Illinois Work Incentive Grant
Assistive Technology Support Site

Description:

Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) is software that converts computer-based text to Braille. Braille is a system of reading and writing for people who are blind. Braille uses patterns of raised dots that can be read by touch by trained readers. DBT is simply a tool used in printing braille from a computer.

In braille, letters are represented by "cells" of six dots, arranged in two columns of three rows, like the number six on a die. In "grade 1" braille, each letter corresponds to a single letter in the English alphabet.

Because braille must be printed on heavy paper, and because the braille dots must be far enough apart to distinguish by feel, braille documents are much larger and bulkier than their printed counterparts. To help reduce the size and bulk of braille documents, a system of "contracted" braille was devised. Contracted, or "grade 2" braille, is what Duxbury Braille Translator is designed to produce.

In grade 2 braille, common letter combinations are replaced by single braille characters. For example, the words "the" and "and" are each replaced by single braille characters ("contractions"). One of Duxbury's main functions is to scan through a regular text document and substitute all the appropriate grade 2 contractions.

Duxbury's other significant job is to try to convert the formatting used in printed documents (bold, large fonts, etc) to something that can be represented in braille. (Braille cells can't change in size or weight.) DBT uses specialized import filters to convert the common formatting found in Microsoft Word documents, WordPerfect documents, and even web pages (HTML) into corresponding braille formats.

Installation:

Installation of Duxbury should generally be done after the Versa Point Duo Brailler is installed. With the brailler installed, run the Duxbury installation program from the CD, inserting the license diskette when prompted. Once installation is completed you need to perform one more step to configure Duxbury to print to the brailler:

Configuring the Embosser (brailler)

1. Start Duxbury Braille Translator
2. Open the Global menu (Alt + G)
3. Select Embosser Setup (E)
4. In the Embosser Setup dialog's Brailler field, scroll (arrow) down until you find Versa Point Duo
5. Move (Tab) to the Port radio button group and select (arrow to) Windows Device
6. Move (Tab) to the Windows Device list and select the "Generic / Text Only" printer that you set up when installing the brailler
7. Press OK (Enter)

Operation:

Duxbury can be used to create new documents (by typing directly or copying-and-pasting) or import existing documents:

Brailling a new Document

1. Start Duxbury Braille Translator
2. Open the File menu and select New (Ctrl + N)
3. From the File: New dialog, select Print and Standard Format (Enter)
4. Type or paste in your text
5. Translate to braille (Ctrl + T)
6. Emboss (Ctrl + E, Enter)

Importing an Existing Document

1. Start Duxbury Braille Translator
2. Open the File menu and select Open (Ctrl + O)
3. In the Open File dialog, browse to a file and click Open
4. In the Import File dialog confirm that Standard Format and the appropriate Import Filter are selected (e.g., Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, SGML/ICADD/HTML)
5. Translate to braille (Ctrl + T)
6. Emboss (Ctrl + E, Enter)

Reference:

• About Braille (http://www.duxburysystems.com/resources/about_amer_braille.asp)