How to Become a Certified Braille Transcriber

Some visually impaired people use Braille to read and write.

Certified Braille transcribers transcribe printed material into Braille. They may transcribe textbooks and other educational materials for blind students or they may transcribe printed documents for businesses or government agencies. The Jernigan Institute of the National Federation of the Blind trains and certifies Braille transcribers. The Jernigan Institute provides training free of charge, but students must supply their own writing materials. Students work at their own pace; the program typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete. Students submit assignments by mail. After becoming certified in literary Braille transcription, you can continue your education and become certified in music transcription and mathematics transcription.

Things You'll Need

• Lessons in transcription
• Braille writing equipment

Instructions

1. Apply online to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute Literary Braille Transcribing Course. If you prefer, download an application from the National Federation of the Blind, complete it and mail it to the National Federation of the Blind, Braille Certification Training Program, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

2. Obtain the necessary equipment, including a Braillewriter, a 40-cell desk slate or a computer with a six-key direct input software program, and Braille paper (11 by 11 ½ inches). You must purchase your own supplies. You can get supplies from the National Federation of the Blind at 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, from the American Printing House for the Blind at 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206, or from other sources.

3. Obtain the free lessons from the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, provided at no cost to you. Complete each lesson and submit it by hard copy or electronic format. Submit one lesson at a time and submit at least one lesson every month. Your instructor will point out any areas you need to study further. Repeat any lessons if directed to do so by your instructor.

4. Transcribe 35 Braille pages from a document of your choosing, typically a book. Submit the transcription by hard copy. Score 80 points or above in order to earn your certification as a Literary Braille Transcriber.

Tips & Warnings

• Some local organizations sponsor classes for Braille transcribers or groups of transcribers that can learn and practice together. To learn about any such organizations in your area, see the link in the Resources section to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped directory.

References

• National Federation of the Blind: Braille Certification Courses
• National Federation of the Blind: Literary Braille Transcribing Course Information

Resources

• National Federation of the Blind: Online Application for Literary Braille Transcribing Course
• National Federation of the Blind: How to Enroll (Download Application Here)
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Directory