The National Braille Association will be hosting its 2024 Professional Development Conference at the historic Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Located near Pikes Peak, the hotel is within walking distance of downtown, and only a few blocks from the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum and the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. Save the date of October 23-25, 2024 for conference with the possibility of a preconference tour on October 22. Details will be published as they are fianlized.

Autumn has arrived, ushering in the captivating spectacle of changing tree foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. This season also marks the conclusion of my tenure as President of the National Braille Association, as well as the culmination of the 2023 National Braille Association Professional Development Conference.  I’ve had the privilege and honor of to serve as president for this esteemed organization from 2021 to 2023. I am deeply moved by the affection and sentiments expressed for the collaborative efforts that have brought positive impacts to transcribers, braille media producers, educators, paraprofessionals, and administrators through the educational opportunities provided by the National Braille Association. Numerous friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, even those who couldn't attend, have expressed their interest in hearing my farewell remarks during my address to the membership and Board of Directors. I am more than delighted to oblige their request.
 
The past two years have swiftly flown by, and I am amazed at the whirlwind of experiences we have shared. Time has a way of slipping through our fingers when we are fully dedicated to meaningful endeavors. I am overcome with a deep sense of gratitude and contemplation. Leading this exceptional organization has been a truly fulfilling and impactful journey.

Each one of us has our own unique story that has led us to embark on a unique journey through braille. Mine began about 35 years ago in a preschool classroom and little did I know it would lead me to where I am today.

We all share a common passion for braille and the individuals whose lives we touch. Our pathways to braille are diverse, yet here we are, walking side by side. Remember the profound significance of your work. The impact you have on the lives of others is immeasurable, for in the lives we touch, we sow the seeds of inspiration and possibility.

First, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration for the unwavering dedication and hard work exhibited by each and every one of you. Your commitment to our mission of providing continuing education for those involved in braille and braille materials preparation, and your passion for promoting Braille literacy, have been the driving forces behind the Association's success and positive influence on our membership.

Next, as the saying goes, "It takes a village," and together, we have championed the cause of Braille literacy, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments have equal access to information, education, and opportunities. Through our collective efforts, we have created a world where Braille is not merely a skill, but a gateway to independence and empowerment. Countless lives have been touched and transformed by our endeavors, and the stories of triumph and personal growth fuel our determination to do even more in the future.

The achievements of this great organization would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, educators, members, and partners. Each one of you has contributed to the rich tapestry of the National Braille Association, weaving hope and possibility for so many deserving individuals.

As we move forward, let us extend a warm welcome to Patrick Janson, our incoming president and newest leader. While passing the torch, we acknowledge that there are still challenges ahead and many lives waiting to be positively impacted by our work. Together, let us continue standing united by compassion and a shared vision, breaking new ground, and forging paths towards a more inclusive and empathetic society. We have planned the work, and now it is time to work the plan.

It has been an incredible privilege to be part of this extraordinary team and an honor to serve as the President of the National Braille Association. As I transition into the role of Immediate Past President, I carry with me a profound sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from being associated with such an exceptional organization and its members.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment. The impact of the National Braille Association will undoubtedly continue to grow and thrive, driven by the love and care you pour into your work every single day.

The Mountain View Prison Braille Conference had an overwhelming effect on all participants and guests. The following thoughts and feelings are shared from the women offenders who reside within the walls of the Mountain View Unit. The content was approved by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and approved for publication. Quotes have not been edited for spelling or grammar. All offender names have been limited to and approved as first names only by TDCJ.

The braille conference has been a dream come true: a dream never imagined would come to pass. This brought me expanded knowledge in many braille-related topics as well as a sense of hope I didn’t realize I was losing. It has been amazing to see how well my friends are doing after life in prison and I feel very proud of everything they have and to continue to achieve in life. The conference has been a breath of fresh air and a north star to those of us who aim to do the best for our students.  ~Ada
             
The conference to me meant the exchange of information to become a better transcriber/proofreader when I get to go home and prepare to make a living doing something helpful for the students. Plus, it was nice to receive the goodie bag and to eat food we don’t normally get on the unit. Thank you and looking forward to next year’s.  ~Betty
 
The conference showed me that:
1) What we do does matter! 2) There is new and amazing software out there. 3) We (as individuals) are appreciated. 4) Even though we are in here, we are part of the “Braille Community”. Thank you.   ~Stacey
 
The conveyance of braille knowledge as well as the exchanged pleasantries amongst our conference attendees fed life into our program by granting us the ability to interact both professionally and personally with others within our field of study. In truth, our gathering was an affirming phenomenon that reminded us all what it feels like to be part of a genuine community. Thank you all. ~Leticia
 
As a new member of The Mountain View Braille facility, being able to attend the 2023 Braille Prison Conference was so inspiring. The incredibly gracious speakers expressed such a passion for what they do that it lit a fire in me to become as skilled a braille typist and tactilist as I can be. Everyone was so kind and the amount of knowledge I gained was greatly appreciated. I thank each and every individual that was able to make this conference happen.  ~Amber
 
What the conference meant to me was that I actually have a future beyond these gates. A group of awesome supervisors that acknowledge that knowledge is the key to an opportunity for us woman to get out and succeed one day! Obtaining all the tools we need today on a day to day basis in order for us to thrive on our own one day! Thank you, ~Sonya
 
Conference Participants,
     First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the time and effort you all put into making our Braille Conference 2023 an unforgettable memory when moments happen and they make you forget your circumstance you cherish those moments. I will forever be thankful to you all for giving me those moments.
      Secondly, I would like to thank you for sharing the vast amount of knowledge you obtained on your journey with braille. I’m eager to hear more and also share what I know with others.
    Lastly, I would like to say thank you for being so kind to us and treating us with respect. Ya’ll are amazing people and those who know ya’ll are truly blessed.             Thank you, ~Joanna
 
The Conference made what we do at Mt. View Braille real. It brought braille as a profession into perspective while bringing to light the impact our work has on the braille reader. To see the community come together to make this event happen instilled a sense of pride and teamwork that is essential, not only for braille, but for every aspect of life. Thank you, ~Danna
 
The Braille Conference meant so much to me, it let me know that people out there care and really appreciated our hard work. Also, to see other women come back and let us know that the braille community out there is very welcoming is exciting. Gives me hope for when I get out.  ~Veronica
 
Our conference meant so many different things on several levels. The impression was ever lasting, there was altering positivity from the staff to the alumni, and inmates! It was reassuring support from within the prison and outside braille community leaders. The energy was of excitement on a professional, personal, and emotional level. I was humbled and honored, I am grateful for our bosses and our guest. ~Ana
 
Hope!  ~Shelly

This conference meant so much to me in a way that it motivated me to believe more in myself, and know that success is possible to obtain in prison. Thank You!  ~Andrisela
 
 “The Braille Conference gave me a vision of what I can expect when I am able to attend these in the professional world after my release.”  ~Christina
 
The conference was so inspirational seeing all the girls gave me hope for my future outside of here!  ~Jody
 
Overall, it was amazing to have something done for us-- the teaching, new clothes, free-world food, guests from other states, and interaction with former (free) coworkers. It made me feel very appreciated. ~Susan
 
The conference was full of inspiration from community leaders and the braille community. It was a great experience.  ~Crystal
 
The Mountain View Prison Braille Conference was a keen reminder that we are connected to a larger braille community beyond these prison walls.  ~Brandy
 
It expresses, New Beginnings for braille conferences behind bars and bringing together both new and old inside and outside braille families. Also for a great learning experience.  ~Desiree
 
It was very exciting, and inspiring, as those on the inside and out came together for the first-ever Prison Braille Conference to attend panels, work-shops, and develop a strong braille community.  ~Andria
 
The braille conference meant so many things to me hope, promise, love, support, acceptance, encouragement, community, and much more. It brought back the determination to do and be better for all braille readers, and to never stop learning.  ~Kim
 
Inspiring because honor was given to where honor was due in word and deed according to the words of our Creator. The importation of knowledge and skill for a greater braille community for the now and future, so that we can continue to bring sight to the blind.  ~Anataja
It gave me motivation to continue to work towards more certifications and gave me hope to make a good living when I go home.  ~Amber
 
The conference showed me I am not toiling away a hidden place. Prison braille is being presented to the nation as a worthwhile and necessary occupation.  ~Suzanne
 
After twenty-one years of incarceration the 2023 Conference at Mt. View made me truly see how big the purpose is in a future in braille, and that it makes a better person. It was amazing.~Tyshee
 
The conference meant so much to me because I was able to learn many quick ways to do tactile making the job easier to do. It also meant seeing people “real people” doing it outside and making a real difference. Thankyou.  ~Patricia
 
Being part of the conference allowed me to see and feel that I am part of an amazing community of individuals who work hard to improve the quality of life for others. I am not just a number.  ~Lark
 
The conference was a great experience for me. I learned a lot of knowledge. It was motivating me to strive my best to be a great transcriber in the future so I can help the disable to have a better future in life.  ~Stacey
 
The conference brought to me:
1) encouragement for starting a business in braille; 2) more computer techniques for better and faster tactile (i.e. Macros); 3) better strategies and techniques for braille formatting as well (i.e. SSP update, chemistry knowledge, etc.); 4) better knowledge on what agents want from us.) definitely networking!  ~Jodi
 
The Braille Conference was a great experience! It gave me hope! It let me know there is possibility for a chance to make it! And pay it forward to people who can’t!  ~Tammy
 
The Prison Braille Conference to me meant reality, change, acceptance, and equality.  ~Shelby
The conference made a world of difference to me in the fact that it brought to light the reality of what we do in here every day. We change lives for so many people.  ~Cody
 
The conference filled me with knowledge and inspiration. I am looking forward to taking my knowledge home with me and into my future.  ~Kimberly
 
The conference was needed inspiration from successful braillists that were prisoners and now thriving in the world my soul reason for life now is to thrive in the braille here so I may thrive in braille in the Free, thank you!  ~Simona
 
The Braille Conference made me feel as if I were in the “Business World” for two days. I felt as if I were not incarcerated and I learned a lot of useful information to apply to my every day work. Thank you!  ~Michel
 
The conference was a fabulous way for us to come together with Braille Professionals outside these fences and learn new ways of doing things.  ~Trichele
 
The conference meant Freedom to me, it made me believe again in my future outside this place.  ~Rebecca
 
The Conference 2023 meant a lot to me because there is so much to know and the importance of all this information isn’t just about braille, the job, or the knowledge. It’s about doing something that really matters in another person’s life. I enjoyed very much, the volunteers were all really nice and easy to speak with, and knew a lot about industry. I look forward to the next one. Thank you so much for allowing me to attend and for everything you did on your part.  ~Esther
 
The classes and information as well as amazing success stories were incredibly encouraging. Thank you.
 
The conference made the possibilities real. People we know are making a good living with the skills they learned at Mt View Braille Facility. 
People say “You don’t have friends in prison”. Well, the girls that left and come back to share their knowledge care something about us. To have someone that cares, hugs you, really talks to you – it makes you feel free world human. I learned from them some short cuts to make my job easier. Not always does things go your way – out in the free or in here, so just remember if you can’t change or fix it – it’s not worth you worrying about. I’m sorry I couldn’t name (1) thing but it was awesome.  ~Sherry
​
It meant a lot. From the ladies that use to be here explaining the transition of working in braille inside TDC and out there. From the ladies and gentlemen who’ve never been incarcerated yet took the time to explain what braille meant to them and they accept us into their work. Acknowledging Mountain View Braille and Mrs. Billman for its excellence. It meant we could ask questions about here and now and our future in braille from the staff and higher ups. It meant that this industry job is being recognized for its importance; the change its making in the lives of the ladies who are learning braille. Women who are working in the same work they plan to do once released and also the change in the lives of all the released and also the change in the lives of all the students who benefit from the work produced here. 

​Pre-conference gathering of some of the presenters and prison personnel.

"Overcoming Barriers: Meeting Transcribers Wherever They Are" was the theme for the first-ever in-person braille conference which took place on June 12-13, 2023 held within the confines of prison walls at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas—a part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This unique prison braille program, a collaboration between the Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Logistics Division of TDCJ and the Windham School District, is currently the only one of its kind in Texas. The program aims to provide incarcerated individuals with educational opportunities, including academic, career, and technical programs, fostering valuable skills, work ethics, and reducing recidivism rates while saving tax dollars.

Approximately 80 women offenders actively participate in the braille facility at the Mountain View Unit, diligently working from 5 am to 2 pm daily, and attending instructional classes afterward. Through this program, these women acquire essential job skills, demonstrate strong work ethics, and produce high-quality braille and tactile graphics. Their efforts involve transcribing textbooks and educational materials, benefiting blind and visually impaired students across Texas and the nation. After their release, these individuals continue enriching their lives by attending braille conferences and establishing businesses, further enhancing their skill sets.

This conference represented the realization of a dream, a testament to hard work, faith, and determination. It brought together various entities, including the prison system, braille agencies, braille professionals, former offenders, and current offenders. Over two days, the event fostered learning, sharing, and offered a conference experience to the incarcerated women at Mountain View Unit. The celebration began with warm reunions and heartfelt emotions as participants gathered the evening before the conference commenced.

The conference commenced with an opening ceremony in the chapel, resembling other professional braille conferences with flag ceremonies, prayers, music, speeches, and a keynote address. Attendees received registration packets with essential materials, and the two-day program included multiple sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, providing ample opportunities for learning, fellowship, and networking.

The conference successfully achieved its goal of offering something valuable to every participant involved, igniting a passion for braille and its importance. The event highlighted the success stories of former inmates who excelled after their release, inspiring others to overcome challenges and reach their potential. The collective effort of everyone involved showcased the significance of prison braille programs, empowering individuals with necessary training and experience while providing essential educational materials to those in need. This transformative event is a true testament to the prison's commitment to rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.

​As the positive impacts of this conference continue to resonate, it is hoped that it will inspire hope and create lasting change in the lives of all those involved, strengthening the bonds formed through shared challenges and a passion for braille. The accomplishments of these individuals stand as a shining example of dedication and hard work, proving that a brighter future is possible for anyone willing to seize opportunities and believe in their dreams.

Warden Lozada, Mrs. Delores Billman, and the "Braille Squad."  (Photo courtesy of TDCJ)

Photo courtesy of Windham School District.

Braille Challenge Fun Facts:

• Celebrating the brightest braille readers and writers from across the globe in an International Braille Literacy competition:
  • ​Top 10 contestants in five age categories = 50 finalists
  • Finalists represent 22 American states and 2 Canadian provinces
    • 817 braille readers participated in regionals held across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
• Originated in 2000 as a local event at the Braille Institute Orange County Center, Anaheim, CA
• 2001 first National Braille Challenge, San Diego, CA
• Now 23 years strong

ALL participants are winners just for getting here! CONGRATULATIONS to First, Second, and Third Place winners:
                 ​Apprentice

1. Luise Schmdt-Eisenlohr
2. Adalyn Kumm
3.  Tianna Tollefson

                Freshman

1.  Anne Ye
2.  Hao Wen Deng
3.  Matthew Heesen

               Sophomore

1.  Leo De Santis
2.  Salome Cummins
3. Janna Cheung

              Junior Varsity

1. Christopher Morgan
2. EmmaGrace Olech
3. Braeden Robinson

          Varsity

1. Brooke Petro
2. Madeline Mau
3. Nathan Deeds

Excellence in Spelling Award: Anne Ye of New York
Excellence in Reading Comprehension Award: Anne Ye of New York
Harley Fetterman Award for Excellence in Charts and Graphs: Leo De Santis
Teacher of the Year for Excellence in Braille Instruction: April Makley, Michigan

The first-ever in-house prison braille conference 'behind the walls' was held June 12 & 13, 2023 at the Mountain View Unit, Gatesville, through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The following speech was written and presented at the opening ceremonies and has been published with permission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Additional information on the conference as a whole will be published at a later date. Enjoy. ~

                                                                                           One Dot

(Written by a Mountain View Transcriber for the Mountain View Prison Braille Conference, the first ever conference for offenders held ‘behind the walls,’ June 12-13, 2023. Published with permission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
​
One dot. To a sighted reader it only has a few meanings: a period, half of a colon or semicolon, or part of an ellipsis. So one dot alone is restricted in interpretations, but one dot to a braille reader is the equivalent of a mustard seed. Matthew 17:20 says: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The smallest entity that has the power to have the greatest impact, because of all that it can mean. In braille, one dot … one tiny, seemingly inconsequential dot, could almost mean an infinite number of things, depending on which dot it is and what the context of that dot is. Just think about all that one dot can mean to a braille reader: the letter a, the number one, an ea contraction, a comma, apostrophe, script typeform indicator, typeform word indicator, a whole list of things when we consider Nemeth, and the list goes on and on. The possibilities are endless. If you don’t know braille, you’ll just have to trust us.
But that is just considering the literal meaning of one dot. Taken in the abstract, one dot means infinite opportunities for the braille reader are opened to them; worlds previously inaccessible. It gives them choices in careers that hadn’t been options before. It moves mountains or at least gives them tools in order to conquer those mountains themselves. The dots are their mustard seeds.
Does that make anyone else nervous? Because as many meanings as one dot has to the braille reader, that also means that it can go so very wrong by just one dot being off; completely altering the meaning of something and as a result, altering someone’s education. Because that dot also represents a person. We are not just creating braille … there is a person that will directly benefit from each dot we create and it is up to us as to what quality level we send them. In the Braillist’s Pledge of Professional Ethics’ Position of Statement from the National Braille Association, the last tenet is to ‘continuously develop the highest levels of knowledge and skills through professional development in my chosen specialty,’ because the quality of braille matters that much. And the more it can matter to us the more driven we are to ensure that we produce the highest quality braille that we are capable of. Find your Andrea, your Alejandra, your Lily or Timmy in these dots. Each of the braille readers who receive our work matter and because they matter, so do we.
Our visitors … this opportunity … this conference … is not only fulfilling the charge of the pledge in such a visible way, but also confirming that each person involved in the process of braille production matters. You and this conference are an embodiment of both a dream for Mrs. Billman and hope for those in the program. We can see the future us in you and it will be easier for us, because we don’t have to forge the path that you did … we just have to follow in your footsteps, but thankfully we don’t have to fill them. We do have to strive to produce the best braille possible by caring about each dot. So thank you for coming here today to help us in a way that’s never been done before. Our dots will be better because of you and this conference … and at the end of the day, it is all about the dots.

Join Us For The 2023 Professional Development Conference
By Chris Clemens on May 09, 2023 11:28 am

We’re very excited to share the news that registration for the 2023 Professional Development Conference is live! This year we have opened registration earlier than usual, so we’re hopeful that means you have more time to plan. Mark your calendars and make your plans to join us in Knoxville, Tennessee this October. Our presenters have been working tirelessly to prepare a whole new set of workshops just for you!

If you’re not familiar with our conferences, we gather together for three full days of training in all skills areas of braille transcription. Our expert committee members prep the whole year developing educational content to teach you how to properly format textbooks, how to use computer-assisted transcription software, how to apply Nemeth code guidelines to UEB, how to start your own business as a transcriber, and a whole lot more.

The conference is open to anyone, and it is appropriate for anyone who does braille transcription in their work.

WHENThe three day conference will take place on October 18, 19, and 20, 2023. Workshops begin at 9:00 a.m. on the 18th, and end at 4:00 p.m. on the 20th

WHEREThis year we’ll be in Knoxville, Tennessee. The host hotel is the Hilton Knoxville located right downtown. All of our workshops and events related to the conference will be onsite at the Hilton Knoxville.

WORKSHOPSEach day will consist of a morning session and an afternoon session. One change this year is that one of the sessions will be split up, so there will be five 2 1/2 hour sessions, and then two 1 hour workshops for a total of seven workshops instead of six like we’ve done in the past. This allows us to pack in more topics without having to add extra days to the conference.

Though you’ll only be able to attend one workshop from each session, we’ve got the option this year that will allow you to purchase the materials from the entire conference.

Registration OptionsThis year there are two tiers of registration. With Tier One you get the materials from the workshops that you are registered to attend. With Tier Two you will receive materials from the entire conference.

Tier One – $175.00 per person
Tier One includes your choice of seven workshops over the course of three days. Each Tier One attendee will receive materials electronically (PDF and BRF) for the workshops they are attending.

Tier One registration will cost $175.00 through August 31. On September 1 the cost increases to $200.00. On October 1 the costs increases to $225.00.

Tier Two – $300.00 per person
Tier Two includes your choice of seven workshops over the course of three days. Each Tier Two attendee will receive materials electronically (PDF and BRF) for the entire conference.

Tier Two registration will cost $300.00 through August 31. On September 1 the cost increases to $325.00. On October 1 the costs increases to $350.00.

Note: Pricing listed is for current NBA Members. Non-members will be charged an additional $25.00 on any registration selection.

HOW TO REGISTERTo register please visit this link to be transported to a CVENT website where we’ve developed our registration dashboard. Alternatively, this page has general info regarding the conference including tabs with workshop descriptions and fees.

If you’re registering more than one person, you’ll need to register each person individually, but you can add them to your group so you’ll only need to make one transaction. If you’re paying offline, please register and submit your Purchase Order or check as soon as possible.

Presenters: Please remember to register for the workshops that you are presenting! We need to be able to count you in that room.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

MORE INFOYou may find more info about the conference on this page of our site as it becomes available.

If you are a vendor or business who is interested in being involved with the conference, please contact Chris Clemens in our office. We’ve developed some different sponsorship opportunities from previous years that will allow your brand to be out in front of our attendees. We would be very grateful for your involvement in any capacity!

If you’ve got questions or need assistance, please contact our office with this form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

The post Join Us For The 2023 Professional Development Conference appeared first on National Braille Association.

​Copyright © 2023 National Braille Association, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
National Braille Association
95 Allens Creek Road
Building 1, Suite 202
Rochester, NY 14618

2022 Conference Update: Virtual Attendance
​By Chris Clemens on Jul 28, 2022 10:26 am


Like so many others in recent years, NBA has been trying to plan for a future that changes more quickly than we often anticipate. We’ve always enjoyed the luxury of routine with our conference, but since COVID first hit the United States, planning for our conference has been anything but routine.

The good news is, our conference in San Antonio this fall is still a go!

The difficult news we’re working with this week is the potential fate of the virtual production of this year’s conference.

For the first time we’ve attempted the monumental feat of running an in-person conference and a virtual conference simultaneously. Our goal has been to deliver educational content to as many transcribers as possible, and that hasn’t changed. However, since we’ve launched registration, some hurdles have placed themselves in our way of producing the virtual portion of the conference.

Right now, our plan is to continue with producing a conference that allows for attendance from anywhere in the world, but that could change in coming weeks.

Much of our commitment to producing a virtual conference will depend on how much interest there is. We want to make the virtual conference a reality that serves the many, but it will be a monumental task to follow through with if interest is low.

This message is meant to convey two thoughts:

1. If you’re intending to attend the conference virtually this year, we ask that you either register soon, or at least inform the office of your intentions. That will give us a sense of how much interest there is.
2. On August 15th, we’ll be evaluating the level of interest and determine if any changes need to be made.

While we attempt to keep our sails soaring in ever changing winds, we’re super appreciative of your patience and support. We couldn’t be more ecstatic to be having a conference again, and we want this one to be as great as possible for all. Your support in making that happen is enormously encouraging!

The post 2022 Conference Update: Virtual Attendance appeared first on National Braille Association.

Copyright © 2022 National Braille Association, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this blog update because you signed up on our website to get notifications of new blog posts. Enjoy!

Our mailing address is:
National Braille Association
95 Allens Creek Road
Building 1, Suite 202
Rochester, NY 14618

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​Join Us for the 2022 NBA Professional Development Conference!
​By Chris Clemens on Jul 05, 2022 04:57 am

We haven’t been able to gather together in person for a conference since 2019, so we are extra excited to announce that registration for the 2022 NBA Professional Development Conference is now live! This year there are some considerable differences from our previous conferences, so be sure to read through for all the information before planning to attend.

If you’re not familiar with our conferences, we gather together for three full days of training in all skills areas of braille transcription. Our expert committee members prep the whole year developing educational content to teach you how to properly format textbooks, how to use computer-assisted transcription software, how to apply Nemeth code guidelines to UEB, how to start your own business as a transcriber, and a whole lot more.

The conference is open to anyone, and it is appropriate for anyone who does braille transcription in their work.

WHEN
This year the conference will take place Wednesday, November 2 through Friday, November 4, 2022.
Additionally, for those interested in joining, there will be a social event planned for the evening of Tuesday, November 1 consisting of a two-hour dinner cruise. Paid registration is required and seating is limited.

WHERE
This year we’ll be meeting at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk Downtown located at 125 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, 78205. The hotel is located right on the scenic San Antonio Riverwalk just a few minutes from restaurants, shops, and opportunities for fresh air.

All workshops will take place at the hotel.

As usual, we’ve set aside a room block at a special rate, but that will fill up. You are not required to stay at the hotel where we meet. To book a room online at our special conference rate, please click here. If you would prefer to reserve a room by calling the hotel, they can be reached at 1-800-362-2779. Please make sure to mention that you are coming for the “NBA” event (“NBA” is our unique event code used by the hotel to apply any special rates we are being provided). Please note that once our room block is full, your accommodation will be subject to the hotel’s regular rates, so don’t wait to book your rooms.

WORKSHOPS
As we’ve done in the past, each day will consist of a morning session and an afternoon session. Each session has five workshops, so you’ll choose one in each session and attend a total of six.

Though you’ll only be able to attend one workshop from each session, we’ve added an option this year that will allow you to purchase the materials from the entire conference!

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE
This one is BIG.

We will be live broadcasting the entire conference using the same platform we used to produce our virtual conference in 2020. This year you’ll be able to attend in person OR from the comfort of your own office!

Virtual conference registrants will pay for a single event registration and be able to pick six workshops just like the in-person attendees. You’ll then be sent a link with the materials and to view the workshop live. You’ll even be able to participate and ask questions!

A FEW CHANGES
For the most part, we’ve kept our conference format pretty consistent in recent years with small tweaks here and there. This year we’re making a few more tweaks. For those of you veterans used to attending, please note the following changes:

• There will be no Exhibit Hall this year.
• The meal plan this year will only include the Thursday evening banquet. We will not be hosting luncheons as we’ve done in the past. You are free to enjoy the breaks in whatever way you wish! We’ve added a little extra room in the lunchtime breaks to accommodate the fact that you may want to go offsite to find some food at lunchtime.
• The virtual conference is a big change!

Registration Options
We’ve received a ton of feedback over the years and we try to accommodate as many needs as possible. So, this year, we’ve created a menu of options that will allow you to pick a registration option that will meet your needs. You’ll pick from one of the following.

Tier One – $175.00
Tier One Event Registration includes your choice of six workshops over the course of three days. Each attendee will receive a flash drive that includes the materials for the selected workshops.

Tier One with Banquet – $225.00
Tier One Event Registration includes your choice of six workshops over the course of three days. Each attendee will receive a flash drive that includes the materials for the selected workshops. This Registration Option also includes the Banquet that will be taking place on Thursday evening.

Tier Two – $300.00
Tier Two Event Registration includes your choice of six workshops over the course of three days. Each attendee will receive a flash drive that includes the materials for the selected workshops, as well as all of the other workshops.

Tier Two with Banquet – $350.00
Tier Two Event Registration includes your choice of five workshops over the course of two-and-a-half days. Each attendee will receive a flash drive that includes the materials for the selected workshops, as well as all of the other workshops. This Registration Option also includes the Banquet that will be taking place on Thursday evening.

Virtual Conference – $450.00
Virtual Conference Registration provides access to your choice of six workshops over the course of three days that will be made available through a live video conferencing platform.

Note: Pricing listed is for current NBA Members. Non-members will be subject to an additional $25.00 on any registration selection.

HOW TO REGISTER
To register a spot in-person or virtually, please visit this link to be transported to a CVENT website where we’ve developed our registration dashboard.

If you’re registering more than one person, you’ll need to register each person individually, but you can add them to your group so you’ll only need to make one transaction. If you’re paying offline, please register and submit your Purchase Order or check as soon as possible.

Presenters: Please remember to register for the workshops that you are presenting! We need to be able to count you in that room.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
MORE INFO

​You may find more info about the conference on this page of our site as it becomes available.

If you are a vendor or business who is interested in being involved with the conference, please contact Chris Clemens in our office. We’ve developed some different sponsorship opportunities from previous years that will allow your brand to be out in front of our attendees. We would be very grateful for your involvement in any capacity!

If you’ve got questions or need assistance, please contact our office with this form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
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The post Join Us for the 2022 NBA Professional Development Conference! appeared first on National Braille Association.

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I attended a meeting today regarding safety and the focus was how to make our environments safer.
As a life-long braille transcriber in the educational setting, I was often located on an elementary school campus. My office sat near the back of the school, in an outside, modular, prefabricated building commonly known as a "portable." From the residential homes looming on the hillsides above me, access to the school could be accomplished from a dirt trail that wound down the hillside. Any casual walker could come down that trail and get access to my office. 
During the day, I loved preparing classroom materials and books for our print challenged students, facilitating access to the curriculum through a tactual means and promoting literacy for the educational successes of the students I served. 
Two days-a-week, I made myself available in the afternoon for an after-school “braille club” to teach students the basics of writing the alphabet so they could craft notes for their blind peers. On Wednesday evenings, I taught the art of braille transcribing to sighted adults who had a desire to learn to write in the secret code of braille dots. 
While discussing all the aspects of safety, and how to react when presented with different scenarios, I paused to reflect on the only danger I ever encountered in an educational setting. With apologies, I once again share my story.
                                                                                                    ***
As a literary braille transcriber, my days are anything but boring. My office is situated on an elementary school campus, surrounded by hillsides dressed in chaparral … where wildlife such as squirrels, rabbits, and field mice can be found frolicking outside my door, and occasionally, a lonely coyote can be spotted in the hills as the late-afternoon sun begins to settle into darkness. There is no hint of danger in my surroundings, and I am left to the solitude I so enjoy in my daily work. The following story was submitted to the staff at my school after a typical day with a not-so-typical visitor. It tells of the perils of braille transcribing.
                                                                                      
The story you are about to read is true. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent.
 
This is the city. Laguna Niguel, California. ... George White Elementary School, Portable 5. I work here ... I am a braille transcriber.
 
It was Tuesday, October 13th, 2:00 pm. It was cloudy in Laguna Niguel. The school children were preparing to go home. I was just finishing up with my braille work and preparing to go work with a student at the middle school. Marco Forster Middle School. I had disconnected the braille flash drive from my computer when the carrying case fell under my computer desk. Dropping to my knees to reach the fallen object, my eyes wandered to the left corner, where there appeared to be something curled up. What could it be? A piece of rope? It did not look like rope ... Being that the corner was dark, I thought my eyes were deceiving me ... a snake? Was I really seeing a snake? Couldn't be! After all, this is the city. This is a school. There are kids on these premises. Noise, activity, chaos .... and snakes typically do not attend school.
 
I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Indeed, I believed I was staring at a snake! But why was he here? Surely, he had not come to see me about reading braille dots. Dot-reading requires fingers ... and snakes do not possess fingers.
 
I grabbed for my camera ... no one would ever believe this! I needed a picture ... validation that I was not completely bonkers! You see, my days are generally spent working in the quiet ... in most situations, mine is not a social job. I am alone with the solitude that comes with this slow, methodical, nit-picky task of creating dots. So, the camera would prove that my eyes did not deceive me. I grabbed a broom and swiped at a label that had fallen to the floor near the snake: FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. I wanted a clear shot of this snake. The snake did not move. I snapped a picture. FLASH! Still the snake did not move. Was he real? Was he alive? What was he doing here? How long had he been there?
 
I quickly telephoned Marcia in the front office and calmly said, "Marcia, this is Jana. There is a snake in my office." Marcia exclaimed, "A snake?!"
 
"Yes, a snake" I replied. "He doesn't look excessively big, but he is curled up under my computer desk. Can someone come remove him?"
 
Marcia responded that she would notify Mike, our principal, since the custodian had already left for the day, and that she would send him out to me.
 
Enter ... Animal Control.
 
A minute or so later, Marcia telephoned me. "Jana, I have Animal Control on the way. Don't leave, and don't disturb him."
 
This gave me time to reflect ... what to do? There is a snake in my portable! Why is he IN here? Ah ha ... the mice population! Yes, I have encountered mice in this portable ... usually after they have died and have left a foul-smelling odor behind. Perhaps the snake came in looking for food ... particularly mice! Yes, that MUST be why he is in here! Of course! It has nothing to do with my braille skills ... or his dot-reading ...
 
I glanced at the clock ... 2:10 PM. I need to be in place at the middle school by 2:30 or my braille student would be left to his own devices without me 6th period. I quickly called Marco Forster Middle School and asked them to deliver a message to the teacher, stating I would be arriving late to work with the student, and to please hold him in class until I got there. I told her I would come directly to her room to get him.

​The attendance clerk, Sandy, agreed to send a message, then asked if there was a problem. I calmly but quickly replied there was no problem ... but that there was a snake under my computer desk. How is that for an excuse? Sandy chuckled and I reassured her it was the honest truth. Sandy shrieked! "A snake?! Oh my!"
 
"Yes, a snake" I calmly replied. "But he is small .... not very big."
 
I walked up to the office to show Marcia the picture I had so cleverly snapped. She was not amused. About that time, the Animal Control Officer arrived. I exited the office and went to greet her in the parking lot. I thought this whole snake business was sort of humorous. The Animal Control Officer, a woman, retrieved a long stick device about four-foot long with a metal hook-like noose on the end. I explained to her that the snake was small, and I was feeling foolish over having to call animal control to come remove this little snake. I told her, "I have a picture ... see? He is small ..." as I opened my camera to show her the picture.
 
"That is a rattlesnake!" the officer told me. "We need to get him out of there quickly. He is extremely dangerous!"
 
We both hurried out to the portable ... and I excitedly exclaimed to Kim (a co-worker who comes to P-5 on Tuesday afternoons) "That snake is a rattlesnake!"
 
As the officer poked into the corner where the snake was peacefully resting, he suddenly came to life and was not pleased at having been disturbed. With the noose securely surrounding the snake the officer began to pull the snake from the corner, revealing an incredibly angry creature between 16"-18" in length. The snake opened its jaw and tried unsuccessfully to strike at anything it could.
 
As the YMCA children prepared for an art project at the tables outside, the officer announced that she was going to have to euthanize the snake for the safety of everyone. It was small enough around that it was slipping from the rod and noose that was holding it at bay. It would not be safe to try to relocate the animal especially with young children outside.
 
"Within seconds, on a plastic dustpan, that rattlesnake suffered from separation of mind and body. I felt a little sadness ... that the snake could not be spared ..., it had spent the entire day with me inches from my foot, and it never once (to my knowledge) felt threatened. And I never once felt threatened … until I learned that it was a rattlesnake … an extremely dangerous baby rattlesnake ... and then I felt like I was the luckiest person alive!