In 2000, the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute, KBTI was founded in Wichita, Kansas. The mission of KBTI is to help increase critically needed services to people who are blind.

Kansas, like many locations around the United States has few qualified Braille transcribers. This critical shortage has resulted in fewer than one of ten blind children being literate.

Since 2003 KBTI has offered Braille training to Kansas parolees. At the request of Warden Sam Cline KBTI agreed to offer similar training beginning with five qualified inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. These men are presently enrolled in the prison Braille program.

Skills needed to learn Braille codes and formats to become a proficient transcriber takes considerable time and focused effort #8211; ingredients that are readily available in the prison setting.

Today, 23 Prison Braille programs operate in the United States. It has been estimated prison inmate Braille transcribers are responsible for producing as many as 5 million pages of Braille annually.

A single page of Braille, can range as high as $12.00 per page, though the average rate is $2.50, not including the higher cost for the reproduction of tactile graphics, i.e., maps, charts, diagrams and illustrations found in math and science books, which average $15.00 per page.

Primary customers are local school districts, residential schools for the blind, state agencies, (departments for the blind, departments of education...), libraries, and private businesses. The lower cost associated with Braille produced by prison inmates saves taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

The rate of pay for a qualified Braille transcriber can range between 15 to 50 thousand dollars a year. Braille transcribers can work full-time or part-time with most working from within their homes.

Prison Braille programs are financed in a variety of ways. In some cases, prison training and education funds are utilized. Unfortunately, such funding is not available in Kansas for this project.

Earlier this year, $7,000.00 in equipment, instructional materials, other needed items, and two paid certified Braille instructors were made possible by donation from KBTI to help get this program started. Additional help is critically needed.

Benefits of the prison Braille program:

• Vocational and education programs in prisons help reduce recidivism
• Inmates have a chance to be productive while giving back to society
• Inmates can earn and save money for the Braille work they perform; helping themselves and their families, paying owed court costs, fines, and restitution to their victims
• Textbook Braille Transcribers are in high demand nationally
• Blind students would benefit greatly by having Braille course materials and entire books on time
• Reduces the cost of Braille materials to schools, state and government agencies
• Inmates become qualified and prepared to continue working in this field upon release at home and can contract with KBTI
• 25% percent of all money generated goes into the prison training and education fund to sustain this program and offer Braille training to additional inmates.

• Assist KBTI/HCF with locating local and government grants
• Make a donation toward the purchase of additional equipment, instructional materials
• Donate money to help cover the expense of the two Braille Instructors going out to the prison
• Sponsor an inmate getting out of prison who has earned his certification and wants to operate a Braille transcription business from home, (KBTI will provide the training)
• Help by ordering Braille information for people who are blind from KBTI
• Sponsor a person who may be blind or may also want to learn Braille needing a job
• Share this information with others at home, work, in your church or civic group
• Contact KBTI about someone you know needing Braille, perhaps a person who is blind or a business owner who serves people who are blind and use Braille
• Place an order for an American Braille flag for a blind veteran or student
• Volunteer your time at KBTI there are many ways to help
• Visit www.kbti.org for more information

Inmates in KBTI's Prison Braille program training class, with KBTI instructors Nancy and John.

The Kansas Braille Transcription Institute is a private non for profit, 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible.

Donate today by check or money order at: KBTI, 250 S. Laura, Wichita, Kansas, 67211. Or call: 316.265.9692. You may also visit our donation page at: www.kbti.org and donate electronically.