If good things come in small packages, then potentially great things come in large ones — three big boxes to be exact — like the braille version of the 1997 Book of Praise.
Theologically speaking, the transcription of the Book of Praise into braille demonstrates that the denomination takes seriously the issue of inclusion. When the denomination learned there was a need for a braille Book of Praise, the church took action to ensure that the needs of the blind community were met. Having accessible hymns enables braille users to fully participate in singing and in planning for worship.
Practically speaking, there are several things to consider. The most obvious issue is the form in which it is shipped. It does not arrive in book form, but rather it is packaged in three boxes; one containing the six bound volumes of indices and table of contents and two boxes containing the 10 volumes of hymns. A permanent storage and filing system is critical for ongoing and long-term usage. One solution is to put the 10 volumes of hymns into large binders or a durable filing system. This way the individual hymns can be removed on an as-needed basis and stored in a safe place when they are not being used. Such a filing system requires some coordination so that the braille users may be able to retrieve the necessary hymns for worship. Establishing a filing system is completely contextual, as it will depend on the congregation and the needs of the braille user. The two will need to work together to figure out an appropriate solution.
Each hymn is printed on its own page. The hymn’s title, lyrics, author and date appear only in braille. It would be beneficial if printed labels were provided containing a hymn’s number and title in order for hymns to be found by both sighted and blind people. The braille musical notation is not provided, as most braille readers would literally have their hands full reading the music and lyrics simultaneously.
As a braille user myself, I am excited to finally have the words to the hymns in an accessible format. I know that others will share in this sentiment, as braille users are now able to celebrate their Christian faith through song with newfound confidence. Financially speaking, the cost of $30 is quite reasonable for a congregation or an individual. Congregations would not think twice about providing large print hymn books for people with vision impairments. Congregations should be encouraged to obtain a braille Book of Praise in that same spirit of inclusion and Christian hospitality. Although significant time is needed for the initial set-up, I believe it to be a worthy price to pay to ensure that braille readers can more fully participate in the life and work of the body of Christ.
