Library for the Blind and Technology

Information School U of Washington Jung-Ho Ryu jungho@uw.edu

Library for the Blind and Technology

1. Washington Talking Book and Braille Library

Library for the Blind and Technology

1. Washington Talking Book and Braille Library 2. Process of Making Braille Books

Library for the Blind and Technology

1. Washington Talking Book and Braille Library 2. Process of Making Braille Books 3. JAWS Program Demo

WTBBL provides a free public library service needed by individuals in the State of Washington who are unable to read standard print material.

 A Braille service of the SPL in 1906

 A Braille service of the SPL in 1906 Washington Regional Lib. in 1973

 A Braille service of the SPL in 1906 Washington Regional Lib. in 1973 Since 1975, Washington State funding

 A Braille service of the SPL in 1906 Washington Regional Lib. in 1973 Since 1975, Washington State funding Under a contract, the library had been operated by the SPL until July 1, 2008

70% of patrons are over age 65

All Patrons by Age
250 41% of all patrons

200

Number of Patrons

150 100 50 Avg. Age 65 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Age

Collections
Books by format Braille Cassette Digital Books Large Type Total Titles 13,800 57,310 3,742 17,024 91,876 Items 29,939 287,763 26,255 18,639 362,596

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition)

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition) Talk shows, programming & editing can be done by blind volunteers

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers

visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition) Talk shows, programming & editing can be done by blind volunteers

24/7 program (Wire Ready) Radio automation system

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers

visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition) Talk shows, programming & editing can be done by blind volunteers

24/7 program (Wire Ready) Radio automation system Podcasts downloadable from the Homepage

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers

visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition) Talk shows, programming & editing can be done by blind volunteers

24/7 program (Wire Ready) Radio automation system Podcasts downloadable from the Web Only two such radio service in the nation: Hawaii and Washington state

Evergreen Radio Reading Service

A local radio station for the blind 75 volunteers

visually blind & impaired friendly radio software (ex. Adobe Audition) Talk shows, programming & editing can be done by blind volunteers

24/7 program (Wire Ready) Radio automation system Podcasts downloadable from the Web Only two such radio service in the nation: Hawaii and Washington state Utah recently closed the service(budget cut)

Even UPS drivers wear shorts in the Winter.

Volunteer Program
400 + people donate 32,000 + hours yearly 32,000 volunteer hours =16 FT employees.

Trends
DIGITAL, DIGITAL, DIGITAL

Digital Increase

The Process of Making Braille Books

Step 1. Scanning

Common Mistakes in Step 1

rn m

Common Mistakes in Step 1

rn m Ex. Modern Modem

Step 2. Translating into Braille

Braille Alphabet 101

Braille Cell The six dots of Braille Cell are arranged and numbered.

Braille Alphabet

Braille Alphabet

Abbreviations & Contractions

Abbreviations & Contractions

Ex. 1) mother

Abbreviations & Contractions

Ex. 1) mother Ex. 2) the

Abbreviations & Contractions

Ex. 1) mother Ex. 2) the Ex. 3) th

Abbreviations & Contractions

Ex. 1) mother Ex. 2) the Ex. 3) th Ex. 4) ow

Common Mistakes in Step 2

Ex 1. Methow
1. Correct

Common Mistakes in Step 2

Ex 1. Methow
1. Correct

2.

Incorrect

Common Mistakes in Step 2

Ex 1. Methow
1. Correct

t and h need to be spelled out.

Common Mistakes in Step 2

Ex 2. Chemotherapy 1.

Correct

Common Mistakes in Step 2

Ex 2. Chemotherapy 1.

Correct

2.

Incorrect

Step 3. Print out

Step. 4 Team proof reading

Now, we have a Braille book!

Interview Ed Godfrey at WTBBL

Even though we have automation, we still need to have people who know how to do Braille because we need to know the rules. The computers are really helpful. It speeds up the process but we still need to look at the Braille. In that sense, the technology is very helpful to us as a group of people but we still need to teach Braille classes. We still need to have volunteers to do Braille transcription. - Ed Godfrey of WTBBL -

JAWS Program Demo

I love Braille because it allows me to see the outside world around me. Without sight, touch is the next best thing on the list. Since Braille gives me a chance to look into what other kids are able to see, it is my lifeline. - Su Park -

What is essential is invisible to the eyes.

- The Little Prince -