Introduction

In the 1960s, braille production services were mainly provided by both the Hong Kong Education Bureau and the HKSB. As recommended by a government-delegated focus group on braille production, all braille should be produced by one centralised agency, thus the HKSB was appointed by the government to produce all braille materials for the blind in Hong Kong. The Centralised Braille Production Centre officially commenced operation on 1 October 1986 and after years of development, the Centre has successfully replace single-sided embossing with double-sided braille; and introduced computerised tactile diagram production. All braille news excerpts, readings, and such are now published online with braille eBooks introduced in 2007 and web reservation system implemented in 2008. Braille children books were added in 2009, braille audio eBooks and ePub3 eBooks were launched in 2013 and 2016 respectively, to provide more and more up-to-date, diverse information and braille reading materials for the visually impaired in Hong Kong.

Since a lot of volunteers are needed to assist our work, we welcome any assistance and volunteers to join us in braille production.

Objectives

To enhance braille production efficiency and quality by applying the latest computer technology.

Services

Braille transcription services include:

• Textbooks for visually impaired students studying in primary and secondary schools and university in Hong Kong
• Magazines, recreational and reference reading materials
• News excerpts from South China Morning Post and Ming Pao
• Books and materials required by visually impaired people for work and vocational training
• Other materials such as examination papers, information pamphlets, documents, etc.
• Government public documents, and etc.
• User manuals from public organisations
• Braille children books
• Braille eBooks and its web reservation system
• Braille audio eBooks
• Reprinting and repairing old braille materials

Service Target

All visually Impaired people in Hong Kong

Fee

For non-subsidised products, material will be charged based on number of braille sheet.

Application Procedure

• All organisations, schools and corporates should apply directly to the Centre;
• All individual requests should apply through the Information Accessibility Centre of the HKSB or other non-government organisations for the visually impaired;
• All approved applications will be transcribed according to the priority list of braille production.

Opening Hours

Mondays to Fridays: 8:45am – 12:30pm; 1:30pm – 5:35pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays

Links

Centralised Braille Production Centre - Braille ebook Reservation System
http://cbpc.hksb.org.hk/ebook/login.php

Acknowledgment

The centre is mainly subsidised by the Education Bureau. Braille Newspaper and Audio eBooks Production is a joint project with Information Accessibility Centre, sponsored by the Hong Kong Community Chest.