Marion Stevens, Assistive Technology Specialist, The University of Alabama
Heidi Lehmann, Music Braille Transcriptionist, Bach to Braille, Inc.
Disability Area: Topic Area:
Length of Session (in hours): 1-hr
Format: Lecture
Expertise Level: All Levels
Type of session: Not provided
Summary of Session
This presentation outlines the process by which the University of Alabama Office of Disability Services and Heidi Lehmann of Bach to Braille produced Braille music and course materials for a visually-impaired music student. Topics covered will include processes, best practices, and lessons learned.
Abstract
Providing Braille music and course materials for a visually-impaired music student is an undertaking that requires cooperation between the DSS office, faculty and staff, the Braille music transcriptionist, and the student. This was the challenge faced by the Office of Disability Services at The University of Alabama. Successfully providing the student with materials in a timely manner required the development of a detailed process to obtain, convert, and distribute materials as quickly and efficiently as possible. In this presentation, we outline the challenges faced by ODS and Heidi Lehmann of Bach to Braille and how we sought to overcome them.
Kepoints
Developing a protocol for producing Braille music for a visually-impaired student.
Developing relationships with faculty and staff.
Developing an understanding of how Braille music is produced.
Speaker Bio(s)
Marion Stevens
Marion Stevens is the Assistive Technology Specialist in the Office of Disability Services at The University of Alabama. He received his BA in Communication Arts in 1992 from Spring Hill College, his MA in Public Communication in 1994 from the University of South Alabama, and his MLIS in Library and Information Studies in 2007 from The University of Alabama. Prior to joining UA in 2010, he served as Transportation Operations Manager/IT Specialist at Easter Seals West Alabama. His primary interest is investigating how technology can be used for the greater social good and how to mitigate its potential negative effects on individuals and society. He resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with his wife Amanda, their two children, Emily and Palmer, and their three cats.
Heidi Lehmann
Heidi Lehmann is a 1999 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York in Potsdam. She earned her Bachelors degree in Musical Studies on piano and oboe and then attended Florida State University for Music Therapy. Ms. Lehmann earned her Library of Congress certification as a Music Braille Transcriptionist in 2004. She is presently the owner of Bach to Braille, a company specializing in braille transcription and embosser repair services. Ms. Lehmann is an active member of the National Braille Association, currently serving as both the Music Braille Chairman and Secretary of the organization. In recent years she has given professional development workshops entitled "Introduction to Music Braille," "Transcribing Music Theory Materials," and "Music Braille for Percussion."