News

A message from Chris Norman:

Hi,

My name is Chris Norman, and I am the Service Development Officer at Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (CRCB).

At CRCB, we run a couple of braille classes on a Friday, from 10:0, until 13:00 or so. Unfortunately, one of our teachers recently passed away, leaving a bit of a space to be filled. I would be extremely appreciative if you would share this message with your members in case anyone is interested at helping in a friendly and informal class for aspiring braillists, of all ages and abilities.

Ideally, we’d like a couple of braillists to help at our classes. We teach everyone from absolute beginners to more advanced braillists, so there’s no pressure to be an expert. Classes are in person, and our address is 33-35 Earlsdon Avenue South, Coventry, CV5 6TH. We are a friendly and accepting bunch, and I hear rumours of cake at the braille classes!

If anyone is interested, I would love to hear from them. My details – and those of the centre can be found in my email signature.

Thank you so much in advance, and I hope this email finds you well.

Take care and have a great day.

Chris Norman

Service Development Officer

Coventry Resource Centre For The Blind

T: 024 7671 7522

E: [email protected]

A message from James Bowden, Braille Technical Officer at RNIB:
m: +44 (0) 7710 069 232
e: [email protected]

Some while ago we spoke about an updated SD card of braille books from the RNIB library, and you asked me to let you know when this was available.

I am delighted to tell you, the new card is now ready and you can order it either through the RNIB website or by calling our Helpline. The new card costs £20. Sadly, there is no direct download option, but books can also be downloaded for free from readingservices.rnib.org.uk

To order:
Go to: rnib.org.uk/shop (and search for SD card)
or telephone: 0303 123 9999

The full, card for adults is product code SDA22 and contains over 6,000 braille books.

Below are a few details about the card, if you need any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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This SD card contains a wide range of over 6,000 braille books selected from the RNIB braille Library for reading on a refreshable braille display.

The collection is contained on a single convenient SD card, suitable for use with any compatible braille display.

As well as novels, biographies, recipes and titles for children and teens, this collection includes a dictionary in the languages section, a small selection of braille music, a braille code reference section and some information about services offered by RNIB.

Books are arranged in folders according to category; an Index by author listing all books is also provided.

The books came from a variety of sources and dates and some are in different braille codes. Several books have versions in both uncontracted (grade 1) braille and contracted (grade 2) braille. The filename indicates the braille code used.

A version of the collection only containing books for children and a version for children and teens is also available.

For those in the UK and interested in Humanware products including their braille displays, they are doing a Summer Sale until 31 August. For more information, please see the Summer Sale page on the HumanWare Website.

Beginning on Monday 17 July, grab yourself the following discounts:

• 10% off the Hable One
• 20% off the BrailleSense 6, BrailleSense 6 Mini, QBraille XL and Taptilo
• 10% off ViewPlus braille embossers

For more information, please see the Sight and Sound Newsletter.

Those of us who are going to the NFB Convention are all gearing up and getting excited for the trip to Houston. Dave Williams, Steph Sergeant and Ed Rogers are holding a local Braillists meet-up in person. Steph and Ed are bringing Canute Consoles for demonstrations and we would be very interested in getting your feedback.

The meeting will be at 6:30 PM US Central Daylight Time on Wednesday 5 July at The Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston, Texas, 77010.

Our agenda will be:

• Introductions. 10 minutes.
• Discuss new Braille news from the Convention. 30 minutes.
• Simultaneous. 40 minutes.
  • Demos of the Canute Console from Bristol Braille Technology CIC, the world’s first multiline Braille workstation; including maps of Houston, star maps, floor plans, bar graphs and full page tactile video games.
  • Catch up with people you know from our online events and forum.
• Many of us will be going on to get some supper in a nearby restaurant once the meeting is done and all are welcome.

We will meet in the lobby bar of the Hilton and go from there to the meeting room, which is currently still to be confirmed. If you can’t find us immediately, please go to the bar and ask for the Braillists Foundation. Alternatively you can ring us at the event on +16179367064, WhatsApp +447473625387, or email [email protected].

We’re very much looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new faces.

Whether you’re new to braille or an experienced braillist, reading is an important and fundamental process. To fully appreciate the brilliance of braille for use in daily life, reading is something you should enjoy and feel comfortable with. But what can you do to improve your reading skills once you have learned all the letters and perhaps some contractions as well? How can you enhance your reading speed and accuracy even if you’ve been doing braille for a while?

In this masterclass, Chantelle Griffiths, Co-Founder and CEO of New Zealand’s Tactile and Technology Literacy Centre, will share some practical tips and tricks to get you on the right track with your reading, no matter how much braille you’ve done or where you are on your braille journey. There will be something here for everyone.

You will learn:

• What actually happens when we read and how reading by touch is different — or not — from reading visually.
• How to press the “reset button” for your fingers and brain when you’re just not feeling it. Literally.
• The fundamental braille technique you didn’t know you knew and how it enhances your reading.
• The three C’s of braille reading; what they are and how they work together to help you connect the dots between your brain and fingers.
• How playing the viola relates to reading in a straight line and how you can experience something similar yourself, even if you’re not a musician.
• How to start from exactly where you are and enjoy the process.
• Lots more practical tips, ideas and experiments you can try on your own.

We would like to make this a very practical session. If you’d like to follow along with us, please have some hardcopy or electronic braille handy and a couple of random objects that feel nothing like braille.

Register for the Masterclass here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 824 7645 2710
• Passcode: 123456

Our popular Braille Bar returns this Tuesday at 7:30 PM. No question is too small, from kit to code – just ask and our experts will assist you!

This week’s Braille Bar will have a particular focus on the Orbit Reader, following the very popular Masterclass a couple of weeks ago.

Register for the Braille Bar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdOyopjMiHdyORwRuXacnY9IrA4lVN2Bh

Or, to join by phone, use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 880 3508 8878
• Passcode: 123456

A message from RNIB:

We are pleased to announce the 2023 season of the Gardner’s Trust Braille Music Literacy Awards. These awards, administered by the RNIB, are designed to test the reading, understanding, and performing of Braille music. They offer music Braillists the opportunity to receive expert feedback and assessment of their specialist skills, as well as the chance to showcase their musical independence.

The awards are open to music Braillists of any age (the previous age restrictions have been lifted), with five different levels available. All candidates will receive a report and a certificate of entry. The best entrant at each level who reaches the required standard will also receive a prize ranging from £10 for Level 1 candidates to £50 for Level 5.

Tests will be held from October 2023 to November 2023. Feedback and certificates will be sent to all candidates in January 2024, when we will also announce the prize winners. The exams can be taken in person at a location of your choosing or online.

Specimen tests, general regulations and requirements in Braille and print are available from the Music Advisory Service. Please note that it is now possible for a candidate to repeat a level they have taken in previous years. More information is available at: Gardner’s Trust Braille Music Literacy Awards | RNIB

For further details or to request the information pack and application form, please contact [email protected].

Ref: AC230/0623

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 26th June 2023

INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON: Week beginning Monday 3rd July 2023

Purpose of the Job: To assist the Head of Braille to be responsible for teaching students to read and write literary Braille, using a range of effective strategies.

For more information, please visit the Teacher of Braille page on the New College Worcester website.

Dear [Braillists Foundation] Community,

Happy National Volunteer Week!

At the Braillists Foundation, we deeply appreciate and value the dedication, time, expertise, and unwavering commitment of our incredible volunteers. Your efforts to spread the power of braille and empower individuals with visual impairments are truly exceptional. Today , we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has generously given your time and talents to further our mission. While we recognize that we may unintentionally overlook some names in this message, please know that every single volunteer is invaluable to us, and your contributions do not go unnoticed.

We want to give a special shout-out to a few outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles:

• Mel, a remarkable leader, who has been instrumental in organizing and leading our Braille for Beginners sessions. Your passion and dedication have empowered countless individuals to embark on their braille journey with confidence.
• Chantelle, a breath of fresh air within our community, whose enthusiasm and positivity have left an indelible mark. Your presence and support have uplifted both fellow volunteers and those who benefit from our services.
• James, a true champion, who consistently steps up to serve on our Braille Bar Panel and deliver masterclasses. Your expertise and willingness to share your knowledge have greatly enriched the learning experiences of our community.

To all the volunteers who have selflessly given their time, energy, and expertise to the Braillists Foundation, we thank you. Your tireless efforts have enabled us to touch the lives of many individuals, fostering inclusion and empowering them to access information and opportunities through braille.

On this special occasion of National Volunteer Week, we want to emphasize that while we formally celebrate volunteers this week, we recognize and value your contributions every single week of the year. Your dedication drives us forward and motivates us to continue our vital work.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your tremendous support. Without you, the Braillists Foundation would not be the vibrant and impactful community it is today .

Wishing you all continued success and fulfillment in your endeavors.

With utmost gratitude,
Dave Williams
on behalf of the Board of Trustees