What does software for Braille do?

Most people understand the basics about Braille - it provides a reading medium for blind people, using cells made up of raised dots in various patterns instead of the characters used in regular print. What many people do not realise, however, is that the cells-for characters substitutions are not, typically, on a one-for-one basis. The process is especially complicated in languages such as English and French where grade 2 Braille is used, involving contractions that are based in part upon pronunciation.

Formatting of Braille pages also involves issues beyond those affecting print. The Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) provides translation and formatting facilities to automate the process of conversion from regular print to Braille (and vice versa) and also provides word-processing facilities for working directly in Braille as well as in print. Fonts are used for displaying the Braille.

Who uses software for Braille?

Our software is designed for two types of user - those who don't know Braille and those who do. Even if all the Braille you know was learned from the previous paragraph, the Duxbury Braille Translator will allow you to create highly accurate Braille for school books and teaching materials, office memos, bus schedules, personal letters and signs.

Where you need to be sure of perfection we would certainly recommend that you also make use of proofreading (just as you would proofread printed books) by a knowledgeable Braillist - who may be using DBT as well. That is because DBT is just as important to professional transcribers - for swift conversion to Braille from a wide variety of print sources.

Features

• Built-in interline printing to have ink-Braille and print together. This makes an easy proofing and teaching tool. Great for the Braille-impaired too!
• The ability to include tactile graphics files for mixed text-and-graphic documents
• Separate versions for Windows, DOS and Mac Identical file formats for each version of DBT. That means a file prepared on any platform can be used on any other!
• Imports from popular word processors including Microsoft Word and WordPerfect, HTML, ICADD, formatted and plain ASCII, earlier Braille editors such as EDGAR and Polkadot, and Duxbury's own historical file formats and more
• Bidirectional (print-to-Braille and Braille-to-print) translation
• American Computer Braille Code (CBC) translation
• Textbook layout according to the Braille Authority of the United Kingdom (BAUK) customs
• Six-key chording for Braille and print entry, not timing-based, compatible with most keyboards
• Help screens throughout the program
• Choice of single-user, site and other licences