Communication Centeradvisory Committee Meeting

Communication CenterAdvisory Committee Meeting

November 30, 2017

Members Present: Kathy McGillivray, Ryan Strunk Kristin Oien, Mark Dahlberg,

Catherine Durivage, Rebecca Kragnes

Staff Present: Dave Andrews, Angela Bodensteiner, Joe Niffen, Brianna Holeman, Gwen

Bighley, Annette Toews, Jay Maruska

Reading Contest

Judy Sanders announced the nationwide Braille reading contest called “Braille Readers are Leaders” sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). There are cash prizes for K-12 kids in various age groups who read as many Braille pages as possible. The sponsors are looking for ways to publicize the contest and attract readers. Judy will get an announcement to Kristin and others who can publicize.

Future Meetings

The next meetings of the Committee will be Feb 22 & April 26.

New Employee

Joe Niffen, the new Engineer for the Communication Center was introduced. Joe talked a little about his experience in broadcasting and IT and said he was looking forward to working on updating the Center’s hardware and software. Dave said that Joe was a valuable addition to the Engineering Team.

Section reports:

Kristin Oien asked about the MDE webinar, which she was unable to attend. Annette and Catherine responded. In short, it went well, although Bookshare was unable to get their audio to work, so did not present. Kristin said that Bookshare will be presenting in the January 25, 2018 MDE webinar. The Webinar featured representatives from the Communication Center, Braille and Talking Book Library, Learning Ally and Bookshare who talked about their services.

Ryan Strunk asked about the Audio Services statistics and changes between 2015 – 2017. He asked whether there is any concern and, if so, what role the committee could do to assist. There are many factors that shape these numbers. The concern is not a decreasing volume per se, as SSB is not interested in producing volume for volume sake. Rather, SSB is concerned about filling the gaps and getting accessible media to people who still need it. The committee can certainly assist in helping SSB in helping to identify this moving target of who still needs what accessible material that isn’t already available. Also, important to continue to get word out that SSB does custom recording for anyone – not just students.

Kathy McGillivray asked about the CC’s pricing structure and how that fits into various roles and responsibilities of employers and schools to provide accommodations, yet also meet the needs of individuals who may not be receiving needed accommodations for various reasons. The discussion focused on the complexities of these issues and how the CC does refer people first to their employers or schools but that, if necessary, the individual can always come back to the CC and get what they need at no cost. This is a difficult and ever present issue.

Kathy McGillivray also asked about braille production for higher education. Those numbers are not included in the braille report but can be provided.

Braille and Tactiles Issues

Earlier in November Kathy, Brianna, Jay and Steve Jacobson met to define the various issues facing the Braille Section. Kristin was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but submitted notes and concerns in writing.

Ultimately, as defined by Kristin, the goal is to increase the number of high quality tactile graphics that SSB is able to produce. A wide-ranging discussion of tactile graphics, and 3D graphics took place. Part of the problem is capacity – using staff and volunteers, only so many tactiles can be produced. In one sense, this is a funding problem, additional funds would permit the hiring of additional staff – but there is no readily-available source of such funding.

Another problem is with graphics literacy. Students are not always adequately taught how to use and interpret tactile graphics. A few years ago, the University of Minnesota expressed concerns about how prepared incoming blind students were. They did not always have the tools and skills needed in complex courses. There has been some effort to improve things in this area, but efforts are ongoing.

Kristin feels that 3D graphics can fill some of the gaps. Some people felt that a problem here is the time needed to create the objects. Others felt that this is not the main problem, the main concern is having staff or volunteers who can create the files needed to produce the 3D objects. It is the same as the tactiles staffing problem.

The possibility of re-structuring positions, and/or using part or all of Judy Sanders’ position to fund a Tactile Graphics position was discussed – Judy is retiring in January. This would depend on whether or not one staff person could do all necessary proof-reading.

BANA, the Braille Authority of North America has Tactile Graphics Guidelines. Allison O’Day is on the committee that is currently revising these standards. The issue of what to produce as a tactile, and what wasn’t necessary was discussed, and it was felt that the Guidelines might provide guidance in this area. Jay will talk to Allison about the Guidelines and others will look at them as well.

There are also other sources of tactile graphic materials, such as APH and the Diagram Center of Bookshare. Further, Rebecca said that her husband works for the University of Minnesota and they produce Braille for students and seem to be able to meet their own tactile needs. It was pointed out that they may be using embossed tactiles from a Tiger embosser, which is quicker than collage-type tactiles that SSB generally produces. Embossed tactiles have some limitations, but might suffice in some instances. Jay is going to talk to the Braille transcriber at the U. – he knows her. He will see how they do what they do, so we can learn from it. Further, an exploration of other sources of tactiles is also needed.

After some discussion, it was decided that Kathy will prepare a summary paragraph summarizing our efforts in the Braille area which can be presented at the December 7th Rehab Council for the Blind meeting.

Note: The report on Braille activities that Jay handed out at the meeting is below.

2017-2018 Braille Orders *

492K-12 Braille Orders Received by SSB

29 book orders cancelled
25 printbooks not sent to SSB from TBVI’s

------

165BrailleOrders Purchased from Braille Vendors

43 orders were submitted after the deadline (26%)
76 orders required tactile graphics (46%)
89 ordersdid not require tactile graphics (54%)

158Braille Orders checked out and/or embossed from SSB Library

17 orders were submitted after the deadline (11%)
111 orders required tactile graphics (70%)
47 ordersdid not require tactile graphics (30%)

115Books Newly Transcribed by SSB

30 orders were submitted after the deadline (26%)
75 orders required tactile graphics (65%)
40 orders did not require tactile graphics (35%)

------

Total Braille Order Count

438 K-12 Total Braille Orders Processed/Purchased by SSB

21% of all braille orders were submitted after the deadline (90 orders)
60% of all braille orders included required tactiles
40% of all braille orders did not require tactiles

* (All figures/percentages represent the total number of K-12 book orders submitted online by the TBVI’s and processed by SSB between January 1st and October 31st, 2017. The above book order totals do not represent the final figures/percentages for all book orders in the remaining 2017-2018 school year.)