The Evolution of Braille: Can the Past Help Plan the Future?
By the Braille Authority of North America (BANA)
Downloadable as a braille file, or a Word file: Free
Braille readers are as passionate about their code today as Louis Braille was 200 years ago. But even Louis understood the need for improvements; he arranged and re-arranged the code continuously in an effort to improve its efficiency. The Braille Authority of North America is charged with the purpose of stewarding the evolution of braille to meet the needs of each epoch. To that end, we offer this article from BANA entitled "Can the Past Help Plan the Future?"
This article covers four major topics: (1) the use of braille as a viable reading medium from the 1960s to the present, as well as the ways in which print has changed during the same time period, (2) the impact of technology on braille usage, transcription, translation, and electronic devices, (3) the challenges involved with making changes and updates to braille codes, and (4) the options for change and examples of code unification projects such as UEB (Unified English Braille) and NUBS (Nemeth Uniform Braille System). |
