. American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is the world's largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. APH is designated as the official supplier of educational materials to all students in the U.S. who meet the definition of blindness and are working at less than college level. The APH Accessible Textbook Department (formerly the Project ATIC) is the embodiment of the American Printing House for the Blind's (APH) commitment to provide accessible textbooks to students who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to traditional hard copy textbooks, this commitment provides textbooks through ondemand transcription or enlargement as well as in electronic media that can be downloaded from the APH file repository on our website. APH provides Louis, a database that allows teachers, parents, and students to locate thousands of textbooks. Louis contains information on accessible print materials produced by about 160 organizations throughout the United States. These materials include books in braille, large print, audio, and electronic file format. Louis also lists products developed by APH. The APH National Prison Braille Network (NPBN) is a network between prison officials whose goal it is to prepare inmates for reentry into society and vision professionals, Braille Module 30-6

8 who are primarily focused on obtaining accessible educational materials for braille readers. APH strives to maintain and improve communication among network partners by hosting an annual Prison Braille Forum, managing a website, and also by developing written materials to support the contributions being made by both professionals and inmates working in prison braille programs. This annual meeting is an opportunity for NPBN members and people interested in prison braille programs to meet and discuss common challenges. Another large producer of braille materials is the National Braille Press (NBP). The guiding purposes of National Braille Press are to promote the literacy of blind children through braille and to provide access to information that empowers blind people to actively engage in work, family, and community affairs. Have students watch NBP s Feel the Power of Literacy (30.C.2) video. There are many more organizations nationally that produce both braille and other formats that are accessible. One of these producers is the Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC). Have students watch the AMAC Braille Department Video (30.C.3). D. Library of Congress (NLS) (30 minutes) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the National Federation of the Blind by visiting the website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is a program under the Library of Congress that administers the free program that loans recorded and braille books and magazines, music scores in braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment. NLS administers the program nationally while direct service to eligible individuals and institutions is the responsibility of cooperating libraries in the various states. Braille Module 30-7

9 The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress has awarded a contract to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to conduct NLS braille certification programs. The NLS also offers NLS Reference Circulars lists instructional materials, supplies, and equipment currently available for learning braille, and cites sources about braille literacy. This circular also lists volunteer groups, individual transcribers, and nonprofit and commercial organizations that produce braille, recorded, and large-print material for readers who are visually and physically handicapped. One of the most important functions of the NLS is to authorize and issue certifications for braille transcribers and proofreaders. Since 1943, the Library of Congress has ensured that braille transcription is a professional practice. Approximately two hundred transcribers and proofreaders receive certification each year, after completing coursework in literary, music, and mathematics braille transcription. While NLS remains the certifying authority for braille transcribers, the National Federation for the Blind, under contract to the Library of Congress, has administered the program since E. National Federation for the Blind (30 minutes) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the National Federation of the Blind by visiting the website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION The mission of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is to achieve widespread emotional acceptance and intellectual understanding that the real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight but the misconceptions and lack of information which exist. Since its beginning in 1940, the NFB has been working toward the ultimate goal of helping blind persons achieve self-confidence and self-respect, and the complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. The National Federation of the Blind is doing this by providing public education about blindness, information and referral services, scholarships, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances and other adaptive equipment for the blind, advocacy services and protection of civil rights, employment assistance and support services, development and evaluation of technology, and support for blind persons and their families. Braille Module 30-8

10 As mentioned in the previous topic, the NFB administers the coursework for the braille transcriber and proofreader program. Necessary instructional materials are provided free by the NFB Jernigan Institute. The final exercise of the course is a transcription of thirty-five braille pages of material, chosen by the students, usually a portion of a book. Students who prepare manuscripts using a computer must separate and collate the pages. Students submit the final manuscript along with the print text to the NFB Jernigan Institute for scoring the manuscript. Candidates scoring 80 points or above will receive the Library of Congress certificate in literary braille transcribing. Students have three opportunities to submit an acceptable trial manuscript. F. Repair of Braille Writers (1 hour) Objective BS30.2: Know where braille writers can be repaired. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the Perkins School for the Blind by visiting the website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION Most Perkins Braillers which stop working only need to be cleaned and oiled. Have students watch Repair of the Perkins Brailler videos 1-6 (30.F.1-6).These videos provide a step by step guide to the basic maintenance which may be required every few years Do not attempt to do more complex repairs on your own, unless you have been certified to repair Perkins Braillers by attending one of the Brailler Repair workshops offered by the Perkins School. Each Perkins Brailler is under warranty for one year, parts and labor. Should you or your Brailler require additional support, spare parts, or services, there are Authorized Service & Repair Centers for your convenience. Braille Module 30-9

11 There are many other repair places that are available to transcribers should you have problems. G. Schools for the Blind (30 minutes) Objective BS30.1: Demonstrate familiarity with the mission of braille organizations, their structure and what they can provide. PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES The instructor should become more familiar with the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired by visiting the website: The instructor should also become familiar with the Hadley School for the Blind by visiting the website: CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION Independent transcribers may find that much of their business comes through working with various schools for the blind. It is important to recognize some of the potential schools as a resource of employment. Below are two examples of schools: The Hadley School for the Blind as well as the Texas School for the Blind. The Hadley School for the Blind was founded in 1920 by William Hadley and Dr. E.V.L. Brown. The mission of The Hadley School for the Blind is to promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers. Hadley offers courses free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families and affordable tuition courses to blindness professionals. Today, Hadley is the largest educator of people who are blind or visually impaired around the world, serving more than 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and 100 countries. The Hadley School for the Blind relies solely on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to fund its tuition-free programs. The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) serves as a special public school in the continuum of statewide placements for students who have a visual impairment. Students, ages 6 through 21, who are blind, deaf blind, or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, are eligible for consideration for services on the TSBVI campus. TSBVI provides a broad range of instructional programs and specialized instruction, including a residential program, at no cost to students or their families during the regular school year and in summer programs. Students receive instruction that can prepare them for high school graduation, for Braille Module 30-10

12 return to their local school districts, or for transition to further education, training or placement in local communities. Braille Module 30-11

13 Braille Module 30 Transcriber Support Organizations Handouts Braille Module 30-12

14 Guidelines for the Production of Braille Materials Through the Use of Braille Production Software (30.A.1) A Position Statement of the Braille Authority of North America Adopted May 2007 The ability to produce braille materials has become easier through the use of computers, braille production software, and braille embossers. This has resulted in a proliferation of providers who are putting braille materials into the hands of readers. BANA encourages the development of a network of knowledgeable persons as resources, the attendance of braille producers at conferences where braille format and transcription/translation workshops are held, and the acquisition of braille skills for all non-certified transcribers who use software programs to produce braille materials. While the use of braille production software has greatly assisted in the transcription of print and electronic materials into braille, there are considerations and limitations that producers of braille must recognize. All braille materials should be proofread to ensure braille format and accuracy. Braille materials produced by persons who are not certified by either the Library of Congress or the Canadian Braille Authority should be proofread by a knowledgeable person to ensure braille format and accuracy. Materials of a technical nature, such as mathematics, science, computer notation, music, diacritics, phonetics/phonemics, foreign languages, etc. require transcription by a person knowledgeable in these specialized codes and formats. Materials with complex formats, such as tables, financial statements, puzzles, matching columns, etc. require assistance from a person knowledgeable of these specialized formats. Current production software is limited in its ability to produce tactile graphics. Care should be exercised in the selection of the appropriate medium for any tactile graphic. The mission of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) is to assure literacy for tactile readers through the standardization of braille and/or tactile graphics. Its purpose is to promote and to facilitate the uses, teaching and production of braille. It publishes Braille Module 30-13

15 rules, interprets and renders opinions pertaining to braille in all existing and future codes and recommends a code of ethics for braille producers. It deals with codes now in existence or to be developed in the future, in collaboration with other countries using English braille. The Library of Congress and the Canadian Braille Authority certify braille transcribers who demonstrate knowledge of the Literary Braille Code, the Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, and Music Braille Code. The National Braille Association offers a course and examination which can lead certification as a braille textbook transcriber. BANA also provides format guidelines for the production of materials into braille. All materials provided in braille must adhere to the appropriate braille code and format as authorized by the Braille Authority of North America (BANA). These include: English Braille, American Edition, 1994, Revised 2002 (EBAE), the literary braille code Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, 1972 Music Braille Code, 1997 Braille Formats: Principles of Print to Braille Transcription, 1997 BANA publications relating to the braille codes and formats are available for purchase from: American Printing House for the Blind 1839 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY Phone: Website: Workshops and materials are available from: National Braille Association 3 Townline Circle Rochester, NY Phone: nbaoffice@nationalbraille.org Website: California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped 741 North Vermont Street Los Angeles, CA Phone: Website: 30.A.1 Braille Module 30-14

16 There are other organizations that also provide workshops and materials. Persons interested in learning more about certification in braille transcription should contact: Jennifer Dunnam, Manager of Braille Programs Jernigan Institute National Federation of the Blind 1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, Maryland Phone: Website: or CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 3E8 Phone: # Website: For further information regarding the Braille Authority of North America, contact the BANA Chairperson: Judy Dixon, Chairperson Braille Authority of North America 1805 North Oakland Street Arlington, VA Phone: Website: 30.A.1 Braille Module 30-15

17 National Braille Association Committees (30.B.1) Braille Formats Course Develops and implements the self-study NBA Braille Formats Course and conducts the examination leading to certification as a braille textbook transcriber. Computer-Assisted Transcription Makes available information concerning the techniques required for preparing braille with the assistance of a personal computer, and keeps transcribers informed of new developments in the field. Braille Formats/Textbook Committee Makes available to transcribers and instructors of braille transcribing interpretations and usage based on rules contained in the official braille codes as they pertain to the transcription of textbook materials. Distance Learning Train braille transcribers via as they prepare for Literary Certification. Foreign Language Makes available to transcribers and instructors of braille transcribing interpretations and usages based on rules contained in the official braille codes as they pertain to the transcription of foreign languages. Literary Braille Makes available to transcribers and instructors of braille transcribing interpretations and usages based on rules contained in the official braille code as they pertain to literary braille transcription. For Computer Braille Code questions, contact Betsy McBride, Committee Member Mathematics, Science and Computer Notation Braille Makes available to transcribers and instructors of braille transcribing interpretations and usages based on rules contained in the official braille codes as they pertain to the transcription of mathematics and science texts, including the special formats, tables and figures in such texts. For Chemistry Code questions, contact Betsy McBride, Committee Member Music Braille Makes available to transcribers and instructors of braille transcribing interpretations and Braille Module 30-16

18 usages based on rules contained in the official braille codes and all subsequent materials approved by the Braille Authority of North America as they pertain to the transcription of music. Tactile Graphics Makes available information concerning the equipment and techniques required for production of tactile graphics, and keeps tactile graphics producers informed of good practice and new developments in the field. 30.B.1 Braille Module 30-17