Vision Australia’s Print Access team is set to take you behind the scenes to showcase how braille can be used to make music scores accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.
In a special webinar, members of the Print Access team will explain braille music code and the software and equipment used to produce accessible scores.
Jane Wegener, Print Access Production Manager, said it’s hoped the webinar will help more people understand how braille can help people who are blind or have low vision can participate in the same sort of activities as their sighted peers.
“People may have an understanding that braille allows people who are blind or have low vision to read books and similar written material, but there’s a world of braille code out there that allows music and other technical written material to be made accessible,” Jane said.
“If we can show musicians, teachers, parents and anybody else interested in music that it can conveniently be made accessible, then hopefully there will be more opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to be involved in music,” she said.
Along with explaining the process behind braille music and how people can have it produced, the webinar will also be presented by two members of Vision Australia’s Print Access Team who are both experienced musicians.
“Producing accessible music is a large part of what our presenters, Ria and Christina, do in their day-to-day roles, so they’ll be able to answer any questions people have and really give a full overview of things,” Jane said.
“Ria is a talented musician who uses braille to read her music, so she can also provide a first hand account of how it allows her to take part in something she is very passionate about.
The Making Braille Music: An overview of transcription will be held on Wednesday, February 27 from 12.30pm to 1.30 pm. To register or find out more about the webinar email [email protected]
About the presenters
Christina Christensen works for Vision Australia as an Accessible Format Producer specialising in the music area of transcription. She has a background as a musician working as a professional cellist, teacher and composer overseas and in Australia.
Ria Andriani is a Braille transcriber and proof reader at Vision Australia. She also works as a freelance writer and musician in Sydney. She has been featured in ABC’s How music works.
Vision Australia's Print Access Team can help produce material in a range of accessible formats. Find out more about their services here.