NLS: That All May Read

To application form below   Printable copy of information about this course.

About the Course

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS) offers a course in literary braille transcribing to teach students to transcribe print materials into braille. It is not appropriate for learning braille as a personal reading and writing skill. Students receive a Library of Congress certificate in literary braille transcribing upon successful completion of the course. This certificate qualifies the recipient to transcribe general literary materials and is a prerequisite for other transcribing and proofreading courses. New transcribers are encouraged to gain experience with braille formats for textbooks and technical materials by working with local transcribing groups. After six months' experience, a literary braille transcriber may enroll in a course in mathematics braille transcribing, music braille transcribing, or sighted proofreading. A background in math is helpful in transcribing mathematics. In-depth knowledge of print music is a prerequisite for the course in music braille transcribing.

There is no tuition charge. Necessary instructional materials are provided free by the Library of Congress. They include the Instruction Manual, a copy of English Braille, American Edition, 1994, and Drills Reproduced in Braille. Students who withdraw from the course are required to return these materials.

Eligibility requirements

1. United States citizenship or residency
2. High school diploma or equivalent

Equipment required

1. A 40-cell desk slate, a braillewriter, or a computer with a six-key direct input software program (translation software may NOT be used). See enclosed materials for information about computer programs. Some sources of slates and braille writers include
   Howe Press
   Watertown, MA 02472
   <www.perkinsbrailler.org>
   American Printing House for the Blind
   1839 Frankfort Avenue
   Louisville, KY 40206
   <www.aph.org>
2. Braille paper, size 11 by 11-1/2 inches. Some sources are:
   
   American Printing House for the Blind
   1839 Frankfort Avenue
   Louisville, KY 40206
   <www.aph.org>
   National Center for the Blind
   1800 Johnson Street
   Baltimore, MD 21230
   <www.nfb.org>
   Howe Press
   Watertown, MA 02472
   <www.perkinsbrailler.org>
   Star Continuous Cards
   32 Bacton Hill Road
   Frazer, PA 19355-1026
   <www.Braillepaper.com>

How the course works

Instructional materials are provided by the NLS. Students can take the course through a locally sponsored braille class or by correspondence from NLS. Local classes are conducted by experienced transcribers who hold Library of Congress certification in literary braille. Often local sponsors of braille classes provide writing equipment and paper. For information about local groups that sponsor braille classes, consult the Library of Congress directory Sources of Custom-Produced Books or call NLS at 800-424-8567. The directory may be accessed online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/sources.html.

The course includes lessons covering the braille alphabet, braille contractions, and rules for writing braille. Lessons describe the elements of the braille computer-system, give examples, and provide practice drills. At the end of each lesson is an exercise with sentences or short passages testing comprehension and reviewing concepts and rules from earlier lessons. These exercises will be evaluated by local class instructors, or, if studying by correspondence, the Braille Development Section of the NLS.

Exercises and the trial manuscript must be submitted in hard-copy braille. Thermoform copies are not acceptable. Computer programs using six-key direct entry may be used in preparing the exercises.

Instructors will prepare written reports pointing out any errors and citing sections of the instruction manual that should be studied again. If, in the judgment of the instructor, there are too many errors, students will be asked to resubmit the exercise. Students are given three chances to submit an acceptable exercise.

Certification test

The final exercise of the course is a transcription of thirty-five braille pages of material, chosen by the students, usually a portion of a book. Students who prepare manuscripts using a computer must separate and collate the pages. Whether studying with a local class or taking the course by correspondence, students will submit the final manuscript along with the print text to the Library of Congress, which will score the manuscript. Candidates scoring 80 points or above will receive the Library of Congress certificate in literary braille transcribing. Students have three opportunities to submit an acceptable trial manuscript.

Students are encouraged to submit exercises on a regular basis (at least monthly) and to submit only one lesson at a time. Students' names will be removed from the Library's active file if they are not heard from for twelve months. The course takes approximately twelve to eighteen months to complete, including the trial manuscript.

How to enroll

Applicants can enroll in the course in two ways.

1. Electronically submit this application form
   • Type the information into the form
   • Use the print form button at the end to print a copy to keep for personal records
   • Use the submit button at the end to send the information to NLS
2. Mail a completed copy of this application form
   • Type the requested information into the form
   • Use the print form button at the end to print two copies; retain one copy for personal records
   • Mail one copy to:
     Braille Development Section
     National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
     Library of Congress
     Washington, DC 20542

     Information about mail service to NLS

Whether intending to take the course with a local teacher or through correspondence with the Library of Congress, prospective students must submit this application form before the course begins.

For more information

Use this link to ask a question, or contact the Braille Development Section:

Toll free: 800-424-8567
Fax:(202) 707-0712
E-mail: braille@loc.gov

Printable copy of information about this course.