2018 - Duxbury Braille Translation (DBT) Software Trainings

As part of the BEST Grant's goals to support the implementation of braille instruction and braille technology, BEST is offering a professional development workshop focused on the Duxbury Braille Translation software. The instructor will facilitate the beginning level (DBT 1) and advanced level (DBT 2) courses with a hands-on learning approach. The trainings are open to braille transcribers, educators and support staff serving students with visual impairments at no cost. Participants are required to attend the initial 2-day training in October and then the follow-up training in March.

Determining which DBT Course to Attend

You should attend the DBT I Training if:

  1. You have not previously attended a training on using the BANA Braille Template with SWIFT and Microsoft Word to format text for use with DBT.
  2. You have previously attended a training on using the BANA Braille Template with SWIFT and Microsoft Word (as outlined in the course description below), but believe that a refresher course on those skills is what you need.

You should attend the DBT II Training if you are comfortable performing the skills listed under DBT I. DBT II includes a very limited review, and focuses on building on techniques learned in DBT I.

Duxbury Braille Translation I

Course Description

This training is designed to teach participants how to use the BANA template in Microsoft Word to format text for use in DBT. This training includes the following skills:

  1. Configuring DBT (Embosser Setup, Import Options, Word Importer, Formatted Braille Importer; opening and embossing brf files)
  2. Configuring Microsoft Word (Options, Quick Access Toolbar)
  3. Microsoft Word basics to improve productivity
  4. Using SWIFT and the BANA braille template
  5. Using styles to efficiently format documents for braille
  6. Introduction to tables
  7. Introduction to foreign language documents and accented letters
  8. A discussion about brf files and appropriate uses

DBT I - Dates and Times
October 11-12, 2018 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
March 6-7, 2019 from 8:30am - 4:00pm

Location
470 Glenmont Ave. - Columbus, OH 43214

Facilitator
Susan Christensen, DBT Specialist

Contact Hours
Twenty-three (23) contact hours will be offered for four days of training. Attendance is required all four days to receive certificate.

Duxbury Braille Translation II

Course Description

This training is designed for participants who are able to perform the skills listed on the DBT I course description. This training will focus on working with problematic files that are submitted ahead of time by attendees. This may include converting files (PowerPoint, Bookshare, scanned, teacher-prepared, etc.), or how to appropriately format the file for braille, using Microsoft Word, SWIFT, and the BANA template.

Note, this training does not include working with math files.

Expected focus:

  1. Introduction to find & replace
  2. PowerPoint slides
  3. Bookshare files (DAISY, Word, etc.)
  4. PDF files
  5. brf files
  6. Teacher-prepared files
  7. Scanned files
  8. Line-numbered text
  9. Diacritics (pronunciation)
  10. Tables

NOTE: To participate in this training, each attendee is required to submit at least one problem file to Susan Christensen (chrn3292@gmail.com) before September 28, 2018. These files will be used during the training.

DBT II - Dates / Times
October 25-26, 2018 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
March 8, 2019 from 8:30am - 4:00pm

Location
470 Glenmont Ave. - Columbus, OH 43214

Facilitator
Susan Christensen, DBT Specialist

Contact Hours
Seventeen and one-fourth (17.25) contact hours will be offered for three days of training. Attendance is required all three days to receive certificate.

Additional information pertaining to both trainings:

Software Provided

A copy of the latest version of DBT software or an upgrade will be provided to each district/agency represented (one copy per district/agency).

Note

The trainings are limited to the first 15 participants to register. The trainings fill up fast, so register early!

Registration deadline: Oct. 1, 2018

Registration

DBT I - October 11-12, 2018 and March 6-7, 2019

Register Online via OCALI Pass for DBT I

DBT II - October 25-26, 2018 and March 8, 2019

Register Online via OCALI Pass for DBT II