[Nfbmt] From David Andrews

[David Andrews]

If you can benefit from learning Braille now then go for it.  Not 
that much will change.

This change has been debated for probably 20 years.  It standardizes 
Braille between all english-speaking countries, so things can be 
exchanged easier.  It also makes forward and backward translation by 
computer less ambiguous.

Dave

At 09:37 PM 11/26/2013, you wrote:
>Hi guys.  This concerns me.  Why are they talking about changing the Braille
>code?  I don't see the point.  I'm not yet a Braille user but won't it just
>confuse things if the traditional code is altered?  What is the point? I
>think I've missed something about this subject that came before.  Someone
>must have a reason for changing something that has apparently worked up
>until now.  I was planning on learning Braille in the coming months and now
>I wonder if I should put it off for another couple of years.  What is the
>point of learning it now if it's just going to change in two years?  What is
>the reason for changing Mr.  Braille's product?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina
>Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 8:24 PM
>To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [Nfbmt] From David Andrews
>
>From:David AndrewsTo:david.andrews at nfbnet.orgSubject:[nfb-talk] Fwd:
>[BANA-Announce] BANA Affirms Date for Implementation of UEB
>
>
> > Press Release
>
> > November 2013
>
> > For Immediate Release
>
> > CONTACT: Frances Mary D'Andrea, Chair
>
> > Braille Authority of North America
>
> > Phone: 412-521-5797
>
> > Email: <mailto:literacy2 at mindspring.com>;literacy2 at mindspring.com >
> > BANA Affirms Date for Implementation of UEB
>
> > The Braille Authority of North America (BANA), at its November 8-10
> > meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, affirmed January 4, 2016, as the date
> > by which the United States will implement the general use of Unified
> > English Braille (UEB).
> > This action was based on a year of dialogue and planning that included
> > the UEB Transition Forum, held on October 16. The forum, which
> > involved 48 delegates representing 31 organizations from the braille
> > community, was structured to help organizations craft the steps and
> > timetable through which the United States will make an effective
> > transition to Unified English Braille.
>
> > The decision to adopt UEB in the United States was made by a decisive
> > vote of the BANA Board on November 2, 2012. The full motion is posted
> > on the BANA website at
> >
><http://www.brailleauthority.org/ueb/UEBpassed.html>http://www.brailleauthor
>ity.org/ueb/UEBpassed.html.
> > >
>
> > BANA recognizes that the implementation of UEB will require major
> > adjustments to the infrastructures that produce, deliver, and teach
> > braille, as well as time and strategies for braille users to become
> > familiar with changes in the code. BANA continues to work with leaders
> > throughout the field to build a carefully designed timeline and
> > coordinated plan. Detailed timelines are under development by
> > individual organizations, and transition efforts are now being
> > initiated. BANA stands ready to collaborate with the braille community
> > as it builds and adapts the infrastructure necessary for a smooth
> > transition to UEB. >
> > NOTE: This press release is available in HTML on the BANA website at
> >
><http://www.brailleauthority.org/pressreleases/pr-2013-11-26.html>http://www
>.brailleauthority.org/pressreleases/pr-2013-11-26.html.
> > >
>
>
> > For additional resource information, visit
> > <http://www.brailleauthority.org>www.brailleauthority.org.
>
> > The Board of BANA consists of appointed representatives from seventeen
> > member organizations of braille producers, transcribers, teachers, and
> > consumers. > The mission of the Braille Authority of North America is
> > to assure literacy for tactile readers through the standardization of
> > braille and/or tactile graphics. >
>
>
> > The purpose of BANA is to promote and to facilitate the uses,
> > teaching, and production of braille. Pursuant to this purpose, BANA
> > will promulgate rules, make interpretations, and render opinions
> > pertaining to braille codes and guidelines for the provisions of
> > literary and technical materials and related forms and formats of
> > embossed materials now in existence or to be developed in the future
> > for the use of blind persons in North America. When appropriate, BANA
> > shall accomplish these activities in international collaboration with
> > countries using English braille. In exercising its function and
> > authority, BANA shall consider the effects of its decisions on other
> > existing braille codes and guidelines, forms and formats; ease of
> > production by various methods; and acceptability to readers. >