INDIVIDUAL BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES 2014
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
800-548-7323
www.nbp.org
About Our Company
National Braille Press handles every type of braille and large-print job for organizations
across the country. Our highly-automated, desktop division makes it feasible for us to
produce a few copies of a document—a service which has grown with the passage of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
However, there is often a need for one copy of a document for an individual who wants
a particular book or computer manual transcribed at an economical price. As a public
service to address this need, NBP has compiled this listing of Individual Braille
Transcription Services, or IBTS for short.
This information was collected in March of 2014 and is subject to change as time goes
by. We make no recommendations regarding these braille services, although we assume
they offer respectable braille transcription. We suggest that you contact an agency before
sending your materials to be transcribed.
Associated Services for the Blind
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
TEL (215) 627-0600
FAX (215) 922-0692
Email: rforsyth@asb.org
Website: www.asb.org
Associated Services will transcribe print documents and disk and e-mail files into braille
for individuals, schools, government agencies and corporations. The size of the document
and the quantity are not a factor.
ASB produces braille on single- or double-sided sheets. Literary, textbook, tactile
graphics, mathematics, chemistry and music are produced by a certified braillist. All
brailled material is proofread and corrected before binding; several binding choices are
available.
The ASB online Bookstore is available at www.asb.org, select Bookstore for over 300
titles.
Call for an estimate of price and turnaround time.
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Braille Co., Inc.
ATTN: Josie Little
38 Peterson Road
Falmouth, MA 02540
TEL (508) 540-0800
Email: braillinc@capecod.net
Braille Inc. can receive documents in print or on IBM disk or CD-ROM for braille
translation. In general, prices per braille page are: $2.70-3.00 per braille page for literary
braille; $2.85-$3.05 for math, technical materials, charts and diagrams, and computer
texts; $7.95-$18.00 for music braille; $2.80-3.20 for foreign language. This organization
is particularly strong in the areas of higher math, science, foreign languages, and
computer-related materials.
They produce single-sided braille on computer-sized paper. Approximate turnaround time
for a short document is 5 business days; for a large document it is 3 to 4 weeks. They
handle rush jobs for an extra charge, if they have the time. They will provide estimates,
fixed price quotations, and delivery dates.
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Braille Plus, LLC
A Document Conversion Service
P.O. Box 1104
Gilbert, Arizona 85299-1104
TEL (480) 782-0223
FAX (480) 782-0267
Email: info@brailleplus.com
Website: www.brailleplus.com
Contact: Abby Chancellor
Braille Plus accepts information in print, electronically, on disk (WordPerfect, MS
Word/Office, ASCII, and others), via fax, or to be typed in.
They can produce single-sided or interpoint Braille on 8.5" by 11" or 11" by 11.5" paper.
Braille Plus transcribes computer material, Nemeth Code, and all literary braille
including foreign languages. All work is completed by a Library of Congress Certified
Transcriber. All items are guaranteed for 100% accuracy.
Price per page is $2.25-$6.00, depending on the difficulty of the job. Estimates are
available upon request at no charge.
Turnaround time for short jobs is one week or less. Rush jobs are subject to an additional
charge for priority.
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Braille Plus, Inc.
PO Box 3686
2659 Commercial Street SE
Suite 264
Salem, Oregon 97302
TEL Toll Free (866) 264-2345
TEL Local (503) 391-5335
FAX (503) 391-9359
Email: service@brailleplus.net
Website: www.Brailleplus.net
Your print document can be turned into any alternate format, from hard copy or
electronic file. Documents and faxes that are not scannable are hand entered. Files from
most software applications are usable.
Rates vary, depending on the type of document being prepared. The more technical or
complex it is, the higher the cost. Each format also has its own materials cost. Sometimes
the best solution is to prepare a project in a combination of formats. Contact us and we
will gladly provide a free estimate.
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Dancing Dots Braille Music Technology
Attn: Office Manager
1754 Quarry Lane
P.O. Box 927
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0927
TEL (610) 783-6692
TEL toll free (866) 336-8746
FAX (610) 500-5072
Email: info@dancingdots.com
Website: www.dancingdots.com
Dancing Dots specializes in automating braille music transcription using their
GOODFEEL® software designed to produce braille scores that conform to international
standards for music braille. Send Dancing Dots your print score, LIME or MusicXML
notation file or MIDI file. They will input print scores or import digital scores into the
LIME notation editor and then translate the resultant Lime file using GOODFEEL.
Transcriptions can be returned as embossed hardcopy braille or as an ASCII text file.
$4.00 per braille page transcribed from computer files
$6.00 to $7.50 per braille page transcribed from print score depending on complexity of
material
$5.00 minimum handling charge per order
$20 per hour rate for set up
$35 minimum charge per order
$2.00 per volume optional binding fee
$.75 per page for additional copies
Written estimate provided for large jobs.
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DOT'S WRITE
Evelyn Dawursk
506 Lake Kerry Dr
St. Cloud, Fl 34769
TEL 407-556-3726
CEL 407-460-3067
FAX 407-556-3726
Email: dotswritebrl@aol.com
Website: www.dotswrite.com
Will braille up to 150 print pages
$1.25 per page
Plain cover: $1.75
Printed cover, $1.50
Binding $.50.
Business cards $.25
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MICHIGAN BRAILLE TRANSCRIBING FUND
ATTN: Mark Holey, Administrative Assistant
3500 N. Elm Road
Jackson, Michigan 49201
TEL (517) 780-5096
FAX (734) 668-1094
Email: mark.holey@mi-braille.org
Website: www.mi-braille.org
Price quotes are available upon request.
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Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS)
131 Main Street, Suite 120
Hackensack, NJ 07601
TEL (201) 996-9423
Email: MTS.ber@hipcil.org
Website: www.mts-braille.com
Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS) converts print into braille under the direction of
a transcriber who has been certified in both literary and mathematics codes by the
National Library Service and is supported by a team of transcribers who are also NLS
certified. MTS has been transcribing literary, mathematics and foreign language
textbooks since 2002, and has distributed textbooks to students in 42 states. Materials are
produced within a prompt time frame, and textbook volumes are embossed and shipped
throughout the school year, as completed, to allow students to stay current with class
work.
Materials for transcription are accepted as publisher’s files, emailed document files, or in
hard copy. MTS provides both single-sided and interpoint braille bound in 19 punch
spiral bindings embossed on 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 11.5” standard weight braille paper. All
orders are given individual attention, to meet the specific needs of each request. MTS
provides some recording and duplicating service as well.
MTS is also a resource for documents distributed by the public and private sector,
hospitals, providers of leisure time activities, disability related agencies, and the braille
reading community at large. Prices are available on request. Please visit our website at
www.mts-braille.com or contact Jayne Gugenheim at MTS.ber@hipcil.org for more
information.
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Beth Marsau
Northwest Braille Services
PO Box 234
Ferndale WA 98248
TEL: (360) 384-6494
Email: bethmarsau@comcast.net
Website: www.healthsupportcenter.org/nwbs/
Northwest Braille Services accepts braille transcription requests from
individuals and agencies. Literary, textbook, Nemeth (math) and
miscellaneous projects are accepted from anywhere.
Turnaround time depends upon the size of the project and current
workload. Fees vary depending on complexity of assignment and ability of
client to pay. Estimates available upon request.
Ogden Resource Center - Braille Services
Attn: Colleen Lines, Director
2310 East 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661
TEL (360) 696-6321 ext. 183
FAX (360) 737-2120
Email: braille@wssb.wa.gov
The Ogden Resource Center Braille Services program serves anyone in the private sector
as well as governmental agencies on a fee-for-service basis. Documents are
professionally transcribed and proofread by NLS certified staff experienced with
literary, math and science, music, textbooks, foreign language, forms, bus schedules,
brochures, menus, business cards, conference materials, and some computer
notation. Braille transcription requests may be submitted via e-mail, print, or fax. Fees
are based on the length and complexity of the project. Turnaround time is dependent
on the size and type of project. Some items are turned around in one business day!
Contracts may be set up for ongoing transcription. All embossed braille is produced on
high quality 100#, dust-free 11.5"x 11" or 8.5"x11" paper either interpoint or singlesided. To request a brochure and price list, contact them directly.
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Perkins Library
Attn: Kim Charlson, Director
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
TEL (617) 972- 7240
FAX (617) 972-7363
TTY (617) 972-7690
Email: kim.charlson@perkins.org or library@perkins.org
The Perkins Braille Production Program provides custom transcription of small
documents and books with the aid of trained volunteers. Braille is produced on site using
PCs and high-speed interpoint braille embossers.
Materials for transcription should be submitted in an electronic format —email
attachment, CD or disk. Braille is proofread and embossed on either 11" x 11.5" or 8.5" x
11" paper. Comb and spiral binding is available. Rough estimates are based on length of
material to be transcribed, its complexity, and timeline.
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Pranghofer, Maureen
4910 Dawnview Terrace
Golden Valley MN 55422
TEL (763) 522-2501
Email: maureensmusic@comcast.net
Website: http://www.brailleit.com
I can transcribe material into literary or textbook Braille. Please do not send music or
Namath documents.
I use 8-1/2 by 11 paper and do interpoint embossing in either grades 1 or 2 Costs are as
follows:
Transcription from .doc files or directly from email $1.00 per print page with a minimum
cost of $5.00.
Transcription of .pdf files $1.00 per page plus a $50.00 charge for formatting.
Materials which are transcribed from print $1.00 per page plus an additional $100.00
charge for scanning If material is not scannable there are additional charges of $15.00 per
hour to cover the cost of readers.
There is a $6.00 binding charge per volume.
Materials are bound in a sturdy metal spiral binding.
If more then 1 copy of materials is required there is the binding cost plus a $.50 cost for
each print page.
Turn around time is usually 2 weeks or less.
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TechAdapt
Attn: Sharon von See
8987 SW Robert Gray Lane
Portland, OR 97225
TEL (360) 306-1676
FAX (360)544-0112
Email: svonsee@techadapt.com
Website: www.techadapt.com
We are a braille transcription/file conversion service that caters to individuals, schools,
government agencies, corporations, and print publishers. Materials may be submitted in
print or on disk, using any format.
We also create NIMAS files and can convert them to any accessible format requested.
Paper size is 11" x 11.5", though other requests considered. Fee depends on file format,
braille format, and whether material needs to be scanned. High speed scanning and OCR
of print is also a service offered. There is a charge for covers and binders.
TechAdapt handles literary braille, foreign languages, and computer-related materials.
Rush available at extra cost.
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Thomas, Catherine
Braille Production Specialist
7501 Ridge Boulevard Apt 2A
Brooklyn NY 11209
TEL (718) 745-4343
Email: braille@panix.com
Information can be submitted for brailling via email, on cassette, computer disk, or in
clean-copy print. Paper sizes range from index cards to 1" by 11.5" paper. We can also
prepare material in grade two braille for electronic use on a braille display. We do not
transcribe music, scientific notation, or math.
Braille pages are interpoint unless single-sided is preferred. The price is $1.00 per braille
page. Very elaborate formatting may be subject to an additional transcription charge.
For multiple copies, the price drops to $.25 per page.
Binding and covers are optional at a cost of $1.00 to $3.00 per volume, depending on
size. Turn-around time is two days to several weeks, depending on the size of the job and
prior bookings. Priority service is available for an additional charge.
ALSO AVAILABLE: Special scanning software allows us to make copies of hard copy
braille. If you have valuable braille material that is falling apart or if you wish to replace
single-sided braille material with double-sided pages for easier storage, we can help you.
You can also use this service to put valuable braille originals onto computer to share with
others. Braille created on Thermoform can now be copied. Please use the contact
information above to ask more about this exciting service.
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Volunteer Braille Services
Attn: Cindi Laurent - Coordinator
1710 Douglas Drive #102
Golden Valley, MN 55422
TEL (763) 544-2880
FAX (763) 544-3612
Email: vbsmn@comcast.net
Website: vbsmn.org
This organization charges $.15 per braille page for individuals in
Minnesota--$10.00 minimum--and $.20 for people out of state--$10.00
minimum. School texts and items for businesses as arranged. Binding is an additional
$5.00 per volume.
They handle some Nemeth and some computer-related materials.
Most of their requests are for textbooks and literary books. They
suggest that you call first for an estimate on turnaround time, and the
availability of transcribers.
Membership in VERY BUMPY STORIES Library (print/braille and bound
volumes) open to all individuals. Membership in the library is $10/year.
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VOLUNTEERS WHO PRODUCE BOOKS
LOC NLS/BPH
Washington DC 20542
TEL (202) 707-5100
TEL toll free (888) 657-7323
E-mail: nls@loc.gov
E-mail: braille@loc.gov
http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/sources.html
Through the Library of Congress free reading program, individuals who are blind and
physically handicapped across the nation and Americans living abroad borrow recorded
and Braille books and magazines. Eligible borrowers may also get special playback
machines and accessories. This reading service is administered by the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) through a nationwide network
of cooperating libraries.
Volunteer groups, individual transcribers, and nonprofit and commercial organizations
produce a wide variety of additional braille, recorded, and large -print material for
readers who are visually and physically handicapped. They may transcribe such varied
items as a textbook for a college student, a series of Supreme Court decisions for a
lawyer, or a best-selling novel for a general reader. Such contributions help make printhandicapped readers' access to reading material comparable to that of the print-reading
public.
This directory lists the names of volunteer groups, individual transcribers, and nonprofit
and commercial organizations who transcribe and record books and other reading
materials for persons who are blind and physically handicapped. It was compiled from
information supplied by organizations and groups who perform these services.