Author: Matthew Horspool

The Library of Congress in the US has recently updated its web page on Braille Ready Format.

Among the updates are several references to our masterclass, What is a BRF and Why would you Want One? presented by Matthew Horspool in 2021.

We posted last year about the EBU Braille Working Group’s initiative to post one piece of content a day for Braille200.

Find the contributions here.

We have been asked to share this link about a new publication on braille music.

My name is Fiona and I work at the Helix Centre – a research studio based at Imperial College London. I am doing a project with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to understand how they can improve the accessibility of outpatient appointments at their hospitals. We want to hear the experience of people who had appointments at St Mary’s, Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea and the Western Eye Hospitals in the last 12 months and whether we communicated about their appointment in their preferred format.

We are particularly interested in chatting with people whose preferred communication and information format is Braille as we would like to understand how we could improve their outpatient experience. We will be carrying out 1-hour chats either over the phone or in-person to hear their experience and will provide them with a £25 gift voucher for participants.

I have shared below some information about the project that may be helpful.

Project summary:

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, who run the Western Eye, Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea hospitals want to improve their outpatient services and how they communicate with patients.

We want to speak with people who had an outpatient appointment at one of our hospitals in the last 12 months and are blind or visually impaired. We would arrange to have a 60-minute chat with you over the phone or in-person to talk about your experience finding out about and attending your outpatient appointment.

You would receive a £25 voucher as a thank you for your time.

If you are interested, please contact us by phone on 07561 873711 or email [email protected] to register your interest.

You can find out more information about the project on the Trust website.

Kind regards,
Fiona O’Driscoll | Policy Fellow (she/her)
Helix Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, 3rd Floor, Paterson Building, 20 South Wharf Road, St Mary’s Hospital, London W2 1PE, UK

Warm greetings from Saigon, Vietnam!

Before discussing the release of Sao Mai Braille 24.12, we would like to share two pieces of information that might interest you:

• We organized a regional conference on employment for visually impaired individuals in Hanoi on December 3-4, 2024.
• A recording and accompanying handout introducing the music translation feature of SMB by Mr. James Bowden for the Sound Without Sight project are now available.

Now, back to the news about Sao Mai Braille.

Enhancing math editing functions is the key highlight of this release, including: reading and writing HTML and MS Word DOCX files with equations, integrating a new math editor, and converting LaTeX and MathML into native codes to display them as objects. Additionally, two other notable features are the ability to OCR text written in multiple languages and the option to play notes in music navigation mode.

Read further below for more details, or visit the SMB’s main page to download it.

MS Word and HTML Math Support

SMB supports opening, reading, and editing MS Word DOCX documents that contain mathematical expressions. Conversely, SMB also allows saving documents with mathematical expressions as DOCX files, which can be fully read and edited directly in the MS Word program. Similarly, SMB supports reading and saving HTML files containing mathematical expressions.

Integrated Math Editor

In addition to using the current dialog box for inserting expressions, SMB now includes a math editor, enabling faster and more intuitive input of mathematical expressions.

To input an equation from a print document, press Alt+= (equal sign) or choose “Open Editor” from the Math submenu of the Tools menu. A math editor window will be displayed, and the focus will be in the Expression edit field.

There are “Symbols” and “Structure” tab pages where you can select math operators and templates by category. Use the Tab key to move between controls, the arrow keys to browse options in each control, and Enter to activate.

From the menu bar, you can access many other functions, such as opening and saving equations in different file types, setting equation properties, inserting matrices, formatting, etc.

Press Ctrl+Q to close the math editor and insert the equation into the document. Alternatively, press Alt+F4 or choose “Exit” from the File menu to close without inserting the equation.

LaTeX and MathML CONVERSION Support

You can copy the LaTeX or MathML code of an equation and paste it into the Expression Edit field in the equation insert dialog. SMB will automatically convert it into SMB’s native math code.

You can also use the Paste Special function and choose “Math” to paste the code directly into the print document. SMB will automatically convert it into an equation. The keystroke for Paste Special is Ctrl+Shift+V.

For documents containing both text and equations written in LaTeX code (typically surrounded by dollar signs) and MathML (enclosed with tag), you can open such a document or paste its content into SMB’s print document window. Then, select the document and press Alt+\ (backslash) or choose “Convert to Equation” from the Math submenu under the Tools menu. This will search for and automatically convert LaTeX codes into equation objects.

OCR Support for Multiple Languages

To recognize text from scanned images, set the OCR languages first by going to the “Recognize” menu, opening the “Languages” submenu, and selecting the desired languages. If your scanned document contains multiple languages, select all relevant languages.

Next, from the “Recognize” menu, choose “Recognize” to OCR the current page or “Recognize All” to OCR the entire document.

Please refer to the user guide for more information on how to scan and download additional OCR languages.

Play Notes in Music Navigation Mode

To enable this music navigation mode, at the music score, press Shift+F5 or go to the View menu and select “Navigation Mode.” When the Music Navigation window opens, focus will be on the Braille field. Press Tab to navigate through the fields in the dialog box. Two new options are available:

• Play Sound: If enabled, it plays notes while navigating the score. Otherwise, notes are played only when the Space key is pressed.
• Speak Text: If enabled, screen reading software will describe the notes audibly. Otherwise, the note description text will not be displayed on the screen or spoken by the screen reader.

Please note that the music navigation mode is an experimental feature and may still have some issues and limitations.

Other Updates

• Updated to LibLouis 3.32.0, adding 25 new Braille translation tables for text.
• Added a “Keystrokes” item in the Help menu, which provides a summary of SMB’s keyboard shortcuts.
• Change the default translation table selection interface in the Options dialog. Remove the file name edit field and the browse button for selecting the language and grade of contraction of the default table. Instead, replace it with a direct dropdown list to select the default translation table.
• Fixed an issue where the non-installed version running from the system drive could not locate necessary folders.
• The installer now includes an option to install SMB for the current user only or for all users.

Esteemed blind musicians

I am a blind musicologist, music educator, and performer writing to you from Edinburgh. I am here as a guest of the University of Edinburgh to assess the challenges visually impaired musicians encounter when using Braille notation and audio technologies during their secondary and high school education, and to develop scientifically grounded solutions from the perspective of a blind expert.

The title of my research is: “Exploring the Functionalities of Braille and Audio Technologies in the Listening, Tactile Exploration, and Interpretation Practices of Visually Impaired Musicians: An Experimental Study.” This project is hosted by the Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh and is supported by a nine-month scholarship from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.

The project is under the guidance of Prof. Dr. John Ravenscroft, whose expertise is invaluable to the development of the study.

I am reaching out to you through Elizabeth McCann, Teaching Fellow – Visual Impairment & VI CPD Coordinator at the Scottish Sensory Centre. Ethical approval for the project has been granted. Our aim is to reach blind and visually impaired students who are currently studying at the secondary school level in Scotland and have an interest in music, whether amateur or professional. We seek to assess their proficiency in using Braille notation and audio technologies, the challenges they face, the competence of their teachers in supporting them, and the current state of inclusive education for blind students in both mainstream and specialized schools.

The more blind and visually impaired young musicians we can engage with, the greater the success and impact of this project. However, I would like to clarify that our focus is specifically on the challenges that blind and visually impaired students encounter in participating in music education within general middle or high schools. More specifically, we aim to explore how a blind student in high school learns in music lessons with the aid of Braille notation and audio technologies, how they communicate what they have learned, what fundamental difficulties they face in learning musical instruments, whether there are specific issues that need to be discussed in relation to musical genres, what their needs are in gaining sufficient knowledge and experience in solfège, harmony, counterpoint, and choral studies, and what challenges they encounter in becoming successful musicians in stage performances.

To ensure that the project proceeds on a scientifically sound basis, we seek to engage with blind and visually impaired students aged 11-18, as well as their teachers and parents, through a series of academic activities, including surveys, in-depth interviews, and observations. Specifically, we wish to evaluate:

1. The teacher’s sensitivity to the challenges faced by blind students and their problem-solving abilities;
2. The student’s approach to using Braille and audio technologies, and the teacher’s guiding attitude in addressing these challenges.

Your insights, perspectives, and recommendations would be incredibly valuable to us as we move forward with this research. I am eager to meet with you and the blind and visually impaired musicians you may recommend, as well as their teachers and parents, in order to begin this important project.

Kind regards,
Assist Prof. Dr. Yusuf Dumlupınar

2219 International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme for Turkish Citizens

RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM

The proposal form should not exceed 5 (five) pages and expected to be prepared in Arial 11 font. Form must fill in taking into account the explanations given under each topic. Instructions, which colored in gray for the proposal form, should be deleted.

Name of the Researcher (Fellow): Yusuf Dumlupınar

Name of the Research: Exploring the Functionalities of Braille and Audio Technologies in the Listening, Tactile Exploration, and Interpretation Practices of Visually Impaired Musicians: An Experimental Study

Name of the Host: John Ravenscroft

Host Institution: The University of Edinburgh

Date: 22.07.2024

SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH PLAN PROPOSAL

This research aims to evaluate the potential of Braille notation and audio technologies in facilitating the effective participation of visually impaired musicians in daily life activities. The primary objective is to examine in-depth the opportunities these technologies can provide in music education and to understand the challenges faced, particularly focusing on the roles of Braille notation and audio technologies in the learning processes.

It has been observed that Braille notation can slow down the learning process for some visually impaired musicians and may hinder active participation in mixed classroom environments. However, this notation is regarded as an indispensable part of the musical identity for blind and visually impaired musicians.

In this context, updating Braille notation to facilitate easier access to information and integrating it with new audio technologies is believed to make it a more effective and comprehensive tool in music education.

During the research process, both quantitative (surveys, tests) and qualitative (in-depth interviews, focus groups) data collection methods will be used to evaluate the daily life activities and learning processes of visually impaired musicians in a multifaceted manner. This data will be collected and analysed in collaboration with visually impaired students studying music at leading middle and high schools in the Scotland. The findings will provide a crucial foundation for assessing the effectiveness of current practices and developing innovative solutions in music education.

The results of the research could highlight the potential of Braille notation and audio technologies in supporting the musical abilities of visually impaired musicians, thereby having a profound impact on educational policies and practices. This study aims to make a significant contribution to the scientific literature by providing a resource for visually impaired individuals in the field of music education through an interdisciplinary approach.

Keywords: • Musical Experience • Visually Impaired Individuals • Braille Notation • Audio Technologies • Music Education

Happy new year from the International Council on English Braille (ICEB).

As we join with the global Braille community in marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code we are excited to announce the first in a series of online town hall meetings, where you can find out more about our work and meet our team.

Our first event is taking place at 20:00 UTC on Thursday January 30th, and, at that event, we’ll be telling you all about the 3rd edition of the rules of Unified English Braille, which we launched last month.

This comprehensive reference is a must for transcribers, teachers and Braille users alike, so why not join us and find out more about the rulebook, what it contains, and, who knows, you might even learn some fun facts about how it was put together!

Please register here to join us for this first session. We look forward to your company.

World Braille Day means a lot to us at VICTA, even more so as 2025 celebrates 200 years of Braille. Help us celebrate and shine the spotlight on this life-changing system of dots by entering the VICTA Braille Art Competition 2025.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to VI children and young adults from 0 to 29 years. There are different age categories to enter into with different themes, a category for school entries, and amazing prizes up-for-grabs, so it’s time to get creative!

Category 1, open to 0 to 10 years

Braille your name

Find a unique way to represent your name in Braille. Previous entries have used everything from cupcakes to footballs!

Category 2, open to 10 to 29 years

Change and adapt

Create a piece of Braille art on the theme “Change and Adapt”, this year’s topic for British Science Week. Be as creative as you like!

New for this year! Category 3, open to 10 to 29 years: Take up Clarke’s Braille challenge!

VICTA Patron Clarke Reynolds is a blind artist who LOVES braille! This year he has set you a special challenge, create a piece of braille art themed around the word “Love”. Watch the video on YouTube to find out more.

Would your VI organisation or school like to take part?

We are welcoming group entries from VI organisations or schools and colleges. Groups and schools can enter all three categories.

In need of some inspiration?

Check out last year’s gallery of entries to get some ideas!

The competition closes on 31 January, so why not give it a go this weekend?

For all the details on the categories, prizes, competition terms and information on how to enter, visit this link. We can’t wait to explore your creations along with our judge, Blind Braille Artist and VICTA patron, Clarke Reynolds!

We are pausing our regular Tuesday evening schedule throughout January to pilot a brand new format: Braillecast Live. We will be recording interviews for publication on our Braillecast podcast, and giving you the audience the opportunity to ask some of the questions.

This week, meet Graham Longley from Aspire Consultancy. We will be finding out more about the business and how they are supporting the Orbit family of braille products in the UK.

Please note: this event begins at the slightly earlier time of 7:00 PM.

Register for Braillecast Live.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 859 7317 7463
• Passcode: 123456

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to really see the world differently? The HumanWare team is excited to unveil our newest project: See Things Differently with HumanWare, a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of blindness and low vision.

Each month, charismatic show hosts Peter Tucic and Rachel Ramos deliver story-driven content based on human-interest. Listeners will be able to access truly engaging conversations with captivating guests, including HumanWare’s own team members and partners in the blindness and low-vision space.

What to expect

Each episode will offer a blend of insightful and entertaining content, including featured guest interviews with inspiring stories and fresh perspectives, conversations with partners who make an impact in their communities, lively debates on trending issues in blindness and low vision, practical advice to simplify and improve life, and, of course, a Cringe/Funny Story of the Month—because we all enjoy a good laugh, even at our own expense!

Mark your calendars!

The first episode of See Things Differently with HumanWare drops on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and will be available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes will be released on the third Thursday of every month.

Why you’ll love it

Whether you’re part of the blind and low-vision community, a tech enthusiast, or someone who simply loves a good story, our podcast has something for everyone.

Expect friendly banter, expert insights, and moments that will make you laugh, think, and connect.