BRAILLE AUTHORITY OF NORTH AMERICA
FALL MEETING
Friday, November 5, 2004: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Saturday, November 6, 2004: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 7, 2004: 9:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Hosted By
CLOVERNOOK CENTER FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
CINCINNATI, OHIO
MINUTES
1 Call COP ORAST EEEE ane tesa kit E ETE anise A TAA TE Kim Charlson
Kim Charlson called the meeting to order at 8:55 AM on Friday, November 5, 2004.
2 Welcome nnana a a A ONE David Grimes
David Grimes welcomed us to Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and
explained details for the arrangements of the meeting. CCBVI President Jeff Brasie
welcomed BANA and showed a video about Clovernook. Chairman of the Board Doug
Armstrong sent his wishes for a successful meeting and extended his regrets that he
couldn't meet with BANA personally during our visit to Cincinnati.
3 Seating of BANA Members and New Representatives
Kim Charlson, ACB; Diane Wormsley, AER; Frances Mary D’ Andrea, AFB; Jennifer
Dunnam, NFB; Judy Dixon, NLS; and Mary Archer, NBA.
4 Self-Introductions — Representatives and Observers
Observers: Charlotte Begley, Gary Mudd, Jan Carroll, Joy Robinson, Dena Garrett,
Eleanor Pester, Beth Enser, Peggy Forcade.
Representatives:
Kim Charlson, American Council of the Blind (ACB), Chair
Frances Mary (FM) D'Andrea, American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Warren Figueiredo, American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Vice-Chair
Diane Wormsley, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (AER)
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)
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 l
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
William Raeder, National Braille Press (NBP) in the excused absence of Eileen Curran
Jennifer Dunnam, National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Judy Dixon, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Mary Czepyha, Administrative Assistant
5 NIGEL IO Arrangements cass sa canis wears ten a vend ats a E E bena David Grimes
David Grimes concluded his explanation of the meeting arrangements.
6 Board's Liability Statement ccs su scaneeus siendersgncegsdin ieendore Gane hcecaamaalersaes es 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 PABST A Approval A ae a a a a A Aeesbiecedmenes Kim Charlson
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved that the agenda be approved as printed.
Passed unanimously.
8 Braille Formats Technical Committe ess iss aisha ati A aalesssiatea nnieseeakss Lynnette Taylor
8.1 Report and Board Charges
Report read by David Grimes and on file.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that the Formats Committee work with the Outreach
Committee to prepare a survey on format issues for menus, knitting and
crocheting patterns in order to publish it in news letters for comment by
braille readers. Passed unanimously
8.2 Budget
$5100 was authorized for the committee's work and a face-to-face meeting at
Perkins in 2005.
8.3 Appointments
MSC David Grimes moved that Debbie Gillespie and Deborah Brown be
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 2
reappointed as full committee members and that Ann Kelt be appointed
committee member pro tem for the duration of the Braille Formats revision
process. All terms are for two years. Passed unanimously.
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved that Jean Simpson and Dena Garrett be
appointed as consultants to the Braille Formats Committee for one-year
terms. Passed unanimously.
Bill Raeder asked about the structure of BANA technical committees regarding observers,
consultants, etc. He asked why anyone who was interested couldn't be an observer of such
a committee. Darleen Bogart commented that open observers of committees worked well
for the development of UEBC.
Ralph Bartley joined the meeting as an observer.
The Braille Formats Committee has had success in using Ivocalize as a communication
vehicle for their work. Concern was expressed that the board is left out of discussions
because the listserv is not being used. Chairs of Technical Committees will be asked to
provide a written summary of telephone or online discussions/meetings. The Board will
investigate the use of Ivocalize to work and communicate between meetings.
9 Computer Technical Committee sais die ass .csiueesceeeanvearieiiitin sha iearaeueabniiesanes Betty Teachman
9.1 Report and Board Charges
May Davis read the report and it is on file. The CBC Committee seems to be
having some difficulty making decisions on issues that the board has charged them
to address. Kim Charlson will have a conversation with Betty Teachman regarding
the functionality of the committee. The idea of adding a consultant to the
committee might help this situation. Kim will discuss this idea with Betty
Teachman. The use of angle brackets in general literature as opposed to use in
computer programming was discussed briefly.
Diane Wormsley suggested the possibility of technical committees using the
Research Committee and Outreach Committees as resources in their deliberations.
9.2 Budget
No funds were requested at this time.
9.3 Appointments
MSC Carol Morrison moved that Melissa Hirshson and Sandra
Ruconich be reappointed for two-year terms. Passed unanimously.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 3
9.4 The Board discussed the recommendation that a CBC special symbols page be
incorporated into a standard special symbols page. We had input from Open
Forum participants that will be provided to the committee. Perhaps with
the addition of a consultant the committee will be able to reach a decision on this issue.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 11:40 AM
The Board had the opportunity to tour the Clovernook facilities.
The meeting reconvened at 1:10 PM
Jackie Conner from the NLS Multistate Center East joined the meeting as an observer.
10 Special Presentation: ABC Braille Study — Ralph Bartley and Eleanor Pester, APH;
Frances Mary D'Andrea, AFB
The study goals and methodology were discussed regarding the teaching of contracted or
uncontracted braille for beginning readers. The study's progress thus far was reported, and
plans for the future were outlined .
11 Ad Hoc Committee on Early Literacy Materials Production ................... Susan Christensen
11.1 Report and Board Charges
Warren Figueiredo read the report and it is on file. Susan Christensen has resigned
as committee chair. Betsy Burnham will become the chair of this committee. A
work plan will be developed for the completion of the early literacy materials
production project.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved to appoint Betsy Burnham as chair of the Ad Hoc
Early Literacy Materials production Committee. Passed unanimously.
11.2 Budget
No budget was requested at this point.
11.3 Appointments
None at this time.
12 Ad Hoc Foreign Language Committee a..2..0ccssscssacsases canassteceddesasscasesnstcbesventecesess Ann Kelt
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 4
12.1 Report and Board Charges
Kim read the report and it is on file. Mary Archer reported that Joanne Baldwin,
who has been working on finishing the Foreign Language Manual, is currently
serving as a volunteer for NLS reading Nemeth lessons and grading certification
tests and has therefore been interrupted on the foreign language project.
12.2 Budget
$1000 was requested by the committee.
12.3 Appointments
None at this time.
13 Refreshable Braille Technical Committee... ee eeeeeeseeeneeesneeeseeeens Jennifer Dunnam
13.1 Report and Board Charges
Since Jennifer Dunnam is now the representative for NFB she can no longer serve
as chair of the committee per BANA Policies. Jennifer made a recommendation
that the board consider asking Caryn Navy to serve as chair of the Refreshable
Braille Committee. Kim will contact Caryn and ask her to serve and a final vote on
appointing a chair for the committee will take place via e-mail.
Judy Dixon was appointed as liaison to this committee.
Judy Dixon discussed the problems surrounding not having a consistent ASCII
character set for braille displays. Considerable discussion of this topic took place.
MSC Judy Dixon moved that the Refreshable Braille Committee be charged with,
by fall of 2005, to review and compare the existing 256-character ASCII
braille tables used by refreshable braille displays and braille embossers in
North America; to recommend a 256-character ASCII braille table suitable
for use by relevant hardware and software producers. Passed unanimously
13.2 Budget
No funds were requested at this time.
13.3 Appointments
MSC Jennifer Dunnam moved that Sharon Monthei be appointed to the committee
for a two year term. Passed unanimously.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 5
Other committee vacancies will be filled via an e-mail vote.
14 Literary Technical Committee sis. ions eccv tesserae dans niecievnevdews devciov antes Martha Pamperin
MSC Darleen Bogart moved to appoint Nancy Barker from Toronto to the BANA
Literary Technical Committee to fill the unexpired term of Phyllis Landon
who has resigned. E-mail vote to end 06-25-2004. Passed unanimously.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that Tom Keith from Toronto be appointed as a
consultant to the BANA Literary Technical Committee. E-mail vote to end
06-26-2004. Passed unanimously.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that the BANA Board accept the resignation of
Margaret Robinson from the Literary Technical Committee and that Anna
Lee Braunstein be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Margaret
Robinson. E-mail vote to end 08-16-2004. Passed unanimously.
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that the BANA Board consider the recommendation
of the Literary Committee and that BANA make a formal request that the
International Council on English Braille’s UEB (Unified English Braille)
committee consider changing symbols for copyright, trademark, and
registered trademark to those used by the Braille Authority of the United
Kingdom (BAUK) i.e. dots 4-5C, 4-5R and 4-5T for copyright, registered
trademark, and trademark respectively. E-mail vote to end 10-15-2004.
Voting yes: FM, WF, DW, MS, CM, DB, MA, EC, RR, MLS, DG. Not
voting: SR
14.1 Report and Board Charges
Darleen Bogart read the report and the report is on file. In addition to the thanks
that Martha Pamperin mentioned in her report, the Board thanks Martha for her
leadership of this committee. Perhaps this committee could investigate using
Ivocalize also. We will wait until we hear back from UEB regarding copyright,
registered trademark, and trademark to respond to the committee regarding this
issue.
The Board will request clarification from the committee regarding the rationale for
choosing the dots they did for opening and closing angle brackets.
The Board requests clarification regarding why the change is being proposed in the
letter sign rule. The Board also recommends revision of the language so that the
rule is stated in a simpler form.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 6
14.2 Budget
$3,700 is being requested for committee work and a face-to-face meeting in 2005.
14.3 Appointments
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that Nancy Barker, Anna Lee Braunstein, and
Joseph Sullivan be reappointed for two-year terms. Passed
unanimously
MSC Darleen Bogart moved that Norma Schecter and Tom Keith be
reappointed as consultants for a one-year term. Passed unanimously.
16 Music Technical Committee x..3..6 Aapcsaee oscatdons sia esanr sare senetaesgaeceeaannau gnats Lawrence Smith
16.1 Report and Board Charges
Report read by Judy Dixon and on file.
16.2 Budget
The committee requested $300 for its work.
16.3 Appointments
MSC Carol Morrison moved that Karen Gearreald be appointed as a
consultant to the committee for a one-year term. Passed
unanimously.
MSC Carol Morrison moved that Karin Aukenthaler, Beverly McKenney
and Harvey Miller be reappointed for two year terms. Passed
unanimously.
Jennifer Dunnam was appointed as liaison to the Music Technical Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM.
The Saturday, November 6th meeting was called to order at 9:08 AM at the hotel.
15 Mathematics Technical Committee ...........ccecccccccsesceceeeeeneeeeeeeeeeeeenetaeeeeeees Betsy McBride
15.1 Report and Board Charges
Report read by Mary Archer and on file.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 g
The completion of the graphing calculator guidelines, the stem and leaf, and box
and whisker plot guidelines are especially needed since these directly impact tactile
graphics and several other projects. Mary Archer will clarify with the Mathematics
Technical Committee as to where they are in the process. Also the committee will
be reminded to use the listserv to conduct their work so that the Board can
continue to monitor the discussion.
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved to charge the committee to develop
guidelines for producing the Periodic Table of Elements by reviewing
the current methods of transcribing such material and recommending
a standardized format by Fall of 2005. Passed unanimously.
Discussion around this motion was focused not only about the Periodic Table of Elements
that appears in textbooks but also portions of the table that appear in standardized
tests. Concern was expressed about how this material was being transcribed since
there are no guidelines for doing so at the present time.
15.2 Budget
$300 was requested for the committee's work.
15.3 Appointments
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved that Anthony Evancic and Susan
Osterhaus be reappointed to two-year terms and that Allison O’ Day
be reappointed as consultant for a one-year term. Passed
unanimously.
15.4 Nemeth Code Errata Clarification
MSH Mary Archer moved that BANA approve the submitted Nemeth errata and
the hand written division problem as part of the Nemeth Code and distribute
it accordingly.
This motion was put on hold until it can be determined that Canada and the US are sending
the same errata material to Nemeth transcribers and the ruling that the
Mathematics Technical Committee made regarding the handwritten division
problem can be clarified. The motion will be dealt with by an e-mail vote.
15.5 Consideration of Nemeth Code Reference Sheet published by National Braille
Press as an approved BANA publication
The Mathematics Technical Committee recommends that this publication be
approved by BANA.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 8
17
18
19
20
GC The Publications Committee will develop language that can be used to show
BANA approval of documents produced in collaboration with other
organizations.
Tactile Graphics Technical Committee sa..assssscctousceconoltancetecsrecenwusnesis taenana vans Lucia Hasty
17.1 Report and Board Charges
Carol Morrison read the report and the report is on file.
National Braille Association will make the Guidelines for Mathematics Diagrams
available to be included in this document.
This will be an expensive publication. The Board discussed the possibility of
raising funds for this project.
17.2 Budget
$1600
17.3 Appointments
MSC Carol Morrison moved that Constance Craig and Diane Spence be
reappointed for two-year terms and that Susan Osterhaus be
reappointed as consultant for one year. Passed unanimously.
Nominating Committee Report ¥.<..c02.......ccdcsessescadedsendecessevcedecsevsndeccsoses oe Darleen Bogart
Darleen presented the Nominating Committee report.
Fleciom OL OMG CTS: 5 fete oles e es cere ada Mian tae URN gaat a aoe Reet Darleen Bogart
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved that the slate of officers be approved
unanimously: Kim Charlson, chair; Warren Figueiredo, vice-chair; Carol
Morrison, secretary; and Sue Reilly, Treasurer. Passed unanimously.
Mary Archer was appointed to the Nominating Committee.
Research Committee Report. sicscicccsccsscesscdevidisdessanardsesedsedsstencsdensdss Frances Mary D’ Andrea
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved that the BANA Ad Hoc Committee on
UEBC Research be renamed the BANA Ad Hoc Committee on Braille
Research. E-mail vote to end 06-30 2004. Passed unanimously.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 9
20.1 Report and Board Charges
MSC Frances Mary D’Andrea moved to charge the committee to promote
and conduct research and provide opportunities for partnerships to
answer questions related to braille reading and writing which have an
impact on braille codes. Passed unanimously.
MSC Diane Wormsley moved to charge this committee to serve as a resource to
the technical committees to assist them in determining appropriate
ways to collect information to answer specific questions with which
they have been charged. Passed unanimously.
Frances Mary D’ Andrea read the report and the report is on file.
The list of remaining research questions will be clarified, the website will be used to inform
interested parties regarding what still needs to be researched.
Frances Mary explained the process that was used with Drs. Knowlton and Wetzel to
complete their report. They responded to a list of questions that the research
committee asked regarding clarification and further questions. The committee will
be asking them to prepare an abstract for the BANA website. Frances Mary
D’ Andrea will write a thank-you note to Knowlton and Wetzel.
Do NBA or others planning on conducting research need a research protocol?
The National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment is developing a protocol
for research. Diane Wormsley will share this information when it becomes
available.
20.2 Budget
$800 plus about $1200 to be returned from Knowlton and Wetzel to total $2000
20.3 Appointments
None at this time
21 Education & Outreach Committee Report... cceccccesseceesenteeeeeseteeeeeeeaes Eileen Curran
MSC Eileen Curran moved that BANA disband the Ad Hoc Committee on UEBC
Education and the Public Outreach Committee. E-mail vote to end 06-04-
2004. Passed unanimously.
MSC Eileen Curran moved that BANA form an Outreach and Education
Committee and that this committee be charged with informing and soliciting
input from stakeholders on BANA activities and projects through
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 10
publications and presentations. E-mail vote to end 06-08-2004. Voting yes:
FM, WF, Sandy R. MD, CM, DB, MA, EC, RR, MLS. Not voting: SR
Supporting after the deadline: DG
21.1 Report and Board Charges
Warren Figueiredo read the report and the report is on file.
NBA and BANA will work together on the Braille Readers Speak Out/ Open Forum at
the next meeting which is being hosted by NBA in Dallas.
Discussion about reissuing Sampler 1. It will need updating if we do reissue it.
Darleen Bogart will check Sampler 1 to see what changes need to be made and
correct the files. The Outreach Committee will be asked to write an introduction
for the updated Sampler.
21.2 Budget
$800
21.3 Appointments
Jennifer Dunnam, Judy Dixon, and Diane Wormsley were appointed to this
committee.
22 Publications (CO MILLS: choca scat wah saosin ctiesaa techy edbeaktu can tue sauonchugaanatacera Warren Figueiredo
Budget $6000 for 50 copies of Tactile Graphics
Warren Figueiredo read the report and the report is on file. GH Braille has a grant to
produce the electronic version of the Nemeth Code. Warren will talk to David
Schleppenbach regarding content and accuracy of the version.
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved that this committee be charged with working cooperatively
with appropriate organizations to assure that any electronic version of the Nemeth
Code be accurate and accessible. Passed unanimously.
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved that BANA purchase copies of British Braille and
RNIB Braillist Manual for the Chair of Braille Formats and Literary Braille
Technical Committees. Passed unanimously
Press Release: New members, Open Forum, elected officers.
22.1 Publications Guidelines
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 11
24
25
26
2222
22.3
The Publication Guidelines will be issued in the format used by the BAUK
document British Braille.
GC The Publications Committee will develop language that can be used to
show BANA approval of documents produced in collaboration with
other agencies/organizations.
BANA Brochures
When the brochures are updated they will be made available on the website.
BANA Website
Warren Figueiredo continues to update the website.
BY Laws neoin eee ie ni ee eae R Mary Lou Stark
There are no changes incorporated since the last version of the by-laws. Judy
Dixon was appointed the chair of the By-laws Committee
Topics to be addressed in BANA Bylaws and Policies include incorporating the
Research and Outreach and Education Committees and their functions into the
appropriate document. A process should be developed for distributing additions to
codes in a more timely manner.
State cic: Planning sisareen E AE E At ince E NEA Kim Charlson
Kim reported on the session held on Thursday which focused on communication.
She reported that most CEOs were okay with the increase in dues. Kim was
complemented on her letter. Fund raising was discussed. Board members were
asked to be alert for potential sources of funds. Perhaps some local chapters of
NFB or ACB could be approached for funds. Maybe BANA needs a Fund
Development Committee.
ICEB/UEBC Update
Project Repoti rsaneron eet EE AA E ER E ERR NS Darleen Bogart
Report attached
Secretary's Report
26.1
Minutes: Spring 2004n eii i i E uae aeade ewan Mary Archer
MSC Mary Archer moved that the minutes of the BANA Board meeting for
Spring 2004 be adopted with corrections. E-mail vote to end 06-01-
2004, Voting yes: WF, MD, CM, SR, DB, MA, EC, RR, DG. Not
voting: FM, Sandy R, MLS.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 12
26.2 Certificates of AprecialiOn:, <.:.csducnacon tx ctdciinsatnnhtaataine tinacaeather Kim Charlson
Certificates will be sent to Bettye Krolick, Ruby Ryles, and Mary Lou Stark thanking them for
their service, and a special certificate will be sent to Bernard Krebs for his contributions to
Braille in early 2005. Certificates have been sent to Phyllis Landon and Margaret
Robinson.
26.3- ~ Directory, Update cxccc dune ancsccuewmeeti aunt au eae encase Mary Archer
Updates will be incorporated into the directory.
20:42 “BANA Exþibit csecs.cson GecncteSicah ale une a eae Warren Figueiredo
The content of the trunk needs updating. BANA will exhibit at CTEVH and NBA.
26.5" SSUAMONERY <ticn cece dds BN E E ee eases Slee eae e ae Warren Figueiredo
No news on this front
26:07 BANAS TASESCL VS caso a wa a eaa epee tones oats Kim Charlson
The listserv addresses were checked.
27 Standard of Braille -ExpectanOtiea: «csansstannianachan ian wianianineas Kim Charlson
Mary Archer will send Kim a copy of NBA’s code of ethics.
28 Press Release a teats aan E O A aa Warren Figueiredo
MSC Warren Figueiredo moved that BANA adopt (with input for changes from
the group) the press release dealing with BANA’s participation in the Fourth
General Assembly of the ICEB. Voting to end 04-08-2004. Passed
unanimously with DB, EC, MLS voting after the deadline.
Warren Figueiredo and Kim Charlson will draft the press release following this meeting.
29 Treasurer S RO OTE e a e ated aoe a a ea a e e cade Sue Reilly
29.1 2003 year-end financial Statements (corrected)
On file
29.2 2004 Financial statement
Report on file and read by Sue Reilly
29.3 2005 Budget
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 13
30
31
32
33
33
Sue went over the budget for 2005. She will send us a file with the budget. Bill
Raeder suggested requesting a grant so that the Tactile Graphics book could be
sold at a reduced price.
MSC Jennifer Dunnam moved that we accept the treasure’s report as
amended. Passed unanimously.
MSC David Grimes moved that the 2005 Budget in the amount of $26,000
be adopted as discussed. Passed unanimously.
1EYAINPA S a DIOT g Ee 1 a ME A A E des Eileen Curran
No report.
International Braille Organizations
31.1 World Braille G OUmell iets cae. ete ae vecsrhaesens tc ote ovens oavedastanieaness Darleen Bogart
See appended report.
31.2 WBU North America/Caribbean Region ............cccccceceeeceeeeeeteeeeeeeeees Kim Charlson
The WBU Braille Music survey is being tabulated.
31.3 French Braille unification update s.ccctentienoiincuousawntuan Darleen Bogart
See appended report.
31.4 Other Country Initiatives
Updates were read from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Darleen
Bogart reported on the developments in Canada. (See appended report on
Canada.)
Unfinished Business
32.1 AFB Solutions FOrum..............:cccccsescccsssssrcessesssrtsesssesseees Frances Mary D’ Andrea
FM reported on the Solutions Forum. They last met at the APH Annual meeting.
New Busines Sorone eegne an i ocucnens sa aa ae a aar Kim Charlson
No new business.
Around the 4 NAIC: ccde uss wetddast dics bsuecoate babes wueatdak wengedcan All BANA representatives
The representatives reported on the news from their respective organizations.
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 14
35
36
Fútüte BANA meeting Seetee an a a a Geeta toni a Kim Charlson
Spring 2005 — NBA Dallas April 17, 2005. Addison Marriott Quorum. Committee
meetings Sunday morning. Board meeting Sunday | 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
Spring 2011 — CCBVI
David Grimes was thanked for the hospitality of Clovernook and for the efforts he and his
wife Rhonda made in making this meeting a success.
Ador AMen ae eR RR Ae URE RR ety OR RO TO EISNER e fie ROT At Ree n Kim Charlson
Meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.
Submitted by
Mary Archer, Secretary
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 15
Appended reports
International Council on English Braille
November, 2004
General Assembly, March 28 - April, 2004
The five-day General Assembly was a huge success in every aspect.
Wonderful support was provided by CNIB and CBA in funds, staff and
volunteer support, and materials.
There were five papers presented to the GA: interim reports on two research
papers on UEB - the one commissioned by BANA by Knowlton and Wetzel
and the one by Elaine Gerber for CBA; one on the count done by CNIB re
number/letter number/punctuation combinations in a variety of texts, both
literary and technical material; Dr. Nemeth's critique of UEBC; and a paper
by some Japanese braille researchers on their revision of the Japanese
code with UEBC technical symbols.
The UEBC reports took up most of the Assembly's time with very good
discussion. The main resolution is the UEB was approved as an
international standard for English braille; UEB was deemed sufficiently
complete for braille authorities to consider its adoption, and consultation with
stakeholders should be a part of the process.
All seven members of ICEB had delegations - Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The next GA will be in Australia, probably in March 2009. The Executive will
meet in approximately two years in South Africa.
ICEB Initiatives
The Executive created the UEB Committee (overarching) to complete the
work on UEB and resolve any conflicts. | agreed to continue with the project
as chair once again.
We have appointed working groups for: Rules, Format Best Practices,
Linguistics and probably Contractions. Rules has an excellent committee,
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 16
chaired by Antonnette Botha from South Africa. There is a Math Sub-
committee chaired by Janet Reynolds from New Zealand. Format Best
Practices is ably chaired by Reinette Popplestone from South Africa.
Linguistics does not yet have a chair. | have just asked that a Contractions
group be established to deal with contractions bridging syllables.
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada have all passed
resolutions to proceed with UEB consultation and implementation planning.
UK and USA will not be following the lead of these four countries at the
present time. But both are involved with the continuation of the UEB project
and have named members to most working groups. | had hoped to have an
update from Nigeria but it has not come.
ICEB is actively seeking a chair for the Research Committee so that
research initiatives can be undertaken.
BANA's request to have symbols for copyright, trademark and registered
trademark changed to those used in British Braille has gone to the UEB
Committee.
Also being considered is having the listservs of all working groups available
to observers.
Darleen Bogart
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 17
WORLD BRAILLE COUNCIL
November, 2004
The World Braille Council Ad Hoc Working Group of the World Blind Union
is being chaired by Sir John Wall of England.
The WBU is meeting this December in Cape Town for its General
Assembly. The WBC has been asked to become responsible for all aspects
of braille for WBU: the Braille Literacy Committee, Louis Braille Clubs, Louis
Braille Home and Museum, and the encouragement of braille
standardization within linguistic groups.
There will be a "fringe" meeting in Cape Town of the WBC to consider the
proposal of Mr. Bjorn Lovsted, Managing Director of Index, a Swedish
company which manufactures braille embossers and WinBraille, braille
translation software. Mr. Lovsted's paper was endorsed by the WBU
Officers at their meeting in Norway October 2-3. The proposal is to make
braille translation software for all languages available free of charge on the
WinBraille editor. WBU is expected to endorse this politically, organize a
web-based database where these Braille Translation Files would be
available, make new Braille Translation Files for new languages, include
BTF on WBU agendas, and work to establish BTF as a global "de facto"
standard and not support any other companies braille translation software.
3rd IDP Forum in Johannesburg, May 27, 2004
Reinette Popplestone presented an overview of UEB for the African
countries represented. Discussion brought out many points about the need
for standardization within Africa and universally for braille and also tactile
graphics, and for page and line size. Uganda spoke about their difficulties
working in both the US and UK systems. It was suggested that XML should
be accepted as the basic standard for all countries. India made a plea for a
single math code. Ghana had thought that "braille was braille" but they now
teach a standard form to their young children. ICEVI is willing to co-ordinate
efforts but thought that they should liaise with WBU on the matter. They
cited the need for a list of braille producers, standard catalogue entries, and
a database of holdings. The need to develop software to support local
languages was also mentioned.
French Braille Unification Update
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 18
November, 2004
The international committee met in Paris a year ago. A compromise has
been reached in that both upper numbers and antoin numbers (upper
numbers with a dot 6 added) may be used. Testing between the two types
of numbering is being carried out in Canada with 100 high school examples
being used. Canada does not use the antoin numbers but some European
countries have used them in some technical codes.
There has been much intense discussion around typeform indicators. There
is a proposal that there be a general indicator dots 456, with 456 456
opening a passage and 456 closing it after the last word in the passage. It
would be used for any type of emphasis and is non-specific. The number of
words in a passage is currently two, but is under discussion to bring it to
three words.
There are also specific indicators when the specific typeform is required:
italics would be 456 35, bold 456 2356 and underlining 456 25.
Work is being done by Pierre Ferland from Canada and a French
representative on format guidelines.
The committee meets in June 2005 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Darleen Bogart
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 19
French Braille Unification Update
November, 2004
The international committee met in Paris a year ago. A compromise has
been reached in that both upper numbers and antoin numbers (upper
numbers with a dot 6 added) may be used. Testing between the two types
of numbering is being carried out in Canada with 100 high school examples
being used. Canada does not use the antoin numbers but some European
countries have used them in some technical codes.
There has been much intense discussion around typeform indicators. There
is a proposal that there be a general indicator dots 456, with 456 456
opening a passage and 456 closing it after the last word in the passage. It
would be used for any type of emphasis and is non-specific. The number of
words in a passage is currently two, but is under discussion to bring it to
three words.
There are also specific indicators when the specific typeform is required:
italics would be 456 35, bold 456 2356 and underlining 456 25.
Work is being done by Pierre Ferland from Canada and a French
representative on format guidelines.
The committee meets in June 2005 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Darleen Bogart
Fall 2004 Adopted 1-25-05 20
