Bringing Braille into the Computer Age : Carrying on the Torch

by Richey, Robert J.

• ISBN13: 9781468584752
• ISBN10: 1468584758
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-30
• Publisher: Textstream

Summary

Recently this Writer received information from a local Center for the Blind concerning the present method of converting a book into Braille. The Staff of this particular Center for the Blind had converted a Biology text book into Braille. Nine books had been ordered. These nine books in Braille were intended to enable nine students to read along with sighted pupils in the same class. Each of the nine book orders of 43 volumes consisted of 3601 pages. Thermoform copies of each page had to be made. After they had been created they had to be punched and labeled. The nine orders were then shipped to the customer. The charges for the Order came to $763.20. To prepare each of the nine sets of 43 books took the volunteers from January 6, 2003 until February 26, 2003. This time did not take into account other work the Transcribers performed at home. Within the pages of this book one will find the following: 1. A revised simplified Braille and a Reverse Braille for transcribing Braille. Easy to learn and easy to use. 2. A proposal and design for a dynamic Reader where any book; textbook or other, can be loaded from a CD and read directly in the Revised Braille. 3. The fascinating Story of how the Louis Braille Code came to be written.

Excerpts

The Braille System itself consists of six squares. These squares are arranged in a grid which is two squares wide and three squares high. With this simple arrangement there are 63 combinations of raised dots. Also, in addition, over time, 189 contractions have been developed and used. Such a simple basic system has had an incredibly complex system superimposed on it. There are several grades of Braille. Number one grade is Louis Braille's basic system. Grade two was developed in England, and in 1932 it was adopted as the Braille of choice for all English speaking nations. The biggest drawbacks for Braille are that it is bulky and it is necessary to print on thick paper or plastic sheets. A Braille press, writer, computer printer or a manual slate and a stylus is needed to write Braille. As stated earlier, the raised dots are sensed by the individuals using finger tips. Both hands are required, one hand must be used to do the actual reading, and the other hand is used in helping the reader keep his place. The average reading speed by those skilled in this sort of thing is about 104 words per minute. Some exceptionally skilled readers of Braille, who specialize in reading with both hands, have been able to read at 200 words per minute. According to the information available, Braille does not serve all persons with sight and/or sound impairment. Some have enough vision to still read with instruments that greatly enlarge the words. Others do not have enough sensitivity in their finger tips that is due to a number of health reasons or otherwise. Also, many individuals rely on books that have been recorded on Audio CD's etc. However, in the parts of the world where money is scarce Braille still thrives due to necessity.