IMPACT GEORGIA MAGAZINE
GDC Offenders Transcribe Braille
Materials for Thousands of Students
Article by Kasandra Ortiz | [email protected]
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education,
Division of Special Education Services, all work to provide accessible textbooks and other materials for K-12
students with disabilities in public schools. Male offenders in the Braille Program at Central State Prison, the
Georgia Braille Transcribers (GBT), assist by producing three components: braille, digital text, and braille
writer repair. GDC also has another prison, Emanuel Women’s Facility, where offenders transcribe materials
for college students.
Through the Braille Program, the offenders were able to
help more than 2,800 students by transcribing materials into
Braille, which is at no cost to local school districts. Graphs or
images in textbooks are also converted as tactile graphics for
those students, as well as music. For 2019, the revenues from
transcription services, sale of embossed books, and braille
repair helped offset the operating costs of the programs.
“This collaboration not only assists students, but also
provides career-ready skills for GDC offenders,” said
Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “I am proud to say these
Braille Programs create a cost saving for local school districts and some former offenders have already used
the skills learned while incarcerated, to pursue a career in braille transcription.”
In 2019, 52 books were requested for transcription, totaling more than 55,000 pages, and nearly 8,000
graphics. Each of the offenders in these Braille Programs are consistently working to receive additional braille
and On-The-Job (OJT) certifications. Throughout 2019, ten participants were awarded braille certifications
and 12 GBT participants were awarded OJT certifications. The prison Braille Programs benefits participants by
continuing to provide an excellent opportunity for offenders to learn braille transcription and other skills that
can lead to a career following incarceration.
For more on GDC Braille Programs visit https://bit.ly/3bqANJb
GDC Offenders Transcribe Braille Materials for thousands of students.
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