Our History

Visual Aid Volunteers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, located in historic downtown Garland, Texas. VAV began in the fall of 1960 with a pilot project approved by the Garland School Board and Texas Education Agency. Volunteers, including parents of visually impaired children and motivated civic leaders, came to get to form Visual Aid Volunteers. The pilot program agreement established that this volunteer group would provide all braille materials for visually impaired students of Garland Independent School District. As a result of this initiative, GISD became the first school district in Texas to have blind and low-vision students attend public school with their sighted peers. VAV incorporated in 1962 and continues today providing quality braille materials to students all over Texas.

Why Braille?

In our technologically advanced era, the question often arises: why is a code of dots in six cells, known as braille, still crucial for literacy? With readily available technology that can audibly read web pages, books, and phone screens, why would braille be necessary? These advances in technology depend on the user understanding how letters blend together to make words, and words create sentences, and sentences build paragraphs. So, while technology can read audibly, true literacy goes beyond mere comprehension of the sound of a word; it involves understanding the structure and composition of language. If a child only learns the meaning of words audibly, without grasping how letters are combined to form those words, they may not achieve full literacy. This limitation becomes apparent when a student struggles to articulate their own ideas in writing.

Remarkably, in the blind population of the USA in 2019, 90% of those employed were braille readers. Braille is a vital tool to fuller independence as it equips individuals with the ability to read, write, and express their thoughts effectively.

Beverly North, Executive Director

Stepping into the role of Executive Director, I bring two decades of braille transcription expertise and a dedication to advancing literacy for individuals with vision loss. Certified in UEB Literary and Nemeth, with proficiency in foreign language transcription, I have a wealth of knowledge to contribute. My professional journey, including both independent contracting and employment with VAV, has solidified my belief in braille’s transformative influence and its ability to empower literacy. I’m a wife and mother of two beautiful daughters, and love crafts and plants and my adorable four legged children Molly, Pikachu, and Maevis.

Cindy Harris, Associate Director of Finance

My story with braille began in 2003 with classes at VAV that led to joining the staff in 2004. Currently, I hold certifications in Literary Braille with UEB, Technical Math (Canadian), and Braille Formats, and am beta testing the new course, UEB with Nemeth. Before braille, I provided words for hymns at church for the Deaf using American Sign Language. Today when I tell someone that I braille for the visually impaired, they say, “Oh, you do that thing with your hands!” Yes, I do! And I love it!

Amy Johnson, Associate Director of Production

Driven by a passion for accessibility, I’ve dedicated seven years to braille transcription, earning Library of Congress certification in 2019. My commitment to professional development led me to complete the U.S. Department of Labor Graphic Artist apprenticeship program in 2022. As Associate Director of Production at VAV, I’m now pursuing Braille Formats and Nemeth certification, embracing the challenges and growth opportunities this role offers. I find immense fulfillment in empowering visually impaired individuals through access to information and education, and “paying it forward” by making information accessible is why I’m so passionate about the braille community.

Robin Ramos, Editor/Tactile Design Specialist

My journey into braille transcription and tactile graphics began in 2016, and for the past 9 years, I've been committed to providing accessible information. With literary certification and expertise gained through the Literary Textbook Proficiency course, I specialize in creating clear and accurate braille materials. My true passion lies in tactile graphics, where I strive to make STEM concepts and museum art accessible to the visually impaired. My family – my roles as wife, mother, and grandmother – are the most cherished aspects of my life. I am a firm believer in lifelong learning