Richard and all, This code has been under development for so long that actually the development is largely done and translation software either is, in some cases, or is almost, in a couple of others, ready now. The fact is that UEB would make it much easier to braille maths, computer and science books right out of the box. This means, for instance, that a student would be much more likely to be able to make readable braille out of much more technical hand outs, a school pupil would get access to much more material, and other books would need a lot less proof reading, due to the way the rules are formulated. All this means that most braille books and materials would be quicker and cheaper to produce, which means dear old RNIB can be expected to up the amount they make available. So, as far as i see it, even if you never come across any non literary braille, this last point actually improves the situation for you in the short term if the code is adopted. The other impact is it would be much harder to produce bad, unreadable braille, so hopefully small and independent producers and those doing work for companies, would be sending out much better braille than they sometimes do now! Cheers Dave -------------------------------------------------- From: "Richard Godfrey-McKay" <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 10:49 AM To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Unified English Braille (UEB) A QUESTION Hi George, The BAUK consultation doc which I have just received says that the new code is designed: "to facilitate automatic translation between Braille and print in both directions, and to increase the range of Braille material that can be generated with computer assistance." My concern is that this is being trumpeted as something which will help Braille readers, and my suspicion is that it won't (at least not in the near term). It's a totally separate issue from the question of the desirability of having a unified worldwide Braille code. It seems to me that the principal beneficiaries will be the software developers of the future. I think that Braille readers should be aware of the issues. Richard Godfrey-McKay Tel: (01738) 445 880 Mobile: (07791) 452 593 Please read this special message My partner, Cindy, is losing weight and at the same time, raising money for RNIB. Please go to <http://www.justgiving.com/slimmercindy> www.justgiving.com/slimmercindy to make a generous donation to RNIB and keep her healthy and motivated to lose even more weight.42Lb to date! Thanks for reading this message. Richard _____ From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of George Bell Sent: 13 June 2008 16:22 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Unified English Braille (UEB) A QUESTION Hi Richard, I'm not sure where that idea came from, but it is however true that it will make it easier for software developers to write translation code to do the job. One of the important aspects is in the "reverse" translation is where, say you have entered text into an electronic note taker in contracted braille, which in turn needs to be converted back to normal text. In theory, the anomalies have been removed. George. From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard Godfrey-McKay Sent: 13 June 2008 16:15 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Unified English Braille (UEB) A QUESTION HI, I gather that one reason for the proposed introduction of the new code relates to making it easier for printers to print Braille. If this is right, can someone explain the point to me. I thought that the printers were driven by the translation software, so don't really understand the position. Thanks. Richard Godfrey-McKay Tel: (01738) 445 880 Mobile: (07791) 452 593 Please read this special message My partner, Cindy, is losing weight and at the same time, raising money for RNIB. Please go to <http://www.justgiving.com/slimmercindy> www.justgiving.com/slimmercindy to make a generous donation to RNIB and keep her healthy and motivated to lose even more weight.42Lb to date! Thanks for reading this message. Richard _____ From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of George Bell Sent: 13 June 2008 13:41 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Unified English Braille (UEB) (Apologies if you see this cross posted on a number of lists. Feel free to copy this as far and wide as possible.) You may have heard that the Braille Authority of the United Kingdom (BAUK) are undergoing a national consultation on Unified English Braille (UEB) The general concept behind UEB is to have a single English braille code throughout the entire world. Currently there are a number of "flavours" of English braille in use in addition to English American and English British making the sharing of braille materials internationally difficult for many braille users. Full details and a questionnaire are now up on the BAUK web site at:- http://www.bauk.org.uk/current.htm#consult Please note that the deadline for the return of questionnaires is 30th September this year. (Note also that you must have a UK Post Code in order to submit these.) George Bell. __________ NOD32 3182 (20080612) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com __________ NOD32 3182 (20080612) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.24.1/1469 - Release Date: 5/27/2008 1:25 PM ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq