04/23/2025

Posted By: DreamingCode Admin

Through the Eyes of an AIC in The Braille Cell

Hello, my name is Mark and I've been part of The Braille Cell at OSP for just over two months now, and to my surprise, I've found the braille code easier to understand than I expected. Throughout my life, I've always viewed work and community involvement as ways to give back. This program is no exception, it gives me a genuine sense of purpose and allows me to contribute meaningfully by offering a service that can truly impact others.

My connection to this cause runs deep. My father became legally blind later in life, and through that experience, I came to understand just how vital programs like Braille Transcription Certification are for individuals with visual impairments.

I've also come to realize how great the need is for certified transcribers, especially here in Oregon. Knowing that I'll be helping to produce books and educational materials for the visually impaired community fills me with optimism. The opportunity to continue in this field, even working independently as a transcriber, gives me hope for a positive and fulfilling future.

I'm proud to be part of the early stages of The Braille Cell at OSP, and I look forward to deepening my skills and eventually becoming certified in other areas of braille transcription, such as math, science, and even music.

The Braille Cell has been active for 9 months and currently supports 18 participants enrolled in the Literary Braille Transcribing Course offered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a program of the Library of Congress, in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. We are training to become certified braille transcribers, with the goal of producing print textbooks in braille for visually impaired students across the state of Oregon.