Jill Guilbeau, manager of Society for the Blind’s braille production program, creates a brailled document using the Braillo2 machine in the Sacramento office. Photo courtesy of Society for the Blind

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Nonprofit Society for the Blind in Sacramento is encouraging local businesses and organizations to produce materials in braille for their blind and low vision clients through its braille production program. Since acquiring the Sacramento Braille Transcribers’ services in late 2022, Society for the Blind’s braille production program has taken on a wide range of companies and organizations who want to ensure their clients who are blind and low vision have the same access to information as those who are sighted.

“It’s a win-win because more people who are blind and low vision have access to needed materials in real time, and companies see increased business for providing their customers with accessible store and product information,” said Shari Roeseler, executive director, Society for the Blind. “As we talk to more potential clients, we’re hearing the same thing: We would love to offer braille documents, but where would we get it done? That’s where we come in.” 

Society for the Blind’s braille production program produces playbills for the Sacramento Theatre Company, menus for restaurants, newsletters for the Braille and Talking Book Library, and lessons and textbooks for school districts, including math, history, foreign language, science and music.

“Most people don’t understand how involved it is to create braille documents,” Roeseler said. “Transcribers must have a specific certification in Unified English Braille. They also must be certified in specific braille codes to produce documents related to math, science, music, foreign language and more. Proofreading requires additional years of experience. Fortunately, our program has a full complement of skills and certifications to make this an easy process for our clients.”

The program has approximately 15 transcribers on contract with a wide variety of expertise and certification. Program staff reviews each new project and provides a quote to create the electronic braille file and produce the embossed documents. 

This year, the organization is reaching out to chambers of commerce and local businesses, including more restaurants who need braille menus for their customers, organizations that produce directories and manuals, construction companies who need braille signage proofread, and museums and art galleries that could provide braille signage for permanent exhibitions. 

Society for the Blind provides its clients with a list of local restaurants and businesses that produce braille items, encouraging them to patronize those companies. To request a quote: https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/braille-production/the-braille-production-training-program/. 

For 72 years, Sacramento-based Society for the Blind has continued to create innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. Society for the Blind provides low-vision eye care, life and job skills training, mentorship, and access to tools to maintain independence for more than 5,000 youth, working-age adults and seniors experiencing vision loss each year. Since 1954, Society for the Blind has grown from a dedicated group of volunteers to a nationally recognized agency and the only comprehensive rehabilitative teaching center that provides services for a 27-county region of Northern California. Learn more or donate: www.SocietyfortheBlind.org.