Regulations

3.1.1 Membership of the board be not less than 30% braille users/consumers.

3.1.2 A minimum of one board position be available to a parent representative.

3.1.3 Membership of the board shall be comprised of two categories, designated positions and members-at-large.

4.1.1 Membership shall include past president, president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and/or secretary/treasurer and be representative of both official languages.

4.1.2 The vice-president shall serve in the president's place and with the president's authority in case of the absence of the president.

4.1.3 A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of executive committee members, who may attend meetings in person or by means of teleconference equipment.

4.4.1 The board of directors may appoint standing and ad hoc committees to further the purposes of the CBA.

4.4.2 Standing Committees shall include but not be limited to:

• Nominations and Elections
• French Braille Standards
• English Braille Standards
• Promotion of and Access to Braille
• Teaching and Learning of Braille Technology

4.4.3 Ad hoc Committees may be established and their functions assigned at the discretion of the executive committee. Such establishment must clearly indicate the purpose and length of service of the committee.

4.4.4 Chairpersons of standing and ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the executive committee.

4.4.5 Standing committee members shall be appointed by committee chairpersons, subject to the approval of the executive committee and shall serve a three (3) year term.

4.4.6 The immediate past president shall chair the nominations and elections committee.

4.4.7 Members appointed to technical committees shall be recognized as having expertise in their field.

4.4.8 Where possible, committee membership shall include one consumer, one educator, and one producer, all include of whom shall be braille knowledgeable, to the extent deemed necessary by the chairperson.

4.4.9 Standing committees shall have no less than three (3) members in addition to the chairperson.

4.4.10 Standing committees shall report to each annual meeting, reporting first to the board of directors.

4.4.11 Standing committees shall submit an annual budget request to the board of directors for consideration.

4.4.12 The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominations and elections committee.

4.4.13 The nominations and elections committee shall (as amended November 1994):

1. Identify a slate of nominees to meet the requirement of CBA board membership as provided for in regulation 3.0.
2. Circulate the proposed slate to the membership, inviting the submission of further nominations.
3. Develop a ballot for those positions for which there is more than one nomination.
4. Distribute a mail ballot by July 1 to all members to be received by the elections and nominations committee no later than September 1.
5. Count ballots and inform the executive of the election results. Election shall be by simple majority and, in the event of a tie, a run-off vote shall be held.
6. Notify all members of the election results no later than the annual meeting.

4.4.14 The standing committee on French braille standards shall recognize as the official standard the following two documents:

1. Le Code de transcription de l'imprimé en braille (1989), and
2. L'index de l'abrégé orthographique français étendu (1955),

the first document having priority over the second. (Amended at CBA board of directors' meeting March 19, 1991).

Terms of Reference:

1. Support the development of standard codes, and recommend adherence to these codes across Canada.
2. Monitor and evaluate codes.
3. Recommend changes to codes to the authority responsible for the development of French braille codes in Canada.
4. Where appropriate, evaluate and sanction code changes as recommended by BANA and/or ICEB.
5. Develop guidelines concerning physical standards for braille production.
6. Monitor standards for the production of French braille in Canada to ensure readability, quality and consistency.
7. Maintain, through liaison and consultation with le comité sur les normes du Braille (P.Q.), an awareness of current needs and developments in braille.
8. Maintain an awareness of developments in French braille in jurisdictions outside Canada, including encouraging an International Braille Committee in French Braille Standards.
9. Liaise with all other CBA standing committees.
10. Establish criteria and methods for certification.
11. Support and encourage the distribution of the French braille codes which have been developed in Canada.

4.4.15 The standing committee on English braille standards shall accept as current standards the codes approved by the Braille Authority of North America (as amended November 1994).

Terms of Reference:

1. Recommend code changes for board of directors' consideration for submission to the appropriate code authority.
2. Develop guidelines and establish physical standards for braille production.
3. Monitor standards for the production of English braille in Canada to ensure readability, quality and consistency.
4. Maintain an awareness of current needs and developments in braille production across Canada.
5. Evaluate code changes as proposed by BANA and/or ICEB and make recommendations to The Authority/L'Autorité.
6. Investigate and advise on the appropriate relationship with other international braille organizations.
7. Liaise with all other CBA standing committees.
8. Establish criteria and methods for certification.

4.4.16 The standing committee on the promotion of and access to braille - (as amended November 1994).

Terms of Reference:

1. Promote the use and availability of braille to ensure literacy and to provide a viable means of access to information.
2. Monitor the use and availability of braille for persons who are blind or visually impaired.
3. Liaise with all other CBA standing committees.

4.4.17 The standing committee on the teaching and learning of braille - (as amended November 1994).

Terms of Reference:

1. Improve braille literacy for persons who are blind or visually impaired through better access to qualified teachers of braille.
2. Improve levels of braille teaching competency for educators of persons who are blind or visually impaired by setting standards or adhering to existing standards.
3. Monitor standards for braille teaching for educators of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
4. Encourage persons who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their full potential in the use of braille.
5. Develop plans for improving braille teaching and learning.
6. Liaise with all other CBA standing committees.

4.4.18 The standing committee on technology.

Terms of Reference:

1. Promote the use of technology.
2. Gather and disseminate information on current technology.
3. Encourage research.
4. Liaise with all other CBA standing committees.
5. Submit action plans for board approval.

6.5.1 Meals: per diem of $40 including gratuity.

6.5.2 Accommodation: room plus tax only; those applying for reimbursement are expected to arrange reasonably priced accommodation.

6.5.3 Airfare: economy.

6.5.4 Ground transportation to be reasonable and shared, whenever possible.

6.5.5 Mileage: to be at prevailing provincial rate and shared by those in the same area travelling to same meeting.

6.6.5 Incidentals and loss of salary are not to be reimbursed.