At CoreCivic's Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby, Montana, residents can participate in a program that teaches them how to transcribe books into braille. Braille is a writing system that supports those who are blind or visually impaired by using raised dots read by fingertip to communicate. This system helps improve literacy and independence by providing a way for those who are visually impaired to read books, signs, and other forms of communication.

The braille program curriculum is comprised of 20 lessons. It starts by teaching participants how to read braille, before they learn how to transcribe books into braille. The books include everything from history textbooks to mathematical books and children's books. The final lesson requires participants to complete a 35-page manuscript, which must have an accuracy rating of 99.971 percent to pass the course and receive the certificate from the U.S. Library of Congress.

"Being able to transcribe books here... it's a great thing," said Aaron T., a braille program participant at Crossroads. "It's something to keep our mind busy and I love learning. It's also one of the rare things you can do while incarcerated where it has a positive effect on the community."

Aaron says when he is released, he hopes to make a career of transcribing braille. WATCH below to learn more about the braille program and how it supports those with visual impairment while providing marketable skills for incarcerated individuals.