Applications to be an accredited braille producer close 30 June

Braille is considered to be the primary literacy and numeracy medium for people who are blind or have low vision, even with the incredible rise of mainstream technology in recent times. Braille is more relevant and accessible than ever, and we need to make sure it’s available to those who need it most, whenever and wherever they need to read.

With all that in mind, we here at BANZAT would love to help you take your braille production skills to the next level.

If you are a braille producer in New Zealand or have had some experience with braille and would like to become one, BANZAT is currently calling for applications to become an accredited braille producer. You need to have the Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille before you can become an accredited producer, but we can help you there as well. Watch this space for more information later in the year. Don’t worry if you haven’t got the certificate yet. You can apply for this accreditation once you have.

But what does being an accredited producer actually mean?

Basically, we need to ensure that everyone who produces braille in New Zealand is aware of-and meets-the consistently high standards our braille readers expect. So that no matter who they ask to produce their braille, they get consistently high quality documents that conform to New Zealand braille standards. It’s also a great way to stay informed about braille in New Zealand, and another skill you can add to your existing braille knowledge and experience.

If you couple this with the Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille, you’re creating a solid foundation to help get braille into the hands of more readers nation-wide, while helping to maintain the quality and consistency of braille production in New Zealand. All of this helps to reinforce the foundational braille literacy and numeracy skills so necessary for employment, education and life and community participation in today’s society.

Plus, all accredited producers have their name on the BANZAT website and in other marketing material, so others can find out more about you and the work you do. Win win, we think.

Applications for individual producers close on 30 June 2019, and you can find out more on our website.

Check out the following information from our secretary, Mary Schnackenberg, for more details. And please feel free to ask questions here, or via any of the contact details below.

The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT) launched its policy for the Accreditation of Braille Producers Working in New Zealand in 2015. Policy 7 which explains the Accreditation framework and procedure is available on our policies page.

Accredited producers agree to follow the standards set by BANZAT giving greater confidence to requesters, purchasers and readers of braille. The names of accredited producers are advertised on the BANZAT website at http://www.banzat.org.nz/accredited-producers and in other marketing.

We now make our fifth call for applications for accreditation from individuals which closes on 30 June.

If you have any questions, please contact Maria Stevens, email mailto:chair@banzat.org.nz, or Mary Schnackenberg, email mailto:secretary@banzat.org.nz.

  • Mary A. Schnackenberg
  • Secretary/Treasurer
  • The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust
  • Email mailto:secretary@banzat.org.nz
  • Phone +64 9 520 4242
  • Mobile +64 21 983 652
  • Postal address: Unit 2 – 13 Upland Road | Remuera | Auckland 1050 | New Zealand

To join the New Zealand braille email discussion list send a blank message to mailto:nzbrl-subscribe@googlegroups.com

The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust is a registered charitable entity http://www.charities.govt.nz. Number CC45306.