Q. I’m totally blind and have decided to edit and proof my own manuscript. How would a blind person proof a manuscript?
A. To be honest, the author is often the worst person to edit and proof her own work, even if she is fully sighted. The writer tends to see what she meant to write rather than what she actually did write. A fresh reader is usually more effective. So for that reason, I recommend instead that you work with a professional editor and proofreader. If you are determined to do this yourself, however, then you should seek advice from someone who is blind or works with blind people. Since you’re writing to me through email, you may already know about Web-Braille and other kinds of computer assistance for the blind. The website of the American Foundation for the Blind (http://www.afb.org/) is a good resource.