Some people with vision impairments read Braille, some do not. When documents are more than several pages, Braille readers may prefer the same material on disk rather than in Braille. For short documents such as workshop agendas and checklists, Braille is preferable because it provides the user the same information at the same time as everyone else.
There is likely more than one vendor in your area that produces Braille materials. Costs vary, with turnaround time being a key factor. The list below will help you get started in finding a vendor, with a focus on vendors in the United States.
Where to Find Transcription Service Vendors
How to Produce Braille
http://www.rnib.org.uk/expedio/groups/documents/publicwebsite/
public_printdesign.hcsp
This web page, produced by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (United Kingdom), provides guidelines on creating materials in Braille. At the end is a listing of Braille equipment distributors and Braille transcription service providers in the UK.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/index.html
The Library of Congress produced a directory of transcription service vendors.
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
http://www.nfb.org/
The NFB provides a nationwide listing of transcription service vendors for documents and for signs. This listing includes approximate costs, turnaround times, and types of materials each vendor transcribes.
What Vendors Will Need to Convert Your Materials to Braille
Some vendors work from a computer disk, others from printed copy. Note that the cost may be less if you provide documents in an electronic format. Either way, give them printed versions of the documents to demonstrate layout and format. Ask vendors to write the titles of each document transcribed in regular print on each Braille copy. With this label a sighted person also will be able to identify the documents.
Links Related to Braille
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
http://www.acb.org/resources/braille.html
The ACB provides information on the history, use, and current research on Braille. This page also lists some Braille transcription service providers.
Braille Authority of North America (BANA)
http://www.brailleauthority.org
The BANA provides standards for Braille and tactile graphics. The page on the definition of Braille provides helpful graphics helping explain Braille coding.
Liz Gray's Braille Transcribing Page
http://www.brailler.com/mobrl.htm
Liz Gray is a Braille transcriber certified by the Library of Congress. Here she explains some Braille basics, including the different kinds of Braille.
This web site is not intended to offer legal, architectural, engineering, or similar professional advice. Refer specific questions to an attorney or an ADA authority.
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