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New law to assist
state, schools with materials for blind students
A new law, HB 1221,
passed during the 2004 legislative session will speed up the production of
Braille books for blind students in South Dakota. The law requires textbook
publishers that sell textbooks in South Dakota to provide upon request
an electronic file of the textbook. Similar laws are in effect in most
other states.
The file will be used
by the Braille & Talking Book program at the South Dakota State Library to
produce Braille versions of textbooks needed by blind students in South
Dakota. Receiving an electronic file of the textbook from the publishers
will greatly speed up the process because it will eliminate the need to
first enter each page of the textbook into the computer.
Converting a print
textbook into Braille is a complex process that takes three-five months and
sometimes longer to complete. Many variables determine the length of time
it takes to produce a Braille book. The biggest variables are length of the
print book, complexity of the material and the number of required raised
line drawings (graphics) which are produced by hand.
Currently, the first
step requires Braille transcribers to re-enter the entire book, keying in
each word or scanning each page. After keying or scanning, the document
needs to be proofed for spelling, punctuation and if scanned for sections
that the scanner could not read. The publisher’s file will eliminate this
step.
With the publisher’s
electronic version of the book, the transcriber will load the file into a
computer, run it through a Braille translation program, and format the
material on each page. This prepares it for final proofing, insertion of
graphics and binding of the multiple volumes that comprise a Braille
textbook.
Use of a
publisher-furnished electronic file will save approximately two-six weeks in
production time for each textbook, depending on the length and complexity of
the text.
The SD State Library is
responsible for production of Braille textbooks for K-12 students. This
service is provided through a partnership with Pheasantland Industries at
the SD State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls and the federal prison in Yankton.
Textbooks are custom-produced for the student if it is not possible to
borrow or purchase a Braille version of the textbook the student’s class is
using. In FY 03, 90 Braille textbooks were produced for use by SD students.
The State Library also
insures textbooks for visually impaired students are available in large
print and audio cassette, as necessary. A school that has a visually
impaired student enrolled who requires textbooks in special formats can
contact the Braille and Talking Book program, Kathy Schreiber,
1-800-423-6665, as soon as the textbook selection for upcoming classes is
firm. Goal of the program is to have the special format versions available
to the student at the opening of each semester or school year. |
