Study Guide
Field 117: Blind and Visually Impaired
Recommendation for individuals using a screenreader: please set your punctuation settings to "most."
Sample Transcription Assignments
start bold NOTE TO EXAMINEES: end bold The Blind and Visually Impaired certification examination includes transcription exercises. start bold The examinee is required to bring a Classic Perkins Brailler registered trademark to the test center to complete these tasks. end bold It is important to practice with the brailler and ensure that the device is in good working order for this test. 11 inches times 11.5 inches braille paper will be provided.
Transcriptions reflect content that could appear in a teacher-created project assignment. The examinee may be required to transcribe special characters (e.g., at sign , URLs), varied types of punctuation (e.g., quotation marks, em dashes), font types (e.g., bold, italics), and numbered and bulleted lists, as well as a variety of mathematical symbols (e.g., square root symbol, algebraic formulas).
Competency 0007
Transcribing Using Unified English Braille ( U E B ) and Nemeth Code
Please note the following regarding the Nemeth Code transcription assignments:
- For the Nemeth Code to Print assignment, all text in the problem or statement MUST be transcribed. Any text that is not a number or a number sentence (e.g., 2 plus 2 equals 4 ) will be in U E B. Please note that your score for the assignment will be based start bold, underline and uppercase ONLY end bold, underline and uppercase on the Nemeth Code transcription.
- In the Print to Nemeth Code Assignment, all information in the problem or statement must be transcribed. Please note that your score for the assignment will be based start bold, underline and uppercase ONLY end bold, underline and uppercase on the Nemeth transcription recorded on the sheet of braille paper that you designate as the final response.
- The Opening Nemeth Code Indicator and Nemeth Code Terminator is used to indicate
the switch in and out of Nemeth Code. You do not need to transcribe the switch indicators.
For more information, see Guidelines for Using Nemeth Within U E B Contexts
.
Sample Directions for Assignment Tasks 1 and 2
This section of the test consists of two assignments you are to complete using a braillewriter: (1) a transcription of a passage into Unified English Braille ( U E B ), and (2) a transcription of a set of mathematical problems and statements into Nemeth Code.
The directions for each assignment appear immediately before each assignment.
Handwrite the assignment number, along with your examinee ID number, on the lines provided in the lower right corner of each sheet of braille paper. As you complete each assignment, place a check mark in the appropriate box at the bottom of the sheet of braille paper to indicate that it represents your final response. You may work at your own pace.
Transcription Assignment Task 1: Print to Braille
7. Transcribe the following passage into Unified English Braille ( U E B ) exactly as it appears. You should not hyphenate words unless they are hyphenated in the text. Do NOT type anything into the response box presented on-screen. Note: Because this task is completed in braille, this question will appear as "incomplete" in the Navigator window and pop-up confirmations at the end of the test.
WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?
After reading and discussing the story "The King's Chessboard" by David Birch, students will work with a partner to explore estimating and calculating very large numbers.
First, together you will discuss the following options:
- A million dollars
- Double your money
(See Handout 1.) Be sure you record your decision and your reason for this choice on the classroom chart. Next, the partner groups will work together to determine how much money a person who selected "option 2" would have at the end of three weeks.
Record your calculations on Handout 2. Be start bold sure end bold to double-check your answers with the calculator. Each partner group should be ready to share problem-solving strategies and work with the class at the end of three weeks.
For groups that complete this assignment, listen to the story "The King's Chessboard" here:
httl ://www.utube.kingschessboard.eec
Transcription Assignment Task 2: Print to Nemeth Code
8. Transcribe the following mathematical problems and statements using Nemeth Code. Include the number of the problem or statement ( 1 to 6 ). You should not hyphenate words unless they are hyphenated in the text. Include all punctuation marks. Skip one line between problems. start uppercase DO NOT SOLVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. end uppercase
Sample Directions for Assignment Tasks 3 and 4
This section of the test consists of two assignments: (1) a transcription of a passage from Unified English Braille ( U E B ) into print and (2) a transcription of a set of mathematical problems and statements from Nemeth Code into print.
The directions for each assignment appear immediately before each assignment.
For Transcription Assignment Task 3, your transcription should be typed into the on-screen response box.
For Transcription Assignment Task 4, your transcription should be handwritten on the paper response sheet provided to you by the test administrator.
start bold and italics Your score will be based solely on the responses you type into the on-screen response box and write on the paper response sheet. end bold and italics
Transcription Assignment Task 3: Braille to Print
9. Transcribe the passage as it appears in your booklet from Unified English Braille ( U E B ) into print.
*Text below will appear in Unified English Braille ( U E B )*
AUTHOR STUDY PROJECT
For this culminating author study, you and your partner will celebrate by sharing the book with the class. You and your partner will plan and create this project in class during Literature Study period over the next two weeks.
Choose one activity from the list of recommended ideas. Review the rubric to familiarize yourself with the expectations for successful completion of this project.
(You and your partner are expected to plan and share the workload equally.)
Recommended Project Ideas:
1. Create a large start bold time line end bold of events in the book. Include illustrations where appropriate and be sure to include all important events.
2. Write start bold diary entries end bold for a main character. Entries should be specific about the character's feelings, fears, and ideas as related to story events based on what you have learned and conclusions you have made after reading this book.
3. Have a more compelling idea as to how to share your book? See me for approval.
Transcription Assignment Task 4: Nemeth Code to Print
10. Transcribe the mathematical problems and statements that appear in your booklet from Nemeth Code into print. Include the number of the problem or statement ( 1 to 6 ). Include all punctuation marks. Skip one line between problems. start uppercase DO NOT SOLVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. end uppercase
start italics *Text below will appear in Nemeth Code* end italics
Performance Characteristics for Transcription Assignments
Performance Characteristics for Transcription Assignment Task 1: Print to Braille
Transcription Assignment Task 1 involves transcribing a passage into braille. Your transcription should conform to the rules of the current edition of Unified English Braille ( U E B ) as defined in the Rules of Unified English Braille-2013. Your transcription must be made using one of the sheets of braille paper provided by your test administrator.
Do not hyphenate words in your transcription unless they are hyphenated in the text.
For this assignment, do not make erasures if you make an error. Instead, make at
least two (2) consecutive, full braille cells with space on either side:
.
The following will be counted as incorrect in your transcription:
- contractions misused or mistakenly omitted or inserted
- characters misformed (including mistakenly added or omitted dots)
- characters misused or mistakenly omitted or inserted
- text mistakenly omitted, inserted, or repeated
- punctuation or composition signs misused or mistakenly omitted or inserted
- spacing errors
- erasures detectable by touch or sight
If you need additional sheets of braille paper, notify your test administrator. When you have completed your transcription, place a check mark in the appropriate box at the bottom of the sheet of braille paper to indicate that it represents your final response. Your score for this assignment task will be based ONLY on the transcription that you provide on the sheet of braille paper that you designate as the final response.
NOTE: On November 2, 2012, the Braille Authority of North America
(BANA) adopted Unified English Braille ( U E B ).
More detailed information about U E B,
including the current use of contractions, can be found on the
BANA website 
.
Performance Characteristics for Transcription Assignment Task 2: Print to Nemeth Code
Transcription Assignment Task 2 involves transcribing a set of mathematical problems and statements into Nemeth Code. Your transcription should be done in Nemeth Code and should conform to the rules of the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation. Your transcription must be made using one of the sheets of braille paper provided by your test administrator. Include the number of the problem or statement ( 1 to 6 ) in your transcription.
Do not hyphenate words in your transcription unless they are hyphenated in the text.
For this assignment, do not make erasures if you make an error. Instead, make at
least two (2) consecutive, full braille cells with space on either side:
.
The following will be counted as incorrect in your transcription:
- characters, numerals, or symbols misformed (including mistakenly added or omitted dots)
- characters, numerals, or symbols misused or mistakenly omitted or inserted
- Nemeth sign or symbol misused or mistakenly omitted or inserted
- spacing errors
- erasures detectable by touch or sight
If you need additional sheets of braille paper, notify your test administrator. When you have completed your transcription, place a check mark in the appropriate box at the bottom of the sheet of braille paper to indicate that it represents your final response. Your score for this assignment task will be based ONLY on the Nemeth transcription that you provide on the sheet of braille paper that you designate as the final response.
Performance Characteristics for Transcription Assignment Task 3: Braille to Print
Transcription Assignment Task 3 involves transcribing a passage from Unified English Braille ( U E B ) into print. Your transcription for Assignment Task 3 should be typed in the on-screen response box presented with the assignment.
Do not hyphenate words in your transcription unless they are hyphenated in the text.
Please note that a variety of symbols and characters not available on the keyboard
are available for insertion in the on-screen response box. To access these symbols
and characters, click on the
icon that appears in the upper left corner of the screen. Using the mouse, click
on the symbol you wish to include in your response and then select " start bold Insert end bold ."
The symbol will be inserted where the cursor is positioned in the response box.
The following will be counted as incorrect in your transcription:
- text mistakenly omitted, inserted, or repeated
- punctuation mistakenly omitted or inserted
- characters and contractions not properly transcribed into print
Performance Characteristics for Transcription Assignment Task 4: Nemeth Code to Print
Transcription Assignment Task 4 involves transcribing a set of mathematical problems and statements from Nemeth Code into print. start bold Your transcription will be handwritten on the paper response sheet provided to you by the test administrator. end bold
Include the number of the problem or statement ( 1 to 6 ) in your transcription. Include all punctuation marks. Skip one line between problems or statements. start uppercase DO start bold NOT end bold SOLVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. end uppercase
start bold and italics Your score for Transcription Assignment Task 4 will be based solely on the response you write on the paper response sheet provided. end bold and italics
The following will be counted as incorrect in your transcription:
- punctuation mistakenly omitted or inserted
- characters and contractions not properly transcribed into print
- Nemeth signs and symbols not properly transcribed into print
Please confirm that you have written the assignment number, along with your examinee ID number, on the paper response sheet provided for this assignment.
Score Scales for Transcription Assignments
Score Scale for Transcription Assignment Task 1: Print to Braille
The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance. Responses will be scored based on the number of transcription errors that are made as indicated in the score point description. If the same error in the use or omission of contractions, numbers, or symbols occurs more than once, it will be counted only once.
| Score Point | Score Point Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2 or fewer errors |
| 3 | 3 to 4 errors |
| 2 | 5 to 6 errors |
| 1 | 7 or more errors |
| U | The response is unscorable because it is unrelated to the assigned topic or off-task, illegible, not transcribed into Unified English Braille ( U E B ), or contains an insufficient amount of work to score. |
| B | No response. |
Score Scale for Transcription Assignment Task 2: Print to Nemeth Code
The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance. Responses will be scored based on the number of Nemeth Code transcription errors that are made as indicated in the score point description. If the same error in the use or omission of numbers or symbols occurs more than once, it will be counted only once.
| Score Point | Score Point Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2 or fewer errors |
| 3 | 3 to 4 errors |
| 2 | 5 to 6 errors |
| 1 | 7 or more errors |
| U | The response is unscorable because it is unrelated to the assigned topic or off-task, illegible, not transcribed into Nemeth Code, or contains an insufficient amount of work to score. |
| B | No response. |
Score Scale for Transcription Assignment Task 3: Braille to Print
The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance. Responses will be scored based on the number of transcription errors that are made as indicated in the score point description. If the same error in the use or omission of contractions, numbers, or symbols occurs more than once, it will be counted only once.
| Score Point | Score Point Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2 or fewer errors |
| 3 | 3 to 4 errors |
| 2 | 5 to 6 errors |
| 1 | 7 or more errors |
| U | The response is unscorable because it is unrelated to the assigned topic or off-task, illegible, not transcribed into print, or contains an insufficient amount of work to score. |
| B | No response. |
Score Scale for Transcription Assignment Task 4: Nemeth Code to Print
The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance. Responses will be scored based on the number of Nemeth Code transcription errors that are made as indicated in the score point description. If the same error in the use or omission of numbers or symbols occurs more than once, it will be counted only once.
| Score Point | Score Point Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2 or fewer errors |
| 3 | 3 to 4 errors |
| 2 | 5 to 6 errors |
| 1 | 7 or more errors |
| U | The response is unscorable because it is unrelated to the assigned topic or off-task, illegible, not transcribed into print, or contains an insufficient amount of work to score. |
| B | No response. |