Newsletter - September '96

Volume 5: NO. 2

Numbers Up or Down?

by Darleen Bogart, Chair

Numbers are up in literary braille all over the world. Numbers are mostly up (except the denomination of a fraction) in British maths code. Numbers are down in the Nemeth code. Numbers are down in the code for computer notation.

The major decision that had to be made by the working committee (Committee II-Extension of the Base Code) of the Unified Braille Code Research Project was "should the numbers be up or should the numbers be down?".

The original four members of Committee II - (Joe Sullivan, Chair; Dr. Tim Cranmer, Dr. Emerson Foulke, and Dr. Abraham Nemeth) debated the subject for several months. In the end the vote was 3-1 to use upper numbers in UBC. The criteria established by the UBC project help to explain the final decision:

• 1) use a 6-dot braille cell;

• 2) encompass Grade 1 and Grade 3 Braille without making major changes to the contractions of Grade 2 braille;

• 3) be usable by both beginning and advanced braille readers;

• 4) be computable to the greatest degree possible, without detriment to readability, from print to braille to print and employ
  an unambiguous braille representation of each print symbol;

• 5) embed textbook, mathematics, computer and other technical codes (excluding the music code);

• 6) consider all submitted English braille codes during its formation.

When the UBC project became international under the International Council on English Braille (ICEB), Committee II was expanded to eight by the addition of four members, one each from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. This group started the deliberations on the numbering system all over. Several months were given to the discussions. The vote was 7-1 for upper numbers.

One code, such as UBC, cannot be as cell-efficient as a dedicated mathematics code, a dedicated computer notation code, a dedicated chemistry code nor any other dedicated code. However, problems inherent in having to learn three separate codes to handle elementary school subjects and more for high school subjects need to be considered.

The evaluation should help to clarify if the use of one code will be the correct way to go.

Tactile Graphics Survey - Book Review

by Laura Roy, Tactile Producer,
Manitoba Education and Training

Tactile graphic producers across the country will welcome Phase I of The Canadian Braille Authority's (CBA) Report of Tactile Graphics Sub-Committee which was completed earlier this year. The use of visual diagrams, graphs or illustrations is conveyed. Persons with visual impairment have the right to access this type of information by means of a tactile graphic format. However, definitive guidelines for the production of tactile graphics are required if we are to ensure the needs of the visually impaired consumer are met. Until the completion of this report, no tactile graphic production standards were available to producers of this type of material. Realizing this gap, the CBA Tactile Graphics Sub-Committee distributed a comprehensive questionnaire to agencies involved in tactile production which enabled them to compile this well-researched manual.

Part I: Research Findings and Recommendations:

An explanation of the general recommendations follows an informative description of the major production centres upon which the sub-committee based their review of current design and production techniques. Many excellent recommendations are made, one of which is a multi-level certification process for tactile graphic producers and proofreaders. Hopefully the development and establishment of this process will be a joint venture shared by the many experienced tactile producers currently working for agencies involved in tactile production.

Part II: Interim Measures:

This report provides producers with a list of common guidelines for the design and production of tactile graphics. The manual is divided into 4 main sections and topics are organized and explained in a concise manner. The tactile supplement to Part II is useful to both the sighted and braille reader as it includes a variety of print maps and tactile versions of these maps. However, the inclusion of complex science diagrams in tactile format would have been helpful. Also, some of the more complicated graphs could have been added to this supplement.

This manual discusses many potential problems which may arise for tactile producers and offers possible solutions. The technique of separation and layering whereby diagrams or maps are divided into sections in order to reduce clutter is addressed and two simple diagrams are given. However, it would have been helpful to include a complex diagram where the information in the print has been shown on two or more tactile diagrams. The example of the map of Canada showing the six regions (page 20) illustrates how cluttered a tactile map can become when an attempt is made to include all textures on one tactile graphic. In instances where there are more than five textures to be used, the textures should be divided on two or more tactile maps with a Transcriber's Note indicating this change to the reader. An example of a diagram divided in this manner would be an excellent addition to the tactile supplement to Part II.

There is also some confusion when reading the map of Canada on page 20. It seems as though a texture has been added to the top of the tactile map where there is not one in print and one has been omitted on the tactile version where there was a shaded area on the print map.

The use of labels and key pages is well explained and includes some excellent guidelines for producers. However, in many of the examples, labels have been added to the tactile version where they were not found in the print version ( pages 5, 8, 9, 20).

In addition to the excellent guidelines contained in this report, a useful glossary of terms as well as an index have been included for quick reference. The bibliography also provides producers with a list of valuable reference material.

This thorough report will prove to be a useful tool for all tactile producers interested in improving design and production techniques. Use of this manual should be encouraged as we aim to provide suitable tactile graphics to visually impaired consumers.

WBU in Action - Changing What it Means to be Blind

Over 800 people, observers and guides, from around the world attended the World Blind Union's Fourth General Assembly in Toronto, August 26 -30, 1996, hosted by The Canadian National Institute for the Blind. The entire Prince Hotel had been booked for the event which was last held four years ago in Cairo. Reports were presented by the standing committees and presentations by an impressive list of experts occupied the delegates for the five days of meetings.

Simultaneous translation was available in English, French and Spanish, the official languages of the WBU, as well as Italian and Japanese. Materials were available in the official languages in braille, audio and large print.

There was a huge and very successful "Canada Night" on the CNIB grounds complete with barbecue, music, hands-on exhibits of Canadiana from the zoo, museum and science centre, a "general store" which featured low tech aids and library materials, and a time for delegates to talk with Canadians.

Forty-eight exhibitors from around the world, who had taken every available booth in the exhibit halls, displayed their high tech wares. The exhibits were open to the public one of the evenings during the Assembly.

A Women's Forum was held August 22 - 24 preceding the General Assembly. This provided a much-needed opportunity to learn from each other and advance the causes of blind women. As a result of the Women's Forum the number of female delegates to the Assembly rose from 17 in 1992 to over 100 this year. The social highlight was the Friday evening dinners in Canadian homes. Over 300 delegates and observers in groups of two to eight went to dinner in the homes of women in the Toronto area who had volunteered to host the dinn

The Fourth General Assembly was a huge success for delegates, a great chance for us to showcase Canada, and to help change what it means to be blind. er.

Reports of the WBU

(World Blind Union) standing committees and regions are available for loan in braille and audiotape, English and French, from Darleen Bogart.

Braille Certification in Canada

by Jill Cooter, Braille Instructor and Proofreader,
CNIB Library for the Blind

Are you certified yet? Are you ready to be certified?

CNIB Library for the Blind is the braille-certifying agency for Canada. CNIB certifications are reciprocal with the Library of Congress in the USA. Only the certification in Literary Braille Instruction is unique to Canada.

All tests are open-book tests to be completed by the candidate, with no outside assistance, within the time frame specified. The passing mark is either an overall grade of 90 or better, or no more than a specified number of demerits. All tests are graded by persons certified by CNIB in the braille specialty being tested. A failing grade is always reviewed by at least one other examiner before a candidate is notified. Upon the successful completion of a certification, the candidate will be informed and the appropriate certificate will be forwarded.

The basic certification is in Grade Two Braille. This tests knowledge of the rules of braille. Rehabilitation teachers need this certification.

The certification in Literary Braille Transcription is the prerequisite for study for the braille specialty certifications, such as Music and Mathematics Transcription, and proofreading certifications.

Reference materials required for all certifications are:

• English Braille American Edition;

• A dictionary with a copyright date no older than ten years;

• The other specialty codes authorized by the Braille Authority of North America;

• The completion of the required course of study. (Several specialty areas require experience in that field of braille before enrollment in a course.)

The certifications available through CNIB are:

• Grade Two Braille;

• Literary Braille Transcription;

• Literary Braille Proofreading;

• Braille Music Transcription;

• Braille Mathematics Transcription;

• Braille Mathematics Proofreading;

• Literary Braille Instruction.

For further information contact:

Braille Certification
Braille Department
CNIB Library for the Blind
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4G 3E8

Publications Are on Their Way

CBA has undertaken several research projects which will soon be available for sale to CBA members at a preferred price, and to the public. These projects will be available in print and braille, English and French. Watch for the "News Flash" that will give details for purchasing these titles:

• 1. Instructional Services for Children/Youth Who use Braille: A Canadian Survey.

• 2. Report of the Tactile Graphics Sub-Committee (in three parts).

The questionnaire results obtained from braille and tactile illustration producers were compiled in a document Braille Producers in Canada which has been distributed to all respondents. Our aim is to compile a Directory of Braille Producers from which it will be updated regularly and available for sale.

On-going Research Projects

Phase II of the Tactile Research Project is being conducted this year under the direction of Jim McClellan, Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee. This phase assesses the uses teachers make of tactile illustrations and the requirements they see for t actile illustrations to be effective.

Edie Mourre, Chair of the English Braille Standards Committee, and her Committee are working to prepare standards for braille production for the CBA Board to consider.

Pamphlets - In Draft

We hope to have a pamphlet about CBA for the purposes of public information and soliciting members, available in the near future.

Also under development is a pamphlet for parents of blind children. It is one of the activities of the Access to and Promotion of Braille Committee.

UBC - Evaluation - When?

Many of you have signed up as evaluators of the Unified Braille Code (draft) and may be wondering what has happened to the evaluation. Please be patient. There is now an evaluation which consists of a preface, questionnaire and several "pieces" in the UBC for evaluation. I've seen them!

They are back in Dr. Foulke's hands for print-to-braille verification. Then they will go to the International Committee as it is the aim to use the same evaluation in each of the participating countries - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.K., and U.S.A. and Canada. At that stage, the package will be mailed to each of you who volunteered to assess the code.

The evaluation has been a huge undertaking. But it is necessary for the project. We need to know what works for you and what doesn't.

Partnerships: The Agenda for the Future

The theme for the 1996 CNIB Library for the Blind Braille Conference, October 24 and 25, 1996 in Toronto is partnerships. As technology and methods of providing materials for the blind and visually impaired change and improve, so will our partnerships change and grow. Thirty-four workshop sessions will focus on many kinds of partnerships - including other institutions and CNIB; teachers and students; transcribers, tactilists, and braille readers; technology and all groups; The CNIB Library and the community.

Our special guest will be Joe Sullivan, the chief architect of the Duxbury Braille Translator, a software program which translates print documents into braille and braille into print - English, as well as a number of other languages. As a volunteer, Mr. Sullivan has been the chairman of the committee that designed the draft Unified Braille Code which is soon to be evaluated in the major English braille- producing countries of the world. He will be leading workshops on DBT, his newest program, speak at the banquet and participate in the opening general session panel discussion on Partnerships; The Agenda for the Future.

The Friday general session "Guide to Braille Literacy" features Meredith Ripley, Rehabilitation Teacher and Meredith Hutchings, Training Consultant, both from Nova Scotia. They will highlight the use of their book Guide to Braille Literacy as a tool for partnerships between community tutors and blind adults who are illiterate.

For registration information contact :

Jennifer Murphy
CNIB Library for the Blind
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4G 3E8.

(Tel): 416-480-7528
(Fax): 416-480-7700

English Braille Standards Committee

by Edie Mourre, Chair

The listing of Braille Producers in Canada has been completed and has been mailed out to all participants of the detailed survey.

The three part report of the Tactile Graphics Research Project Phase I has now been completed. Copies will be mailed to the ten major tactile producers across Canada who participated in this research project.

Further information on pricing and availability will be forthcoming on the above two items.

This committee has submitted a proposal to the Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation for the funding of Phase III of the Tactile Research Project. This phase includes the development and distribution of a testing kit of tactile graphics to consumers' representatives of all ages and school grade levels. Based on the data collected, standards for tactile production will then be developed. It is anticipated that this phase will be a three year project.

Ongoing work is being done on developing CBA braille standards and it is anticipated a draft of these standards will be submitted for executive approval by the end of 1996.

Euclid Herie

Dr. Euclid Herie is totally committed to braille. It was because of that great commitment to braille that he agreed to take on the presidency of the CBA from 1993 - 1996. He brought to this fledgling organization his considerable skills as an administrator, and his drive, but most of all he brought his vision of braille.

Now, in addition to his responsibilities as President and CEO of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, he was unopposed for the presidency of the World Blind Union at the General Assembly in Toronto this August.

In his acceptance speech, Power of the Dream, Dr. Herie emphasized independence and braille literacy.

We wish him well in realizing the goals he has set for WBU.

Braille Authority of North America (BANA)

Braille Code for Columned Materials and Tables has been published.

Print Copy: Catalogue No. 7-04771-00
Price: $3.20 US funds + shipping

Braille Copy: Catalogue No. 5-04771-00
Price: $28.17 US funds (free shipping)

Copies may be ordered from:
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY USA 40206

Toll Free: 1-800-223-1839

Address

CBA newsletter/Le Bulletin is published twice a year by the Canadian Braille Authority / L'Autorité canadienne du braille.
ISSN 1203-6781
Produced by Langara College

Address newsletter queries to:
Fred Poon
Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired
106-1750 W. 75th Ave
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6P 6G2