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<div align="center"><h1><font size=5><b>PRESS RELEASE<br><br>
<br>
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<br><br>
<br>
<font size=5>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></font></h1><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><font size=5> <br><br>
CONTACT: Judith Dixon, Chairperson<br><br>
Braille Authority of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North
America<br><br>
PHONE: 1-202-707-0722<br><br>
E-MAIL: <a href="mailto:jdix@loc.gov">jdix@loc.gov</a><br><br>
<br><br>
</font><h2><b>Braille Authority of North America To Evaluate Nemeth
Uniform Braille System</b></h2><font size=5> <br><br>
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).<br><br>
<br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
"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."<br><br>
<br><br>
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. <br><br>
<br><br>
To view the completed code, or to read documents explaining the code,
visit
<a href="http://www.braille2000.com/brl2000/nubs.htm" eudora="autourl">
http://www.braille2000.com/brl2000/nubs.htm<br><br>
</a> <br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
For additional resource information, visit
<a href="http://www.brailleauthority.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.brailleauthority.org</a>.<br>
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