[Nfb-science] BANA to Evaluate NUBS

[David Andrews]

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>PRESS RELEASE
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>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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>CONTACT: Judith Dixon, Chairperson
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>Braille Authority of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
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>PHONE: 1-202-707-0722
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>E-MAIL: <mailto:jdix at loc.gov>jdix at loc.gov
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>Braille Authority of North America To Evaluate Nemeth Uniform Braille System
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>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).
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>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.
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>"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."
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>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.
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>To view the completed code, or to read documents explaining the 
>code, visit http://www.braille2000.com/brl2000/nubs.htm
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>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.
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>For additional resource information, visit www.brailleauthority.org.