<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Just passing along more interesting information!</div><div>Cathy<br><br>Sent from my iPhone</div><div><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><b>From:</b> Roberta Williams <<a href="mailto:rwilliams@aph.org">rwilliams@aph.org</a>><br><b>Date:</b> August 1, 2014, 2:26:46 PM EDT<br><b>To:</b> "<a href="mailto:cathyj1949@gmail.com">cathyj1949@gmail.com</a>" <<a href="mailto:cathyj1949@gmail.com">cathyj1949@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>APH Plan for Transition to Unified English Braille</b><br><br></div></blockquote><div><span></span></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Policies Regarding UEB Transition at the American Printing House<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">for the Blind (APH)
<a name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black">Louisville, Kentucky</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black">, August 1, 2014 –APH has announced its plan for
transition into Unified English Braille (UEB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In November 2012, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) voted to adopt Unified English Braille (UEB) as an official code for the United States. The formal motion
approved reads as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:.75in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:22.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"Therefore, it is moved that the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) adopts Unified English Braille to replace the current English Braille American Edition in the United States while maintaining
the <i>Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, 1972 Revision</i>; the <i>
Music Braille Code 1997</i>; and the<i> IPA Braille Code, 2008</i>. The official braille codes for the United States will be<i> Unified English Braille, Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, 1972 Revision</i> and published updates;
<i>Music Braille Code, 1997</i>; and <i>The IPA Braille Code, 2008."</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In October 2013, BANA conducted its first UEB Transition Forum, which was held concurrently with APH’s Annual Meeting. This meeting of representatives designated by organizations
directly involved in the adoption of UEB was convened to facilitate the planning of a coordinated transition between existing braille codes and UEB. Participants at this meeting collectively chose the date of January 4, 2016, as the date by which most phases
of the transition to UEB will be completed or plans for completion will be in place. This date, Louis Braille’s birthday, was affirmed by BANA at its November 2013 meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Following these votes, APH has been engaged in analyzing what this change will mean for the textbooks and educational materials APH provides to students who are blind and
visually impaired in the United States and its outlying areas. General information on APH’s UEB Transition Plan is indicated below.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Orders for textbooks in subjects using literary braille (i.e., social studies and language arts), not previously transcribed, will be produced in UEB for the 2015-16
school year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Orders for textbooks in technical subjects (i.e., science and mathematics), not previously transcribed, will be produced in UEB and/or UEB with Nemeth Code for
the 2015-16 school year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Textbooks previously transcribed will be available in their original codes, following APH’s policy of not duplicating previously transcribed textbooks and supplementary
materials. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">APH will transcribe assessment materials in the codes requested by customers who contract with APH to make assessments accessible in hardcopy and/or refreshable
braille. APH recognizes that assessment materials must be available in the code that is used most efficiently by each test taker (as indicated on his/her Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan). APH is committed to providing multiple formats for these high
stakes assessments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">APH will gradually transition instructional and assessment-related catalog products and materials to UEB and UEB with Nemeth Code throughout the next several years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The American Printing House for the Blind is committed to the highest standards of access to educational materials, textbooks, and assessments for students who are blind
and visually impaired. APH remains committed to its customers and partners, and looks forward to working collaboratively as the United States transitions to Unified English Braille.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">About the American Printing House for the Blind:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is the world's largest nonprofit company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing
products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials
for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level. APH was recently named Kentucky Mid-sized Manufacturer of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">APH manufactures textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats. APH also makes hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products
including computer software and an array of assistive technology items.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. is located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, call (502) 895-2405 or log on to
<a href="http://www.aph.org">www.aph.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">-END-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Roberta Williams, 502-899-2357<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Public Relations Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Publicity, Tours, InSights Art<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"><a href="http://www.aph.org/" target="_blank">http://www.aph.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> click on links below to connect with us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/AmericanPrintingHouse" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01CFAD7A.02D6F150" alt="Facebook-Icon"></span></a><a href="http://www.fredshead.info/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.png@01CFAD7A.02D6F150" alt="blogger icon"></span></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/aphftb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image003.png@01CFAD7A.02D6F150" alt="you_tube"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/aphblind" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image004.png@01CFAD7A.02D6F150" alt="flickr icon"></span></a><a href="http://www.twitter.com/APHfortheBlind"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image005.png@01CFAD7A.02D6F150" alt="twitter"></span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">American Printing House for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">1839 Frankfort Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Louisville, KY 40206<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Building Independence Since 1858<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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