MEETING OF THE BRAILLE AUTHORITY OF NORTH AMERICA
American Foundation for the Blind, Legislative Office
Washington, DC
November 15-16, 1978
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Roberts, at 9:35
a.m. Present were:
Mr. Harold G. Roberts, AAWB Mrs. William N. Epstein, NBA
Mrs. Irvin F. Richman, NBA Mrs. Helen Perry, CNIB
Mr. Martin Droege, Clovernook Mr. Richard Evensen, LC/NLS
Mr. Floyd Cargill, ACB Dr. George V. Gore III, AEVH
Mr. Ralph E. McCracken, APH Mr. Joseph Sullivan, ACM
Mrs. Darleen Bogart of CNIB was present as an observer.
MSC The minutes of the meeting held April 19-20, 1978 were accepted as mailed to the
members.
Mrs. Richman reported that she had made no progress in securing our
registration as a tax-exempt organization since she had been unable to obtain an
Employer's Identification Number, although she had sent in the application in May.
I. US-UK PROJECT
Mr. Roberts reported on his meetings in London with Mr. Poole of the Uniform
Type Committee of the United Kingdom and Mr. Boulter of the Royal National Institute
for the Blind. Mr. Poole and Mr. Boulter felt that there was a general feeling that the
"time was ripe" for our effort to develop a single code for English braille and that they
had "good assurances" of government support.
It was agreed that, while all should be cognizant of ongoing research and should
keep each other informed of the work being done in our respective countries, we should
not wait for the results of such research before beginning our efforts to produce a single
code.
It was agreed that the first step would be for BANA and the UTC to each appoint
one or two persons to serve as a Liaison Committee. The Committee would be charged
with developing a specific proposal and outlining the procedures to be followed in
developing a single code.
In the discussion following Mr. Robert's report, several suggestions were made to
help the Liaison Committee.
1. The results of John Gill's work and of the FSU studies should be transmitted to
England, even though the FSU project is not addressing the basic literary code.
2. An analysis of the two codes should be made and a tabulation made of the points
of difference.
3. Each party should analyze his own code to determine which of the present rules
create problems.
MSC
GC
MSC
GC
4. The codes should also be analyzed with regard to the rules which create problems
for computer programming.
It was also noted that, if we are successful and a single code is adopted, we must then
establish a mechanism for making changes in the code cooperatively. It was then
moved that we table further discussion on this subject.until 3:00 p.m.
II. REVISION OF THE BYLAWS
The group sat as a Committee of the Whole for the detailed consideration of the
proposed revision of the Bylaws. The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. and reconvened at
1:05 p.m. The Committee also recessed at 3:00 p.m. to take up the report of the
Nominating Committee and the conclusion of the discussion of the US-UK Project which
had been tabled until that time.
It was moved, seconded and carried that the revision of the Bylaws presented by the
Bylaws Committee be adopted with those changed made by the Committee of the Whole.
The text of the revised Bylaws is attached to these Minutes and is a part of them.
III. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Mr. Brown, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, reported by letter that the
committee had only been able to complete a partial slate. Therefore nominations were
made from the floor. The following officers were elected by acclamation:
Mr. Floyd Cargill, Chairman
Mr. Ralph E. McCracken, Vice Chairman
Mr. Martin Droege, Treasurer
Mrs. Helen Perry, Secretary
IV. US-UTC PROJECT, CONT'D.
The charge to the Liaison Committee to the UTC is to develop a detailed proposal
including specific detailing of the topics to be studied, the kinds of people needed to
make the study (even to suggest specific individuals if they are known) and projected
costs.
Mr. Roberts suggested that our Liaison establish a group of people to work with him
here. The Chairman of BANA should send a letter to Mr. Poole informing him that a
number of people from the US will be in England for the International Conference on
"Computerized Braille Production -Today and Tomorrow" which will be held on May 30-
June 1, 1979 and to suggest that perhaps the first meeting of the Liaisons could be held
either immediately before or after that meeting. Mr. Roberts will give Mr. Cargill all of
the information he has on the matter.
BANA agreed that it would underwrite the expenses for one person to go to England
to meet with his counterpart from the UTC if the person designated is unable to
obtain funding from his own agency or other sources.
Mr. Richard Evensen, Chairman of BANA's Literary Braille Technical Committee,
was designated as our Liaison to the Uniform Type Committee of the United
Kingdom.
The meeting recessed at 4:42 p.m. and reconvened at 9:03 a.m. At this
time Mr. William Gallagher of AFB joined the meeting.
V. DRAWING OF LOTS FOR TERMS OF OFFICE
In accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of the newly adopted Bylaws, lots were
drawn and the following terms determined for the representatives taking office at
this meeting:
One year term-AAWB, LC/NLS, ACM.
Two year term-Clovernook, AFB, NFB, ACB.
Three year term-NBA, CNIB, AEVH, APH.
VI. REPORT OF VISIT OF BANA REPRESENTATIVES TO FSU
Mr. Evensen and Mr. McCracken met with Dr. Gideon Jones and Miss Marjorie Hooper
last spring. This report supplements the written report dated May 30, 1978 and sent to all
members by Mr. Evensen.
Dr. Jones was present at most of the meeting. Both Dr. Jones and Miss Hooper were
most cordial. Subsequent to the meeting, Mr. Roberts has received copies of the various
FSU Committee reports and FSU's report to BEH as was requested. We have not yet
received the copy of the actual proposal which had been negotiated with BEH. Mr.
Evensen will write Dr. Jones requesting the report and sending him a copy of his report to
BANA.
During the meeting, there was some discussion of the importance of keeping all findings
private until they have been formally accepted by BANA. It was suggested that Miss Hooper be
invited to attend the spring meeting of BANA in order to present a progress report on the work
at FSU.
It was agreed that in order to keep FSU properly informed of BANA's actions, the following
items should be sent to them:
1. Technical Committee meeting reports
2. Bylaws
3. A report of the status of our approach to the UTC.
4. Extracts from the minutes of relevant items.
It was noted that the FSU grant will expire before the end of 1979. The spring meeting of
BANA should address itself to the implications of the end of the project.
Mr. Evensen will make copies of later FSU Committee reports in his possession and
circulate them to the members of BANA.
VII. REPORT OF THE LITERARY BRAILLE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Mr. Evensen reported that the commitee is now complete. The committee and
terms of appointment are as follows:
January 1, 1979-Dec. 31, 1982
Mr. Richard Evensen, Chairman
LC/NLS
1291 Taylor St., NW
Washington, DC 20542
800/428-3567
1/1/79-12/31/79
Mr. Kenneth R. Ingham Mr. E.G. Brown
ASI Teleprocessing Inc. Canadian National Inst. f/t Blind
123 Water St. 1929 Bayview Ave
Watertown, MA 02172 Toronto, Ontario M4G 3E8
1/1/79-12/31/80
Mrs. Maxine B. Dorf Mr. Martin F. Droege
LC/NLS Clovernook Printing Hse. f/t Blind
1291 Taylor St., NW 7000 Hamilton Ave.
Washington, DC 20542 Cincinnati, OH 45231
Mr. Evensen pointed out the broad spectrum of abilities and knowledge represented on
the committee since it includes not only persons with a wide knowledge of literary braille, but
also persons familiar with production by press and computer and a Canadian representative.
Mr. Evensen commented, that despite our guidelines, many people write directly to the
Technical Committee Chairman rather than to the Chairman of BANA. He suggested that the
TC Chairman provide copies of all correspondence to the BANA Chairman, thus giving the BANA
Chairman the opportunity to decide whether he wishes to respond or wished the TC Chairman
to do so.
The Literary Braille Committee plans to hold at least one meeting next year for the
purposes of getting organized and may schedule a second one.
During the period in which there has been no Literary Braille TC, Maxine Dorf has been
answering questions addressed to her from the field. She and Mr. Evensen will work out a
procedure which will provide transcribers with immediate help and questions requiring an official
ruling can be referred to the TC for action.
The Literary Braille TC will discuss naming a group of people to asist the Liaison to the
UTC.
A request for an update in the edition named as the official dictionary had been referred
to the committee. The requester had stated that the Code named a particular copyright,
however Mr. Evensen was unable to find the reference in his copy of the Code. Mr. McCracken
will check the print edition, and if a particular date is mandated, the committee will make a
ruling.
VIII. REPORT OF THE TEXTBOOK FORMAT BRAILLE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Mr. McCracken,
the Chairman, presented a slate of candidates for membership on the committee to the Board.
The slate was approved by unanimous vote. The members of the committee and there terms
of office are:
1/1/79-12/31/82
Ralph E. McCracken, Chairman
American Printing Hse. f/t Blind
Lousiville, KY 40206
502/895-2405
1/1/79-12/31/79
Mrs. P.T. Bogart Ms. Annette Bettinger
466 Broadway Ave. American Printing Hse. f/t Blind
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2R5 1839 Frankfort Ave.
416/472-0208 Lousiville, KY 40206
Mr. Norman Anderson
Maryland School for the Blind
3501 Taylor Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21236
1/1/79-12/31/80
Mrs. F.J. Mann Mrs. Yancey B. Smith
900 N. Lake Shore Dr., #2606 1920 Notre Dame Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611 Belmont, CA 94002
Mrs. W.K. Tate, Jr.
219 Nevada Dr.
Erie, PA 16505
The committee plans at least one meeting during the coming year.
IX. | REPORT OF THE TREASURER
The Treasurer reported that there had been no expenditures since the last meeting. Our
monies remain in the savings and checking accounts previously reported.
X. REPORT OF THE BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mr. Roberts, the Chairman, submitted the following budget for
MSC 1979 which was adopted:
Income (11 Members @$500)............ccccccccsssccceesseeceessseeccesseeeeeesseeeceesseeeeessseeeeseaes $5,500.00
Expenses:
Stationery and postage.... $200.00
UK-US project
1 round trip air fare..... $400.00
5 days @$75.00.. 375.00 775.00
Literary Braille T.C.
2 round trip air fares.... 300.00
4 days @$50.00 200.00 500.00
Textbook Format Braille T.C.
2 round trip air fares.... 250.00
2 days @$50.00 100.00 350.00
Chairman's Contingency Fund..........006 500.00
Total Expenses 2,235.00
Excess of Income over Expenses..... $3,175.00
The budget is based on the premise that most Technical Committee members will be able
to obtain funding to attend committee meetings from the agency which employs
them. This budget is more of an estimate than subsequent budgets will be because
this is the first year that our technical committees are in place and will be holding
meetings. BANA will assume financial responsibility for committee member's
expenses to attend meetings when necessary.
XI. | NEW BUSINESS
1. It was agreed to place the appointment of a committee to receive the
report of the FSU Music Braille Committee, on the agenda of our spring
meeting.
2. The Secretary was directed to provide copies of the Bylaws to the executive
head of each member organization.
MSC 3. Delinquency of NFB
Since the National Federation of the Blind has not paid its 1978 dues, despite the
fact that it had been informed of their delinquency, it was moved, seconded and
carried that:
a. Their invoice for 1979 dues will be sent in due course with those of all
of the other members.
b. A separate letter shall be sent them by registered mail in which the
treasurer will notify them of their delinquency for 1978 and will include a
copy of Article III, section 3 of the Bylaws.
4. Appointment of Committees MSC
a. Budget and Audit Committee:
Mr. Martin Droege, Chairman
Mr. Joseph Sullivan
Mr. Philip Hatlan
The committee was reminded that they are charged with providing BANA with an audit within
90 days of January 1, 1979. Mr. Roberts said that he might know a qualified auditor who
would be willing to donate his services to BANA.
MSC b. Bylaws Committee: Mr. Richard Evensen and
Mr. Joseph Sullivan.
MSC c. Nominating Committee:
Mr. Martin Droege, Chairman
Dr. George V. Gore III
Mrs. William N. Epstein
5. Next meeting
The next meeting will probably be held in Pittsburgh in May, 1979, either
immediately preceding or following the NBA Conference. The second choice would be
to hold the meeting in Chicago some time during the last two weeks in April.
MSC Whereas: The officers of BANA have served it well and diligently during the
past two years, and
Whereas: They have guided us wisely through this period of of organization and
change, therefore be it
Resolved: That the members of BANA wish to express their thanks and
appreciation to them for their service.
The meeting adjourned at 12:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Irvin F. Richman
Secretary
TREASURER'S REPORT
November, 1978
Balance brought forward (Savings Account) $8,780.75
Funds transferred from checking account 2,600.00
Interest. 149.17
TOTAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT 11/10/78 11,529.92
Balance in checking account $2,628.28
Funds transferred to savings account 2,600.00
TOTAL CHECKING ACCOUNT 11/10/78 $28.28
