After canceling our 2020 Professional Development Conference originally planned for San Antonio, we began working to see how we could still deliver the same educational content to transcribers and teachers of the visually impaired. After months of careful planning, we've created a virtual experience to deliver the same great education.
This year, we'll be conducting the 2020 Professional Development Conference virtually!
Here's the info you need now:
- There will be multiple online workshops each day of the week starting Monday, November 16th through Friday, November 20th. Each day will begin around 11:00a ET to accommodate our friends on the west coast.
- You will need to register, but registration will be open to everyone at no cost.
- Since we're making the entire conference available to attendees at no cost, we've developed ways for brands to provide financial support.
Stay tuned to this page as we unveil plans for the 2020 Professional Development Conference to take place virtually this November!
Sponsors
National Braille Association would like to thank these proud sponsors for their generous support with the virtual 2020 Professional Development Conference.
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
REGISTRATION
Please note that registration is not yet available for the conference.
There will be no cost to attend the conference, but attendees will need to register. To do so, you'll enter your full name and email address in the registration fields. You will need to register individually for each and every workshop individually that you want to attend.
We'll announce when registration is available. At that time, you'll find registration links next to each workshop listed below.
SCHEDULE
Monday, November 16, 2020
Unified English Braille Literary
11:00a - 12:30p ET
Roots, Prefixes, and Modes
Transcriber and Educator Services
1:00p - 2:30p ET
Communication and Collaboration Between Teachers (TVIs), Transcribers, and Paraprofessionals
Computer Assisted Transcription
3:00p - 4:30p ET
Major Changes in BrailleBlaster Version 2.0
Foreign Language Braille
4:45p - 6:00p ET
Overview of Foreign Language Transcriptions
Description: The UEB Code was created based on the principles of Roots and Prefixes. In this workshop we are going to look at how the pairing of roots and prefixes relates to how indicators and print symbols are formed. Once we have an understanding of the underlying principles of the code, we will look at the two modes: Grade 1, and Numeric. We will decode how these modes are set and rules for termination. We will also look at some examples of different ways that things can be transcribed “correctly” using these modes in real-world examples.
Description: The working relationship between Teachers for Visually Impaired Students, Paraprofessionals supporting visually impaired students in the classroom, and Transcribers who produce materials and support blind students is an important component to ensuring the success of students. This workshop will demonstrate how paraprofessionals can best support students who are blind and/or visually impaired under the direction of the TVI; how communication and collaboration occurs in the preparation of and /or creation of student materials, and how the three work together as a team to ensure student success.
Description: We’ve been working for almost two years on a reworked version of BrailleBlaster and by November it should be near feature complete. We already have some differences and by then will have more, so this presentation will go over those differences while also familiarizing users with the software’s general use. Should be an exciting time with the most stable and robust version of BrailleBlaster ever!
Description: Print materials for foreign language often have both English and foreign material. In this workshop, we will examine the four methods of approach to foreign language materials and indicate circumstances for which they are most appropriate. We will also identify and overview the multiple sections in Braille Formats that are specific to foreign language material transcriptions.Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science
11:00a - 1:00p ET
Nemeth and Formats and How They Work Together
Prison Braille Services
1:30p - 3:00p ET
I'm Certified, Now What? A Transcriber's Resource Guide to Success
Unified English Braille Literary
3:30p - 5:00p ET
Typeforms
Description: Examples in this workshop tackle formatting for a transcription using Nemeth Code within UEB contexts. The material covered includes tables, notes, graphics, instructions, and more. A workshop with this title was presented at the 2018 conference in Detroit, Michigan; this is an updated, “new and improved” version of that workshop.
Description: This workshop is for transcribers wanting to find employment in the braille industry after they've obtained their certification. Educating the participants on type of employment (i.e. school system, transcription agency, your own business, etc.); employer requirements (i.e. portfolio); customer/client expectations; resources available; pay ranges; networking; and support/mentoring groups. Through this session, the participants will gain information and resources for working in the braille industry as a transcriber.Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Music Braille
11:00a - 11:45a ET
Introduction to Music Braille, Part One
Unified English Braille Technical
12:15p - 1:15p ET
Spatial Problems, Rules and Advice for UEB Technical Material
Computer Assisted Transcription
3:30p - 4:15p ET
The Wonderful World of NIMAS
Braille Formats
4:30p - 6:00p ET
The Not-So-Basics of Formatting
Description: In this workshop, we will learn how to transcribe music for a single instrument, such as trumpet or violin. We’ll start with note names and rhythmic values, progress through many of the most common musical symbols, and will end up with a complete transcription. A working knowledge of print music is helpful.
Description: What rules do we have for material arranged spatially for addition? multiplication? What about division? Where do item identifiers go for such arrangements, and what gets aligned with what? We will look at a collection of examples to address these questions and more (e.g., Why use numeric mode? Or why not?).
Description: Aimed at those who may be new to the rules set forth in Braille Formats (or those who would like a recap), this workshop will deal with formatting found throughout the core of textbooks. We will look at things like captions, displayed material, attributions, tables, notes and more.Thursday, November 19, 2020
Prison Braille Services
11:00a - 12:30p ET
Transitioning to Independent Success
Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science
1:30p - 3:00p ET
Best of 'Ask An Expert'
Music Braille
3:30p - 4:15p ET
Introduction to Music Braille, Part Two
Foreign Language Braille
4:30p - 5:30p ET
Foreign Language Formatting
Friday, November 20, 2020
Transcriber and Educator Services
11:00a - 12:30p ET
Basics 101 for Paraprofessionals
Unified English Braille Technical
1:30p - 3:00p ET
Algebra and Geometry Basics
Braille Formats
3:30p - 4:30p ET
Complications Continued
MARY ARCHER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Mary Archer Scholarship Fund is used to provide scholarships equal to the amount of the cost of registration to those attending an NBA conference for the first time. Only current NBA members qualify to receive the grant.
There will be a maximum of two scholarships offered for any one conference and scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. We ask that those of you who already have the benefit of your employer or other resource paying for your conference registration forego applying. This will leave the scholarship funds available for those who pay registration with personal funds.
To help fund this process, please send checks to the National Braille Association and mark them for the Mary Archer Scholarship Fund.
To apply for this scholarship, please find an application in your most current Bulletin and submit to our office.
Sponsors
The National Braille Association would like to thank these generous donors for helping to sponsor our 2019 Professional Development Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
