A guide to providing accessible information
Braille
Braille is a code that uses raised dots which enable visually impaired people to read using touch. The raised dots use a pattern of six dots similar to a domino in format. The sixty-three possible combinations of dots correspond to the letters of the alphabet, punctuation and letter groups and words.
Braille used in the United Kingdom has different grades. The main grades in use are Grade I and Grade II. Braille is produced in different languages in the same way as printed documents. You can get English (British) Braille, American Braille, Welsh Braille and many more.
Grade I Braille
Grade I Braille is the simpler of the two grades and learnt first before progressing to Grade II. The characters produced are a literal letter for letter transcription; each cell (group of six dots) represents one letter, punctuation or simple word. Grade I Braille is used mainly for labelling purposes.
Grade II Braille
Grade II Braille is more complex and the dot combination within each cell, and the combination of cells, gives a tactile representation of characters, numbers, punctuation, letter groups and words. It is the most widely used form of Braille and is used for books, note taking, correspondence, educational materials, leaflets, reports and reference works.
Braille can be bulky in nature and a common example used to illustrate this is the Little Oxford Dictionary which occupies a 28 inch bookshelf. On average each page of standard A4 print would take up to 2 ½ pages of Braille.
There are few limits on what can be transcribed into Braille. The skill in Braille production is laying out the document in an ordered and logical manner. The pictures, tables and other visual elements of a print document are transcribed into descriptive text before the Braille production.
Production
To produce Braille you need a software package for your computer, known as transcription software, to take your original document and convert it into Braille code ready for printing. An embosser is used to print the Braille. An embosser is a special printer, attached to the computer running the transcription software, which hammers out the Braille on specially made paper.
Using this equipment you can produce letters and straightforward information documents. Such solutions are for low volume quantities.
Braille can also be produced using a manual machine such as a Perkins Brailler. Not unlike a typewriter in concept the Perkins will produce Braille on a single sheet of Braille paper as the user types the Braille code.
Small quantities of Braille for labelling can be produced using a Braille frame and stylus or a Braille Dymo machine.
Larger quantities of documents or more complex documents are best undertaken by professional transcription services. They will be able to layout the documents for you, produce the Braille, bind it correctly and proof-read the finished work.
Distribution
You can post Braille documents using the “Articles for the Blind” scheme. The scheme is run by the Royal Mail. They will deliver Braille documents to anyone who is registered blind or visually impaired.
The Braille package should be marked “Articles for the Blind” and the sender’s name and address written on the outside. Envelopes and packages should be resealable or left open for inspection.
Individual packages should not weigh more than 7 kg. If it’s rectangular, it should be no larger than 610 mm x 460 mm x 460 mm. Cylindrical packages must not exceed 900 mm and the length added to twice the diameter of the packet must not be more than 1040 mm in total.
Source: "Information Alternatives - A guide to providing accessible information
