From an Idea to Braille: Life With Jefferson Becomes More Accessible to Readers
Sometimes something meaningful begins with a simple question:“Wouldn't it be great if this book was available in Braille?”
Raspberry Press is incredibly pleased to share that Life With Jefferson: A Biography of a Guide Dog by Paul Bennett and Penny Leclair is now available in digital Braille through the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), with a physical Braille edition soon to be available through the Sechelt Public Library.
There is a story behind how it happened and it is one we are very proud to share.
It Started With an Idea
During the time that Raspberry Press was producing the publication of Life With Jefferson, during one of our monthly meetings while discussing the project, team member Wyatt Tremblay had an idea.
"Wouldn't it be great," he suggested, "if this book could be available in Braille? I bet if the author asked different organizations, one would help get this done."
Raspberry Press owner Cheryl Fountain immediately loved the idea, and replied, "That is a great idea. I will mention it to the author."
Cheryl mentioned it to Penny, and Penny took it from there.
From Conversation to Reality
Penny approached NNELS — the National Network for Equitable Library Service about the possibility of making Life With Jefferson available in Braille.
NNELS reviewed the book and agreed to move forward with a Braille transcription. Because the accessible edition is produced with public funding, no proceeds can be received from that format of the book. Permission was required from the rights holders, including the author and publisher. The Braille edition is provided as an accessible service and therefore is not a commercial edition.
For Raspberry Press, the answer was an enthusiastic yes! We were and are honoured to give our approval and to play a small part in helping Jefferson's story reach readers who may not otherwise have been able to access it.
And now, what began as a suggestion around a Raspberry Press meeting table has become a reality. This is what Raspberry Press aims for and specializes in, bringing to life ideas through stories and by helping to publish those stories.
A Book With a Very Personal Story
This milestone has even greater meaning because Life With Jefferson was already a deeply personal project. The book tells the real-life story of Jefferson, a guide dog, and the remarkable relationship and experiences surrounding his life and work.
The book is written by Paul Bennett and Penny (Leclair) Bennett. Paul passed away before he was able to see their book published. Penny made it her mission to see their work through to publication, to not only honour Jefferson, but also to honour Paul and the story they created together.
The book is now able to reach people who work with guide dogs, people interested in the extraordinary relationships between guide dogs and their handlers, and, through this new accessible edition, readers who use Braille.
Life With Jefferson Is Now Available in Digital Braille
The digital Braille transcription of Life With Jefferson: A Biography of a Guide Dog is now available through NNELS.
Readers will need an NNELS account, or access through their public library with a print-disability designation, to access the digital .brf file.
A physical Braille edition will also be hosted at the Sechelt Public Library. The library is currently completing the cataloguing process, which is expected to take a few weeks. Once complete, the physical edition will be available on the library's shelves and through interlibrary loan.
From Idea to Manifestation
Publishing isn't only about creating a book and putting it up for sale. It's about seeing possibilities for a story, bringing people and ideas together, and helping an author's work travel farther than any of us might initially have imagined.
Congratulations to Penny (Leclair) Bennett on this wonderful accomplishment, and thank you to Wyatt for asking the question that started it all.
We know Paul couldn't be here to see where Life With Jefferson has travelled, but we are honoured to have played a part in helping the story he and Penny created together continue to reach new readers.
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