[Menvi-discuss] Recently Certified Braille Transcriber Seeking Advice

[karen118 at cox.net]

Congratulations to you, Jessica!  

Though transcription is not my primary focus, I do occasionally work as a transcriber from print to braille.  In those situations (such as correspondence, menus, brochures, and pamphlets), the print pagination and typefaces may not be essential; therefore I can reasonably start with a Word version, which Duxbury can automatically convert.  I intervene regarding such features as braille pagination and hard page breaks.  Ultimately I use embossed copies for checking and revising.  Some clients enjoy receiving the ultimate product as a "brf" file in addition to--or instead of--the hard copy.  In any event, retain your "brf" file, since questions may arise or additional copies may be desired.  To protect your client's confidentiality, do not share any file or hard copy unless the client specifically consents.  

Enjoy your transcription experiences, which will probably include many interesting surprises.  Just be sure that before undertaking any project, you understand as much as possible about the document, your client's needs and preferences, and your probable time and costs.  Remember, too, that you are free to say no if a proposed project makes you uncomfortable for any reason.  There are many splendid sighted transcribers who can and will do what I can't or won't do.

Karen Gearreald

-----Original Message-----
From: Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss-bounces+karen118=cox.net at menvi.org> On Behalf Of Jessica Callahan via Menvi-discuss
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 1:44 PM
To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
Cc: Jessica Callahan <decentsounds at gmail.com>
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] Recently Certified Braille Transcriber Seeking Advice

My name is Jessica Callahan. I have been a member of MENVI for the past thirty years or so, but I don’t recall ever participating in a discussion. That time is now over! Here I am!

I’ve been totally blind since birth, and started learning Braille music, piano, and voice around age nine.
A few years later, I started writing and recording music, and have since recorded and released several albums.

A move to Houston, TX, from my hometown near Los Angeles, CA, in 2011 had me searching for alternative possibilities for a career. I’d landed a job playing and singing at a restaurant but I knew it wasn’t going to last forever.
I began casually taking NFB’s certification course in Braille transcribing, not completely knowing what to expect. At the time, I had no education on the existence of translation software such as Duxbury, and the person grading my course didn’t clue me in, so a majority of it was completed on a manual Braille writer.
I am happy to say I am now a fully certified literary Braille transcriber. I am wondering if my fellow transcribers could pass along any advice on obtaining transcription work? If there are any other blind transcribers, can you share your methods for getting accurate information from print material? I have ideas on how to do these things, but would love to hear from all of you!


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