[Nfb-hi] FW: [bana-announce] BANA to Evaluate NUBS

[Milton Ota]

  _____  

From: Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org [mailto:Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org] 
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 9:26 AM
To: BANA-Announce at brailleauthority.org
Subject: [bana-announce] BANA to Evaluate NUBS



PRESS RELEASE


 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 

CONTACT: Judith Dixon, Chairperson

Braille Authority of 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 has announced 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.