Braille Textbook Transcriber Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You may scroll through the questions on this page, or jump to specific questions using the hyperlinks below.
What does a braille textbook transcriber do?
A braille textbook transcriber is responsible for transcribing entire textbooks (and other educational materials, such as worksheets, tests, etc.) into braille or tactile graphics. To do this, he or she takes a publisher’s source file (an electronic file containing the text and some other formatting information) and convert it to braille electronically, using a conversion program. As with any electronic translation software package, the translations it produces need to be thoroughly edited, corrected, and compared to the original textbook page. If a publisher’s source file is not available, the transcriber must manually transcribe the text into braille. In addition, transcribers must review all the graphics in the textbook and decide if they are critical to the content and, if so, they must either describe them (by manually writing a braille description) or create a tactile graphic for each visual graphic in the textbook. The entire process is extremely detail-oriented and time-consuming: a standard textbook often takes about three months to transcribe completely. However, giving K-12 students equal access to learning materials is one of the most important and meaningful things a person can do.
Can I work from home?
Many braille textbook transcribers work from a home office, because almost all of the work can be done electronically. Other transcribers work for school systems, non-profit organizations, businesses, and even individuals.
How much can I earn?
There are no national figures for earning potential, but the following are some estimates. To calculate an estimated total amount for transcribing one textbook, take a look at a standard K-12 textbook to see how many print pages there are and how many graphics there are. Then use the following calculations:
- $3-6 per braille page (one print page is often the equivalent of 3 braille pages)
- $0.50-1 per braille page for proofreading
- $1 per print page for data entry/scanning/clean up
- $0.50 per graphic for providing descriptions
- $3.50 per graphic for tactile graphics
Is there a demand for braille textbook transcribers?
There is a significant shortage of braille transcribers throughout the country. Because of this shortage, blind and visually impaired schoolchildren go weeks and sometimes months without the textbooks that their sighted peers have for their core or elective classes. This significant shortage of braille transcribers affects s college-bound students too. It is estimated that the United States needs 380 full-time transcribers now, will need 735 additional transcribers in five years, and 1,020 additional transcribers in ten years.
How much work is it to complete this program?
This course is a serious commitment. You will spend 20-30 hours per week working on your assignments, and usually have something due twice a week. It is not a self-paced course; you have to keep up with the published schedule. Much, but not all, of your work will be done online.
How long will it take to complete the program?
It will take one year – three semesters – taken in sequence to complete the program.
If I already know how to read/write braille, can I skip the first semester?
No. The course is taught in a multi-disciplinary fashion, which means that although you are getting credit for multiple courses, they are all interwoven and strategically tied together. One assignment may fulfill objectives in more than one course. Although you may know how to read and write braille, there are also assignments related to the business and writing skills necessary to be a braille textbook transcriber, which you’ll need in subsequent semesters.
Can I be a braille textbook transcriber if I’m blind myself?
If you are blind, you will need an assistant to help you with the visual requirements of braille textbook transcribing. For example, you will need someone to describe a textbook page visually so you can ensure that your braille transcription is accurate and complete. You will also need someone to help you with the graphics, which need to be either described or converted to a tactile graphic.
Can I just take the braille classes to learn how to read/write braille, but not complete the whole program?
No, this is a complete program and requires a commitment of a full year. Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of the course, it isn’t possible to separate the reading and writing braille assignments from the business and writing assignments.
If I only have dial-up internet service, can I participate in the program?
We strongly recommend broadband internet access. You will need to download fairly large documents, which could take an extremely long time on a dial-up service. Since you will be spending 20-30 hours a week on the course, and many of them are online, you will be extremely frustrated without broadband internet service.
Can I work at my own pace?
No. This is not a self-paced course. You must complete all assignments according to the posted schedule. There will usually be two or more assignments due each week.
How much will it cost me to complete the program?
Here is an estimate of costs for Fall 2006 tuition (10 hours)
- In-state, Bexar County resident: $573
- Out-of-state resident: $1833
For our complete tuition and fees chart, visit our Web site at: http://www.accd.edu/nvc/students/schedule/06fees/feeschedFALL07.html
The cost for textbooks for this program is minimal (probably under $200 for the entire program). There will be a cost associated with purchasing a web domain name and web hosting service, approximately $100 in the first two weeks of class and probably less than $10/month after that.
How much will it cost me to get the hardware and software I need to work at home as a braille textbook transcriber?
The following will be needed to participate in the course, and will also be needed after graduation:
- Computer: $1000-$2000
- Minimum system requirements: 25 MB available hard drive space; Microsoft Windows version 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP
- Printer: $150-500
- Word processing software:
- Microsoft Office XP Professional: $200-300
- OpenOffice: $0 (free!)
- Virus protection software: $15-50
- Broadband internet access: $20 (and up) per month
- Purchase web domain name: $10 (and up) per year
- Web hosting service: $7 (and up) per month
- Braille translation software (choose one; (they are free while participating in the program, but must be purchased upon graduation):
- Braille 2000: $1200
- Duxbury: $7
The following equipment is recommended:
- Flatbed scanner: $100-300 (or more)
- OCR software (if you didn’t get it with the scanner): $200 and up
- Fax machine: $125 (and up)
- Braille embosser: $900-3000
How does an online class work? What does a typical week look like?
There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ week in this course, as everything varies according to what is being taught. In general, though, you will do the following kinds of assignments:
- Bulletin board discussions, in which you will ‘talk’ online with your instructors and peers. You’ll be required to ask and answer questions, give your opinion, and offer others constructive feedback.
- Braille reading and writing drills, in which you will work online to learn how to read and write braille.
- Workshops, in which you will be required to complete an assignment (for example, to create a braille business card), submit it online, and review other students' cards to catch errors and offer feedback.
- Writing assignments, in which you will be required to write papers and submit them online.
- Web work, in which you will be required to create your own professional Web site and electronic portfolio.
- Tactile graphics assignments, in which you will be required to create a tactile graphic out of ordinary materials and mail the graphic to your instructors.
You can expect to spend 20-30 hours per week working on this class.
The class is not self-paced; you will have to complete assignments weekly (at least).
There will not be any requirements for you to be online at a specific time. You can work whenever it is convenient for you, as long as you complete your assignments by the due dates.
Are there any special personal skills I need to complete this program successfully?
In order to succeed in an online class, you need the following kinds of personal skills and traits:
- Self-discipline
- Personal responsibility
- Time management
- A willingness to ask for help when you need it
- Persistence
- Patience
- Attention to detail
- A willingness to work through problems and situations independently
- A willingness to be an active part of a professional online community
Are there any special technical/computer skills I need to complete this program successfully?
- Use a browser to navigate the Internet
- Download and upload/attach documents in various programs
- Use a file compression software program (such as WinZip)
- View file extensions using Windows Explorer or a similar file management utility
- Create, name, rename, locate and move files and folders
- Microsoft Word skills such as cut/copy/paste, saving files, formatting, find/replace
Do I have to be online at specific times?
No. There are no requirements for you to be online at a specific time. There will be occasional opportunities to chat online in real time with your instructors or peers, but you won’t be required to do so.
Other Questions
The following questions are addressed on the American Foundation for the Blind’s Braille Transcriber Q&A at
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=44&TopicID=192&DocumentID=2552
What is a braille transcriber?
What skills must a braille transcriber have?
What challenges to braille transcribers face?
Why does the job of braille transcribing require special training?
Who is currently transcribing textbooks?
What is the contribution of a braille transcriber to the education of schoolchildren who are blind or have low vision?
Why is the development of the new career – braille textbook transcriber – so important?
What are the trends surrounding the career of braille textbook transcriber?
Why has a college curriculum been developed and what will it provide?
How will the AFB and Verizon National Campaign address access to textbooks and eliminate the shortage of braille textbook transcribers?
How does the publishing process work?
What national support systems are available now for braille transcribers?
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