A prison sentence became a second chance for Alexandria’s Deborah Adams. After learning to transcribe Braille at the Virginia Department of Corrections, Adams sought to give other inmates the same new lease on life.
Adams spent the majority of her life in and out of the criminal justice system. A 160-year prison sentence for embezzlement at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women (FCCW) became a pivotal point. It was a moment she recalls so vividly.
“One of the promises I made to myself was that any of the skeletons in my closet that were lies I had been telling in my life, I would make the truth,” she says. “One of them was my schooling. I was very smart, but I lied about being educated.”
While incarcerated, Adams studied for her associate degree and was selected for the FCCW transcription program. There, her passion for helping the blind awakened. “We call it the Braille bite. You either get bit or you don’t,” said Adams, who went on to earn the prestigious U.S. Library of Congress’ certification in literary Braille while still in prison.
Adams was released after serving 10 years and soon began working as a contractor with the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. “I am a perfect example of how the system can allow you to change and become a better person,” said Adams.
She spent five years in Kentucky helping inmates get their own start coming out of prison with the American Printing House for the Blind. In 2015 she founded Dot Over Dot when she returned to her home in Alexandria because she understood how powerful second chances can be.
“I realized that people aren’t going to receive the same benefits and opportunities I did, so I opened up Dot Over Dot.” Adams only hires former inmates with Braille certification from prison, helping them to re-enter society and become self-sufficient within 30 days.
As Adams works to grow her business, she sought out the help of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership’s small business team, who are working with her to write, build, and host a new website—free of charge.
“The opportunity to be able to have a website for free and then to be supported for a year is a tremendous gift and something I wouldn’t have done for myself,” she said.
Dot Over Dot has grown to a team of 18 with a core group of seven that work together to transcribe K–12 textbooks. Currently, the staff is working on translating a Russian dictionary. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year to finish one book.
Adams has also been exploring ways to help those with substance abuse issues as a certified peer recovery specialist and integrated forensic peer and recovery specialist. She hopes to guide others with her own personal experience. “At this point in my life, I am so blessed to be where I am today. I will be celebrating 10 years of no crime and 21 years of no drugs in my life,” said Adams.
To follow along on Deborah Adams’ journey, or provide support for Dot Over Dot, visit her website at https://dotoverdot.org