The Future of Braille: BANA article series

RantWoman considers the use and teaching of Braille a very important subject. rantWoman has not read all of the following items but is posting because she considers this so important.

Press Release February 2012

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Frances Mary D'Andrea, Chair
Braille Authority of North America
Phone: 412-521--5797
Email: literacy2@mindspring.com

BANA Publishes Full Article on the Evolution of Braille

The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) has released the final segment of a three-part article on the evolution of braille, which was authored by the BANA Board. The article is titled "The Evolution of Braille: Can the Past Help Plan the Future?" and is posted on the BANA website at:  www.brailleauthority.org.

Those who have followed this article know that Part One focuses on the changing nature of  communication methods used by braille readers. It also looks at other relevant transitions, such as how blind children are educated, the range of available technologies, and the evolution of braille and print. Part Two of the article focuses on the complexities of code building as well as on current challenges in transcription, translation, and backtranslation of braille. In Part Three, BANA presents possible solutions to the pressing issues described in the first two parts.

The three individual segments of the article are available on the BANA website. In addition, the three parts have been combined into one consolidated piece, which is also available at www.brailleauthority.org .

BANA encourages everyone who is interested in the future of braille to read and consider the implications and the challenges presented in this article. We also invite your feedback and comments.

Follow BANA's work via BANA-Announce, a one-way email list that shares news and information. To join this list, send a blank email to bana-announce-subscribe@brailleauthority.org  and follow the directions in the confirmation email.

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.