Braille resources

Here are a variety of resources I have come across related to Braille.

BRF/BRL files to aid in learning/remembering braille symbols

I have put together some reference lists of Braille symbols. One is a list of most of the common UEB punctuation marks in more or less alphabetical order. Another is a list of the UEB contractions in alphabetical order by meaning. There is also a list of computer braille symbols and a document a former coworker put together of the changes from EBAE (English Braille American Edition), to UEB.
If you right click on the link for the particular file you want, and choose save as, you can save the file to use on your braille device.

Braille Music Symbols

I was given a chart of braille music symbols in a BRF file by Chela Robles to add to my web site. Since I do not know braille music, I'm offering them here to help anyone who wants a reference chart. Chela tells me the chart is updated to the 2015 edition of braille music from BANA.

I noticed the .brf version did not read well on a 20 cell display. I changed the extension to .brl and that reads fine on a 20 cell display. Both the .brf and .brl copies are below.

Chela also sent out the following resource on one of the mailing lists I subscribe to:

Accessible Chords and Scales

Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo and Ukulele Chords and scales for the blind and visually impaired
Hundreds of chords and scales for the guitar, mandolin and ukulele in an accessible, screen-reader-friendly format. Choose from chords or scales below and follow the instructions on the following pages.

NLS Music resources

Here is a link to the blog page for NLS where you can access all kinds of information concerning music.

To borrow cartridges or embossed scores, please contact the Music Section for more information. You can call us at 1-800-424-8567, ext. 2, or e-mail us at nlsm@loc.gov, and we will be happy to assist you!

Fun with Braille

Here are a few things that are about braille but also entertaining.

UEB Ain't Hard to Do

A Farewell Song to Nine Contractions

Sung to the tune of "Breaking Up is Hard to Do"
Lyrics by Judy Matsuoka, Oct, 2013, Hadley School for the Blind

ble is leaving me.
My heart is in misery.
When com goes then I'll be blue,
But UEB ain't hard to do.

And for of the with were so tight.
To into by snuggled through the night.
Think of the books we've been through,
But UEB ain't hard to do.

They say that changing codes ain't hard to do.
My fingers know that this can be true.
And my brain says farewell old friends:
o'clock, dd, ally plus ation

I say to all thanks and goodbye.
I'm really not going to cry.
Oh well baby, let's start anew,
Cuz UEB ain't hard to do.

NFB's, Paths to Literacy, has an acapella version performed by Mark Brady, which I've added here for ease of access:

Brailing Signs Is Cool To Do

Anne Hills and David Roth, Lyrics Becky Williams and Linn Sorge, from the Hadley Institute

UEB Online, free training

Below is part of the description of the training available for learning UEB. Please read the whole page before attempting to begin the training. You do have to register, etc. It looks like an excellent offering.

Welcome to the UEB Online website, administered by the NextSense Institute. This website offers free, online training programs in braille literacy and mathematics using the Unified English Braille (UEB) code.
The purpose of the UEB Online website is to promote equitable information access and expression in braille for persons with blindness and severe vision impairment.

Target Audience:
The UEB Online training programs are suitable for anyone who wants to learn braille. This includes educators, families, allied health professionals, and education administrators and policy makers who promote the use of braille as a medium for information access and communication.

Hadley Institute for the Blind Instructional Videos

Hadley has been adding a lot to their instructional videos. The link below will take you to their videos page where you will find videos on topics like:

• iPhone and iPad
  
• Android
  
• MS Windows
  
• MS Office
  
• Apple Watch
  
• Apple TV
  
• Exploring the Mac
  
• Swift Playgrounds
  
• Digital Talking Book Player
  

Perkins Institute Official Service and Repair Centers around the world

I discovered that Perkins has a list of brailler repair centers around the world on their web site. Below is the key that explains what the levels of repair are and the link to the page followed by the list of countries if you are wanting to check before going to the web site.

Repair Level Key:

Perkins Certified: Individual or company completed an in-person workshops on how to repair braillers, administrated by Perkins Products Serviced: List of products an individual or company can service
Repair Level: Description of the four levels of repairs an individual or company can complete

• Level 1?General Maintenance: Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning, lubrication and minor adjustments; cannot diagnose problems associated with the brailler.
• Level 2?Minor Repairs: Perform basic repairs, such as stylus replacement, timing chain, and main spring; can diagnose problems associated with the brailler and can repair minor problems which do not require disassembly of the endplates.
• Level 3?Major Repairs: Perform complex repairs, such as complete disassembly and replacement of major subassemblies, including: drum, carriage, feed roller and chain drive; can diagnose all problems associated with the brailler and can perform major and minor repairs on non-warranty braillers.
• Level 4?Warranty Repairs: Perform all repairs, including warranty repairs; Can diagnose all problems associated with the brailler and can perform all major and minor repairs, Perkins Certified to service braillers still under warranty.

Perkins Solutions
175 N. Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
USA
Phone: 617-972-7308
Toll-free Phone: 855-206-8353
Fax: 617-926-2027
Email braillerservice at perkins.org
Perkins Certified: Yes
Products Serviced: Perkins Braillers & SMART Braillers Repair Range: Level 4?Warranty Repairs: Perform all repairs, including warranty repairs; Can diagnose all problems associated with the brailler and can perform all major and minor repairs, Perkins Certified to service braillers still under warranty.

Countries included are:
Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada , Croatia, France, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States & Puerto Rico , Zambia

Do Not Buy From The Braille Super Store, AKA, Future Aids

A resource I do not recommend, Future Aids, or the Braille superstore! If you want to know why, follow this link for the detailed saga of my experience buying a chess set.