Braille

Braille is a tactile code embossed onto heavy paper, providing a format for people with a vision impairment to read and write.  Each Braille cell is composed of a combination of dots within a six-dot matrix (two columns and three rows), and represents a letter or number.

Experienced Braille readers often use contractions, or abbreviations of words (Grade II Braille).  This helps to reduce the bulk of long texts. 

For people who are deaf-blind, Braille is critical for reading text and accessing computers.  Refreshable Braille displays are available to convert electronic text to Braille.  Braille embossers and translating software are also available to ‘print’ Braille from computerised text.

Resources on Braille

Grade One Braille for Sighted People

Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind

http://www.rvib.org.au/

This training tool can be purchased on compact disk.

w        What is Braille?

Association for the Blind WA

http://www.abwa.asn.au/resources.html

This site gives an overview of Braille and a free download of Braille font.

Preparing files for Braille embossing

This list of tips is based on information from the resources listed below, and from those working in the field.

1.                Convert symbols, icons and other abbreviations to text

2.                Put the ‘number’ (#) sign in front of numbers so that the translation software converts numbers accurately.

3.                Do not include extra blank lines in your text.  Indicate new paragraphs with the use of one tab.

4.                Determine what commands the Braille software reads from your word-processed version.  Typical commands include: centre, tab, indent, (hard) return, and page break.

5.                Convert columns to continuous text.  Tables and graphics need to be converted to text.

6.                Eliminate the use of stylistic factors such as bold type, underlining, and special symbols.  Italics are the only stylistic format that typically translates into Braille.

7.                Use both upper and lower case letters in words; the use of all upper case, for example, doubles the pages or space needed for Braille.

8.                Convert any bullets (s) in the text to an asterisk (*) or a hyphen (-).

Resources on preparing files for Braille embossing

Guidelines for the Formatting of Braille material

Roundtable on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.

http://www.e-bility.com/roundtable/

These guidelines for transcribers of Braille material aim to ensure uniformity without too much rigidity within the Braille environment, and can be purchased for a low cost.

Transcribing with Duxbury

High Tech Center Training Unit

http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/tutmain.htm

This manual describes how to use Duxbury transcription software to emboss Braille documents. 

Guidelines for Producing Instructional and other printed material in alternate media for people with disabilities

California Community Colleges

http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/ss/disabled/attachments/ampd.pdf

These comprehensive guidelines include an appendix on formatting Braille documents.

Braille production services

The VET Disability Support Service (VDSS) has a Braille embosser and relevant software, and can arrange for Braille transcription.

The Vision Resource Centre of Yeronga Institute of TAFE [http://www.yeronga.tafe.qld.gov.au/about/campuses/annerley.shtml] can also produce Braille of educational materials (Phone 07 3895 8076).

Tactile Graphics

Tactile graphics help people with a vision impairment understand graphical information.  Graphics are be copied onto special paper using an embosser that creates raised line graphics.

The VET Disability Support Service (VDSS) has a Pictures in a Flash (PIAF) machine that can produce tactile graphics.  The PIAF uses heat sensitive paper to produce raised areas where there are lines or marks on a photocopy.
 

Resources on Tactile Graphics

Web-based teaching: Communicating Technical Drawings with the Vision Impaired

Swinburne University of Technology

http://opax.swin.edu.au/~303207/OZeWAI20031.html

This paper describes how an information technology student and his teachers worked on making a visual communication tool accessible to a person with a vision impairment.

Creating Tactile Graphics

High Tech Center Training Unit

http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/trainings/manuals/tutmain.htm

This guide is available as a PDF file. 

Other tactile resources

Other useful resources include:

• Dymo Brailler available from the Queensland Blind Association (http://www.qba.asn.au) for around $80

• Raised craft paints can be useful for marking keyboards, microwave buttons, and so on.

For more important information on converting materials, go to:

What to consider when converting materials in accessible formats (CD)