April 29, 2000
I am pleased to celebrate and honour the great foundation that was laid by the Canadian Braille Authority and its diverse membership in the last century. The successes of the past year have capped off a productive decade of advocacy, research, and standards. Those successes have energized us to promote the renaissance of braille into the next millennium with renewed vigor.
Our communications to our members was enhanced by the general and committee listserves and the addition of the French braille version of the CBA Web site at www.langara.bc.ca.cba. Two issues of the newsletter, under the co-editors Fred Poon and Mary Anne Epp, were published in English and transmitted to the membership via print, braille and the Web.
A new recruitement letter was produced by Margaret Thomson to invite new members to join the Canadian Braille Authority. It is available in electronic form for members to actively recruit new participants through listserves and agencies throughout Canada.
The Technical Committee was reactivated to assist the membership in learning more about the braille technology as it emerges. For further information, contact David Best who is chairing this committee.
The French Braille Committee, under the direction of Michelle Brule, met several times and was encouraged to enhance its membership with representatives from across Canada.
Plans for our contribution to the first Canadian Braille Day celebrations in February were developed with participation from all regions of Canada. Wendy Edey coordinated the CBA efforts in partnership with Jim Sanders of the CNIB. The CBA involvement was funded by the Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation.
Also funded by the Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation, two tactile graphics projects made considerable progress. The tactile graphics projects are the responsibility of the English Braille Standards Committee, chaired by Edie Mourre. Under the direction of Constance Craig and Pierre Ferland, the Tactile Graphics Sub-Committee drafted Module 1 and collected potential tactile graphics materials for Modules 2-5. These modules will be used for the first evaluation of tactile learning in our history. A joint committee was established with the Braille Authority of North America, called the Graphics Research and Standards Project Pilot. An interim report was completed in November and the testing process is underway.
The Tactile Graphics Catalogue project in process at Langara College began the investigation of methods available to access sources of tactile graphics. A focus group was held via audio conference to determine the issues relating to the cataloguing of tactile graphics on a national level. Following the complex issues identified in the focus group, a survey of users and producers was distributed in December. The analysis will be completed in the Spring 2000. Through funding from the Canadian National Literacy Secretariat, the development of braille competency standards for teachers of braille was promoted. Debbie Sitar coordinated the national forum on teaching standards, which invited officials from departments of education across Canada. The first set of braille teaching standards was drafted and presented to the Executive.
The evaluative research on the Unified Braille Code was put on hold pending North American initiatives. Members of the UBC committee attended the General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) in November. Darleen Bogart, Deborah Gillespie, Betty Nobel and Fred Poon represented CBA at the Assembly. An action plan on completing the UBC code was approved.
Our appreciation goes to a long standing member and advocate who will be retiring from our Board this year, Mel Graham. We all know him for his strong advocacy and his Promotion and Access Committee that will forever be known affectionately as Mel's committee. We hope Mel will continue to participate in our efforts to promote braille literacy and help us to recruit new members to our cause. We also want to acknowledge Jacques Cote for his support on the Board and Executive. Dianne McConnell and Kathy Nessner provided their own unique perspectives on the Board, for which we are grateful. Larry Carlson stepped in with a very welcome contribution as Treasurer and will be missed on the Executive, but will thankfully, continue on the Board.
Our friends and supporters also need to be acknowledged for their steadfast assistance of support in funds and gifts in kind. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind has provided an enormous amount of support through its office functions, English braille transcription, braille expertise, and membership services, supplied by our dedicated friend, Reta Irwin. The Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation has provided significant funding for key projects. The National Literacy Secretariat of Canada has recognized the value of braille teaching standards through its funding. Langara College has continued to manage and maintain our primary communication vehicles, the Web site, listserves and the newsletter. We also wish to express our appreciation for the support of the British Columbia Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired, the Institute Nazareth et Louis Braille, and the Manitoba Department of Education and Training. We wish to express a special thanks to our corporate members who have contributed financially to the fiscal well being of the organization.
And finally, our thanks go to all of you, the Executive, the Board, and the rest of you who have participated and who have shared your expertise in so many ways.
As we move into a new era, we will continue to be challenged to provide evidence of the need for braille. I invite you to join me in the continuing cause to promote braille and seek the resources to make the access to braille a reality for all people who want to use braille.
Respectfully submitted
Mary Anne Epp,
President
The Canadian Braille Authority (CBA) has established standards for teachers of braille reading and writing. These standards should apply to the person who is providing direct, on-going (i.e., daily, several times a week) instruction in braille reading and writing for children and youth. The Canadian Braille Authority is committed to quality literacy instruction for students who read and write braille.
CBA recommends the following standards for braille teachers throughout Canada:
1. Qualification - University degree
CBA Standard (minimum requirement) - Teachers of braille reading and writing must hold at least a bachelor's of education degree.
2. Qualification - Certification
CBA Standard (minimum requirement) - Teachers of braille reading and writing must hold:
Basic teacher certification and
Qualifications for certification as a teacher of students with visual impairments as outlined by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
3. Qualification - Specific related coursework
CBA Standard (minimum requirement) - As part of, or in addition to, courses taken for teacher certification, teachers of braille reading and writing must have successfully completed:
university coursework on basic methods of teaching reading,
university coursework focusing on the literary braille code and
university coursework focusing on teaching braille reading and writing
The following section of the standards report will serve as further explanation of the standards set forth by the Canadian Braille Authority for teachers who provide instruction in braille reading and writing. Each aspect of the standards is explained below.
1. Direct Instruction
The standards delineated in this report apply to the person who is providing direct, daily (or almost daily) instruction in braille reading and writing. The CBA does not address service delivery models in these standards. In other words, the standards contained in this report relate to teacher qualification, not type of service delivery. However, it is important to note that these standards apply to the person who is providing direct instruction regardless of who that person is. In some situations, paraprofessionals are given the responsibility of providing the majority of direct literacy instruction with consultation by a teacher of students with visual impairments. This practice is not acceptable given the standards in this report unless the paraprofessional meets all standards (bachelor's degree, basic teacher certification, qualifications for certification as a teacher of students with visual impairments, and successful completion of coursework).
2. University degree
CBA standards for a teacher providing direct instruction in braille reading and writing require that the teacher possess at least a bachelor's of education degree.
3. Certification
Teachers of braille reading and writing must meet two levels of certification. They must hold initial certification in some area of education. Initial certification in elementary education, or special education may provide a solid basis for teaching literacy skills, however CBA standards hold that any initial teacher certificate is acceptable.
In addition, teachers of braille reading and writing must meet the requirements for certification as a teacher of students with visual impairments as outlined by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Teachers holding certification as a teacher of students with visual impairments from any certifying body (e.g. province or state) will be accepted as certified in this area.
4. Coursework
Coursework in visual impairment may be taken as a part of a degree program or as a part of specialized training. In order to qualify as a teacher of braille reading and writing, coursework must include:
a three credit course (or the equivalent) focusing on basic methods of teaching reading;
a three credit course (or the equivalent) focusing on the literary braille code;
a three credit course (or the equivalent) focusing on teaching braille reading and writing.
Evidence of coursework will be a university transcript or certificate of completion.
The Canadian Braille Authority has worked for two years to establish standards for braille teachers. The current report is the culmination of this work. CBA established these standards by completing an extensive review of standards already in place in North America and by polling Canadian provinces about their current requirements for braille teachers. The results of this study can be found in a report titled *Instruction of Braille Reading and Writing: State of the Art* (Holbrook, 1999).
Following completion of this report and review by members of the Braille Teaching and Learning Committee of the CBA, a meeting was held of all committee members as well as provincial and territorial representatives from across Canada. The report was discussed and input was requested. The current standards represent the input from all sources.
by Wendy Edey, Chair
On February 9, 2000 the CBA collaborated with the World Blind Union of Canada, the CNIB, Canadian Braille Literacy Foundation and the Canadian Literacy Secretariat to sponsor the first-ever Braille Day In Canada. The purpose of the day was to draw attention to the importance of braille so that braille advocates might be more successful in their efforts to make braille more available to blind Canadians of all ages.
Two contract staff, Lori Sheppard and Marie-Therese Poulin, were hired to coordinate a group of volunteers who managed local projects in all ten provinces. Staff at the CNIB coordinated a national launch including a photojournalism display and the nationwide release of a video describing the life of Louis Braille. The CNIB Library sponsored a celebrity Braille Scrabble Tournament. The day was marked by extensive local media coverage which began in January and continued throughout March. Children read braille at events in their schools. Adults manned displays in malls. In several provinces and cities, senior politicians issued official proclamations of the day.
Most notable was the high level of cooperation between organizations, schools, colleges, braille readers and governments. All across the country there arose one resounding cry: "Braille is important and we must not let it fall into disuse".
It is intended that Braille Day should be an on-going project. Plans will be made for next year as soon as final budget figures are available. Meanwhile, we continue to make a contribution to the larger goal of contributing expertise to an International Braille Day. The World Blind Union sponsored an essay contest, inviting essays on the value of Braille. The winning essays will be published later this year. Our projects will be compiled as information which will be useful to other countries as they plan similar days.
Our thanks to all the Canadians who made Braille Day happen. Special thanks to Jim Sanders of the CNIB who held everything together and to the Canadian Council of the Blind for sharing the focus on a day in the middle of White Cane Week.
by Dr. Ann McCuspie
February 2000
National Braille Day was a highlight of February for many staff and all students who use braille in Atlantic Canada. The World Blind Union, in conjunction with the Canadian Braille Authority and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, declared February 9, 2000, National Braille Day in Canada. To celebrate in Atlantic Canada, we asked braille students to submit a story, poem, or tactile drawing. The submissions from twenty-one students were collated, bound, and the subsequent publication given to each student along with a copy for their respective school libraries. Students took great pride in the work they submitted and experienced a great sense of accomplishment in seeing the work published in a braille edition. The Braille Library Trust Fund was accessed to purchase a recreational braille book of the student's choice given in appreciation for their submissions.
In the three provinces we worked collaboratively with the CNIB to officially proclaim February 9th with an array of events. In Nova Scotia, a celebration was held at the Red Room at the Nova Scotia Legislature where Premier Hamm signed the proclamation. Jennifer MacNeil, a student from the Pictou area attending a short-term program at the APSEA Centre during that week, attended the proclamation and demonstrated the use of braille using the Braille Lite. Jennifer took great pride in demonstrating her braille skills and enjoyed the attention from the celebrities who attended.
In New Brunswick, John McConnell, Provincial Supervisor for Nova Scotia, and Wanda Hamilton, Executive Director, CNIB, worked together on several projects including a proclamation by Premier Ross Lord. Staff and students held information sessions and gave demonstrations in schools throughout the province. As well, the CNIB, through the Departments of Education, distributed a video tape on Louis Braille and the development of the braille code. The tape was focused at the upper elementary level and available in both French and English. It was shown in classrooms throughout Atlantic Canada during the week.
In Prince Edward Island, Jennifer Shields, Provincial Supervisor, worked in collaboration with Robert Peters, a former graduate of the Halifax School for the Blind, in providing public presentations and demonstrations on the topic of braille and braille literacy. Students in Prince Edward Island demonstrated their skills and responded to questions from the public.
At the APSEA Centre, our focus for National Braille Day was on braille literacy and the benefits of using braille. Pam Rannelli, Program Supervisor, arranged for students to have a tour of the braille transcription department and an opportunity to learn some letters in the braille code. At recess the snack included cookies with braille letters made from chocolate chips. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia loaned a tactile art display which was set up in the main corridor and will remain at the Centre for several months. National Braille Day provided a rare opportunity for students who use braille to demonstrate their skills and to celebrate their literacy. It provided an opportunity to display their competence in reading and communication skills and was a tremendous success. Our focus for National Braille Day 2001 will be in conjunction with the proclamation of International Braille Day. It is our hope that we can locate international students who use braille and arrange for braille communication among our students and others in areas around the world.
by Herb Essenburg
Although each activity related to Braille Day was worth counting, I feel our presentation of a braille/print certificate to Don Beazely of the Saskatoon Regional Office of the Saskatchewan Public Service Commission was worth noting. Since 1989, the Public Service Commission has produced its weekly job bulletin, "Saskatchewan Careers", in Grade two braille.
Copies for reviewing are available at the PSC offices in Saskatoon and Regina, as well as at the main branch of the Saskatoon Public Library.
The Second General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) took place in Baltimore, Maryland from 2-5 November 1999. The event was jointly hosted by The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) at the NFB's national headquarters.
Twenty-two delegates from seven countries and approximately twenty-five observers and guests took part in the deliberations which were characterized by a spirit of goodwill and co-operation.
The most far-reaching resolution adopted by the Assembly and one from which many of the others derived, affirms the principle of a unified English braille code as a matter of urgency and resolves that a code should be agreed upon and endorsed by ICEB at its third General Assembly in 2003 and recommended for ratification by the national standard setting bodies of member countries. Finalising the details of this code will be the main focus of ICEB activities over the next year or two, and braille readers will have the opportunity to sample the proposed unified code.
The International Council on English Braille was formed in 1991, after two international braille conferences held in the 1980's had demonstrated the benefits to be gained by greater international co- operation on braille-related issues. Currently the member countries of ICEB are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a serious concern for ICEB that significant English braille using constituencies are not yet represented in the organisation. As a result the Assembly address this question.
The current requirement for membership of the organisation is that a country should have a national braille standard setting body; an annual subscription fee of $500 US is also levied.
A commitment to improving access to materials in braille by lobbying internationally for more favourable copyright legislation for braille texts formed the substance of another resolution.
A Committee was appointed to co-ordinate and facilitate research into tactile graphics design and production methods, as well as teaching strategies for their interpretation.
Another key resolution affirms that braille is the primary medium of literacy for blind people, and as such its promotion remains one of ICEB's highest priorities. In recognition a committee was appointed to promote the use of braille.
Mrs. Betty Niceley of the United States was unanimously elected as President of ICEB for the next quadrennium. (Unfortunately, Betty Niceley passed away on February 13, 2000 due to an illness.)
Organisations wishing to respond to the call for greater participation should contact the president of ICEB, Darleen Bogart, by e-mail at bogartd@lib.cnib.ca or the public relations officer, Reinette Popplestone at braille@boland.lia.net
For more information on ICEB you can also visit its website at: www.iceb.org
The Board of the Braille Authority of North America met October 29-31, 1999, in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting was hosted by the National Federation of the Blind.
The following officers were elected for the year 2000:
Phyllis H. Campana, Chairperson
Eileen Curran, Vice-chairperson
Frances Mary D'Andrea, Secretary
Susan Reilly, Treasurer
The Braille Institute in Los Angeles, California, was accepted to become a member organization of BANA.
Braille Formats: Principles of Print to Braille Translation 1997 (Volume 1: Rules) is now available on the Web at www.iceb.org, a site maintained by the Shodor Foundation, under the auspices of BANA. A link to the site is maintained on BANA's web site, www.brailleauthority.org. Through the generosity of the American Printing House for the Blind, permanent office space has been provided for BANA. The new mailing address is P.O. Box 6085, Louisville, Kentucky 40206. Any mail or inquiries may be sent to this address.
BANA passed a motion renewing its commitment to the Unified Braille Code (UBC) Research Project and pledged to take a leadership role by committing financial support to facilitate face-to-face meetings for those UBC Committees that have not completed their work.
At the November 2-5, 1999, meeting of the International
Council on English Braille (ICEB) in Baltimore, Maryland, which
was hosted by BANA, the following officers were elected:
Betty Niceley, President
Darleen Bogart, Canada, Vice-President
Raeleen Smith, New Zealand, Secretary
Kim Charlson, USA, Treasurer
Reinette Popplestone, South Africa, Public Relations
William Poole, UK, Member-at-Large
Jean Obi, Nigeria, Member-at-Large
Bruce Maguire, Australia, Member-at-Large
(Unfortunately, Betty Niceley passed away on February 13, 2000
due to illness. Darleen Bogart is the new President of ICEB.)
November 1999
1.0 Whereas, there are many countries who make extensive use of the English language, currently not represented in the ICEB, be it resolved that the Executive Committee;
1.1 Establish contacts with English speaking countries which are not currently members of ICEB.
1.2 Encourage the establishment of braille authorities in such countries, where none exists.
1.3 Encourage, and enable where necessary, braille authorities in such countries to participate in ICEB
1.4 Encourage participation in ICEB by countries whose first language is not English.
1.5 Study the financial and constitutional implications of these measures.
2.0 Be it resolved that the ICEB supports the continuation of universal free postage for braille materials and urges its members to lobby its appropriate authorities to press for its preservation under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union.
3.0 Whereas access to text information that is available to the population at large should be universally available in braille as a right, be it resolved that member countries work together through the ICEB Executive on the issue of copyright permission to ensure legal access ineach country to this same text and the availability of a mechanism for full access to information between countries.
4.0 Be it resolved that Committees II and IV work closely together to recommend braille representations of print alphabetic characters in relevant languages based on Roman script and also braille representations of the characters of the International Phonetic Alphabetic (IPA) and of other diacritics. These symbol sets are to be presented to the 2003 General Assembly.
5.0 Whereas braille is the primary literacy medium for blind people; the use of multiple braille codes for English-language texts disadvantages braille readers both by reducing their access to the widest possible range of braille materials and by making braille more costly to produce; and noting that good progress has been made by the UBC Project Working Committees towards the development of a unified English braille code; be it resolved that:
5.1 The International Council on English Braille endorses the principle of a unified English braille code as a matter of urgency for adoption and use in many countries.
5.2 That a unified English braille code should be agreed and endorsed by the International Council on English Braille at its Third General Assembly in 2003 and recommended for ratification by the national standard setting bodies.
6.0 Be it resolved that, ICEB affirms that upper numbers be the number system used in a unified English braille code, except in alignment mode.
7.0 Be it resolved that Committee II work with Committee IV to resolve the issues of language switches by June 30, 2000.
8.0 Be it resolved that Committee III complete its assignment by June 30, 2000.
9.0 Whereas a unified English braille code should be consistent in format and preserve the key structural elements of the material; and whereas the Digital Audio Information Systems (DAISY) Consortium and the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) have developed international guidelines and whereas NISO (National Information Standards Organization) is developing United States guidelines for the specification of document structure; be it resolved that Committee V consider all such guidelines in developing format guidelines for materials produced in a unified English braille code.
10.0 Whereas the General Assembly of 1999 agrees that a unified English braille code be endorsed by the International Council on English Braille at its Third General Assembly in 2003; be it resolved that the following timetable be adhered to:
10.1 Committees III and/or IV shall hold face-to-face meetings, if necessary, by May 31, 2000.
10.2 Committees II, III, and IV shall submit their final reports to the UBC Project Committee by June 30, 2000.
10.3 The UBC Project Committee shall refer these reports to Committee VI by October 31, 2000.
10.4 Committees V and/or VI shall hold face-to-face meetings, if necessary, by June 30, 2001.
10.5 Committees V and VI shall submit their final reports to the UBC Project Committee by July 31, 2001.
10.6 The UBC Project Committee shall make its final report to the ICEB Executive by October 31, 2001.
10.7 At its interim meeting the ICEB Executive shall pronounce on a unified English braille code, as embodied in the final report of the UBC Project Committee.
10.8 The Executive shall budget from its own funds, and seek contributions from other sources to facilitate the face-to-face meetings mentioned in sections 10.1 and 10.4.
11.0 Be it resolved that the member countries of ICEB circulate materials transcribed in the proposed UEBC through their braille authorities and their local braille producers.
12.0 Dependent upon the Executive decision in resolution 10.7, if the outcome is affirmative, then the President of ICEB in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall establish a Technical Committee whose charge is to develop guidelines for training materials to be used with teachers; with readers, including students; and with braille producers to promote the proposed English braille code.
13.0 ICEB recognizes that braille is the primary literacy medium for blind people and that the promotion of braille is one of its highest priorities. Therefore be it resolved that the Executiveappoint a Braille Promotion Committee with the following remit:
13.1 Actively to promote the use of braille.
13.2 Facilitate and co-ordinate braille promotional activities.
13.3 Seek resources to carry out the task of braille promotion.
14.0 Be it resolved that the ICEB Executive establish a Tactile Graphics Project Committee to:
14.1 Establish an ICEB listserve for the Committee to share information and for the working of the committee.
14.2 Co-ordinate research in tactile graphics design and productions methods.
14.3 Co-ordinate research in the teaching methods of the interpretation of tactile graphics
14.4 Write guidelines for the design and production of tactile graphics.
14.5 Prepare basic teaching strategies for the interpretation of tactile graphics.
15.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its warm thanks to the National Federation of the Blind. In particular it appreciates the hospitality, valuable resources and tailor-made accommodation.
16.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its warm thanks to the American Council of the Blind for providing such generous hospitality in entertaining the members of this Assembly
17.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its warm thanks to BANA for hosting this Assembly and, in particular, to Betty Niceley, for all her efforts that ensured a successful meeting
18.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its appreciation to the observers for their participation and contributions to the success of the meeting.
19.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its deep appreciation to the observers who provided assistance that contributed to the smooth running of the meeting.
20.0 This General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille wishes to put on record its deep appreciation to Mary Lou Stark who provided parliamentary advice and exemplary secretarial services.
Sande Thorley, CNIB volunteer braille transcriber and computer expert since 1991, died suddenly on March 17, 2000. Sande, a life member of CBA, played a vital role in the evaluation of the 1995 draft of the Unified Braille Code. Because of her braille and computer knowledge, she was able to create the UBC database and enter the tables (of all the participants) which were sent to the researchers for their analysis. Sande's role at CNIB Library for the Blind was as a resource person for the braillists regarding their computer problems, and the testing of new and updated braille translation/transcription software programmes.
Betty J. Niceley, 65, died Sunday at Norton Audubon Hospital. Betty was elected President of the International Council on English Braille at the General Assembly held in Baltimore in November 1999. She was a retired employee of the Kentucky Department for the Blind, where she worked for 28 years; a former member of the Executive Board of the National Federation of the Blind and a former vice-chair of the Braille Authority of North America; a recipient of the 1997 Bill Cox Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Louisville; former president of National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky and National Association to Promote the Use of Braille.
by Darleen Bogart, Chair
"Read it - write it - try it!" is good advice for the addicts of braille to make them feel comfortable and realize that literary braille has few changes. (There have been eight [8] so far in these contrived sentences to illustrate the major changes recommended.) The project's work continues with a target completion date early in 2002. May 2-4, 2000, the Contractions Committee will meet in London to finalize its recommendations. The mathematics and chemistry extensions of the base code are almost complete. By the end of June there will be recommendations for brailling foreign languages in an English context. Transcriber rules and format guidelines will be in draft form by June 30, 2001. Check the websites www.iceb.org for evaluation results and www.brailleauthority.org for samples of materials in a variety of subjects written in UBC. E-mail Darleen at bogartd@lib.cnib.ca for more information.
The Braille Revival League has produced its 2000 Special Edition Braille Literacy Packet containing numerous resources for conducting a wide variety of braille literacy activities during the year 2000. The packet includes information on the history of braille, recommendations for possible braille literacy projects, a sample proclamation, a special set containing over 30 8-1/2 by 11-inch newly designed braille character posters, information on the Braille Revival League, a bibliography of books about Louis Braille, an updated internet resource list on braille-related websites and e-mail lists, and other very useful information. If you or your organization would be interested in a packet, please send a check for $5.00 U.S. to cover the cost of production and mailing to:
The Braille Revival League
ATTN: Kim Charlson
57 Grandview Avenue Watertown
MA 02472-1634
617-926-9198
Fax: 617-923-0004
e-mail: kcharlson@acb.org
Also included in the packet information is an IBM-compatible 3.5 inch diskette which contains ASCII, WordPerfect 5.1, Microsoft Word files, and braille translated files of all documents in the packet. Good luck in conducting braille literacy activities all throughout the year 2000!
One of the original CBA members, Gerry (Geraldine) Braak, Canadian Council of the Blind representative and Treasurer of CBA when she retired, was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. CBA awarded Gerry an honourary life membership when she retired from CBA. Gerry Braak lives in Powell River, B.C.
CBA newsletter/Le Bulletin is published
twice a year by the Canadian Braille Authority / L'Autorité
canadienne du braille.
ISSN 1203-7192
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
Coeditors:
Fred Poon
Tel: (604) 269-2205
Fax: (604) 261-0778
Email: fpoon@prcvi.org
John McConnell
Tel: (506) 444-4737
Fax: (506) 457-7835
Email: john.mcconnell@gnb.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)