Author: Matthew Horspool

Robert Bolick has been collecting artists’ books since 2012. His collection ‘Books on Books’ contains over 1200 items, and a selection of over 150 works featured in an exhibition curated by Robert, Alphabets Alive! which toured from July 2023 to January 2024.

He has recently procured a new book from artist Masoumeh Mohtadi, which modifies and transcribes into braille the Persian fable called “The Little Black Fish” to teach the reader how to make an origami fish. He is working with MyVision Oxfordshire and Oxford University to set up a workshop to enable blind people to handle and explore the book for themselves.

If you would be interested in taking part, please email Nathan Tree, Community Engagement Lead for MyVision Oxfordshire, on [email protected] by Friday 29 November. Lunch will be provided.

The latest in our occasional series showcasing historical braille shorthand codes which you might still find useful today:

Braille, User-Oriented Code (BUOC) was a code written by the late Australian, Rebecca Maxwell, with the support of Australian Braille Literacy Action (ABLA), formerly the Australian Guild of Business and Professional Blind. It was last revised in 1998 and includes a number of useful devices for making braille shorter.

In this session, we are delighted to be joined by Jordie Howell, a great proponent of BUOC and a contemporary of its author. Jordie will introduce us to the principals of BUOC, describe how some common words and phrases can be shortened and explain how we can find out more about this grass roots code.

Register for Introducing BUOC here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 857 0013 1529
• Passcode: 123456

The next Braille And Beyond event from RNIB will be taking place on Wednesday 20 November, 10am-3pm at The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD.

You do not need to register in advance. The event is taking place on floor 0.

As a follow-up to their MuseScore Studio demo last month, Sound Without Sight is excited to announce their next Monthly Meet-up, which will feature a live demo of Sao Mai Braille (SMB) and its ability to translate MusicXML files to braille! They will again welcome James Bowden, Braille Technical Officer at RNIB, whose feedback has been influential throughout the development of SMB so far.

The demo will cover a range of topics, including:

• Overview of the SMB app.
• Download and installation.
• The transcription process, beginning with a MusicXML file and converting to a BRF file, ready for embossing to hardcopy braille or reading on a braille display.
• Important options and settings to be aware of, including music profiles.
• Considerations for common types of score (single line, keyboard, vocal, orchestral).
• Selecting an individual part from an ensemble score.
• Music navigation mode.

The demonstration will last around 60 minutes, with a further 30 minutes for questions. This will be a relaxed, informal discussion and audience participation is encouraged. They will be prioritising questions submitted in advance of the event, so please use the field on the registration page or contact Sound Without Sight in advance with any questions you may have so that they can ensure that they are included in the discussion.

Please note that this session will be recorded and published on podcasting platforms, so if you contribute during the session, you are consenting to appearing in the recording. This session is open to all ages, but they advise that children or young people wishing to attend the session should be accompanied by an adult.

We hope to see you there!

Find out more and register for the Sao Mai Braille session.

We have been asked to share the following message from Nan Eshelby. Please contact her on [email protected], [email protected] or visit bombusthebee.com for further information:

I contacted you at the start of this year because I had done a print run of braille companion books to pair with my book, Brilliant Bombus Bumblebee.

I wondered if you might be willing to let the forum or anyone you think might be interested that I only have a few sets left and I am willing to to sell the pair of books at £5 and thought it might be nice for Xmas. The non braille version is suitable for age 3-

They just need to go my site and choose the product listed as ‘2 book bundle braille 1 companion book and Brilliant Bombus Bumblebee’ and use the following code when checking out –

XmasBraille

I only have 9 copies left so the discount has a restriction of 9 uses and one per customer however if someone wants more then one and I have them left then they just need to email me.

A message from Selvas BLV:

We would like to invite you to attend our Braille eMotion Webinar to learn about what makes this 40-Cell Smart Braille Display top of the line!

This webinar will be followed by a live Q&A where you will have a chance to get your questions answered.

We are so excited to see you there, as we know how informative and impactful these webinars can be! There is so much to unpack with this new 40-Cell Smart Braille Display, the Braille eMotion, that we are certain you will be left blown away.

This announcement applies only to the English/ North American firmware. Those from other nations should contact their regional dealer for information on updates that apply to your language and region.

This webinar takes place at the following times:

• US Pacific: 5:00 PM
• US Central: 7:00 PM
• US Eastern: 8:00 PM
• UK: Wednesday 13 November at 1:00 AM
• New Zealand: Wednesday 13 November at 2:00 PM

Register for the Braille eMotion Webinar

We were pleased to feature on a recent episode of Talking Technology, a podcast of Vision Ireland.

• Listen to the audio
• Watch the video

We are delighted to announce the 2024-25 season of the Gardner’s Trust Braille Music Literacy Awards. Administered by the RNIB, these awards are dedicated to assessing the reading, understanding, and performance of Braille music. They provide music Braillists with a valuable opportunity to receive expert feedback on their specialist skills and to demonstrate their musical independence.

The awards are open to Braillists in the UK of all ages, as previous age restrictions have been removed. Candidates are also permitted to retake levels they have previously attempted.

There are five levels of assessment available. All participants will receive a detailed report and a certificate of entry. Outstanding entrants at each level who meet the required standard will be awarded a prize, ranging from £10 for Level 1 to £50 for Level 5.

Tests will take place from January to March 2025. Feedback and certificates will be issued in April/May 2025, at which time we will also announce the prize winners. Candidates may choose to take the exams either in person at a location of their choice or online.

Specimen tests, along with general regulations and requirements in both Braille and print, can be obtained from the RNIB.

For more information, please visit: Gardner’s Trust Braille Music Literacy Awards | RNIB.

To request the information pack and application form, please contact us at: [email protected]

We are thrilled to announce the release of Sao Mai Braille 24.11.5. Some of its highlighted new features include: adding a new contracted Thai Braille table for literature text, support for speaking and translating math equations into Braille in Finnish, translating Vietnamese text into Braille when written in math equations, opening and saving EPUB files, scanning and recognizing text in more than 100 languages, supporting a new format style for vocal scores with chord symbols, adding a section-by-section format style used in Italy, improving figured bass translation, setting alignment for music text elements, and many other new features and improvements.

Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX

If you are coming to Sight Village South East this year, please drop by and say hi!

Matthew and friends will be located in the Great Hall, row 3, table 25.