[AERNet] Braille Transcribers? and more resources

[Mary Ann Siller]

January 6
 
Hello Tom and List,
 
There have been a number of good ideas shared on the list.   I would add
that there is a key resource at APH called the AMP. The Assistive Media
Producers list is a database at APH of braille transcribers.   
 
And the college contacts Frances Mary  mentioned  who would know of
additional candidates are leaders at Northwest Vista College's program
in San Antonio, Texas.    Northwest Vista, AFB and the Texas Education
Agency partnered to design and develop an extensive college series to
train people to become a Braille Textbook Transcriber.  This was a joint
project Frances Mary and I worked on together (smile).  You will find
more contacts by emailing two key people involved with the current
college series at Northwest Vista.  Contact Melanie Marchand from
Northwest Vista College at  mmarchan at accd.edu  or Vivian Seki from  ESC
20 at   vivian.seki at esc20.net         
 
Encouraging districts, colleges and agencies  to focus upon the future
and build a new path for professional development that includes braille
transcribers is critically important, but is not always recognized as
crucial to good programming.  Businesses, colleges, school districts,
etc. all need to look ahead to find new opportunities to train people to
become qualified braille transcribers.    AFB's work in literacy and
education found through national research that there is a significant
lag in recruitment skills and efforts to find qualified braille
transcribers  and to build the "new base" of qualified people.   At the
same time, states identified the need as crucial.     So, in 2005, AFB,
with  support from Verizon Communications, partnered once again with
Northwest Vista and moved the series to an online focus.  Another
important partner that supported this effort was NCLID at the University
of Northern Colorado.   You can find more about AFB's national research
in this area at www.afb.org/education.asp go to AFB Solutions Forum
section. 
    
The Northwest College series is now provided online through three
semesters.    AFB partnered with Northwest Vista and spearheaded the
development of this new online career. This unique and rewarding
curriculum is conducted entirely online through Northwest Vista College
in San Antonio, Texas. Students are required to successfully complete
three multi-disciplinary semesters to receive the Braille Textbook
Transcriber Certificate.  The first cohort began in August 2006 with a
full enrollment of 20 people from six states.  The new cohort begins in
August 2007.  

Tom, this Braille Textbook Transcriber program  provides students with
the necessary general education coursework, applicable workforce skills
and transcribing experience to successfully perform tasks required in
the basic braille transcription of K-12 textbooks. Graduates will be
able to read and write braille; demonstrate proficiency in transcribing,
braille formatting and proofreading; use basic tactile graphic
production methods; possess knowledge of production technology; and use
successful small business practices. 

For more information about this career opportunity, visit Northwest
Vista College at http://www.accd.edu/nvc/areas/braille
<http://www.accd.edu/nvc/areas/braille> .   The braille transcriber
curriculum brochure is available at the college Web page above or at
AFB's Web page at www.afb.org/education.asp
<outbind://89/www.afb.org/education.asp>  at the braille transcriber
section. In addition, you will find a career recruitment video and
materials to help you in recruiting people. 

I commend your district for knowing there is a crucial need for
qualified and certified braille transcribers as part of the district
team to serve students with visual impairments. 

 
Best regards,
 
Mary Ann 
 
Mary Ann Siller, M.Ed.
Project Manager, Professional Development 
American Foundation for the Blind
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, Texas 75229
469-522-1803
FAX:  214-352-3214
 
 

________________________________

From: Frances Mary D'Andrea [mailto:literacy2 at mindspring.com] 
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 9:19 AM
To: TomRWoodman at aol.com
Cc: aernet at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [AERNet] Braille Transcribers?


Contact the National Braille Association, www.nationalbraille.org/  or
call their office in Rochester: 585-427-8260.
Or contact CTEVH, California Transcribers & Educators for the Visually
Handicapped, www.ctevh.org/  Or can leave a message at 323-666-2211.
You might also try sending an email to Mary Ann Siller at AFB, to see if
she knows of anyone who has finished the transcriber courses at
Northwest Vista in San Antonio and is looking for a job. Her email is
siller at afb.net.
Good Luck!
--FM


On Jan 5, 2007, at 8:20 AM, TomRWoodman at aol.com wrote:


	Our school is looking for a full time braille transcriber for
the 07-08 school year and beyond.  Does anybody have any suggestions on
where to advertise or how to seek out such a person?  I just put an ad
on SPEDEX and would like to hear some suggestions.  I'm starting on my
search early because I know it coulod be tough to find the right person.
Where do transcribers gather? 
	Thanks, Tom


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