Braille Transcriber

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success. OSD supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager of Special Education Services Delivery, the Braille Transcriber will be responsible for duties in connection with transcribing and reproducing instructional materials in braille, large print, and audio formats and will perform additional duties as required. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Braille Transcriber will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Receive and review requests from educational staff for instructional materials to be transcribed to and from braille, print, and audio formats

Operate tools such as a braille writer, braille embosser, scanner, and computer with braille translation software

Enter instructional content or material into the computer/appropriate software to be translated and embossed into braille

Use formatting skills to convert scanned materials into the appropriate braille format

Consult with educational staff members for clarification surrounding requests for transcribed materials

Maintain detailed records of all requests received and transcribed for teachers of the visually impaired

Adapt maps, charts, graphs, images, and all graphics into tactile representations

Download books and other print materials into audio formats using talking books software

Under the direction of a teacher of the visually impaired, provide direct classroom support regarding the accessibility of materials, as needed

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Braille Transcriber must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED equivalent is required

Library of Congress Braille Transcriber Certification or actively working to obtain this certification is required

Experience Required:

Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience working with and translating braille materials is required

Experience with 3D printing is preferred

Other Requirements:

Fluent in reading braille

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong knowledge of and/or familiarity with the following:

The principles and techniques of transcribing materials to and from braille

Equipment used to transcribe print to braille

Resources such as Bookshare, Learning Ally, and the Library of Congress Talking Books Program as well as the Illinois Instructional Materials Center (IIMC)

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups

Strong time management and organizational skills; capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail, and meeting deadlines

Proficient in the use of technology and computer programs (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace); Must have the ability to type at least 45 words per minute

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.