The Society for the Blind Sacramento is now assisting local businesses and organizations to provide their services and written materials in braille.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit, which has existed in Sacramento for 72 years hopes to bridge a communication gap between establishments and blind and low vision residents. Shari Roeseler, the organization\u2019s executive director, described the partnership as a \u201cwin-win situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a way for folks to be more independent and not have to rely on somebody else to read the information to them,\u201d Roeseler said.<\/p>\n
Providing braille services gives restaurants and other establishments increased business, while those who are blind or low vision can access products, Roeseler said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who are blind and low-vision in that community, they share with one another their experiences of going to certain places and ease of use,\u201d Roeseler said \u201cIt makes the whole community, especially the businesses, much more inclusive of people with vision loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2021, Roeseler said she was approached by the Board of Sacramento Braille Transcribers. Faced with a potential closure of their braille program, Roeseler partnered with them to communicate with organizations on expanding the board\u2019s services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very clear that this was a service that folks really were hoping could continue,\u201d Roeseler said.<\/p>\n
A year later, the Society for the Blind Sacramento obtained transcriber services to \u201crevive the whole program,\u201d Roeseler said. Since then, the production program has created playbills with the Sacramento Theatre Company, textbooks, menus for restaurants and newsletters with the Braille and Talking Book Library.<\/p>\n
The production team has 15 contract transcribers. To be a transcriber, an individual has to be certified in Unified English Braille and other braille codes. These documents can include information related to math, music, foreign languages and science, according to a news release from Society for the Blind Sacramento.<\/p>\n
\u201cProofreading 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.\u201d the news release stated.<\/p>\n
The Society for the Blind Sacramento offers eye care as well as life and job training for those who are blind and with low-vision to provide \u201caccess to tools to maintain independence,\u201d according to its news release. More than 5,000 residents participate in the Society for the Blind Sacramento\u2019s services, its website<\/a> stated.<\/p>\n To obtain braille services from the Society for the Blind Sacramento, Roeseler encourages businesses to visit the organization\u2019s website<\/a> or call 916-452-8271.<\/p>\n Loading\u2026<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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