[NFBWV-Talk] Fwd: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Automated Production of Braille Math Books in the Works

[Sheri Koch]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 16, 2020 at 3:03 PM
Subject: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Automated Production of Braille
Math Books in the Works
To: NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>, nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org <
nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>, State Affiliate Leadership List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
CC: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>












*NEWS BRIEF*


*Automated Production of Braille Math Books in the Works*



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.”



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.



“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.”



Learn more by reading the official AIM press release
<https://aimath.org/aimnews/braille_full/>.



*###*



*About the National Federation of the Blind *

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 www.nfb.org.



*CONTACT:*

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org



This news brief is also available at:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/automated-production-braille-math-books-works















Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.

Director of Public Relations

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g>

(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org

Twitter: @rlawyer



[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>



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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.




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-- 
Sheri Koch, President
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
304-993-5103