Donald Winiecki
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We would like to amend our earlier response to your question. The following adds more specific details from GSTG that will apply as you and your team make a decision on how to proceed in this case.
To start, regarding the use of switch indicators, while it is preferable to not switch multiple times it is not wrong if it becomes necessary due to the content of the key itself.
In Unit 5 of Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics (GSTG), the rules for use of a key are included under 5.8.1 Keying Techniques for Transcribing Literary Material, and 5.8.2 Keying Techniques when Transcribing Using the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, 2022 (and current updates).
In the Word document attached to the original question that was posted, a single letter followed by a period is used for the key entries. This use can be supported by Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics 5.8.1.3 as follows:
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">
Single-letter keys are not recommended, but if used, they must be followed by a period. Do not use the grade 1 symbol indicator before a two-cell alphabetic key, even when the letter combination corresponds to a braille shortform.</p>In order to comply with both the Nemeth and the Tactile Graphics guidelines, the key itself should be prepared according to those rules. Only after the preparation of the key, do we address the decision on how to best handle the Nemeth switch indicators.
If the entire key is to be contained within one set of switch indicators, then the key should be prepared with either a 2 or 3-cell alphabetic key, or a numeric key.
If keys include a single-letter key followed by a period, the transcriber would have to use multiple switch indicators to surround the Nemeth description of the key symbols. This option requires more code switching for the reader.
The use of a single letter preceded by an English letter indicator would not comply with the rules of either code.
We hope this is sufficient to guide your team toward a good solution in this case!
While your example does show tactile graphic elements, your question is more related to the use of Nemeth Code than to Tactile Graphics proper. We will encourage you to post your question in the Nemeth Ask an Expert forum.
Hope this helps!
ViewPlus has its fonts installer package at the following URL: https://viewplus.com/downloads/tools/TigerFontsInstaller_8.0.47.59.zip
Note that ViewPlus now recommends using the Braille36 font instead of Braille29. Both of these font families are included in the download. Here is the information ViewPlus provides for this switch to Braille36:
- ... Braille36 replaced Braille29 as default after finding better OS interoperability between Windows, Mac and Linux with new font. Experience graphic designers can use the application they are most familiar with (e.g. Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw) and print directly.
TSVBI maintains a very thorough collection of braille fonts for downloading. You can get to it directly at the following URL: Braille and ASL Specialty Fonts | Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (tsbvi.edu)
Hope this helps!
Hi Lucas!To add on to Anna's response regarding braille and diacritics, we can add a little bit of technical information that may help in the future.What you are seeing is called a "combined diacritic."The Foreign Language committee actually presented a webinar on April 1, 2024 (no fooling!). In that webinar we showed how to insert combined diacritics into a source document using MS-WordWe also produced a job aid that shows how to do this. You can find the job aid at the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/NBA-<wbr />entering-diacritics.The section on combined diacritics starts on page 6 of the job aid. You will be able to enter your combined diacritics using the directions in that job aid.Hope this helps!As you say this English, and because we can say that the symbols are not currently included in the UEB symbol set, a transcriber-defined symbol (Rules of UEB 3.26) will perhaps be the most economical way of representing this.
The transcriber-defined symbol should be included in the SPECIAL SYMBOLS list if it is used frequently in the materials you are transcribing. If it is used only a few times, a transcriber's note placed immediately preceding its use in text will be appropriate. Follow 3.2.2 in Braille Formats if the latter type of transcriber's note is used.
All of the above considered, because the symbol is found in a pronunciation key in the book, it is also possible that what you have encountered is a particular way of representing the "top tie bar" in the international phonetic alphabet (IPA). The IPA symbol for the top tie bar across two letters is a dot 5 placed unspaced between the tied letters. Its use is displayed on page 22 of the IPA guidebook: https://iceb.org/IPA-braille_print-ed_final.pdf
You may also want to check with the UEB Skills Group for other options.
We hope this helps!
Hi Kyle!
It is tricky to try an answer without knowing exactly what you have. I see you tried to upload an example for us. However, it looks like the upload file was too large for the system.
Could you reduce the size of your example and retry the upload for us?
Hi Lucas!
GSTG 2022 adds some information to 5.8.1.3.
"Single-letter keys are not recommended, but if used, they must be followed by a period. Do not use the grade 1 symbol indicator before a two-cell alphabetic key, even when the letter combination corresponds to a braille shortform."
No grade 1 indicator before a two-letter key, even if the key corresponds to a shortform word.
This points to your choice #1 is the right option. Use the single-letter key followed by a period and do not include the grade 1 indicator.
Hope this helps!
Hi Melissa and thanks for reaching out to the TG Committee with your question!What you have is a pictograph. See the example linked in GSTG 6.7.4 (shown using Nemeth code), print page 6-55 and 6-56 for a very good example of how to render your print graphic into a tactile pictograph. While you should review all elements of 6.7, below we give some essential highlights for you as you get started.- The print key will be moved above the pictograph and placed to start in cell 1 (GSTG 6.7.2).
- Note that according to GSTG 6.7.10.2, we should use braille cells only when the pictograph represents full or half-units. The partial stars in your example seem to be a little larger than 1/2, we suggest this pictograph should be produced as a raised line/tactile representation rather than only using braille cells.
- Following GSTG 6.7.10.3, you will not have to use TN symbols in an explanation of symbols before presenting the pictograph.
- Make sure the stars are enlarged enough to be identified by touch. We know that stars are more difficult to discriminate than circles, which only reinforces the need to make them large enough to to be identified.
Also, refer to GSTG 6.7.9.1 in case other pictographs use more complicated shapes. 6.7.9.1 indicates we can substitute simple shapes when reproducing the actual symbols is impractical.Finally, refer to GSTG 6.7.9.2 for alignment of symbols to the student names.Let us know if this helps!The TG Skills Group agrees with Kyle's assessment that the grade 1 indicator should be placed between the minus sign and the letter "a." This is consistent with section 4.1 of the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) indicating "...any lowercase letter a to j is preceded by a grade 1 indicator." (The context of your TG is different from the specifics of GTM 4.1, but maintaining consistency throughout our use of UEB is definitely a good thing for braille readers!)
In addition, we would like to offer some advice on your draft TG of this number line. There are a number of issues we want to comment on. All of these come from a comparison of the original print number line (Figure 1) and the draft TG (Figure 2) provided as pictures in the original Ask an Expert (AaE) question that was posted in the "UEB Technical" AaE forum.
We close with some additional information that may be useful with other TGs in the algebra book you are transcribing.
Four figures are referenced throughout our response. Those figures are attached to this post.
1. First, the original print number line (Figure 1) shows that the line segment between the hollow circles at "-a" and "a" is bolded.
In the draft TG (figure 2), (a) the desired segment of the line is not bolded, and instead (b) the bolded line segments are placed "outside" of the hollow circles toward the arrow heads.
Please change the TG so that the bolded line segment is placed between the hollow circles.
2. Second, in the original print graphic (Figure 1), the dashed scale lines drawn upwards from the number line at "-a" and "a" are centered at the hollow circles.
However, in the draft TG (Figure 2), the hollow circles are drawn <i>inside</i> the scale lines.
Please change the TG so that the hollow circles are centered at the scale lines.
3. Third, in the interest of adding a little bit of information that may be helpful when preparing other TGs for this book, in the language of mathematics, when all or part of a number line (including termination points) is bolded it means that the number line values associated with those bolded items are included in the solution set. In the print graphic (Figure 1) the number line is bolded, but the"hollow circles indicate that the plotted points are not included in the solution set. (In the print graphic (Figure 1), the scale marks are the vertical dashed lines extending upward from the number line.) See GSTG 6.5.1.6 for more details on this.
NOTE: In the vocabulary of GSTG, the number line is "bolded" or not, as noted above. The circles that denote the ends of a line segment are "solid" or "hollow" and these are analogous to a line being bolded or not-bolded in order to indicate if those points are included in the solution set or not. Examples shown in GSTG 6.5.1.6 illustrate this.
4. Fourth, more additional information related to the placement of labels on a number line. See GSTG 6.5 and examples provided in GSTG for illustrations of the following.
According to GSTG 6.5.1.8, "Variables (usually lowercase letters) representing omitted numbers or any real number should be placed below the number line." The draft TG (Figure 2) shows the proper placement below the number line.
However, 6.5.1.8 also indicates that the first numeral or first alphabetic symbol of a label should be aligned with the scale line. The draft TG (Figure 2) shows misalignment of these labels.
NOTE: In contrast, if a label or sign of omission represents a plotted point on a number line (i.e., with a solid circle), the label should be moved above the number line regardless of placement in print. See the examples provided at GSTG 6.5 for specifics. While this doesn’t apply to the current examples or question, it probably occurs elsewhere in the textbook being transcribed.
Please change the TG so that the labels are properly aligned under the scale lines.
5. Finally, included here (Figure 3) is an example showing how we recommend the whole TG should be represented, if a raised line drawing is used.
Because this is an algebra book, we are pretty confident that students using this book are older than grade 3. GSTG requires use of raised line graphics for grades 3 and below, and allows braille line mode for higher grades. If braille line mode is used for the number line, Figure 4 shows our recommendations.
Following GSTG 6.5.1.13, line mode symbols should be included on the special symbols page if they occur frequently in the book. If the symbols are used only infrequently, place them in a TN directly before the TG.
See GSTG 5.13.2 for considerations when categorizing symbols on the Special Symbols Page. In this case, categorization is required.
Both Figure 3 and Figure 4 include all of the details identified above.
NOTES: For Figure 4.
When using UEB-Technical:
a. the braille "y" is used for hollow dots and placed above the number line. If solid dots are shown in the print version, use the full braille cell (dots 123456) and place it above the number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28.
b. the braille "w" is used for tick marks along a number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28, and Rules of UEB 16.2.
c. line mode arrowheads are as shown in Figure 4. See GTM 13.1.
We hope this answers your questions and adds information that will help in the future!
The TG Skills Group agrees with Kyle's assessment that the grade 1 indicator should be placed between the minus sign and the letter "a." This is consistent with section 4.1 of the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) indicating "...any lowercase letter a to j is preceded by a grade 1 indicator." (The context of your TG is different from the specifics of GTM 4.1, but maintaining consistency throughout our use of UEB is definitely a good thing for braille readers!)
In addition, we would like to offer some advice on your draft TG of this number line. There are a number of issues we want to comment on. All of these come from a comparison of the original print number line (Figure 1) and the draft TG (Figure 2) provided as pictures in the original Ask an Expert (AaE) question that was posted in the "UEB Technical" AaE forum.
We close with some additional information that may be useful with other TGs in the algebra book you are transcribing.
Four figures are referenced throughout our response. Those figures are attached to this post.
1. First, the original print number line (Figure 1) shows that the line segment between the hollow circles at "-a" and "a" is bolded.
In the draft TG (figure 2), (a) the desired segment of the line is not bolded, and instead (b) the bolded line segments are placed "outside" of the hollow circles toward the arrow heads.
Please change the TG so that the bolded line segment is placed between the hollow circles.
2. Second, in the original print graphic (Figure 1), the dashed scale lines drawn upwards from the number line at "-a" and "a" are centered at the hollow circles.
However, in the draft TG (Figure 2), the hollow circles are drawn <i>inside</i> the scale lines.
Please change the TG so that the hollow circles are centered at the scale lines.
3. Third, in the interest of adding a little bit of information that may be helpful when preparing other TGs for this book, in the language of mathematics, when all or part of a number line (including termination points) is bolded it means that the number line values associated with those bolded items are included in the solution set. In the print graphic (Figure 1) the number line is bolded, but the"hollow circles indicate that the plotted points are not included in the solution set. (In the print graphic (Figure 1), the scale marks are the vertical dashed lines extending upward from the number line.) See GSTG 6.5.1.6 for more details on this.
NOTE: In the vocabulary of GSTG, the number line is "bolded" or not, as noted above. The circles that denote the ends of a line segment are "solid" or "hollow" and these are analogous to a line being bolded or not-bolded in order to indicate if those points are included in the solution set or not. Examples shown in GSTG 6.5.1.6 illustrate this.
4. Fourth, more additional information related to the placement of labels on a number line. See GSTG 6.5 and examples provided in GSTG for illustrations of the following.
According to GSTG 6.5.1.8, "Variables (usually lowercase letters) representing omitted numbers or any real number should be placed below the number line." The draft TG (Figure 2) shows the proper placement below the number line.
However, 6.5.1.8 also indicates that the first numeral or first alphabetic symbol of a label should be aligned with the scale line. The draft TG (Figure 2) shows misalignment of these labels.
NOTE: In contrast, if a label or sign of omission represents a plotted point on a number line (i.e., with a solid circle), the label should be moved above the number line regardless of placement in print. See the examples provided at GSTG 6.5 for specifics. While this doesn’t apply to the current examples or question, it probably occurs elsewhere in the textbook being transcribed.
Please change the TG so that the labels are properly aligned under the scale lines.
5. Finally, included here (Figure 3) is an example showing how we recommend the whole TG should be represented, if a raised line drawing is used.
Because this is an algebra book, we are pretty confident that students using this book are older than grade 3. GSTG requires use of raised line graphics for grades 3 and below, and allows braille line mode for higher grades. If braille line mode is used for the number line, Figure 4 shows our recommendations.
Following GSTG 6.5.1.13, line mode symbols should be included on the special symbols page if they occur frequently in the book. If the symbols are used only infrequently, place them in a TN directly before the TG.
See GSTG 5.13.2 for considerations when categorizing symbols on the Special Symbols Page. In this case, categorization is required.
Both Figure 3 and Figure 4 include all of the details identified above.
NOTES: For Figure 4.
When using UEB-Technical:
a. the braille "y" is used for hollow dots and placed above the number line. If solid dots are shown in the print version, use the full braille cell (dots 123456) and place it above the number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28.
b. the braille "w" is used for tick marks along a number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28, and Rules of UEB 16.2.
c. line mode arrowheads are as shown in Figure 4. See GTM 13.1.
We hope this answers your questions and adds information that will help in the future!
Laurie,
We have late breaking amendments to our response.
When TGs exist in a Nemeth context, the use of uncontracted words as labels is permitted, but our TG experts agree that the labels in your samples should be keyed and the single-word switch indicator should not be used. This will ensure "cleaner" graphics that allow the reader more space to investigate the graph itself. Additionally, in the case of these images the key will likely fit on the same page.
Please see the new PNG file showing examples of key items for your first and third TG. There were some errant braille symbols in the original.
For the middle image where the curve meets the X-axis at 0, because there is little space for the word "Focus" it should also be keyed. The word "Directrix" will perhaps fit without interfering with other features. If so, it <u>could be</u> brailled in full, or keyed as a textured line.
No keys or labels should cross the axis or graph lines.
Thank you for your question Braillebud!
When TGs exist in a Nemeth context, the use of uncontracted words as labels is permitted, but our TG experts agree that the labels in your samples should be keyed and the single-word switch indicator should not be used. This will ensure "cleaner" graphics that allow the reader more space to investigate the graph itself. Additionally, in the case of these images the key will likely fit on the same page.
Attached are a screen shot and BRF file showing some examples that may help illustrate these concepts.
