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<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Nothing about us without us!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Great News!</DIV>
<DIV>Please read and share with others.</DIV>
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<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
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<DIV>** </DIV>
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<DIV>NEWS BRIEF</DIV>
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<DIV>Automated Production of Braille Math Books in the Works</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Blind students who read Braille are all too familiar with waiting for
Braille versions of their school textbooks. Some blind students can wait up
to
six months to receive an accessible version of a textbook if they get one at
all, leading to a gap in education. The lack of Braille is particularly
problematic in STEM subjects. As blind mathematician and longtime member of
the
National Federation of the Blind Dr. Al Maneki says, "A Braille formula
enables
a person to touch and compare various pieces. Having the computer pronounce
a
formula for you is not adequate for a blind reader any more than it would be
adequate for a sighted reader."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>With a grant from the American Action Fund for Blind Children and
Adults,
along with support from the National Science Foundation, a working group of
members of the National Federation of the Blind and other researchers is
developing an automated method for creating textbooks in Braille. The
American
Institute of Mathematics (AIM) just announced the production method and a
week-long workshop to explain and improve on it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"The National Federation of the Blind is an organization of blind
Americans
working to solve our own problems and set our own priorities, and as such we
take seriously our leadership role in developing solutions that benefit all
blind people," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of
the
Blind. "Braille literacy and the availability of Braille textbooks are keys
to
educational success, particularly in STEM fields. We are proud of our work
to
use cutting-edge technology for the timely production of Braille
textbooks
so that blind students, like my two daughters and thousands more, do not
needlessly struggle or fall behind their peers."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Learn more by reading the official AIM press release<<A
href="https://aimath.org/aimnews/braille_full/">https://aimath.org/aimnews/braille_full/</A>>.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>###</DIV>
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<DIV>About the National Federation of the Blind</DIV>
<DIV>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore,
is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in
1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty
states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind
people of all ages and provides information and support to families with
blind
children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the
hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into
reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at
wwwnfb.org<<A
href="http://www.nfb.org">http://www.nfb.org</A>>.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>CONTACT:</DIV>
<DIV>Chris Danielsen</DIV>
<DIV>Director of Public Relations</DIV>
<DIV>National Federation of the Blind</DIV>
<DIV>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330</DIV>
<DIV>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)</DIV>
<DIV>cdanielsen@nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This news brief is also available at: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/automated-production-braille-math-books-works">https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/automated-production-braille-math-books-works</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.</DIV>
<DIV>Director of Public Relations</DIV>
<DIV>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</DIV>
<DIV>(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen@nfb.org</DIV>
<DIV>Twitter: @rlawyer</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>[National Federation of the Blind]<<A
href="https://nfb.org/">https://nfb.org/</A>></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
[Facebook] <<A
href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</A>>
[Twitter] <<A
href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice</A>>
[Youtube] <<A
href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind</A>></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.</DIV>
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