Assignment of Persons
Providing
Instruction of Braille to
Students
Frequently Asked Questions
& Answers
Q. What are the
A. After
Q. How is competency
demonstrated?
A. By successful completion of one of the
following:
1. Successful completion
of the Braille Literary Usage Examination (B.L.U.E.)
2. Certificate for
Literary Braille Transcriber from the Library of Congress National Library
Service (NLS)
Q. What are the competencies
covered on the B.L.U.E.?
A. Mastery of the Literary Braille Code and
Rules as defined in English Braille American Edition, 2002 Revision. The
exam is broken into four parts: Transcribing, Proofreading, Interlining and
Slate & Stylus.
Q. Is there a time
limit?
A. Yes. The entire examination is limited to 5
hours. The exam may be taken a section at a time. Each section has a time
limit.
Q. May I have reference
materials available during the examination?
A. Yes. Rule books, reference sheets,
hand-written notes. A computer or any other electronic devices are forbidden.
No questions may be asked of others.
Q. What is the process
for taking the examination?
A. Download an
application
form and arrange to have someone in
your district to be the test administrator. Fill out the form and submit with
payment to the address on the form. Within two weeks an exam will be delivered
to the test administrator with directions for administration and return
envelope.
Q. What supplies do I need?
A. A Perkins Braille Writer, 28 cell slate
& stylus, 11.5”x11” Braille paper, 8.5”x11” Braille paper, Braille eraser, any
references.
Q. How do I get my test
results?
A. Allow up to two weeks for results to be
mailed to you directly. If you pass the entire exam a Certificate will be
mailed to you.
Q. How will my district
know I passed?
A. It is your responsibility to supply a copy of the Certificate of Competency to you personnel office. A quarterly report is published by the Board of Education and posted on their website at http://www.pesb.wa.gov/publications/reports/2010
Q. When does the
certificate expire?
A. It’s good for five years from the date of
completion, unless you have completed the NLS certificate. The NLS certificate
is a lifetime certification.
Q. How can I keep the
certification current?
A. As outlined in WAC
180-82-130 by completing the
equivalent of ten hours every five years of continuing education or completing
one of the tests.
Q. What type of
coursework qualifies?
A. Instructional methodology
in Braille, improving Braille code skills or maintaining or refreshing Braille
code skills NOT including technology or software. Braille codes skills means
literary, music, and Nemeth code. The courses must be by an approved provider.
Q. Who are the approved
providers?
A. The National Braille Association; The Library of Congress; The
Braille Authority of North America; A regionally accredited institution of
higher education; An educational service district; The American Foundation for
the Blind; The Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (AER) of Washington; The American Foundation for the Blind
annual American Braille literacy conference; of any other entity approved by
the state board of education.
Q. How is my continuing
education requirement documented?
A. It is your responsibility to send copies of
the documented classes to the
Q. How often does the
A.
Quarterly.