BRAILLE AUTHORITY OF NORTH AMERICA
SPRING MEETING
Friday, March 26, 2004: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 27, 2004: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 28, 2004: 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM
Hosted By
CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
MINUTES
1 Call to-Orde le antic anita din hi wn ken einen Anant E Kim Charlson
Kim Charlson called the meeting to order at 9AM. Friday, March 26, 2004.
2 WEICOME Rees nnen ean anita nan aaten ante ania Darleen Bogart
Darleen Bogart introduced Jim Sanders, President and CEO of CNIB, who
welcomed BANA to Toronto.
3 Seating of BANA members and New Representatives..............:00006 Kim Charlson
Associate Member: New Zealand, Janet Reynolds, Delegate
Dr. Sandra Ruconich was seated as the delegate for AER at the meeting in the
excused absence of Alan Koenig.
4 Self-Introductions — Representatives and Observers
Observers:
Jill Cooter, Aquinas Pather, Phyllis Landon, Antonnette Botha, Abraham Nemeth,
Edie Mourre, Jim Sanders, Linda Snider, Harold Snider, Tom Keith, Debbie
Gillespie, and Raeleen Smith.
Representatives:
Kim Charlson, American Council of the Blind (ACB), Chair
Sandra Ruconich, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (AER)
Frances Mary (FM) D'Andrea, American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Warren Figueiredo, American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Vice-Chair
Mary (May) Davis, Associated Services for the Blind (ASB)
Carol Morrison, Braille Institute of America (BIA)
Darleen Bogart, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
September 18, 2004 1
Susan (Sue) Reilly, California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually
Handicapped (CTEVH), Treasurer
David Grimes, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCBVI)
Mary Archer, National Braille Association (NBA), Secretary
Eileen Curran, National Braille Press (NBP), Immediate Past Chair
Ruby Ryles, National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Mary Lou Stark, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS)
Janet Reynolds Associate Member, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind,
(RNZFB)
Mary Czepyha, Administrative Assistant
5 Meeting Arrangements ssc. ccscan sve, secneciecaissetnaauia anes dace Darleen Bogart
Darleen Bogart outlined and explained the various meeting arrangements.
6 Board's Liability Statement .; vscwete idence hea eaneGeu teenies Mary Archer
BANA indemnifies its Officers and Board of Directors and holds them harmless
from all claims of every kind, including court expenses, attorney’s fees, and the
claimed amount arising from the performance of their duties as Officers and
Directors except for their own acts of dishonesty and gross negligence. (Adopted
March 30, 1987)
7 Agenda Approval shes seins uke ese e E teu E EE R iA Kim Charlson
The BANA materials were delayed in arriving. Frances Mary D’ Andrea
volunteered to do the To-Do list; Warren Figueiredo and Mary Czepyha offered to
note possible press release items; and Sue Reilly kept track of budget items.
MSC Carol Morrison moved that the agenda be accepted. Passed unanimously.
8 Braille Formats Technical Committee .............ccccceceseeseeeeeeeteeeeees Lynnette Taylor
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Sue Reilly read the report submitted by the Braille Formats
Technical Committee in the absence of the board packets. The Board appreciates
the comments from the Formats Committee, the communication between the board
and the committee seems to be working. Debbie Gillespie clarified that Rules 3
and 4 are still being worked on by the committee.
Eileen Curran raised the issue of the use of the word ‘transcriber’ as an all-
inclusive term. Concern was expressed that everyone involved in the production
of braille should be included. Braille Formats is intended for a wider audience than
September 18, 2004 2
just transcribers. Suggestion: “Braille Producers’ might be a more overall term.
Could also possibly define ‘braillist’ as all those involved in the process of braille
production. Suggestion: List all terms for those involved in the production process
in Braille Formats.
The BANA Board went through the report point by point.
In response to question regarding capitalization the Board recommends: Follow
print for capitalization throughout including title pages. The Formats Committee
concurred with this recommendation.
GC The Board agrees with this decision.
Mary Lou Stark will forward NLS information regarding jacket material and how
to determine if it is advertising or not for purposes of Free Matter to the Braille
Formats Committee.
The Board needs clarification to understand “conventional human language”. The
Board recommends change in terminology to clarify this item.
Interpoint braille: The Board recommends cross-referencing “page numbering” in
Rule 1 and the interpoint section yet to be written.
Word division: Clarify the concept that the need for the option for dividing words
between lines when necessary should be available. The board would prefer that this
be an agency decision. Please consider reworking this section based on our
recommendations.
Foreign Language: Considerable discussion took place on whether to contract or
not contract. Debbie Gillespie and Jill Cooter commented from the observers.
Concern was expressed about contractions that bridge prefix-base, base-suffix and
compound words. Some attendees thought that contractions should be used
throughout the material.
GC Thanks to the Formats Committee for working on the Foreign Language
in English context rule.
MSC To charge the Literary Committee to draft language for use or non-use
of contractions in foreign words within English context, taking into
consideration the recommendation of the Braille Formats Committee and
consulting with the BANA Foreign Language Technical Committee. Passed
unanimously. (Secretary’s note: this motion is repeated in the Literary Braille
Technical Committee report section.)
Discussion: The Board expressed concern that there be consistency in language
September 18, 2004 3
between literary braille, Braille Formats, and foreign language braille. The Board
is also concerned that there be consistency between use and none use of
contractions regardless of type face.
The Board recessed for lunch at 12 noon.
The Board resumed the meeting at 12:50 PM
Joe Sullivan joined the meeting as an observer.
The Board was asked for more clarification on #10 from the Annual Meeting
Minutes from November, 2003, which stated: More clarification is needed on
educational instructional materials.
Budget request: A face-to-face meeting later this summer was requested.
Estimated cost: $500 per person for airfare; $300 per person for hotel space.
$5600 total if Anne Kelt as consultant to the committee is included. Discussion:
Ordinarily we do not pay the expenses of a consultant to a technical committee.
Kim Charlson will check to see if Perkins could host the meeting again. Also we
need to know if funds are available. The Board will decide on-line after this
meeting.
9 Computer Technical. C onimiittees a. siieannenssain ness eitenn tects Betty Teachman
MSC Mary Archer moved to approve the continuation of the appointment of
Melissa Hirshson as a full member of Computer Braille Technical Committee
with a term ending 2004. (E-mail vote ending 01-23-2004) Voting yes: FMD,
WF, AK, MD, CM, DB, MA, EC, RR, MLS, DG. Not voting: SR
Report and Board Charges
9.1 Report on file. Frances Mary D’ Andrea read the report.
9.2 Discussion and recommendation of CBC special symbols page incorporation into
regular standard symbols page
Currently, English Braille American Edition (EBAE) and the Computer Braille
Code (CBC) are in conflict regarding what CBC symbols must appear on a Special
Symbols Page.
MSC Eileen Curran moved to charge the Computer Braille Code Technical
Committee to draft a revision to CBC to recommend when a Computer
Braille Code Symbol should appear on the Special Symbols page. Passed
unanimously.
September 18, 2004 4
10 Ad Hoc Committee on Early Literacy Materials Production........ Susan Christensen
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Warren Figueiredo read the report. Budget request: $3000 for
meeting expenses for committee members not funded by APH.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that up to $3000 be allotted to cover the
expenses of Lynn Vuocolo, Jeri Cleveland, and Marcia Dresser to attend the
ELMP committee to be held at APH. Passed unanimously.
12 Refreshable Braille Technical Committee ............ccccceeecceseecceeecceeees Jennifer Dunnam
Report and Board Charges
No report was received from this committee.
Warren reviewed the charges to this committee. They are to:
Develop guidelines that would meet the current needs of users of electronic braille
devices. (5/1/1999)
Develop a scheme for marking up files so they can be easily navigated within a
linear braille format. (5/1/2000)
Achieve maximum compatibility with current format protocol in use or under
development. (5/1/2000)
Liaison Sue Reilly will contact the chair of the committee.
13 Literary Technical ;Conmmittees xc. t,x cordial atune urea weecealees Martha Pamperin
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Report read by Darleen Bogart. Their work is proceeding.
MSC To charge the Literary Committee to draft language for use or non-use
of contractions in foreign words within English context, taking into
consideration the recommendation of the Braille Formats Committee and
consulting with the BANA Foreign Language Technical Committee. Passed
unanimously
Board suggestion to the committee: Work on foreign language charge when the
September 18, 2004 5
committee begins work on Rule 5.
MSC Eileen Curran moved that the Literary Technical Committee be
charged to review how common special symbols such as TM, R , and C
should be transcribed. Passed unanimously.
14 Mathematics Technical Committee .0.........ccccceccccceeeteeeeeeeneeeeeeeeaes Betsy McBride
MSC Mary Archer moved that Allison O’Day be appointed to the
Mathematics Technical Committee as a consultant to serve a one year term
ending in 2004. (E-mail vote to end 12-18-2003) Voting yes: KC, WF, AK,
MD, CM, SR, DB, MA, RR, MLS, DG. Not voting FMD
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Report read by Mary Archer. Mary Lou Stark reviewed the plan of
NLS to continue teaching the Nemeth Code following the death of Marcia
Leibowitz.
16 Tactile Graphics Technical Committee ..........escceeeseeceeseeeesseeeseeeeeenees Lucia Hasty
MSC Carol Morrison moved that BANA appoint Lucia Hasty to serve as the
US Co-Chair of the Joint BANA/CBA Tactile Graphics Interim Measures
Revision Committee and that Diane Spence and Allison O’ Day also be
appointed as the remaining two US committee members. (E-mail vote to end
02-20-2004) Yes: FMD, WF, AK, MD, CM, SR, MA, EC, RR, MLS, DG.
Abstain: DB.
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Carol Morrison read the report. The joint committee is going to
meet in St. Paul this summer.
Warren Figueiredo reviewed the charges to the committee. They are completed.
11 Ad Hoc Foreign Language Committec.............cccccccccssssecceesenteeeeesenneeeeenees Ann Kelt
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Eileen Curran read the report. Jill Cooter commented on her
participation on this committee. Ann Kelt and Joanne Baldwin are continuing to
work together on examples for the manual.
September 18, 2004 6
15 Music Technical Committee .......... cece ceeeccccceeeccccnseecccensesccsceaees Lawrence Smith
Report and Board Charges
Report on file. Mary Lou Stark read the report. Request to the committee: that
the errata in Music Braille Code 1997 be included with their fall report to BANA.
17 Strategie PIAMIMIN GO: cxtcar nat tonite techy edbeuntucen siete wach a E aO Kim Charlson
Approval of administrative assistant
Kim formalized the appointment of Mary Czepyha as the Administrative Assistant
to the BANA Board.
Discussion: It would be a good idea to get feedback from groups of users.
Perhaps we could meet with such groups from the areas in which BANA meets.
David Grimes, Eileen Curran, Ruby Ryles, Frances Mary D’Andrea, and Kim
Charlson will serve as an ad hoc committee to facilitate this happening. The
emphasis and perhaps the title will be Public Outreach. David Grimes will serve as
chair. A planning conference call will be scheduled.
21 MBS asec esta src va tana coe ses esd Saeco seats ee wma deed ee Mary Lou Stark
21.1 Reconsideration of tabled amendment to Policies from Fall meeting on
distribution of items construed as BANA policy.
Since the board had nothing to discuss on this item at this time it remained tabled.
Committee report on file.
MSC Mary Lou Stark moved that 7.7(10-99, 3-04) The 1 0” Edition of Roberts
Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern proceedings of Board meetings
except where the present Bylaws and Policies provide otherwise. Passed
unanimously by counted vote.
20 Publications COminittGesicke ss siusbess a wekteiakeueteeee aanletidewerdeuatoes Warren Figueiredo
MSC Kim Charlson moved that BANA approve the November 2003 Officers
press release as submitted by Warren Figueiredo with corrections. (E-mail
vote to end 12-01-2003.) Passed unanimously.
Report on file.
September 18, 2004 7
20.1 Publications Guidelines
Warren Figueiredo plans to work more on this after his upcoming retirement.
20.2 BANA Brochures
BANA Website: Warren received little feed-back regarding the website. APH will
donate eight hours of consultant time to assist with the website. Warren reviewed
what could be included on the website.
22 Secretary's Report
22 Annes = Fal 2003 zrani eenn cetera a E R oie Mary Archer
MSC Mary Archer moved that the minutes of the 2003 Annual Meeting of
BANA be approved with any corrections. (E-mail vote to end 01-30-2003.)
Yes: WF, AK, MD, CM, DB, MA, EC, RR, DG. Yes after dealine: MLS. Not
voting: FMD, SR.
22.2 Certificates of Appreciation ..........ssssseesessseseesssesessssrresssereessseress Kim Charlson
Eileen Curran has sent the certificates asked for at the last meeting. Jerry Whittle, Joyce
Van Tuyl, and Susan Descarage.
22 3-Directory Update iaa a a E E T A EES gate Mary Archer
Please submit changes to Mary Archer by e-mail.
2D AB ANACE XDI cet vscears ain et eeina a A n Warren Figueiredo
The trunk is back from California, it will go to NBA in Philadelphia next.
22:5: Statio net y wilde E E E E aan ia ants Warren Figueiredo
Warren circulated the stationery.
22:6: BANA 7S LISI SEV Ssa a a E E R EEA Kim Charlson
Martha Pamperin has requested that the whole Literary Committee be put on
Formats listserv as observers.
GC Committee Chairs only will be on other listservs. The chair may then
forward relevant messages to the committee.
September 18, 2004 8
23 Standard of Braille Expectation ..............:cccsssccssssccscnsccserseeesnnneeoes Alan Koenig
Item held over to next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5 PM on Friday, March 26, 2004.
Kim Charlson called the meeting to order at 9 AM on Saturday, March 27, 2004.
Introductions of Board and observers.
Observers: Phyllis Landon, Raeleen Smith, Joe Sullivan, Constance Craig,
Abraham Nemeth, Linda Snider, Harold Snider, Matt Lyles, Edie Mourre, Jill
Cooter, Bill Poole, Patrick Pollard, and Tom Keith.
A card for Alan Koenig was circulated.
Darleen Bogart had some housekeeping announcements
24 Press-Release co teisortiecss eddie elena ne aneeeas Warren Figueiredo
After the meeting we will know what the releases will be. Reminder: Short
announcements regarding technical committee activities will be added.
29: Treasurer s. REDO aati: arettcsat cassie thea phcts saan ena cee aa tama aa Sue Reilly
25.1 2003 year-end financial Statement
On file.
25.2 Financial report for 2004
Reports on file. Sue Reilly read the reports.
Discussion of additional requests. ELMP $3000 See ELMP report.
Warren Figueiredo will ask APH if there are other ways APH could further support
the meeting of the ELMP.
26 BANA Historis Sees des e dee ie cal dev ay Cato NE i a Eileen Curran
No report.
27 International Braille Organizations
September 18, 2004 9
214 World Braille Council <5: sce. st. camate ar thd atari Geschaenaheaeunks Darleen Bogart
There was a telephone conference call July, 28, 2003 to discuss the World Blind
Union Braille Council, its governance and scope.
27.2 WBU North America/Caribbean Region ............ccccccceesseeeeeteees Kim Charlson
27.3 WBU Survey on Braille MUSIC ...........cccccceecececeeesteeeeeeeteeeeesenaes Kim Charlson
A Survey to Determine the Scope of Need and Availability of Braille Music was
developed .
Reminder: that the letter suggesting a two tier system for Braille Music
Certification still needs to be sent to NLS. Eileen Curran and Kim Charlson will
work on this.
27.4 French Braille unification update 0.0.0.0... .cccceeeceeeeeetteeeeeeeees Darleen Bogart
Darleen has no report on this issue.
Representatives from various braille authorities from around the world who were
in attendance at this meeting reported on the news of braille in their respective
countries:
Antonnette Botha from South Africa, Darleen Bogart from Canada, Janet
Reynolds from New Zealand, Bill Poole from the UK.
Lunch 12:05 PM Saturday, March 27, 2004.
The meeting reconvened at 1:05 PM on Saturday, March 27, 2004.
Julia Morgan joined the meeting as an observer.
18 UEBC Update
LS clk Project: Report .Asccn2 Givexcdowucnasettanei Gewanwcuate Darleen Bogart
Darleen Bogart gave a Project Report.
18.2 Research Reported: <caarauScuicuenm tends anes as Frances Mary D’ Andrea
MSC Frances Mary D’ Andrea moved that BANA pay the third and final
installment of the research funds to Dr. Marie Knowlton and Dr. Robin
Wetzel in the amount of $5,321.33 each, for a total amount of $10,624.66. (E-
September 18, 2004 10
mail vote to end 02-03-2004.) Yes: FMD, WF, AK, MD, CM, SR, DB, MA,
EC, MLS, DG. Yes after the deadline: RR.
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved that BANA pay the outstanding
invoice to Mississippi State University in the amount of $7,890.50 for the
completion of the pilot study on blind adults learning the proposed UEBC.
(E-mail voting to end 02-19-2004.) Passed unanimously.
Report on file. The report was read by Frances Mary D’Andrea. Discussion: Who and
what will happen so that the reports can be posted. Mary Archer submitted an
updated table for the Knowlton-Wetzel Report.
18.3 Education REPOrt :cacansn wana eee Las Eileen Curran
Eileen presented the report of this committee. The Journal of Visual Impairment
and Blindness (JVIB) carried several articles on UEBC. More Samplers have been
distributed.
19 ICEB- General Assembly sufi nha a aE E a E E E Darleen Bogart
Darleen gave background on the upcoming General Assembly of ICEB.
19.1 ICEB Delegates for U.S. & Canada
Kim Charlson, Frances Mary D’ Andrea, Eileen Curran, and Warren Figueiredo are
US delegates. Darlene Bogart, Debbie Gillespie, Betty Nobel, Debbie Sitar are
Canadian delegates.
19.2 BANA instructions to ICEB delegates
Mary Lou Stark clarified that on the BANA board a counted vote of seven “yes” votes
is required for passage of a motion.
After considerable discussion, the BANA board through consensus determined
that BANA is not in a position to make any kind of decision on the use of UEBC
in the U.S. and that further consideration and consultation are required before any
decision will be made.
MSC Carol Morrison moved that the rules be suspended so that the chair
(Kim Charlson) could vote to reflect viewpoint of the organization she
represents on the UEBC issue only. Passed unanimously.
MSC Eileen Curran moved that the US delegates to ICEB acknowledge the
sufficient completion of the UEBC research project. Yes: KC, Sandy R,
September 18, 2004 11
FMD, WF, CM, Sue R, DG, MA, EC, RR, MLS. No: MD
MSC Sue Reilly moved that the US delegates to [CEB support the referral of
UEBC as a code to each braille authority for consideration. Yes: Sandy R,
FMD, WF, CM, Sue R, DG, MA, EC, RR, MLS. No: KC, MD
After reviewing the rest of the agenda the meeting adjourned at 5 PM
Meeting called to order at 9 AM, Sunday, March 28, 2004.
Observers: Linda Snider, Harold Snider, Abraham Nemeth, Edie Mourrie, Raeleen
Smith, Fred Schroeder, Antonnette Botha, Phyllis Landon
28 Unfinished Business
Dr. Harold Snider gave a report on the International Braille Research Center.
28.1 AFB Solutions FOrum.............ccccccccssscccesesnceeeesesneeeeeseseeees Frances Mary D’ Andrea
Frances Mary D’Andrea gave background on the Solutions Forum and reported on the
activities of the Forum. How can BANA assist with the adoption of the Instructional
Materials Accessibility Act. (IMMA)
Eileen Curran was appointed the BANA liaison to the Solutions Forum.
29 New- BUSINESS <4: c4pocsuses tasanno aa ate ity se ect A a e E haa sea aides Kim Charlson
Discussion: There is a need for a standardized test format. BANA will establish an ad
hoc committee to study this. Eileen Curran will serve as liaison to the ad hoc committee.
Discussion continued regarding not only format for transcribing, but the appropriateness
of the test items for braille readers.
The BANA Board will recommend to the Solutions Forum that appropriateness of the
items in standardized tests be discussed to avoid unfair or biased items for braille reading
students.
MSC Eileen Curran moved that BANA create an ad hoc committee on production
guidelines for the brailling of tests. Passed unanimously.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that the ad hoc committee be charged to develop test
production guidelines for review and adoption by BANA. Passed unanimously
Suggestion: Review Test Central Guidelines from APH. There are ADA guidelines
regarding this subject for test items. Look at other guidelines such as CNIB. Possible
committee members: Thora Dumont, Debbie Gillespie, Sharon Von See, Carol Alman,
September 18, 2004 12
Leslie Lightbourn, Larry Brown, Mila Truan , Carol Evans, Maria Stevens. Eileen will
contact these people.
Dues increase. BANA has demonstrated a need. BANA has used half of our assets to fund
research when two attempts at obtaining grants for this failed. Dues have not been
increased since 1976, the year BANA was founded.
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved that BANA dues be increased to $750 for
2005, $875 for 2007, and to $1000 for 2009. Passed unanimously.
MSC David Grimes moved that Associate Member dues be increased to $375 for
2005, $450 for 2007, $500 for 2009. Passed unanimously.
MSC Eileen Curran moved that the Literary Technical Committee be charged to
review how common special symbols such as TM, R, and C be transcribed. Passed
unanimously. Secretary’s note: This motion is repeated in the Literary Braille Technical
Committee’s section.
Fundraising. We could package some of our projects and seek funding for them.
The Executive Committee will brainstorm about fund raising.
29 Around the Table xi can nse eE E EENE EE T All BANA representatives
Members reported on activities of their organizations.
30. Ruture BANA meeting fis tal in a E tata ta E A ihe. Kim Charlson
Fall 2004 — CC
Committee meetings Thursday, November 4, 2004. Board meeting Friday November 5
through noon Sunday, November 7.
Spring 2005 — NBA
Dallas April 17, 2005. Committee meetings Sunday morning. Board meeting Sunday 1
PM through 5 PM Tuesday April 19, 2005.
Fall 2005 — NFB
Spring 2006 — BIA
Fall 2006 — AER
Spring 2007 — APH
Fall 2007 — ASB
Spring 2008 — NLS
Fall 2008 — NBP
Spring 2009 — CTEVH
Fall 2009 — AFB
Spring 2010 — ACB
Fall 2010 — CNIB
September 18, 2004 13
32 Adjoürnment eroria a a E E O Guat Sactaes Kim Charlson
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 after Sandy read her quotable quotes and CNIB was thanked
for hosting the meeting.
September 18, 2004 14
