About the Site:

What does the HEBREW VISIONS web site do?

The HEBREW VISIONS web site gives users access to a Digital Library that contains Braille files of many Hebrew texts. They have been formatted according to accepted Hebrew Braille standards and are ready to be sent to an embosser.

The Hebrew Visions web site also enables individuals to take digital Hebrew text and translate it into Computer Braille so that it may be sent to an embosser or read on a refreshable Braille display. To Translate a file, go to The Translator and follow the instructions. Additional help on using the Translator can be found on the Translator Help page.

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What is Computer Braille?

A Computer Braille file is actually just a plain text file. You may open it using Notepad or any other application. The characters, however, will probably have little meaning to you. They are the equivalents that were assigned to represent specific Braille cells.

Computer Braille is created by mapping Braille cells to standard ASCII characters. Braille ASCII is currently the most widely used method for specifying Braille cells in an electronic file and most embossers are set up to accept these files.

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What should I do with the Computer Braille File?

The Computer Braille file obtained either from the Digital Library or from The Translator should be sent to an embosser.

Consult the documentation that came with your embosser for additional information on the specifics of how computer Braille files are sent to your particular embosser.

Many programs have also been written to work with Braille embossers and can be used as well.

If you do not have an embosser, many public libraries as well as schools in the United States make their embossers available to the public at either no charge or at a nominal charge. Contact your local library or school system for more information.

JBI International (the organization funding this web site) will gladly emboss and mail you hebrew texts. You may contact the JBI at 1-800-433-1531 or (212) 889-2525.

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How does HEBREW VISIONS do all this without charging a fee?

Hebrew Visions is sponsored by JBI International (established in 1931 as The Jewish Braille Institute of America). JBI provides people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired with free materials and services that enable them to maintain a connection to the rich literary, cultural and religious life of the Jewish community. For more information about JBI services visit their web site at http://www.jbilibrary.org or call 1-800-433-1531 or (212) 889-2525.

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