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TRANSCRIPT
CTEBVI JOURNAL
WINTER 2012-13 Volume LIV, No. 3
• President’s Message Scholarships, Conference, JOURNAL goes virtual, and more . . . pg. 4
• Ann Kelt Lifetime Achievement Award . . . pg. 9
• 2013 Conference News . . . pg. 6
• Membership Renewal . . . pg. 8
• Looking for new JOURNAL Editor . . . pg. 11
• UEB News . . . pg. 12
And LOTS of great Specialists’ Articles . . . starting on pg. 14
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THECalifornia Transcribers and Educators
for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1
Message from the Editor
Conference time is just around the corner. Once again, if you are able to volunteer your time to be on a committee or monitor a workshop, please contact the respective committee chair (contact information online).
UEB is the hot topic right now. You can read all about in the BANA press release and Sue Reilly’s article found on pages 12-13.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Be sure to read the President’s message regarding the JOURNAL going virtual only. You can read all about the whys for this decision on pages 4 and 8.
And, last but not least, Braille Challenge is on its way. Teachers and students, please visit the website for regionals in your area, and to register to participate in this great event. You can also get contest descriptions and download practice contests. www.braillechallenge.org Enjoy and have fun!!
Safe and Happy Holidays to you all. See you at Conference.
Marcy Ponzio
2
EditorMarcy Ponzio
Layout EditorKevin McCarthy
Print ProofreaderCath Tendler-Valencia
Braille TranscriptionContra Costa Braille Transcribers
EmbossingTranscribing Mariners
The CTEBVI JOURNAL is published three times a year by the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc., 741 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90029. ©2012 by California Transcribers
and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. except where noted. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the consent of the publishers.
Editorial office for the CTEBVI JOURNAL and all other CTEBVI publications is:
Marcy Ponzio, CTEBVI PublicationsBraille PublishingBraille Institute of America741 N. Vermont AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90029-3594Email: [email protected]
Phone: (323) 666-2211 (For MESSAGES ONLY and recorded information about2013 CTEBVI Conference)
Deadlines for submission of articles:
Spring Issue:April 18, 2013
Fall Issue:August 8, 2013
Winter Issue:November 9, 2013
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
3
CTEBVI JOURNALWINTER 2012-13 Volume LIV, No. 3
What’s Inside:
President’s Message .................................................................................... 4Gifts and Tributes & Contribution Form ........................................................ 52013 Conference News
Silent Auction ....................................................................................... 6 AFB Teen Employment Workshop ....................................................... 7
CTEBVI Membership ..................................................................................... 8Announcements ............................................................................................. 9CTEBVI JOURNAL Editor ............................................................................ 11
Special Articles:BANA Press Release – UEB ........................................................................ 12BANA Update – Sue Reilly, CTEBVI Representative to BANA .................... 13
Our Specialists Say:Computer-Generated Tactile Graphics – Jim Barker
Caps and Joins .................................................................................... 14Braille Mathematics – Mary Denault
Fill in the Blank--Punctuation Indicator or Not??? ............................... 16Textbook Formats – Robert Roldan
Transcriber’s Notes .............................................................................. 20Infant/Preschool – Beth Moore and Sue Strafaci
Focusing on Parent to Parent Connections .......................................... 25Business Column – Bob Walling
Braille = What!?! ................................................................................... 26Music in Education – Richard Taesch
Teachers, Transcribers, & Music Readers’ Column ............................. 27
CTEBVI Executive Board and Board of Directors ................................................... 30CTEBVI Committee Chairs ...................................................................................... 31
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President’s Message
The CTEBVI Board of Directors met in the fall at the Burlingame Airport Marriott, the site of our March 2013 conference. One decision we made was to increase the amount of money awardable next year from the Katie Sibert Memorial Scholarship fund. Because we received a large bequest in 2012 and because we know many school districts do not have funds to send transcribers and educators to conference, we want more of our money available for those wanting some financial help. The Katie Sibert form is available on our website, http://www.ctebvi.org/scholarships.htm and needs to be returned to the committee chair by January 31, 2013.
Both the Katie Sibert fund and the Donna Coffee Youth Scholarship fund have been opened up to members outside California. In keeping with our mission to be inclusive of all our members, many of whom live in other states, even outside the country, we felt that the stipulation that the funds be open only to Californians was outdated, obsolete, and needed to be removed. Therefore, we did!
Speaking of conference, our registration packet will be online as of January 1, 2013, so go take a look at it and then sign up! As one of the workshop chairs, I was extremely pleased with the depth and breadth of the proposals. If you want to learn more about iPads and other devises, there is a six-hour, no charge, preconference, hands-on workshop available for a limited number of participants, as well as a second four-hour afternoon preconference workshop. And that doesn’t include the one-class-per-session workshops on various applications, uses, and comparisons of these iOS and Android devices.
For teens, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is presenting an all-day Teen Employment Workshop. Teens will actively participate in activities throughout the day designed to support them in navigating the employment process specific to vision loss. We’re hoping their families will attend our workshops for parents before joining them at the end of the day.
And not to be left out, transcribers have detailed workshops on Braille Formats 2011 which will no longer be optional as of January 2013. Some new presenters and some we haven’t seen in a few years keep the subject matter pertinent and engaging.
Also at the board meeting, CTEBVI decided to make the JOURNAL an online only publication. If all goes according to plan, this will be the last printed JOURNAL. About a third of our membership is already accessing the JOURNAL online. Our membership chair, Judi Biller, sends each of these members an email stating that
the JOURNAL is now available online and gives them a link. See Judi’s announcement in this copy of the JOURNAL for more details. We want to use our funds wisely, not have to raise your membership dues, and reduce our paper consumption. This move will greatly reduce our costliest non-conference expense.
And finally, as most of you will have heard by the time you read this, BANA adopted Unified English Braille (UEB) in November. They will now start an implementation plan. CTEBVI, a BANA member, will be actively involved in the planning of many of the issues going forth. This will be a multi-year endeavor, so most of us will not see any changes for some time (years) to come. But expect this to remain on our radar and eventually change all our lives.
Patty Biasca
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Gifts and Tributes
OUR GRATITUDE AND THANKSTO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT CTEBVI THROUGH GIFTS AND TRIBUTES
General Fund
Lisa GessowMartha PamperinKathleen TalleyJacqueline Wise
Donna Coffee Fund
Jamie Dote-KwanLisa Gessow
Katie Sibert Fund
Jamie Dote-Kwan
Contributions to the CTEBVI Gifts and Tributes Fundwill be used to improve services to persons who are visually impaired.
Your Information for acknowledgment:
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
City: ____________________ State: __________ Zip/Route Code: _________ In honor of: ______________________________________________________
In memory of: ____________________________________________________ May we please know date of death: ________________
Let us know your wishes:
____ Please direct contributions to the KATIE SIBERT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
____ Please direct contributions to the DONNA COFFEE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
All contributions to CTEBVI are tax deductible.
Make checks payable to CTEBVI and mail them to:
CTEBVI Gifts and TributesJudi Biller1523 Krim PlaceOceanside, CA [email protected]
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2013 Conference News
SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT MARRIOTT WATERFRONT1800 OL D BAYSHORE HIGHWAY
BURLINGAME, CA 94010650-692-9100
MARCH 14-17, 2013
CALLING ALL MEMBERS FOR SILENT AUCTION
With each conference, we strive to strengthen our community by bringing together teachers, parents, students and transcribers. We aim to provide them with the most current tools and resources that will help provide children who are blind or visually impaired with the best opportunity to live successful lives.
In order to continue to grow our support of these areas, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider participating by donating an item to our silent auction. The monies raised will go toward equipping “you,” the members of CTEBVI, with the knowledge you’ll need to stay in the forefront of education and advocacy for those with visual impairments.
In the past, we have received a wide range of donations, for example, tickets to sporting events; items from assistive technology companies; gift baskets from other organizations; autographed books; a week’s stay at a resort/personal vacation home, to name a few.
Other suggestions for donations: concert or theatre tickets; autographed memorabilia; a day at the spa; restaurant gift certificates. Monetary donations are also accepted, and will be used to purchase additional items for the auction.
These are just a few ideas for donations. ALL donations are welcome. Every item donated contributes to the success of CTEBVI.
If you are interested in donating an item, please contact Dawn Gross at 805-377-5651 or [email protected], by January 31, 2013.
Thank you for your participation.
Dawn GrossSilent Auction ChairCTEBVI Conference
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CTEBVI & AFB PROVIDE A REALITY CHECK FOR TEENS WITH VISION LOSS
CTEBVI & the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) offer a free one-day employment workshop for teenagers who are blind or visually impaired at the 2013 CTEBVI Conference in Burlingame, CA. The Conference takes place March 14-17, 2013, in close in proximity to the San Francisco airport.
The AFB Teen Employment Workshop will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The AFB Teen Employment Workshop will cover basic self-awareness, pre-employment skills, and strategies on navigating the employment process specific to persons with vision loss. The workshop will be based on content from AFB CareerConnect and the experience of persons with vision loss. Attendees will complete activities and work in small groups on activities designed to support the content. Topics during the workshop will include disclosure, disability statements, job accommodations, interview questions, self-awareness, and more.
The workshop will open to parents, families and guardians at 4 p.m. to provide input on how families can encourage and work with their teenagers for better preparation. Parents, families and guardians will have the opportunity to attend quality sessions during the day provided by the CTEBVI Conference.
So, come, get real, and get ready for employment!
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CTEBVI Membership
WELCOME TO 2013!
As you carry the holiday spirit into the new year, our hope is that you’ll take a moment to reflect and remember what this organization has meant to you over the years. CTEBVI depends on your continued support and participation.
Please check your yellow flyer that you received in October to see if you are a current member. If next to your name it says anything 12 or less, you need to renew your membership!
This will be the last ‘print’ JOURNAL. Beginning with the Spring 2013 JOURNAL, you will receive it virtually with an email giving you the ‘secret’ link to the current issue. All past issues will be available to anyone visiting ctebvi.org. Of course, you
can always print out any articles for which you want hard copies. There will be an option on the website to opt-in to a print copy; watch for that in the near future.Therefore, it is important that you be sure we have your most current email address. This includes LIFE members! Please take a moment to email me at [email protected] so that I have the address where you wish to receive future JOURNALs.
If you are a Life Member or current with your membership, please consider donating to one of the CTEBVI funds.
If you are not current, please consider renewing your membership now, rather than later. Your $50 annual membership is necessary for CTEBVI’s ongoing operation, whether or not you are planning on attending the 2013 Conference.
You can use the membership application on our website, www.ctebvi.org, and renew your membership and/or make a donation online, and can pay by credit card. Here too you can update your information. Life memberships MUST be paid by check only.
CTEBVI cannot survive, grow, and remain a productive organization unless we have your help. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about membership.
Thank you for your past, present, and future interest in CTEBVI, and we look forward to serving your needs for many years to come.
Judi BillerCTEBVI Membership ChairCTEBVI Gifts and Tributes Chair1523 Krim PlaceOceanside, CA [email protected]
9Announcements
ANN KELT AWARDED NBA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
California’s Ann Kelt was the 2012 recipient of the National Braille Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In a presentation at the NBA conference in St. Louis, Ann was recognized for a long list of impressive positions she has held, committees on which she has served, and accomplishments that leave a mere mortal wondering how one person could do so much.
CTEBVI was high on the list. Ann served as a past CTEBVI President, past CTEBVI Conference Chair, and was a frequent presenter up to and including 2012. In 2001 she was awarded the CTEBVI Distinguished Member Award.
She has served on two BANA committees: she was a member of the Formats Technical Committee, the group that rewrote what has became known as Braille Formats 2011, and is chair of the Foreign Language Technical Committee which has submitted Foreign Language Guidelines to BANA and is now in the final stages of the approval process.
Ann is a retired school transcriber, but her retirement did not stop her from transcribing. On the contrary, it allowed her to spend all her available time transcribing, teaching, mentoring, and breathing braille. Within her guild group, Contra Costa Braille Transcribers, she has taught many willing students. Her work with men at Folsom prison was a particular joy to her.
She and Rod Brawley, who was head of the Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and Technology (now Translations) at the California Department of Education at the time, worked closely together and initiated changes that allowed CSMT to deliver properly formatted braille books to students in a timely manner.
Ann, congratulations for an award so justly deserved.
* * * * *MAPS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
The Princeton Braillists announce the publication of Maps of South Carolina, a volume of tactile maps with braille key pages.
For further information, please visit our website at: mysite.verizon.net/resvqbxe/princetonbraillists
Nancy Amick, Co-chair, The Princeton Braillists
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ANNOUNCING THE 2013 CALIFORNIA CHEMISTRY CAMPFOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
Would you like to learn how blind people tackle the very visual subject of organic chemistry successfully? Do you have a general love for science? Do you want to learn how you can do chemistry as a blind person just as successfully as your sighted peers? Do you want to apply the chemistry you learned to food such as olive oil? Are you interested in how blind professionals use science in their careers every day? Then the 2013 California Chemistry Camp is for you!
Come join the National Federation of the Blind of California, the California Association of Blind Students, the Lighthouse for the Blind of San Francisco, the University of California, Davis Chemistry Department, TPG Capital, and up to fifteen blind and low-vision high school students for an Educational, exciting, and Fun-Filled weekend of science!
When: Friday, May 3, 2013 through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Where: Enchanted Hills Camp near Napa, California.Who: Up to fifteen blind high school students ages 14-18 will be selected to
participate.Cost: There is no cost to apply for the program.
If you are interested, please contact Hoby Wedler. [email protected]
* * * * *
FOR SALE
2002 FORMAX Form Burster, model FD 676 (the Big One)$4,000.00 – Terms negotiableRetail Price: $16,000.00 Non-Braille configuration & $26,000 Braille configuration5´ long x 3´ wide x 4´ high
Professionally serviced and maintained by ABM Business Machines, Incorp. 800-472-9292
Has been upgraded to accommodate Braille products, and can be refurbished back to original, non-braille configuration for $2500.00.
Michael [email protected] x101
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CTEBVI JOURNAL Editor
As current editor of the JOURNAL, I have very much enjoyed my service to CTEBVI. Now, as I start a new chapter in my life, it’s time for me to pass on the mantle of editorship and allow someone else this privilege.
This position is open to ANY member of CTEBVI regardless of where you reside. While it isn’t necessary that you have publishing experience, it’s most helpful to have a working knowledge of grammar, be organized, be “persistent” when article submission deadlines come around, and have an eye for detail. You MUST be a CTEBVI member. The editor does receive an honorarium for each issue. Certain aspects of the JOURNAL are set, but there is also room for you to be creative and make it your own.
With only three issues a year, the time needed to produce the JOURNAL is not overwhelming. The benefit is that you’re the first to see every issue!!
As editor, you are automatically an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the CTEBVI board and would attend two board meetings a year.
I am available to work with the new editor on the first issue (and beyond, if necessary) on the process from start to finish, and provide written guidelines and contact information for the current specialists.
If you’d like more information, have questions, or would simply like to discuss this in greater detail, please contact me at:
[email protected](323) 663-1111, Ext. 1394, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time
It’s fun!! You’ll love it.
Marcy PonzioCTEBVI JOURNAL Editor
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PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 2012FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Frances Mary D’Andrea, Chair, Braille Authority of North AmericaPhone: 412-521-5797 Email: [email protected]
BANA Adopts Unified English Braille (UEB) for United States
On November 2, 2012, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) set a new course for the future of braille in the United States (U.S.) when it adopted Unified English Braille (UEB). The motion, which passed decisively, specifies that UEB will eventually replace the current English Braille American Edition and that the U.S. will retain the Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation.
The transition to UEB will not be immediate and will follow a carefully crafted timeline. Implementation plans will be formulated with the input and participation of stakeholders from the consumer, education, rehabilitation, transcription, and production communities. Plans will take into consideration the various aspects of creating, teaching, learning, and using braille in a wide variety of settings. The plans will be designed to provide workable transitions for all involved in braille use and production and to minimize disruption for current braille readers.
UEB is based on the current literary braille code and was developed with input from many people, primarily braille readers, who worked to achieve an optimal balance among many key factors. Those factors include keeping the general-purpose literary code as its base, allowing the addition of new symbols, providing flexibility for change as print changes, reducing the complexity of rules, and allowing greater accuracy in back translation.
Letters and numbers will stay the same as they are in the current literary code. There will be some changes to punctuation, but most will remain the same. Some rules for the use of contractions will change. Nine contractions will be eliminated, and some contractions will be used more often. An FAQ providing more detail about changes is available on the BANA website.
After implementation, the official braille codes for the United States will be Unified English Braille; Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, 1972 Revision and published updates; Music Braille Code, 1997; and The IPA Braille Code, 2008.
More detailed information about UEB and the motion that BANA passed can be found on the BANA website at www.brailleauthority.org.
The Board of BANA consists of appointed representatives from fifteen member organizations of braille producers, transcribers, teachers, and consumers.
The mission and purpose of the Braille Authority of North America are to assure literacy for tactile readers through the standardization of braille and/or tactile graphics. BANA promotes and facilitates the use, teaching, and production of braille. It publishes rules, interprets, and renders opinions pertaining to braille in all existing 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.
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BANA UPDATESue Reilly, CTEBVI Representative to BANA
BANA UPDATE, WINTER 2012-2013
At the Fall 2012 Annual Meeting, the organizations and agencies that make up the board of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) voted to adopt Unified English Braille (UEB). UEB will eventually replace English Braille American Edition as the literary braille code in the United States. The Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation will be retained.
Please read the press release regarding UEB in this edition of the CTEBVI JOURNAL. Note that the transition will not be immediate and will follow a carefully crafted timeline. Please consider actively participating in the transition process. It is important for everyone in the braille community — students, adult braille readers, TVIs and transcribers — to provide input.
The BANA website at www.brailleauthority.org contains a number of documents related to UEB. Please take some time to review the Frequently Asked Questions. It has clear and concise information about reasons for code change and what is (and isn’t) changing. If you are so inclined, there are some sample documents to read in UEB (either by embossing the documents or by reading in simbraille.) For those of you who want to get into specifics, the Rules of Unified English Braille is available, as well as some tutorials and other resources. Check back frequently for updates.
If you would like further information, please contact me at [email protected].
14
Computer-Generated Tactile GraphicsJim Barker, CTEBVI Computer-Generated Tactile Specialist
CAPS AND JOINS
To make “clean” joins and ends of lines when using Adobe Illustrator, you should be familiar with Caps and Joins.
If you don’t already have the STROKE panel open, you’ll find it under WINDOW on the Menu Bar. If it doesn’t look like this, make certain “Show Options” is selected in the panel menu in the upper right-hand corner of the panel.
The top row holds the three different types of Caps: Butt Cap, Round Cap, and Projecting Cap. The bottom row holds the three different types of JOINS: Miter Join, Round Join, and Bevel Join.
These three lines are actually all the same length and they show the three different types of Caps. On the left is the Butt Cap, which chops off the stroke at the ends. If you viewed these in the outline (or wireframe) view, all three lines would look this length. The center line is the Round Cap, which extends the stroke past the ends with semicircular ends. (The radius of each semicircle equals half the stroke weight.) And on the right is the Projecting Cap, which extends the stroke past the ends with squared ends. (The amount of each extension equals half the stroke weight.)
Open the STROKE panel
The Caps and the Joins
Caps
15
All three of these lines are 4pt strokes, but the top two are 12pt dashed using Butt Cap (top) and Projecting Cap. The bottom line is using the Round Cap with 0pt dash and 8pt gap, a very effective way to make a dotted line.
This is how the three different Caps affect two separate lines when they are joined. You can see that the Round Cap would be the better choice.
Here are examples of the three different Joins (where a straight line changes direction or turns a corner): The Miter Join (left) causes the outside corner of the stroke to come to a sharp point; at the center, the Round Join causes the outside corner of a stroke to come to a rounded or smooth curve; and on the right, the Bevel Join cuts off the corner so that the width of the stroke is the same at the bevel as on the rest of the stroke.
How Caps Affect Dashes
Joining Separate Lines
Joins
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Braille MathematicsMary Denault, CTEBVI Mathematics Specialist
FILL IN THE BLANKPUNCTUATION INDICATOR OR NOT???
In fill in the blank exercises, how do you know when the punctuation indicator is needed? There are guidelines in the Nemeth Code to answer this question.
Nemeth Code Section 37. Use of the punctuation indicator: Subject to the provisions of Section 38, the punctuation indicator must be used before a punctuation mark and after any symbol of the type listed below. In all these circumstances, the mode of punctuation is considered to be mathematical.
iv. After a dash or ellipsis, when these occur in a mathematical context. When the nature of the context is in doubt, the punctuation indicator is used.
vi. After the general omission symbol.
• The example below shows a period after the ellipsis. The context is mathematical, a punctuation indicator is needed.
#1_4 ,DESCRIBE ! RULE (! FOLL[+ SEQU;E4 ,!N F9D ! NEXT T]M4 #1, #4, #16, #64 ----, '''_4
• This example only has word choices for answers, the punctuation indicator isn’t used here.
• This is an example with the omission symbol:
#4@*7 .K =_4
• An example of whether the context is in doubt occurs when there are a mix of mathematical symbols and words as answer choices. In the example below, the punctuation indicator is needed after all answer blanks. Selectively using the punctuation indicator would indicate an answer to your reader.
#22_4 ,MULTIPLE ,*OICE $[ ,X IS ----4 (20) ;,A ,ACUTE ;,B ,OBTUSE ;,C ,"R
• The punctuation indicator is not used in the example below. This is a series of vocabulary exercises where the answers are words.
18
• The punctuation indicator is needed here; the directions say to form an equation.
19
Textbook FormatsRobert Roldan, CTEBVI Textbook Formats Specialist
BRAILLE FORMATS 2011: TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
One of the changes to the Braille Formats 2011 code that transcribers will utilize often in the transcription of braille materials is transcriber’s notes. These changes to how we handle transcriber’s notes will require transcribers to master the new techniques that affect several areas of the braille code. To assist you in your understanding of these significant changes, I have provided some of the rules that are spread throughout the code with explanations and examples taken directly from the Braille Formats Principles of Print-to-Braille Transcription, 2011 manual.
T pages
Although the new T pages are not technically transcriber’s notes, they are a form of additional information that is being added to the text, which is why they no longer carry a P page number. By labeling these pages of additional information with a T page number, readers are able to discern that this material is additional information given by the transcriber to assist them in their understanding of the braille transcription.
• 2.2.1 Transcriber-generated pages include information added for the braille reader and are inserted in the following order:
Title page
Second Title page(s)
Special Symbols page
Transcriber’s Notes page a. These pages do not have print page numbers. b. Braille page numbers are preceded by the letter t, e.g., t1, t2, etc. c. Several titles of a series may be bound together by the publisher, with individual title pages, ISBNs, etc. A title page, and a second title page if necessary, is inserted before the beginning of each title. Each new title page begins with braille page t1.
Transcriber’s Notes Page
In the past, when special formats were used and they occurred intermittently in a volume, the Braille Formats code did not clearly define when something needed to be placed on the Transcriber’s Notes page or to braille them where they occurred in the text. In the new code this ambiguity has been removed by the following rule change.
• 2.6.1 This page identifies special formats or usage throughout the volume. If a special format or usage occurs more than once in a volume, include it on the Transcriber’s Notes page.
Examples: 1. When italics are used for all paragraph headings throughout a book that has the same font attribute, this change would be noted on the Transcriber’s Notes page because it would occur throughout the volume.
2. When words preceding page numbers are changed to an appropriate uppercase letter, e.g., change Reference 1 to R1, this change would be noted on the Transcriber’s Notes page because all of the pages in the volume would be affected by the change to the print text.
20
Definition of a Transcriber’s Note
The new definition of a transcriber’s note has broad sweeping ramifications on how we handle several formats in braille. The new definition, shown below, means that many of the captions, headings, and simple insertions that we added without identifying them are now going to have to be enclosed in transcriber’s note symbols. This change was made so that the reader would be able to clearly discern when the material is part of the original text or is material being added by the transcriber.
• 3.1.1 Any wording not shown in the print text and inserted by the transcriber is treated as a transcriber’s note. The notes should be as brief as possible, with appropriate grade-level vocabulary, and grammatically correct when full sentences are used. Sentence structure and word choice are dictated by the grade level of the material. Use of full sentences is not necessary in all transcriber’s notes.
This rule directly affects the way that we transcribe an illustration when it is not-identified in print by a label/identifier. In these situations, the transcriber must add the appropriate identifier, Photograph, Caption, Figure, etc.–enclosed in transcriber’s note symbols. The word content, either a print caption or a transcriber-generated description, must follow the closing transcriber’s note symbol on the same line after the identifier (See Rule 6.2.2b). When an image requires a description, the
description will be enclosed in a transcriber’s note beginning on the next line following the caption. This note will begin in cell 7 and runover to cell 5(See Rule 6.3.1).
Example 6-3: Illustration with Description and Caption
,',picture,' _.,views _.( _.ang] ,h[ wd ea* ( psy*ology's levels ( analysis expla9 :at's go+ on "h8 ,',a ref]ee is sep>at+ two a?letes1 :o >e >gu+ & po9t+ f+]s at ea* o!r4,'
21 • 3.2.3 Embedded Transcriber’s Notes. An embedded transcriber’s note is seven words or fewer and may be shown within the text or standing alone, e.g., used as a heading.
This new note format is one of the most exciting changes to transcriber’s notes. By keeping your notes concise you will be able to indicate things that occur in the print text at the point that they happen rather than several sentences before or after the related text. The embedded note also allows transcriber’s to clearly define a new symbol, or material that cannot be reproduced in braille, at the point that it occurs. The following are a few examples of how to use an embedded transcriber’s note.
Examples: Many textbooks use pictures in exercises in place of words. An embedded transcriber’s note with a brief description can be used in material that is partially or totally pictures.
Example 10-33: Embedded Picture TN in Sentence
,! ,'butt]fly,' flew s\? =! w9t]4
,! $hg ,'h\rglass,' repres5ts pass+ "t4
Embedded transcriber’s notes are also useful for indicating the number of answers to be given in an exercise.
#a4 ,li/ ! 3t95ts4 ,'#g answ]s,'22
In matching exercises we add an appropriate cell-5 heading gleaned from the text when there are no print headings. These headings are now inserted by enclosing them in transcriber’s note symbols using an embedded note format.
,',"n,' #a4 ,pr9ce ,h5ry
,',/ate;t,'a4 0 ! f/ man 6sail 6! tip ( ,africa f ,Europe
Formatting Changes
While many of the transcriber’s notes formatting rules have remained the same, several of the rules have changed. This new formatting will ensure that the transcriber’s note directly reflects the changes to the layout of the print text that will follow the transcriber’s note. These changes allow the braille reader to directly associate the information conveyed in the transcriber’s note with the text that follows. By reviewing the following rules and examples you will be able to properly format transcriber’s notes according to the new Braille Formats 2011 Code.
• 3.2.1 c. Do not insert blank lines before or after a transcriber’s note unless required by other formats, e.g., headings, lists, poetry, etc.
• 3.2.2 Transcriber’s Notes. A standard transcriber’s note is in 7-5 and provides information to the reader before the affected text.
The two most common mistakes made with transcriber’s notes are placing blank lines before or after them when they are not needed and placing them in the wrong location. Remember, a transcriber’s note is used to inform the reader, so it should come before the material that it explains. This format allows the reader to be able to follow the braille transcription without trying to figure out what you have done. Since it is related to the material that it explains, a blank line is not used unless required by other formats.
,',! ^ws 2l ! s5t;es >e plac$ 9 p>5!ses af ! d\# da%4,',! %op ---- 7sell7 b1uti;l kites4
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,',r$ ^ws >e 9 italics & blue ^ws >e 9 bold4,'#a4 ,! sun .w soon .h _.4appe>$ 2h ! cl\ds4#b4 .,c y _.see any blue sky8
• 3.3.2 Identifications of two or more abbreviations or symbols are listed in 1-3, preceded and followed by a blank line. The closing transcriber’s note indicator follows the last item.
This is a change to the previous rule that stated when three or fewer abbreviations or symbols are identified they must be included in the paragraph of the Transcriber’s Note. This change means that when there is only one abbreviation or symbol, it will be conveyed in the paragraph of a transcriber’s note and any with two or more will be in a list format.
Example 1:
,'Symbols us$3
_- S+le "ul9e _7 D\# "ul9e,'7#6, #37 T]m9,n 9dicator,'
Example 2:
,',! a2revi,n na repres5ts nanoseconds 9 ! ta# 2l4,'
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• 11.18.1 c. A transcriber’s note is inserted to indicate the format change after the table label or title (or after the top box line). A blank line precedes the stair step format. The first column heading is blocked in cell 1, and each succeeding heading is indented and blocked two cells
further right. The closing transcriber’s note indicator is placed after the last column heading.
Braille formats changed the format from beginning the material in cell 5 and indenting two cells to listing the material in the same format that the text will be brailled.
Sample:
,',TA# *ANG$ Z FOLL[S3
,H1D+ ( F/ COLUMN,H1D+ ( SECOND COLUMN
,H1D+ ( ?IRD COLUMN,'
By applying these concepts of the new transcriber’s notes rules and formats you will be well on your way to mastering the Braille Formats 2011 code.
25Infant/PreschoolBeth Moore and Sue Strafaci, CTEBVI Infant/Preschool Specialists
FOCUSING ON PARENT TO PARENT CONNECTIONS
We would like to share a few ideas from families we have known who have taken that first critical step of reaching out to another parent or family member of a child with a visual impairment. We have heard from so many families that it is that first step, that first call or e-mail that is usually the most difficult part of the process.
While parent groups may offer helpful information and support, there is something uniquely powerful about the connection that happens between a family of a child with retinopathy of prematurity, and the family of a newly diagnosed baby with the same diagnosis and condition. In our role as early interventionists, we work to understand how these families may have coped with the stresses of watching their tiny infant struggle for days in the NICU, but we really don’t have a clue. We can listen, help support their understanding of their baby’s development, and do our best to guide families to needed resources, but we will never walk in their shoes.
I can remember talking with a very wise mom after we worked together for about four months. She asked me if I knew other parents with children with a similar diagnosis as her child. She said, “I’m not sure I am ready to make the call, but I would like to talk to another parent.” This mom was able to talk to another parent whose child had a similar diagnosis, and the phone calls continued till a play date was scheduled.
Then there was another family that wanted to meet another parent whose child had a similar diagnosis, and guess who made the call. Yes, it was this very wise mom who realized she was ready to initiate the call and reach out to another. Well, this group has grown and each of these families continues to support each other and welcome new families as they begin their journeys.
I’m sure we all have stories similar to this, as well as strategies to encourage parent to parent connection. Social media continues to provide lightning fast opportunities to bring families together. I continue to be amazed by the ability of Facebook pages to focus on individual eye conditions, such as Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, CVI and other conditions that attract and bring families together. That “understanding” and feeling that you are not alone, continues to drive families to take the steps to reach out to others.
Here a few ideas from this very wise mom that may help us as we seek support for the families we serve:
• Listen for that moment when a parent or family member says, “I would really like to talk to another family of a child who is going through what I am.” Sometimes it can be very subtle.
• If a family member wants to talk to another family with a child with a similar condition, look to a family member who is a little further down the road of their journey.
• Encourage parents who are making the call to keep trying as it can be very hard to pick up that phone.
• If possible, try to connect families in geographic areas that allow them to get together. It may take a while, but eventually it may make the process easier.
• Create a list of families with children with similar eye conditions and parents who are willing to take that first step with a new family. I have heard more than once from a family graduating from early intervention services, please let me know if there is ever a time I can help another family!!
The Birth to Five Vision Network is planning our annual Parent/Professional Day on April 20th, 2013. During this daylong event, families from all over Southern California have the opportunity to meet, mingle and share stories. We know that many on-going friendships are born on this day and continue to thrive. More information will be available on our website www.birthtofivevision.org in January and please contact us for more information.
For more information and help in locating parent support options, here is a short list of agencies that can help direct you to the resources you are seeking.
CAPVI www.capvi.orgNAPVI www.napvi.orgFamily Connect www.familyconnect.orgBirth to Five Vision Network www.birthtofivevision.orgFamily Resource Center Network www.frcnca.org
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Business ColumnBob Walling, CTEBVI Business Columnist
BRAILLE = WHAT!?!
I have been your business contributor to the JOURNAL for more years then I care to remember, but this last year was one for the books (or should I say lack of books). What happened to the braille? Remember the commercial “Where’s the beef?” Well, where’s the braille? The total mosaic of today’s braille world makes no sense. I would like to look at this problem by analyzing some of the pieces of the puzzle (according to Bob). Trust me, the proofreaders will point out all my mistakes.
First, transcribers can’t find work. We started an aggressive campaign in the early ‘90s to recruit and train the hundreds of transcribers needed by the year 2000. Were we so successful that we saturated the market? The transcribing school I helped establish has gone to Internet only due to a lack of enrollment. Do we have too many transcribers entering the braille world from prison programs? Really!??! When we started the battle for transcribers there were questions about quality as well as quantity. The “graduates” of the prison programs are pure gold. Remember, these transcribers have lived and breathed braille 24/7, 365 days a year for many years with their only focus on how to do better braille (by the way, a significant number of graduates are also looking for work). Has transcription software reduced the need for larger numbers of transcribers? We invested time and money in transcription software that made a transcriber more prolific. That only made more braille available, faster. Once students could get braille, they increased their demand for braille and we needed more transcribers. I could be wrong, but I have yet to see a program that cranked out perfect Nemeth code.
Second, production facilities in California are underutilized. With the proliferation of the use of computer software, it made it easy to email a file to a production house and have a hard copy shipped to the student the next day. When California ordered several copies of adopted materials prior to the start of school, braille on demand became a reality the fall semester of 2005. The state of California now contracts with braille producers outside of California. From what I have heard, the warehouse is virtually empty and students haven’t received their books on time in the last six
years, if at all. Smaller production houses have closed their doors due to lack of orders. We are rapidly losing our production edge.
Third, politics? I am not talking the national election (this article was written before the election). No, I am concerned with something more important to us: UEB (Unified English Braille)! The vote is in and BANA has adopted the UEB as our official Braille Code. At least they let us keep Nemeth Code (for now). Your CTEBVI president and board lobbied against UEB and lost. I have been advised that any further opposition on my part is merely sour grapes. Not spreading sour grapes, just noting that the adoption of UEB simply adds to the puzzle.
These three things cause me to ask these three questions:
1. Can we find meaningful work for our transcribers before we lose them to other industries?
2. Will the California politicians ever learn that they can’t keep depleting California resources (cash) by sending contracts out of the state?
3. Does the adoption of UEB change the direction of braille as we know it now?
This also reminds me of the three famous proverbs, known as the Chinese curse:“May you live in interesting times.”“May you come to the attention of important people.”“May you find what you are looking for.”
I have no answers, but if anyone can sort it out, please call or write.
27
Music in EducationRichard Taesch, CTEBVI Music Specialist
Special Features in this Issue: *Special: News for transcribers, teachers, & readers - MUSIC TOUCH from DANCING DOTS
TEACHERS, TRANSCRIBERS, & MUSIC READERS’ COLUMN
Most everyone who receives this periodical is affected in some way by revisions and changes to our Music Braille Code. Transcribers, readers, resource teachers and more owe thanks for the many hours invested by those who watch over and protect
these vital standards. Of all the braille codes in existence, the music code is the ONLY braille code that is unified throughout the world.
The codebook – MBC, 1997 – is currently undergoing a major revision process. Thanks to pioneers like Bettye Krolick, and all others of the BANA Music Technical Committee, our standards remain high and continue to undergo refinement.
Once the BANA committee formally approves the new codebook, I will announce it in my column, on our MENVI subscribers’ list, and in the next MENVI journal, issue 38.
Other areas that will be revised and clarified in the new codebook include format suggestions for textbook footnotes, transcriber’s notes, and some issues having to do with harmonic analysis. The chapter on classic guitar has also been re-worked as well. Special thanks go to MENVI member, Tina Davidson, for providing the BANA committee with some new guitar examples for that chapter.
Look for future CTEBVI reprints in our MENVI journal dealing with the new ideas on classic guitar notation; the experimentation articles are intended to create temporary schematic depictions in bar-over-bar formats that can be used to help students better understand and analyze the code presentations for guitar.
Helpful hints for music transcribers:(Yes, readers, you too should read this; what affects transcribers, affects you even more.)
Transcribers have individual and unique ways of making their work as accurate as possible. Here are a few things that some have said work well for them:
• With vocal music, try seeking the phrase structure of the word lines, carefully marking the breaks where you feel they may happen. This can be an enormous help when proofing. Worry less about breaking measures, and consider the reader’s need to see music in logical phrases in performance.
• If a print page break interrupts the flow of the music line, perhaps move it slightly ahead to where a break in rhythm occurs. Your reader will approve, even if the indication does not occur exactly where the print page actually turns.
• While proofing, try holding thy head in a fixed position while moving eyes only from computer screen to your print copy; one can hold the place better, and ease fatigue.
• If your reader requests contracted braille for English song text and surrounding verbiage, it might be prudent to include a caveat in your transcriber’s note page to the effect of: “English song text and other surrounding text appear in contracted braille by request of the reader.” This way, someone who is code stringent won’t assume unkind things of you.
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READERS: Transcribers often go through agonizing decisions such as how to make your music more readable; some decisions include how to treat runover lines, or make sight-singing exercises flow so that you can show up the print readers in your class (and many braille music readers do). These special efforts may not be noticeable to you, but nonetheless, should be appreciated.
Take notice of things that you think might reveal special expertise and care on your behalf. Let the transcriber know that you are aware of such things, and appreciate the efforts. Truth to tell, few readers neither notice nor take the time to compliment a careful transcriber on his or her work; but many will criticize accuracy and grumble at an error, which is usually much less important than the former.
* * *
MUSIC TOUCH from DANCING DOTS
New Tool for Braille Music Literacy
This fall, Dancing Dots announces the development of a whole new technology for learning music theory and braille music. The new Music Touch series exploits the power of the Talking Tactile Tablet hardware to teach concepts of music and how it is written in braille using a multimedia approach. The first of the planned series of courseware presents the content of Richard Taesch’s Introduction to Music for the Blind Student: A Course in Braille Music Reading, Part I. The authors plan future additions to the series that present more of Mr. Taesch’s work as well as completely new educational games and quizzes.
Over the past two years, students at St. Lucy Day School for the Blind in Philadelphia have tested the courseware. Their feedback and that of their music teacher, Mrs. Maria Ceferatti, has been invaluable. Over the course of two rounds of testing, braille reading students from fourth to eighth grade demonstrated marked improvement in their understanding of musical concepts like scales and intervals, as well as their ability to read and write braille music.
How Does It All Work?
Students place a prepared sheet of braille paper on the flat surface of the Talking Tactile Tablet (TTT), a kind of horizontal touch screen device that attaches to your PC via a standard USB connection. When you press anywhere on the braille page, the TTT talks back to you, sings back to you or plays the tune back to you. You can learn to read and to write music in braille while perfecting your music theory skills.
Students learn at their own pace. Each sheet introduces new concepts of music theory and braille music notation and offers numerous activities to help learn and apply those concepts.
Learn all about scales, intervals, time signatures, key signatures, rests and rhythms. Learn three different names for each note of the scale: letter name, solfege name and scale number. Learn how to read and write all of the above in braille music notation.
You respond to quiz activities by pressing on the correct answer or by entering the braille using the braille keyboard included. For example, Music Touch might say: “Find all of the quarter rests on the page.” You press on any of those symbols and Music Touch affirms your answer by saying “Good,” “Great,” etc. If you should press any symbol that is not a quarter rest, you will hear a message such as “No,” “Not right,” etc. Other activities will instruct you to enter your response on the braille keyboard. The system allows for plenty of independent study but the presence of a teacher is still very important. Throughout the course, students need to be reminded to actively read the braille while listening and singing. Teachers remind them to read and help them to get to know the TTT and its operations. Teachers need not be music specialists although a musical background is a plus. Using the teacher guide included, teachers can learn right along with their students. The system is flexible enough to allow for one-on-one instruction or a small class setting.
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Dancing Dots is accepting orders for this new courseware, which will begin shipping this fall. For more information, see www.DancingDots.com and look for the link for “Music Touch.”
* * *
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
A little anecdote just for funIt is quite amazing to learn that so many music braille readers often share a common hobby of Ham Radio. Yes, contrary to some belief, amateur radio is quite alive and
well and still serves as a kind of National Guard backup for emergency communication.
Perhaps next to smoke signals, braille and the Morse code may be the oldest forms of direct digital communication. As a hobby, radiotelegraphy has flourished even more since the FCC licensing requirement for code proficiency was removed.
Perhaps you will enjoy this short “letter to the editor” found in a hobbyists’ popular radio journal. (Apparently it inspired by the futuristic novel, “1984” by English author, George Orwell)
2084 by George Oh’Well
Dear Editor:
I’d like to thank you for your thoughtful comment regarding those of us who “… clicking a mouse will never replace pushing buttons and turning dials.” In the eighties before my own work involved so many hours a day on a computer, I was thrilled at my first attempt at digital RTTY (radio teletype) – it was really fun.
A night or so ago, I dreamt that I was about to shower before settling down to a relaxing evening of ham radio. Knowing that Big Brother monitors our “smart water meters,” I first needed to step up to my 2084 computer keyboard (neatly installed in my water closet) in order to adjust the flow, set the time, and access the desired water using my conservation-defined software. After a 12-hour day on a similar keyboard, I had lost my special shower password. Drat!
I reached for my W/C Smart Phone (no digital pictures, please) to seek customer support in Calcutta. They were so helpful, and the shower took place about 3 hours later. Needless to say, 20-meter (licensed H.F. radio spectrum) propagation was down by the time I saddled my J-38 (vintage military telegraph key). Sigh!
CTEBVI Music Committee:
Richard TaeschCTEBVI Music Specialist (661-254-0321)[email protected]
Grant HorrocksSCCM Conservatory & Piano DivisionsCTEBVI President, 2008-2012 [email protected]
William McCannPresident, Dancing Dots Braille Music Technology, L.P.(610-783-6692)[email protected]
Robert SmithRetired Professor of Music(541-956-8900)[email protected]
Carol TavisElementary School Music/Special Learners(626-339-6979) [email protected]
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California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually ImpairedCentral Office: 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029-3594
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Patty Biasca 2015 (2nd) [email protected]
Vice President: Tracy Gaines 2013 (1st) [email protected]
Secretary: Sandy Greenberg 2013 (1st) [email protected]
Treasurer: Sharon Anderson [email protected]
Members at Large: Wayne Siligo 2014 (2nd) [email protected] Vicki Garrett 2013 (1st) [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dawn Gross 2014 (1st) [email protected]
Ryan Honey 2015 (1st) [email protected]
Grant Horrocks 2014 (2nd) [email protected]
Trena James-Cook 2013 (1st) [email protected]
Cristin Lockwood 2014 (1st) [email protected]
Lisa Okikawa 2015 (1st) [email protected]
Maureen Reardon 2015 (1st) [email protected]
Sue Reilly 2014 (1st) [email protected]
Robert Walling 2013 (1st) [email protected]
Patricia Williams 2013 (1st) [email protected]
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California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually ImpairedCentral Office: 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029-3594
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
BANA Representative Sue Reilly
ByLaws/Policies/Procedures Patty Biasca
CSMT Representative Jonn Paris-Salb
Donna Coffee Youth Scholarship Cath Tendler-Valencia
Fundraising Dawn Gross
Gifts and Tributes Judi Biller
Historian To Be Announced
JAC Representative To Be Announced
JOURNAL Marcy Ponzio
Katie Sibert Scholarship Marie Hadaway-Hill
Membership Judi Biller
Nominations Grant Horrocks
Sitefinding Grant Horrocks
Special Awards Debi Martin
Specialists Tracy Gaines
Strategy Tracy Gaines
Website Vicki Garrett
Fred Sinclair, Emeritus
Marcy Ponzio, CTEBVI Publications Non-Profit Org.Braille Publishing U.S. PostageBraille Institute of America PAID741 North Vermont Avenue San Dimas, CALos Angeles, CA 90029-3594 Permit No. 104
Address Service Requested
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