Bonita Ferracane and Susan Mertz have been connecting six dots for decades.
They arrange the dots to form letters, numbers, punctuation marks and musical notes to transcribe printed textbooks and other school materials into braille for visually impaired students who attend Akron Public Schools.
“We’re helping students get the same benefits as their sighted classmates,” said Mertz, who has been a braillist for 50 years and taught special education for 25 years. “It feels good to know that we have made sure the students who read braille have the same materials at the same time that the sighted children have them. Listening to a book being read to you is not the same as reading it for yourself. It gives students a sense of confidence to be able to do it for themselves.”
Mertz, who works part-time, and Ferracane, who works full time, spend hundreds of hours during the summer months transcribing textbooks into braille for the next school year. They are also available during the school year to braille other printed materials that students need.
“These two women are an invaluable resource to our kids and our families. They make sure our students are prepared for instruction,” said Paul Rusinko, a special education coordinator in the district. “They make my job easier because they are so dedicated to the students they serve. They are more than transcribers. They are advocates for the students.”
Ferracane and Mertz both earned literary braille certification through the Library of Congress.
Mertz initially learned using a slate and stylus. She is dedicated to language arts and music materials.
Ferracane, who has been a braille transcriber for 36 years, completed her training using a braille writer, also called a brailler. She specializes in math materials and also serves as an interpreter for hearing impaired students.
Both women still utilize the older tools. But most of their work is now done by computer, using an electronic Braille translation program.
Before a transcription project is started, Ferracane said a search is done to see if already brailled copies are available for the district to borrow.
If not, the two braillists begin their work — dot by dot, letter by letter, number by number, they transform printed text into the embossed language, which consists of raised dots and patterns. Once the embossed pages are ready, they proofread and correct any mistakes before binding the books for delivery to teachers.
“Every book is different, so it can be a challenge,” Ferracane said. “But it is so rewarding to know that what we do helps students succeed in the classroom. Their success has taught me so much about perseverance, strength, adapting. It’s amazing how these kids overcome their challenges to accomplish so much.”
Although Ferracane and Mertz do not interact on a daily basis with the students that they serve, they keep track of their achievements and reserve bragging rights.
“One of our kids was the first student to make it through the IB (International Baccalaureate) program. His math work was beyond Calculus and he is so independent,” Ferracane said.
“Another student was a marching band director at the Ohio State School for the Blind and took the band to the Rose Bowl. When I saw them out there marching on the field, it made me cry,” Mertz said. “Blindness is part of me.”
Like Mertz, Ferracane said that braille transcription has helped her move from a solely visual world to one where she better understands the world of the visually impaired.
“This has enriched my life by helping me better understand what they endure every day,” Ferracane said. “To get these kids through school, it really does take a village. I’m happy to be a part of that village.”
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.