Spec, Braille

Braille Specialist

Summary:

The Braille Specialist for FIMC-VI will produce high-quality accessible instructional materials in a timely manner and will manage the receipt and preparation of purchased accessible textbooks. This includes accessible instructional materials (textbooks, ancillary materials and assessments) in formats including but not limited to braille, tactile graphics and digital. Braille Specialist will report to the Manager 1 of the FIMC-VI Accessible Instructional Materials Production and Distribution Department.

Responsibilities:
· Transcribes and produces a wide variety of braille textbooks and reading materials with appropriate tactile graphics in multiple codes using all available software and hardware devices. This includes transcribing educational materials using Unified English Braille, English Braille American Edition, and Nemeth Code in contracted and uncontracted braille. All braille and tactile graphic materials transcribed will meet standards set-forth by Braille Authority of North America (BANA).

· Receives and inspects braille materials (hard copy or digital formats) procured from outside sources. This includes the accurate tracking of individual volumes of multi-volume braille textbooks; the management and use of labeling and bar code scanning technology that synchronizes with the FIMC-VI database; data entry into the database to maintain an accurate status and location of textbooks and tactile graphics;

and ensuring that the braille and tactile graphics meet the quality standards set forth by FIMC-VI and BANA. Braille specialist will also communicate with vendors and transcribers regarding the status of orders and corrections/edits needed.
· Assists in other accessible media departments as assigned.
· Transcribes print textbooks and ancillary materials (tests, assessments, handouts, and other reading materials) from print to braille using specialized software in a timely manner. All transcriptions will meet standards set by BANA.
· Produces braille books and/or supplemental tactile graphic volumes for Florida's students with visual impairments in a timely manner. This includes the embossing, binding, labeling, and preparing for shipment of multi-volume books and/or assessments.
· Operates and maintains adaptive technology and specialized equipment in the production of braille books and tactile graphics. Specialized equipment and technology includes braille embossers, thermoform machines, specialized printers, paper bursting machine, computers, and database systems specific to FIMC-VI operations. This includes minor maintenance or repair of braille production material and equipment.
· Edits, receives, sends and manages electronic "braille masters" and tactile graphics used in the production of accessible textbooks.
· Displays technical proficiency in the efficient and accurate operation of FIMC-VI database systems (including data entry, bar codes, etc.) used in the tracking the status and inventory of all braille orders, books and masters.
· Communicates via phone, email, web-requests, etc. regarding braille orders and braille production. This includes communicating with vendors, volunteer transcribers, American Printing House for the Blind, other Instructional Materials Centers around the United States, publishers, teachers, etc.
· Manages and maintains supplies and inventory needed for braille production. This includes but is not limited to tactile graphics masters, braille master files, braille paper, binding combs, thermoform supplies, labels, and others as needed.
· Plans, organizes and completes the purging of master files for braille or tactile graphics inventory per the criteria set by FIMC-VI for recycling damaged or out-of-date textbooks.
· Researches and remains current on innovative practices in the production of braille.
· Operates hand trucks, mail carts and pallet jacks in a safe and efficient manner as required to transport inventory.
· Manages the return of defective or incorrect items and maintains accurate records of such items.
· Collaborates with other team members to ensure the timely delivery of accessible instructional materials to…