SHORTER, FREE WEBINARS
A few times each month we offer shorter length webinars that are free and open to the general public. We publish the schedule of upcoming webinars on our blog, as well as information on how to join each session. These free webinars typically last approximately fifteen minutes with additional time for questions and answers.
An archive of the recorded sessions is available to current National Braille Association members. To access it, sign in to your member account, and navigate to the Member’s Section. Here you’ll find a link to the list of available recordings and streamable embedded video of each webinar.
LONGER, PAID WEBINARS
Following feedback on the initial offerings, we began to offer extended length webinars that allow presenters to delve deeper into topics that are important to transcribers. These longer webinars vary in duration and cost. Announcements and registration are announced in blog posts.
TRAINING VIDEOS
Braille2000 From A Transcriber's Perspective
was first produced as a live webinar in November 2017. This one-and-a-half hour video is a recording of that webinar. Presenter Cindi Laurent, provides an in-depth look at user functions in Braille2000 (version 2) while providing explanations of how to use the software as a braille transcriber.
Testing Our Patience
Through a series of thirty-one print example items and their transcriptions using Nemeth within UEB, we explore the most up-to-date Guidance for Transcription Using the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts (approved April 2018, published 08/19/2018). We also clarify certain Nemeth Code rules and illustrate some suggestions for standardized test material.
This presentation of examples and discussion of code interpretation will be in a webinar format. Question-and-answer sessions will occur at the middle and at the end of the 90-minute time slot.
It's Complicated
What do you do when the rules don’t cover everything in print? We will discuss how to transcribe print complications that are not covered by guidelines or rules. Come prepared to review different print examples as we look at one (or more) ways of handling some of the more difficult print formats.
This webinar is a repeat of a workshop by the same name offered at the Professional Development Conference in October 2018. Whether you weren’t able to attend the workshop, or want to revisit some material you learned at the conference, here’s an opportunity to learn from the comfort of your home or office.
Nemeth Within UEB Contexts
This title was first produced as a live webinar in April 2019. This one-and-a-half hour video is a recording of that webinar. Presenter Kyle DeJute provides solutions for figuring out what has to be in Nemeth and what has to be in UEB, where code switch indicators belong, how Nemeth affects formatting, and more!
UEB Provisional Guidance Walkthrough
This video was recorded during a live webinar in December 2019 when presenter Kyle DeJute brought attendees on a live walkthrough of the Provisional Guidance for Transcribing Mathematics in UEB document. During this 1-hour training video you'll be assisted through that document’s contents, which include guidance on formatting exercises and using grade 1 indicators. This training video is appropriate for you if you have not studied the document at all. If you have studied the document, then this webinar is an opportunity to give feedback and ask questions that will influence BANA’s next version of guidance for math in UEB.
New BANA Guidelines for Early Educational Materials
This 90-minute training video was recorded during a live webinar in March 2021. Led by Dan Gergen and Amy Furman from NBA's Unified English Braille Literary Committee, this video takes users through BANA's newest guidelines for k-3 transcription released at the end of 2020. The presenters used a combination of examples to illustrate the principles of the new guidelines, and how best to apply them in your transcription work with young students.
The 2020 Virtual Professional Development Conference Collection
While NBA typically hosts an in-person Professional Development Conference each fall, the COVID pandemic forced us to re-think how we could deliver that same experience in a virtual setting. In November 2020, we spent five full days delivering educational content using an online platform to reach transcribers and Teachers of the Visually Impaired all over the world.
Each of those workshop sessions was recorded so that content could be revisited later. The recordings of most sessions from the conference are now available for purchase. Each video is available to purchase independently from the rest.
All of the sessions from the conference were accompanied by some form of materials. In some cases it was an instructional document, in some cases a reference card, or even just a PowerPoint file of the presentation slides. While all of those materials provide important information, their educational power is only fully realized when accompanied by the instructional video. The materials for each video can be downloaded in their descriptions, but are intended only to accompany the purchase of that video. The National Braille Association committees and volunteers who produced the conference kindly asks that you only download the materials for the videos which you've purchased.
Communication & Collaboration Between Teachers (TVIs), Transcribers, and Paraprofessionals
Presented on Monday, November 16, 2020
Description: The working relationship between Teachers for Visually Impaired Students, Paraprofessionals supporting visually impaired students in the classroom, and Transcribers who produce materials and support blind students is an important component to ensuring the success of students. This workshop will demonstrate how paraprofessionals can best support students who are blind and/or visually impaired under the direction of the TVI; how communication and collaboration occurs in the preparation of and /or creation of student materials, and how the three work together as a team to ensure student success.
Presenter: Jana Hertz, Chair, NBA Transcriber and Educator Services Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Major Changes In BrailleBlaster V2
Presented on Monday, November 16, 2020
Description: We’ve been working for almost two years on a reworked version of BrailleBlaster and by November it should be near feature complete. We already have some differences and by then will have more, so this presentation will go over those differences while also familiarizing users with the software’s general use. Should be an exciting time with the most stable and robust version of BrailleBlaster ever!
Presenter: William Freeman, Member, Computer-Assisted Transcription Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Overview Of Foreign Language Transcription
Presented on Monday, November 16, 2020
Description: Print materials for foreign language often have both English and foreign material. In this workshop, we will examine the four methods of approach to foreign language materials and indicate circumstances for which they are most appropriate. We will also identify and overview the multiple sections in Braille Formats that are specific to foreign language material transcriptions.
Presenter: Patrick Janson, Chair, NBA Foreign Language Braille Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 6 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Nemeth And Formats And How They Work Together
Presented on Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Description: Examples in this workshop tackle formatting for a transcription using Nemeth Code within UEB contexts. The material covered includes tables, notes, graphics, instructions, and more. A workshop with this title was presented at the 2018 conference in Detroit, Michigan; this is an updated, “new and improved” version of that workshop.
Presenter: Kyle DeJute, Member, Nemeth Code for Math and Science Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Cost: $20.00
I'm Certified, Now What? A Transcriber's Resource Guide For Success
Presented on Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Description: This workshop is for transcribers wanting to find employment in the braille industry after they've obtained their certification. Educating the participants on type of employment (i.e. school system, transcription agency, your own business, etc.); employer requirements (i.e. portfolio); customer/client expectations; resources available; pay ranges; networking; and support/mentoring groups. Through this session, the participants will gain information and resources for working in the braille industry as a transcriber.
(This workshop is a collaborative effort between the Transcribers & Educators Committee and the Prison Braille Committee.)
Presenter: Angela Vanappelen, Member, Prison Braille Services Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 13 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Introduction To Music Braille, Parts 1 and 2
Presented on Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 19, 2020
Description: In this workshop, we will learn how to transcribe music for a single instrument, such as trumpet or violin. We’ll start with note names and rhythmic values, progress through many of the most common musical symbols, and will end up with a complete transcription. A working knowledge of print music is helpful.
Presenter: Kathleen Cantrell, Chair, NBA Music Braille Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Spatial Problems, Rules And Advice For UEB Technical Material
Presented on Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Description: What rules do we have for material arranged spatially for addition? Multiplication? What about division? Where do item identifiers go for such arrangements, and what gets aligned with what? We will look at a collection of examples to address these questions and more (e.g., Why use numeric mode? Or why not?).
Presenter: Kyle DeJute, Chair, UEB Technical Material Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 1 minute
Cost: $10.00
Wonderful World Of NIMAS
Presented on Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Description: Have you ever received a NIMAS file as a source file for a braille translation project? In this workshop I will demonstrate the process of opening NIMAS files in three different softwares: Bralle2000V2, Duxbury, and BrailleBlaster.
Presenter: Melissa Klepper, Chair, Computer Assisted Transcription Committee
Runtime: 42 minutes
Cost: $10.00
The Not-So-Basics Of Formatting
Presented on Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Description: Aimed at those who may be new to the rules set forth in Braille Formats (or those who would like a recap), this workshop will deal with formatting found throughout the core of textbooks. We will look at things like captions, displayed material, attributions, tables, notes and more.
Presenter: Cindi Laurent, Member, Braille Formats Textbook Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Transitioning To Independent Success
Presented on Thursday, November 19, 2020
Description: Panel members who have supported many men and women to transition from Corrections into the independent braille transcribing community will guide conversations to those newly developing their business desires. Discussion will include the transitioning from Corrections to a successful business start-up and everything in between, including marketing techniques for a company name, classification (S Corp, LLC, etc.), equipment comparisons, software programs, and business contacts. Each state is different so panel members will limit their responses per topic to keep the conversations moving; participants will begin to see the many possibilities for a productive and happy career as a braille transcriber. Through this session we hope to provide support, encouragement and life-long friends.
Presenter: The Prison Braille Services Committee with moderator John Romeo.
Runtime: 1 hour 19 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Best Of 'Ask An Expert'
Presented on Thursday, November 19, 2020
Description: NBA members have been posting questions to the “Ask an Expert” service for more than 10 years! This workshop pulls together the most thought-provoking, the most common, and the most creative questions and answers from over a decade’s worth of discussions.
Presenter: Kyle DeJute, Member, Nemeth Code For Math And Science Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Foreign Language Formatting
Presented on Thursday, November 19, 2020
Description: This workshop will present real-world examples of foreign languages texts that have been transcribed in the past year. We will talk about layout and placement of materials as well as whatever guidelines come into play. Formatting foreign language can be harder than figuring out what braille symbols to use...come and discuss this issue with others who might struggle in this area. We'll learn together!
Presenter: Cindi Laurent, Member, Foreign Language Transcription Committee
Runtime: 57 minutes
Cost: $10.00
Basics 101 For Paraprofessionals
Presented on Friday, November 20, 2020
Description: How often are paraprofessionals assigned to their positions without training of any kind? All too often! This workshop will cover the basics of working with students with visual impairments: the role of a paraprofessional, “do’s and don’ts”, and how to best support the student in his/her classroom and educational environment. If you have never had any training, this workshop will open your eyes and set you up for success!
Presenter: Jana Hertz, Chair, Transcriber and Educator Services Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 23 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Algebra And Geometry Basics
Presented on Friday, November 20, 2020
Description: This workshop will focus on sections of the Rules of UEB and the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) that apply to Algebra and Geometry material. Included in the workshop will be a thorough discussion of the recently updated GTM Section 3, “Signs of Operation and Comparison.” A variety of examples will be fully explained, including some notes on formatting.
Presenter: Wendy Benckhuysen, Member, Unified English Braille Technical Committee
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Cost: $20.00
Complications Continued
Presented on Friday, November 20, 2020
Description: This workshop will explore transcribing materials for which there may not be clear rules. When complications arise, what do you do?
Presenter: Cindi Laurent, Member, Braille Formats Textbook Committee
Runtime: 55 minutes
Cost: $10.00