By Darleen Bogart
The Braille Authority of North America met in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 8-9, with board committees meeting on December 7th.
The following publications were approved:
1.International Supplement for Braille Music Notation Betty Krolick, Chairman of the Music Technical Committee presented the 1997 international supplement to the current music code. The Board approved the integration of this supplement and the 1993 international supplement into the braille music code and its publication in print, braille by the American Printing House for the Blind and on CD by Opus Technologies. The CD-ROM version will include audio for the examples.
2.Braille Formats: Principles of Print to Braille Transcription Approval was given for the publication of the revision of the former Code of Braille textbook Formats and Techniques pending completion of the index and final corrections to the document. This will be available in print and braille from American Printing House for the Blind.
3.Braille Code for Chemical Notation Von Eulert, Chairman of the Mathematics Technical Committee, presented the first code for chemical notation. It was approved pending completion of the index. It will be available from American Printing House for the Blind in print and braille formats.
The follow committees were created:
1.The Formats technical Committee replaces the Textbook Technical Committee to reflect the new responsibility for generic formats for all braille codes.
2.The Ad Hoc Committee on Tactile Graphics was introduced to assess current tactile procedures, to establish standards for the production of tactile graphics (except mathematical diagrams), and to develop a catalogue of tactile graphics.
The Literacy Committee has the following priorities: completion of the index for English Braille American Edition and a revision of English Braille American Edition with consideration given to provisions in the new formats document.
Development of the strategic plan continues. Five new initiatives were approved for the development of:
an orientation package for new board members
a BANA Web site
a BANA position on signage
a BANA policy statement on braille production by non-transcribers using braille translation software
a reference manual of basic formats for non-transcribers using braille
translation software to produce braille
Work continues on the rules for the transcription of foreign language instructional texts and the brailling of electronic addresses in literary formats.
President, Dolores Ferrara Godzieba, Associated Services for the Blind was confirmed for a third and final term. The Vice-President is Betty Niceley, National Federation of the Blind. The Secretary is Phyllis Campana, American Printing House for the Blind. And the Treasurer is Charlotte Begley, Clovernook Center Opportunities for the Blind
By Mike Bartlett
In September 1997, Special Education Technology (SET BC) and the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) began a pilot project regarding the use of refreshable braille systems for students who are blind. The goals of the project are to consider the impact of this technology on achieving learning outcomes and in supporting curriculum goals. In addition, training and support issues are to be investigated. The target group are secondary students, with demonstrated competence in braille. In addition, independent functional use of a SET-BC IBM- compatible computer with speech access is required.
So far this year, SET-BC has provided five students in the province with refreshable braille displays for use in their classrooms as part of this pilot project. At this point, we would like to accelerate the pilot so that by the end of the 1997-98 school year, a total of fifteen students will receive access to this technology.
A unique element of the accelerated project will be a summer training module in August 1998. The decision to move the training to summer was made because of the intensive teaching component required to master this technology, and because many students who are blind have significant academic requirements during the school year. SET-BC's leading partner in the summer training module is the Canadian National Institute for the Blind-BC-Yukon Division (CNIB), which will provide the use of its Bowen Island Lodge facility for a period of time in August.
A critical part of the Refreshable Braille Project is that teachers will become competent in its use. This also requires time for intensive training, preferably completed in tandem with the student training. For this reason, SET-BC is encouraging school districts to arrange for vision teachers to attend the camp in August.
Refreshable braille is a combination of hardware and software enabling the student who is blind to read a braille display while using a computer keypad. The braille cells on the display constantly refresh as the student types, allowing the student to edit work on the fly. Without refreshable braille, the student works from paper or with speech software, often retyping each page of work to correct errors in writing. Refreshable braille is analogous to using a word processor instead of a manual typewriter.
How do students benefit from refreshable braille? Refreshable braille can help students in the following ways:
it can provide immediate tactile feedback to promote braille literacy, a requisite for blind students who must also be literate in written English
it helps to develop skills in reading because it allows students who are blind to control the process of interacting with the text
it is more accurate than speech feedback, and can be useful for blind students who are enrolled in foreign languages, computer programming, math, and science, where voice feedback can often misrepresent the material
students who need to research and seek electronic information, either through CD-ROM or on the Internet, can also make use of refreshable braille, which supports common protocols that sighted people use, such as: find, search, replace, spell check, etc.
We believe a project of this scope is exciting and will have important consequences for the students who participate.
For more information, check out our Web site at http://www.setbc.org
By Katherine L. Sears
Emerson Foulke, a retired psychology professor at the University of Louisville who established a research center that developed alternative forms of reading and communication for visually impaired adults died at the age of 68.
Foulke, who had been blind since he was 2, worked to develop alternatives to braille because most blind Americans can't read braille. He founded the Perceptual alternatives Laboratory in 1968 and served as its director until he retired in 1992.
Foulke developed techniques to compress information from audio-tapes. His equipment could speed up recordings of books and text and still enable someone to retain pertinent information. He also worked to increase the number of ideas that could be expressed in braille to make it easier for people to understand complex subjects such as chemistry and math. Foulke devised improvements to computer codes in math for the National Federation of the Blind. Louisville resident Tim Cranmer, who chairs the International Braille Research Center in Baltimore, said Foulke was known world-wide for his innovations in electronic communications for blind and visually impaired people.
"He is probably the most widely published and widely quoted (person) in the field of Braille research and tactile communications," said Cranmer, who also is blind. "His loss is absolutely profound as far as our field is concerned. We do not have a successor for Dr. Foulke."
Cranmer said Foulke recently received the Louis Braille Memorial Award from the International Braille Research Center, which Foulke helped establish in 1985.
Excerpted from the Louisville Courier-Journal Obituary by Katherine L. Sears
By Kathy Knowles
I travel to Ghana, West Africa annually as a volunteer for the Osu Children's Library Fund, a registered Canadian charity that promotes library development in Ghana.
In April 1996 I visited the School for the Blind in Akropong and was cordially greeted by "Teacher Nancy". I gave her four books, purchased from the CNIB, and asked to see what children's books the School had. Her response amazed me. They had no children's books!
The library area held a large number of dusty, old adult books. Over the years many people have sent braille books but needs of the students, adult or children, were not considered. This year our charity worked to make a difference with its limited financial resources.
We put together an assortment of sixty braille books for primary readers, several large print books, an APH tape recorder and transformer, fourteen hours of tapes on fairy tales (recorded by a retired man in Winnipeg), a box of special educational toys and tactile books personally written and assembled for the School. Slates, styluses, a small amount of braille paper and braille labels were included. These materials were obtained from several sources and some were kindly donated.
We know that unless the recipient feels familiar with the donated materials, they may be reluctant to use them. Familiarizing the teachers with the contents of the boxes was a wonderful experience.
I purchased a children's book published in Ghana and together we used the braille labels to transcribe the story. It took considerable time with four of us working together to do only two pages. Cutting the braille label paper was especially time consuming. The plastic handle of Teacher Nancy's manicure- sized scissors kept falling off. Subsequently, I purchased a good pair of scissors for her.
We purchased basins, towels and soap for the school and explained the importance of having clean hands prior to handling books. We also taught the students how to turn pages carefully. It was unfortunate that the volunteers, who spent many hours carefully preparing the books to be sent to Ghana, were not there to share the joy of the students as they held and read the books for the first time.
Teacher Nancy's gentle, kind and hopeful nature shone beyond what many would consider a bleak situation. One evening I stayed for tea in her small apartment at the School. The electricity was off and two large basins in her living room were full of water from the leaky ceiling. Her mother, recently a stroke victim, was lying on the couch and her eight year old son with cerebral palsy eagerly awaited attention. Nancy has been a dedicated teacher at the School for eighteen years.
What next? Transforming the defunct adult library to a facility that could be used by children, who make up the majority of the School's population, would be wonderful. Eventually an adult component might be added. The materials we sent are now being kept in a corner of Teacher Nancy's apartment as the classrooms are not secure. A permanent library room would be ideal.
If you are interested or could help financially in any way we would be delighted to hear from you. Contact address and phone number:
Osu Children's Library Fund
c/o Kathy Knowles
188 Montrose Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3M 3M7 CANADA
(204) 488-6633
AFTERNOTE: The CNIB Library's volunteer braillists and the CNIB Library for the Blind sent some more print/braille and braille books to the school in for the blind in Ghana in March. Some of the books had tactile illustrations as well.
By Darleen Bogart
The Executive Committee of the International Council on English Braille met November 4-6, 1997 at the South African National Council of the Blind (SANCB) in Pretoria.
Present were:
Joan Ledermann, Australia- Chairman;
Bill Poole, United Kingdom- Vice Chairman;
Joe Sullivan, United States- Treasurer;
Reinette Popplestone, South Africa- Secretary;
Connie Aucamp, South Africa- Past Chairman;
Darleen Bogart, Canada- Member at Large.
Raeleen Smith, New Zealand was invited to participate in the meeting but did not have a vote.
Observers were:
Dolores Ferrara-Godzieba, United States- Chairman of the Braille Authority of North America;
Margaret Salt, New Zealand;
Hans Ledermann, Australia;
and from South Africa, Antonette Botha, Hazel Marshall, Cristo de Clerk, and Karen from the Grahamstowne Library in SA.
Interim reports on results of the Unified Braille Code evaluations were given by New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and North America. Japan completed an evaluation for 37 candidates. These interim results ranged from mildly favourable to generally acceptable. Those signs that were not recommended favourably were referred back to Committee II for further consideration.
Members agreed to new target dates:
March 31, 1998 - evaluations to be completed and tabulated June 30, 1998 - valuation interpretations for each country as well as the consolidated interpretation to be completed by the IBRC researcher.
December 15, 1997- plan of action for Committees III, IV, V and VI to be completed January 1, 1999- work of each committee to be completed.
June 30, 1999- final report of each committee to be circulated to members of the Project Committee and to the delegates to the ICEB General Assembly.
November, 1999- reports will be considered by the ICEB General Assembly.
A plan for the final evaluation of UBC has yet to be drawn up but will have to measure reading, writing, learning and teaching the new code.
A resolution was adopted on the present use of the Unified Braille Code that:
1. urges ICEB members not to consider substantive code changes, even those consistent with UBC, except as a matter of urgent necessity;
2. in cases where such necessity is perceived, the ICEB urges its members to adhere to the following policies:
a)the body making a code change should notify ICEB as to the nature of the change and the reason it is felt to be necessary
b)the change itself should be consistent with UBC as presently defined, and if possible confined to those elements of UBC that are clearly receiving positive evaluation and therefore likely to remain unchanged within UBC itself; and
3. encouraged the explanatory use of UBC in articles to familiarize readers with the draft code, being sure that such articles are clearly labeled with the list of new symbols explained.
The ICEB General Assembly will be hosted by BANA (Braille Authority of North America) in November 1999 in Baltimore, Maryland. An ICEB Web site has been established. The 8-Dot Braille Committee has begun to use electronic mail to begin deliberations.
Based on a survey of braille readers, the Braille Authority of the United Kingdom has adopted the use of the capital sign and is writing the rules for its use.
AFTERNOTE: Dr. C. Edwin Vaugh, University of Missouri has been hired by the International Braille Research Center to do the analysis of the data from the UBC evaluation.
By Anne Wadsworth
Check it out at http://www.setbc.org/special/virgThe development of the Technology Resource Guide for Students with Visual Impairments in Meeting Curriculum Goals has been a cooperative endeavour between SET BC (Special Education Technology, British Columbia), Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired, and representatives from B.C.'s Vision Teachers' Association.
The guide provides a sequential framework, addressing a range of low to high technology options, to assist in meeting learning expectations across curricula from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Currently braille and speech output technologies are included. Sections pertaining to technologies designed to support students with low vision are projected for November 1998. Time lines, sequential skill development and teaching strategies are included for specific technologies.
While the guide has applicability to all subject areas and grade levels, the general learning strategies and modifications focus on the curriculum outcomes in reading, writing, and mathematics. Foremost in the development of this resource guide is a commitment to maximizing the independence of students with visual impairments through the use of the technology in their learning environment. Time lines included in the guide are only suggested. It is anticipated that students will progress at varying rates.
The guide provides a range of options for consideration in the planning and implementation process for an individual student. It does not prescribe or recommend any specific technology and/or modification.
The Resource Guide is intended to be an ongoing dynamic project that will be updated frequently as new technologies become available and as suggestions are provided and incorporated.
You might want to explore other downloadable resources at the SET BC Web site. These include a Teacher's Quick Reference Guide to the Braille and Speak and Braille Lite by Kathryn Svendsen and a number of overlays that can be used with Intellikeys.
Don't forget to send us your feedback by completing the online questionnaire, E-mail and/or FAX.
Project Coordinator:
Anne Wadsworth, SET BC
awadsworth@setbc.org
fax:(604) 261-2256
tel:(604) 261-9450
Contributors:
Jackie Barrington, Coquitlam School District
Dave Manzer, SET BC
Vicky Midtdal, Vernon School District
Michael Mizera, Vancouver School Board
Fred Poon, Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired
David Rathwell, Surrey School District
By Debbie Sitar
The Braille Teaching and Learning Committee of the CBA has received a grant from the National Literacy Secretariat in the sum of $88,200. This grant is for a project to develop standards to improve the levels of braille teaching competency for educators of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
The project will provide the following:
1. Provide Canada with a set of braille teacher competencies for school age children.
2. Ensure that all school age children have access to services of qualified braille teachers that meet national competency standards
3. Provide employers with a hiring criteria for braille teachers of school age children.
4. Provide better opportunities for children whose reading modality is braille to achieve literacy standards equal to their sighted peers.
The Braille Teaching and Learning Committee is grateful to the National Literacy Secretariat for granting this opportunity and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Accolades to Dr. Euclid Herie who was awarded the Order of Canada in the Fall 1997. Dr. Herie is Executive Director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, a founding member and past President of the Canadian Braille Authority.
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
Co-editors:
Fred Poon
Tel: (604) 266-3699
Fax: (604) 261-0778
Email: fpoon@prcvi.org
Mary Anne Epp
Tel: (604) 323-5627
Fax: (604) 323-5577
Email: maepp@langara.bc.ca
The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and are not attributable to the Canadian Braille Authority
Copyright 1999-2010 Canadian Braille Authority/L'Autorité anadienne du braille
For general CBA info, please contact: the Administrative Secretary (shampa.bose@cnib.ca)