Braille

Page Contents

1. What is Braille?
2. Having Suppliers Produce Braille
3. Braille and Computers
4. Examples
5. When to Produce Braille
6. Linked References and Resources

1. What is Braille?

Braille is not a language of its own. Rather, it is simply a different way of writing and reading English, French or any other language. Braille is a system of raised dots. Named after its inventor, Louis Braille, the system's basic "braille cell" consists of six dots grouped in two vertical columns of three dots each.

These patterns, identifiable to the touch, represent letters of the alphabet, small words, contractions, numbers and punctuation signs.

There are different grades of braille. "Uncontracted" braille (previously known as Grade 1) is the most basic representation of letters, numbers and punctuation while "contracted" braille (previously known as Grade 2) combines approximately 300 contractions and is the most commonly used. Almost any printed material can be produced in braille including music, mathematics, maps and graphics.

Braille can be sent without charge through Canada Post.

Many people who are blind use voice synthesizers to read computer text. However, braille is often more detailed and accurate and therefore a preference for many people who can read braille.


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2. Having Suppliers Produce Braille

Printed braille can be produced in-house if you have the right software, training and equipment. You will also need a person on staff, or contracted, to proofread braille. This person will need to be a certified transcriber. Using a supplier is likely the most efficient way. Even then, it is recommended you hire an independent, certified braille proofreader to check the quality and accuracy of draft versions prior to final braille printing (just as you would use professional proofreaders to check proofs of conventional printed material).

To produce your publication in braille, provide your supplier with your e-text file via e-mail or on diskette. Using special software, your text file will be converted to braille and then printed out on a braille printer (also known as a braille embosser).

Your supplier will need to know what Grade of braille to produce so this should be an option for people requesting braille using online order forms.

In most cases, your supplier should also ask for a printed copy of the conventional publication to compare formatting. Documents under 20 pages can normally be produced quickly while larger publications can take weeks depending upon their complexity.

The cost of braille production will vary between suppliers and jobs but a typical rate is about $2 per page.


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3. Braille and Computers

Using a supplier to produce printed braille may not always be necessary if your client needs the information quickly and has the computer equipment to convert the e-text file into braille and print a braille copy on their own.

The cost of such equipment is gradually going down and is becoming affordable to more people.

Braille Displays are among the most popular systems to read computer text. The display consists of a narrow row of plastic pins. As the user rests his or her fingers on the display, the pins "pop up" to represent the braille equivalent of the text on the computer monitor.

Increasingly popular are devices that combine braille display with synthesized speech output giving people who are blind faster and more accurate interpretation of the computer screen.


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4. Examples




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5. When to Produce Braille

Printed braille is requested by people who can read braille and want the original braille publication. Even people who have the computer equipment to produce their own braille from an e-text file will order printed braille to have an accurate, permanent braille publication. This is similar to when people order the printed copy of publications that may also be available on the Web and could be printed on a computer printer.


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6. Linked References and Resources

• Braille Authority of North America
  
• Canadian Braille Authority
  
• Canada Post Literature for the Blind
  
• International Braille Research Centre
  

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