[Blindtlk] [bana-announce] BANA to Evaluate NUBS

[Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org]

PRESS RELEASE


March, 2009

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT: Judith Dixon, Chairperson

Braille Authority of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North America

PHONE: 1-202-707-0722

E-MAIL: <mailto:jdix at loc.gov>jdix at loc.gov




Braille Authority of North America To Evaluate Nemeth Uniform Braille System



The Braille Authority of North America announced today that it is 
making plans for the evaluation of the recently completed Nemeth 
Uniform Braille System (NUBS).



According to its developer, Dr. Abraham Nemeth, NUBS is an updated 
version of the Nemeth code, which has been in use since 1972.  The 
new system has been in development for ten years and is capable of 
rendering both literary and technical texts.



"BANA deliberates very carefully before making even small changes to 
braille," said Judith Dixon, BANA chairperson.  "We want to ensure 
that braille readers have access to the same information as do their 
print-reading counterparts in this age in which the norms for printed 
material are evolving rapidly.  However, it is essential that we 
understand the impact of any changes on readability, writeability, 
space considerations, familiarity to current braille readers, 
etc.  The benefits of making any change must be shown to outweigh the 
drawbacks."



The timeline and other details of the evaluation process are still 
being determined.  The evaluation will involve the input of all 
stakeholders,  and information on how those interested can provide 
input will be made available soon.



To view the completed code, or to read documents explaining the code, 
visit http://www.braille2000.com/brl2000/nubs.htm



The mission and purpose of the Braille Authority of North America are 
to assure literacy for tactile readers through the standardization of 
braille and/or tactile graphics. BANA promotes and facilitates the 
use, teaching and production of braille. It publishes rules, 
interprets and renders opinions pertaining to braille in all existing 
codes. It deals with codes now in existence or to be developed in the 
future, in collaboration with other countries using English braille. 
In exercising its function and authority, BANA considers the effects 
of its decisions on other existing braille codes and formats; the 
ease of production by various methods; and acceptability to readers.



For additional resource information, visit www.brailleauthority.org.