1. BrailleBlaster: A New Way Forward
BrailleBlaster logo

2. What is BrailleBlaster?
BrailleBlaster is a free braille transcription program developed to help transcribers and those interested in braille provide students with braille textbooks on the first day of class.

3. But why? Need for innovation in transcription software
Need to increase output
Need to decrease translation time
Need to reduce costs in braille production
Need for more braille in the classroom

4. How did we get here? A multi-year effort
Major work on BB began a little over three years ago as a large team was assembled.
Feedback was sought
In-house transcribers
KCI-W
Torrington, Wyoming
Transcribers brought to APH
Open beta (ongoing!)

5. How does it work?
Takes advantage of the rich markup contained in NIMAS files to automate basic formatting.
Provides tools to make advanced tasks quicker and easier.

6. Automatic Translation and Formatting
BB retains information from the file
Emphasized text
Page numbers
Formatting
Including nested formatting, so BB knows if a list should be 1-3 or 1-5 and 3-5

7. BANA Formatting Included
Lists get a blank before and after - except when they don’t!
BB automatically adheres to BANA formatting by removing and adding blank lines contextually.
Automatic formatting can be overridden for special circumstances.

8. Tools to Assist Translation
T-Page Generator
Table of Contents Builder
Table Editor
Alphabetic Reference Tools
Line Number Tools
Robust Find and Replace for text, emphasis, and styles
Icon Replacement
Macro emphasis removal
These tools were designed as a result of transcriber feedback. We knew, because of their help, what aspects of translation were the hardest and made tools to meet those needs. These tools are the T-Page Generator, TOC Builder, Table Editor, Alphabetic Reference Tools, and Line Number Tools.

9. ASCII Math Number Line Tools Spatial Templates Matrix Builder
Math Tools
ASCII Math
Number Line Tools
Spatial Templates
Matrix Builder

10. Smart Volumes Not just text
Defines portions of your document as a volume to make T-Pages, TOC, and BRF management easier!
A big part of workflow changes comes from Smart Volumes. You’re defining the text as a volume not just adding an end of volume statement. If you do your t-pages at the beginning, you won’t have volume divisions to get the most out of that tool, which I’ll explain more in a little bit.

11. All Tools are Optional
If you can use a text editor, you can use BB to make braille
All tools are optional, all automatic formatting can be overridden

12. Easily Make New Documents
Make worksheets and handouts for class with little or no braille knowledge
Plain language styles and tools
Easy embossing
Quick translation with dual views

13. Fully Accessible
Accessibility diligently maintained thanks to APH’s commitment to standards, testing, and the hiring of developers and testers that are blind or visually-impaired.
We are committed to accessibility at APH and BrailleBlaster is no exception. Any accessibility issues that are uncovered are immediately given a high priority and we always welcome feedback on how we can make the program more accessible.

14. A New Way of Thinking about Transcription!
Different possible workflows
Editing rather than creating
Make changes on a large scale
If you like your old work flow, you can still use it but BB opens up new possibilities for changing up your work flow. For one, you can just dive right in and start changing styles and then do your volumes, Table of Contents, and T-Pages last. You’re working with the whole file and you’re going to work faster so that’s possible. No need to think a volume at a time. You can focus on the whole book, page by page. Remember that you’re editing a document, not creating one from scratch.

15. Documentation User Guide included with install and online
Videos and quick tips
Use mailing lists to speak to experts and developers

16. Get Involved Visit www.brailleblaster.org Released and available now
Join the mailing list
Put in feature requests and report issues

17. Thank you! Presenters: William Freeman wfreeman@aph.org
Contact us for more information about training opportunities!
Thank you for your time and attention! Please feel free to contact Jane or myself about training opportunities for you and your staff.