BANA to Evaluate NUBS

The Braille Authority of North America has announced that it is making plans for the evaluation of the recently completed Nemeth
Uniform Braille System (NUBS).

According to its developer, Dr. Abraham Nemeth, NUBS is an updated version of the Nemeth code, which has been in use since 1972. The new system has been in development for ten years and is capable of rendering both literary and technical texts.

"BANA deliberates very carefully before making even small changes to braille," said Judith Dixon, BANA chairperson. "We want to ensure that braille readers have access to the same information as do their print-reading counterparts in this age in which the norms for printed material are evolving rapidly. However, it is essential that we understand the impact of any changes on readability, writeability,
space considerations, familiarity to current braille readers, etc. The benefits of making any change must be shown to outweigh the
drawbacks."

The timeline and other details of the evaluation process are still being determined. The evaluation will involve the input of all
stakeholders, and information on how those interested can provide input will be made available soon.

To view the completed code, or to read documents explaining the code, visit theNUBS pages

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.

For additional resource information, visit the Braille Authority website.