"Using Source Files: An AFB Online Course for Braille Transcribers Description"

The American Foundation for the Blind offers this course, free of charge, to braille transcribers who know how to use braille translation software and who are interested in working with publishers' source files. The course is designed as a self-directed professional development opportunity. This course gives participants professional development opportunities at their fingertips. The course will help braille transcribers translate textbooks and other instructional materials from print into braille more efficiently.

In this course, braille transcribers will learn to:

• Unit 1: Review the elements found on a print page of a textbook and relate them to the corresponding features in publishers' source files.
• Unit 2: Use Microsoft Word's find and replace features.
• Unit 3: Apply newly acquired skills to braille translation software.

The course is designed to address important skills for braille transcribers, including these objectives:

• Define how to evaluate print materials to identify issues that may affect the use of source files and/or require editing or formatting in the source file
• Describe the internal format and content of source files, and note issues that affect the use of source files by braille translation software.
• Be familiar with the techniques for using source files with their preferred braille translation software tool.
• Know where to find supplemental information and tools about braille translation.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply what is learned in the course to specific situations involving textbook production.

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