Australianbrailleauthority Annualmeeting

RoundTableonInformationAccessforPeoplewithPrintDisabilitiesInc

AustralianBrailleAuthority–AnnualMeeting

Saturday,2May2015StamfordPlazaAdelaide

Chair:ChristineSimpson

MinuteTakers:JordieHowellandLeonaHolloway

1.WelcomeandPersonnel

Christinewelcomedattendeestothemeetingandacknowledgedthetraditionalcustodiansofthelanduponwhichwemet.

1.1RollCall

Christineinvitedattendeestointroducethemselvesandtoindicateiftheyweretheirorganisation'sappointedvotingdelegate.

AnnetteSutherland-NSWDepartmentofEducationandCommunitiesandSydneyBrailleForum

BarbaraMcDonald-DepartmentofEducation,NorthernTerritory(delegate)

BrianConway-RoyalInstituteforDeafandBlindChildren

ChristineSimpson-InformationAlternatives(delegate)

DebraLewis-StatewideVisionResourceCentre(delegate)

JohnSimpson-InformationAlternatives

JordieHowell-VisionAustralia(delegate)

JosieHowse-NSWDepartmentofEducationandCommunities(delegate)

KarenClark-AlternativeFormatLibrary,EducationQueensland(delegate)

KathyRiessen-SouthAustralianSchoolforVisionImpaired(delegate)

LeonaHolloway-MonashUniversity

LynneGrevell-QueenslandBrailleWritingAssociation(delegate)

MarieShang-AssociationforBlindCitizensofNSW(delegate)

MarySchnackenberg-AccessibleInformationCommunicationsLtd(delegate)

NeilJarvis-BlindFoundationNewZealand

NicoleDonaldson-SPEVIandEducationQueensland(delegate)

NigelHerring-Pentronics

ShirleyHenderson-DepartmentofEducationWA-Sensory(delegate)

SonaliMarathe-RoyalInstituteforDeafandBlindChildren(delegate)

TomMacmahon-NarbethongSpecialSchool(DETEQld)

Triciad'Apice-RoyalInstituteforDeafandBlindChildren,andSydneyBrailleForum(delegate)

WendySara-QueenslandBrailleWritingAssociation

1.2Apologies

FrancesGentle

Julee-anneBell

BillJolley

MariaStevens-BANZAT

1.3Inmemoriam

None

2.Administration

2.1Meetingarrangements

CoveredbyJohnSimpsonbeforethebeginningofthemeeting.

2.2ArrangementsforMonday'sMusicWorkshop

TheWorkshopFacilitators–JordieHowell,KathyRiessenandNigelHerringadvised:

"AbrandnewAustralianAddendumtotheBrailleMusicCode(printandbraille)willbedistributedattheworkshopthenmadeavailableontheABAwebsite.

Pleasebringquestionsaboutbraillemusic,braillemusicsoftwareandbereadytoshareinformationabouthowmusicisproducedinyourownorganisation.

Itwouldbehelpfulforparticipantstoknowsomethingaboutbraillemusicbutitisnotessential."

2.3Confirmationofmeetingagenda

Theagendawasconfirmedwithnoadditionalitemsbeingaddedatthistime.

3.Minutesof2014AnnualMeeting

3.1Tablingofmeetingminutesof17May2014

MinutesweretakenbyLindaTriasmono,editedbyNicoleDonaldsonandpassedbytheABAExecutive.TheywerecirculatedwithmeetingpapersandwillbepostedtotheABAwebsitesoonandnotificationsentoutonozbrl.

3.2Businessarisingfrom2014minutesnotlistedelsewhere

None.

4.Reports

4.1RoundTableUpdate

NeilJarvis(RoundTablePresident)

NeiloutlinedtheroleofRoundTableanditsroleastheumbrellaorganizationfortheAustralianBrailleAuthority;thechairofABAholdsapositionontheRoundTableExecutiveCommittee.

TheRoundTablewebsiteat

Lastyear'sRTConferenceinBrisbanewasverysuccessfulwitharound150attendees.

TheexecutiveCommitteehasundergoneatransition,partlybecausememberorganisationshavechangedfocus.ItisimportanttokeepabalancebetweenexperiencedexecutiveunderstandingthehistoryofRound Table,butalsobringinnewpeople.AnannouncementwillshortlybemaderegardingnewappointmentstotheRTExecutivetofillvacancies.Jobdescriptionsofexecutivemembershavealsobeenreviewed.

RoundTablerecentlyreleasedanewmediapolicy.Allpoliciesarereviewedandupdatedonanestablishedbasis.

Thereviewofdocumentsistoenableustofollowrecommendationsofothercountriessothatwecanshareresourcesandalignourselvesinternationally.

WorkinggrouponGuidelinesandStandards:ThereisaspecifiedintervalforreviewsofallRoundTableGuidelinesandStandards.In2014,prioritywasgiventoAccessiblee-text(lastreviewedin2009)andAccessibleAssessments(lastreviewedin2010)duetochangesintechnologyandeducationalpolicies.TheworkinggroupsarebeingchairedbyDineshBurahandJosieHowse.ThegroupsreporttotheRoundTableExecandexpecttoconcludetheirworkbytheendof2015.

ChristinethankedNeilforhisreportandoutlineoftheRoundTablestructureandpurpose.

4.2ABAAnnualReport

ChristineSimpson(ABAChair)

Christinespoketoherreport,whichisattachedasAppendix1.Shelateransweredacoupleofquestions.

Christinemoved:Josieseconded.

Thereportwasaccepted.

4.3RegionalBrailleForumreports

4.3.1QueenslandBrailleForum

NicoleDonaldson(QBFConvenor)readherreport(Appendix2).

TheRBFExecutivememberswerere-electedtotheirpositions:NicoleDonaldson(convenor),Julee-AnneBell(secretary)andSueWagner(treasurer).

TheForumiscurrentlyrunningachocolatedrivetoraisefunds.

Nicole,LynGrevellandWendySaraspokealsoabouttheactivitiesinvolvedintheAnnualBrailleLiteracyChallenge.Thiseventalsoservesanimportantsocialfunctionforstudentswhoareusuallyspreadoutattheirindividualschools.

ChristineaskedNicoletoexplainsomeofthegamescoveredatBrailleClub.

BrailleClubisparticularlyhelpfulforthosechildrenwhohavedifficultyachievingenoughbrailletoreachacademicstandard.

Nicolesaidthedayisahighlightforkidsasitistheonlytimetheygettogether.

Wendyoutlinedoneparticularthemeofpoetryandversetoexposestudentstodifferentbrailleformattingconventions;itpresentsachallengetostudents.

4.3.2SydneyBrailleForum

TriciaD'Apice(SydneyBrailleForumConvenor)readherreport(Appendix3).

TrishthankedAnnetteSutherlandforhercontributiontotheSydneyRegionalBrailleForum.

ThemeetingdemonstratingGoogleGlasswasverypopular.GoogleGlassisbasedonTapTapSee(anappwhichgivesaverbaldescriptionofimages).

NeilJarvisinformedthemeetingthatGooglecancelledtheGoogleGlassprojectbutwillreplaceitwithasimilarproject.

ChristinethankedTrishandNicolefortheirreports.

4.4Musicsubcommitteereport

JordieHowell(musicsubcommitteeChair)

ThemainfocusofthesubcommitteeistheAustralianAddendumtotheBrailleMusicCode.

TheAddendumincludesseveralitemsrelatingtothetranscriptionoftheoryexams,vocalandpianomusic.TheAddendumisdesignedtobealivingdocumentandeveryone'sfeedbackisinvited.Thegoalisnottochangepractices,butrathertodocumentcurrentpracticestoshareinformationandassistnewtranscribers.

Thegroupdoesnothaveasetcommitteestructureandnewmembersarealwayswelcome.

Musicquestionsbeingaskedandansweredonozbrlhavebeenveryhelpfulinsharingknowledge.

4.5Memberreports

4.5.1QueenslandBrailleWritingAssociation

LynGrevell

TheyearbeganwellwiththeDiamondJubileecelebrations-ABAmeetingheldatBrailleHouseandGardenPartyheldinJune.Howeveritendedbadlywithaseverehailstormthatdamagedwindowsalongonesideofthebuilding.

Halftheassetsofbraillehouseweresold.Inthecomingyeartheorganisationneedstocondenseintoasmallerspace.Thiswillinvolvecullingandstorageofbraillebooks.Thecompactusescurrentlyinusearequiteold.Theorganisationislookingforideasabouthowtostorethebooks.

4.5.2VisionAustralia

JordieHowell

VisionAustraliahasundergonesignificantmanagementrestructureoverthelastyearbutbraillecontinuestobeanimportantfocus.TheFeelixlibraryproducesbrailleandtactilekitsforyoungchildren.TheProductionteamcontinuestocreatebrailleandtactilegraphics.TeachingbrailletoadultsinNSWandVictoriacontinues.Clientsinotherstatescanaccessabraillecorrespondencecoursewhichisapopularmediumforremoteclientsaswellasthoseexperiencingpoorhealthordifficultywithtransport.

TheVisionAustraliaBraillePolicyhasbeenupdatedandisavailableontheVisionAustraliawebsite.

4.5.3StatewideVisionResourceCentreVictoria

DebraLewis

MariaElford(transcriberandABAVicmember)retiredandismuchmissed.

OzzieDotshasbeenpurchasedbyorganisationsthroughoutAustralia,NewZealand,CanadaandtheUK.Audiofilesarealsonowavailableaspartofthekit.ThefilesfromOzzieDotscanbeeditedinDuxbury.FurtherinformationisavailableontheSVRCwebsite.

FundinghasbeenreceivedfortechnologyforstudentsaspartofthenationalPartnershipsschemewhichisbeingusedwellbystudents,allowingthemtochoosehowtoaccesstheirmaterialsthroughasuiteoftechnologyoptions.Asaresult,brailleproductionhasreduced.ThefocusforSVRCismoreonsupportingbeginningbraillereadersandcomplexmaterialsformaths,scienceandtactilegraphics.Theuseofbrailleisnotdecreasingassuch,howeverstudentsaretendingtousesoftcopybrailleratherthanhardcopy.

ABrailleimmersiondayknownasDotPowerheldonceatermforstudentsisalwaysverywellreceived.

SVRCalsorunsaBrailleCorrespondencecourseforsightedadultswith20-30peopleenrolled.

TranscribersaregainingskillsinbraillemusicwithassistancefromJordie.

AllteachersandstaffreadbrailleatSVRC.

Christineemphasisedthatweneedtoworkhardtopromotethemessagethatpeoplewantbrailleevenifit'snothardcopy.

MarySchnackenbergcommentedthatsheistroubledbythedeclineinuseofhardcopybraille.AGermansurveywhichcomparedthereadingofchildrenwhousedhardcopybrailleversusrefreshablebrailledisplaysfoundthatstudentsintroducedtobrailleusinghardcopybrailleachievedfasterreadingrates.MaryrequeststhataresearchprogrambedevelopedinAustraliaandNewZealand.Herwishisthatfuturebraillereadersdonotmissoutonthepleasureofproficientbraillereadingandalsowouldnotliketoseeadriftawayfromhardcopybraille.

Christinementioneditisdifficulttoknowwhereyouareonapagewhenreadingwithelectronicbraillesothiswouldbeaveryworthwhileinitiative.

4.5.4SPEVI

NicoleDonaldson

NicoleDonaldsonhasrecentlybeenappointedasVicePresidentfollowingresignationofPaulPagliano.

Thesurveyresultsshowthattimeforteachersandfundingarethemainconcernsforteachers.Theresultswereconsistentacrosscountries.Thebiggestconcernisthatstaffareworkingininterdisciplinaryteamsratherthanwithothereducators.

4.5.5OtherMemberreports

None.

4.6Codebooksandinstructionmanuals

4.6.1BrailleFormattingGuidelines(Australia)

LeonaHolloway(Editor)

TheFormattingGuidelinesaretheupdatetoABA'sguidelinescreatedover10yearsagowhichwerebriefandinadequate.Thepurposewastoprovideguidelinesforpeoplesittingthebrailleproficiencyexam,aswellasforBrailletranscribersgoingabouttheirnormaldayofwork.Itisnowamuchmoreextensivedocument.

TheBrailleFormattingGuidelinesCommitteehasheldtwoday-longface-to-facemeetingsthisyear,alongwithnumerousteleconferences.Yesterdaythecommitteeworkedthroughthe200pagedocumenttwice.Thecommitteehastodefinewhatisaruleversusaguidelineandalsocollateideasaboutbestpractice.Thedocumentiswellonthewaytocompletion.

ThanksareextendedtothecommitteemembersChristineSimpson,JosieHowse,KathyRiessen,ShirleyHendersonandColleenFlood.

KathyRiessenhighlightedtheimportanceofusingtheAustralianformattingtemplatewithinDuxburytoensurethatstylesareinkeepingwithABAformattingrecommendations.

4.6.2UnifiedEnglishBraille:AustralianTrainingManual

JosieHowse(SeniorEditor)

ChristinehighlightedthattheTrainingManualisnowavailableinbraillefromtheABAwebsite.Therearetwoformats:4volumesintendedtobeembossedashardcopyonA4paperandasinglevolumeintendedtobereadaselectronicbraille.

Kathyhasformattedthebrailleversion.Itwasalargetaskbuteasytoreadandwelllaidout.

Christinerecommendedthisdocumenttobraillereaders.

LeonareadanemailmessagereceivedfromChristodeKlerk:

OnbehalfoftheInternationalCouncilonEnglishBraille"IwishtocongratulatetheAustralianBrailleAuthorityonthispublicationandtoexpressourappreciationforthegreatworkyouaredoinginpromotingtheUEB.Manywillbenefitfromit.Goodwork!

Kindregards

ChristodeKlerk

President–TheInternationalCouncilonEnglishBraille."

4.6.3TheRulesofUnifiedEnglishBraille–2ndEdition2013

ChristineSimpson(Editor)

ThisdocumentisnowontheABAwebsiteincludingthebrailleversion.Itisnotinoneelectronicfilesoallvolumesneedtobedownloaded.

4.6.4UnifiedEnglishBraille–GuidelinesforTechnicalMaterials

LeonaHolloway(UEBCodeMaintenanceCommitteerepresentative)

NewsofanupdatetotheUEBGuidelinesforTechnicalMaterialswascirculatedonozbrl.The2014editionprovidescorrectionsforerrorsintheoriginal2008edition.TheupdatedGuidelinesandalistoferrataareavailablefrom

AfullrevisionoftheGuidelinesforTechnicalMaterialswillformthenextmajorprojectoftheUEBCodeMaintenanceCommittee.PleasesendsuggestionsofnewtopicsorexamplesyouwouldlikeincludedintheguidelinestoLeonaorChristine.

Josiewillbeinvolvedinthisworkowingtoherbraillemathsexpertise.

4.6.5DBTProducers'Manual

LeonaHolloway(Editor)

NochangeshavebeenmadetotheDBTProducer'sManual,howeverarevisionofAppendix2maysoonbenecessary.SeveralchangeshavebeenmadetotheEnglish(UEB)AustralianformattingtemplatewhichwillbesuppliedwithDBT11.3whenitisreleased.ThechangeshavebeenmadeinresponsetorecommendationsbytheABAFormattingGuidelinesworkinggroup,changestoDBTandrequestsfromtranscribers.CarefultestingofthenewtemplatehasbeenconductedwithDBT11.3betabyKathy,ChristineandLeona.

ThetemplatewillbecirculatedseparatelywhenDBT11.3isreleasedalongwithalistofchanges.

Leonarequestedmorefeedbackfromusersofthismanual.

4.7Trans-TasmanCertificateofProficiencyinUnifiedEnglishBraille

JosieHowse(AustralianConvenor)

Thisisconductedovera1weekperiodinthefirstweekofOctober.Itisnotexpectedtotakeaweektocompletebutenablescandidatestoworkintheirowntimeandallowsforthoroughchecking.

ThisyeartwofulldaysofmarkingwereconductedbyJosieHowse,TriciaD'ApiceandKatePaul.Acomprehensivelistoferrorsiscompiled.Eachcandidatereceivesalistoftheirownerrors.withopportunitytoquerythefeedbackbeforecertificatesaremailed.

Therewere11candidatesthisyear:8sighted,3touchreaders.Successfulcandidates:

• Queensland2
• WA2
• NSW3

• 1Highdistinction
• 3distinctions
• 3credits

TherewerealmostnoerrorsrelatedtoUEB.

Commonerrors:

• non-useofthewordsign"out"
• useof"in"contractionbesidepunctuation
• missingcontractions,e.g."of"missedin"soft","ing"contractionin"ginger","ch"in"zucchini"
• brailletypos
• mixedfraction

Jordieaskediftheseerrorswereconsistentwithpreviousexaminations.

Josiesaidshewasnotsurebutthiscouldbetrackedinfutureexaminations.Mostlyerrorswerecarelesstyposandperhapscandidateshavemoreexperiencewithtranslationsoftwareratherthandirectbraille.

NicoleaskedforabreakdownofcandidatesusingaPerkinsversusDuxbury.

2usedaPerkins brailler,5usedacomputerwithsoftware.

Asmallworkingpartywillreviewthetestthisyear.

KathycommentedthatthebrailleversionoftheAustralianUEBTrainingManualincludesthemarkupusedintheTrans-Tasmancertificateinthelatterexercisesandservesasgoodpracticefortouchreadersconsideringsittingthetest.

Marycommentedthatshehassatthetestasatouchreaderandthinksitwasaworthwhileexercise.

Leona-TheNationalFederationoftheBlindintheUShasrecentlyintroducedaLetterofProficiencyinUEBfortranscribersorproofreaderswhoalreadyholdacertificatefromtheNLS.

4.8Electroniccommunication

4.8.1Facebookpage

LeonaHolloway(ABAfacebookpageadministrator)

Wenowhavemorethan250followersoftheAustralianBrailleAuthorityfacebookpage.

Leonathankedthosewholiked,sharedorwrotecommentsonorsharestheABAupdates,asthishelpstospreadawarenessofABAandtheimportanceofbraille.Italsohelpsustoknowwhattypeofpostspeoplearemostinterestedin.3Dprintingandlocalnewsitemsalwaysprovepopular.

4.8.2OZBRLListserv

189addressesareregisteredbutsomearenolongercurrent.

Pleaseencourageyourcolleaguestojoinifyouthinkitwouldbeusefulforthem.

Pleasedouseozbrltoaskquestionsinwhateversubjectareayouareworkingin,asyourquestionorresponseislikelytobeofinteresttoothers.

4.8.3AustralianBrailleAuthorityWebsite

LeonaHolloway(Webmaster)

TheABAwebsiteislocatedat

NewentriesarealwayswelcomefortheABADirectoryofBrailleServicesandProductsinAustralia,whichisprovingtobeahandyandwell-usedresource.Leonaseestrafficrelatedtopeoplelookingforsignageinfo.Companiesacquirebusinessthiswayandsoitisusefultohaveproducerslisted.

Wereceivelotsofqueriesfromoverseas,particularlypeoplewantingtoknowaboutUEB.Alsolookingforaserviceorseekingaperson.Weassistbypointingthemintherightdirection.

Peoplealsoseekaccreditationinbraille.ChristinepointedoutthatABAdoesn’tofferthisifthereisabrailleauthorityintheirowncountry.

Wealsoadvertise

5.InternationalReports

5.1BrailleAuthorityofNZAotearoaTrust

MariaStevens(BANZATChair)

ReadbyMarySchnackenberg

BANZAThostedabraillecompetitiononthethemeof“MyFavouriteThings”.MariawasatouchjudgealongwithteachersfromBLENNZ.

BANZATsentoutlargeprintandbrailleletterstoSanta:126braillelettersviaSantawebsitewhichNewZealandPostsponsored.

BANZAThostedtheICEBmid-termmeetingfrom22-24May.

InSeptemberlastyeartheyfarewelledJanetReynolds,whoretiredfromBlindFoundation.JanetledthewritingoftheGuidelinesforTechnicalMaterial.

TheNewZealandformattingtemplateisbeingaddedtoDBT.

In2014,15candidatessattheTrans-TasmanProficiencyexamination.This includedteachers,whoarerequiredtosittheexamination.

BANZATispleasedwiththecooperationwithABAandisinterestedtodiscussreviewingwhatchangesneedtobemade.

"Theessentialsofbrailleformatting"isnowavailableonBANZATwebsite.

Policy7shouldbereleasedontheBANZATwebsiteinthenextmonth.ItallowscandidatestobecertifiedinaspectsofbraillespecifictoNewZealand.Forexample,UEBcontractionsshouldnotbeusedfortheMaorilanguage.Maorialsohasthesignformacron:dots456.

Candidateswillbeabletoselecttheirownmaterialbutthecommitteeisstilltoincludeexamplesofpre-specifiedmaterials.TheexamwillbemarkedbyMariaandothers.BANZAT hopestohaveaccreditedtranscribersbySeptember.

BLENNZandBlindFoundationarealreadyconsideredaccredited.

ChristinethankedMariaandMaryforthereportandcongratulatedBANZAT onPolicy7.

5.2BrailleinthePacific

WrittenbyFrancesGentle.

ReadbyTriciaD'Apice.

ChristinethankedTriciaandFrancesforthisreport.

5.3ICEB

BillJolley(ICEBExecutiveTreasurer)

ReadbyLeonaHolloway.

Trainingmaterialswentoniceb.orgwebsiteacoupleofdaysago.

LeonaalsoreadtheICEBcountryupdatesfromtheFebruarymeetingoftheICEBExecutiveCommitteetoshowhowUEBisbeingintroducedineachcountry.TheUShasabridgingcertificatetoupdateexistingtranscriberstoUEB.

5.4ICEBMusicCommittee

JordieHowell(Convenor)

JordiereportedthatmostoftheMusicCommittee’sactivitieswerecoveredbyBill’sreport.RebeccaBlaevoetisnowtheCanadianRepresentativeafterLoriKernohan’sresignation.Rebeccahasworkedinthefieldofblindnessforover20years,hasbeenachoirdirector,tookpianotoafairlyadvancedlevel;playsotherinstrumentsandhasexperienceteachingpianotosightedstudents.

5.5UEBCodeMaintenanceCommittee

LeonaHolloway(UEBCMCAustralianRepresentative)

Thisyear,theCMCdiscussedtheshortformslist.Threewordsandtheirassociatedendingswereproposedforadditiontothelist.Ofthese,"unsaid",and"unrepaid"wereacceptedwhile"misletter"wasnot.NotificationofthischangewillshortlybemadeonozbrlandtheICEBwebsite.ThenextversionofDBTwillincludethechangeinitsUEBtranslationtables.

TheCMCalsodiscussedaproposalfortherepresentationofemoticonsinbraille.TheCommonwealthBrailleandTalkingBookCooperativeproposedamethodofrepresentingemoticonsbyapplyingtheUnicodenameswithinUEBtranscribernoteindicators,howeveritwasgenerallyagreedthatthisapproachwouldbetoolengthyinbraille.

ChristinethankedLeonaforherreport.

6.OtherBusinessandDiscussion

TomMcMahonwillbeholdingaworkshoponTactualMappingonTuesday.HehassamplesoftheQueensstreetmallandwouldlikefeedback.Pleaseseehimifyouwouldliketotakealook.

JordieHowellremindedattendeesthattheOnkyoWorldBrailleCompetitionisstillopen.DetailsareavailableontheBCAwebsite:

TheDickinsonMemorialBrailleWritingCompetition,thisyearonthethemeofAnzacDay,isalsostillopenandcloseson31August.

Tomaskedwhetherthereareanyup-to-datefiguresonthenumberofblindstudentsinAustralia.WAhaveapproximately400students.25arecurrentlyusingorlearningbraille.Victoriahave530students,including65-70brailleusers.Somehaveadditionalimpairmentsanddon'tusemuchbraille.SAhave15brailleuserssupportedbySASVI.Therearesomefurtherstudentswithadditionaldisabilities.BrianConwayreportedontheNSWindependentschoolsector,6(60?)brailleusersbutnotsureofothersectors.Queenslandissupporting70braille-usingstudents(of500VIstudentsoverall)somehaveadditionaldisabilities.BrianConwaysuggestedthatwelobbytheAustralianBureauofStatisticstoasksuchaquestion.RTExecutivetoconsider.KarenClarksuggestedthatSueSilviera'sregisterofchildrenwithvisionimpairmentsinAustraliacouldincludeinformationaboutformats.MarieShangcautionedthattherightquestionneedstobeaskedtobeinterpretedcorrectly, e.g.primarymethodforreadingandwriting.

7.FeaturePresentation"TeachingBrailleRemotely"addressingthelogisticsandpedagogyoftheservice

TriciaD'Apice,SeniorConsultantinVisionImpairmentatRIDBCTeleschool

• TriciaisseniorconsultantinVisionImpairmentattheTeleschool.Sheworkedforover20yearsatStLucy'sSchoolwhereshetaughtbraille,o&mandIT.
• TriciaalsoworkedattheVisionAustraliaschoolforoneyear.
• TeleschoolisaserviceprovidedbyRIDBCtoteachyoungstudentswhoareinremotelocations.TheyhavestudentsinNorthRocks,Lismore,Darwin,GosfordandtheHunterValley.Theyassist212hearingandvisionimpairedclientsfromages0to18.60ofthesestudentshaveavisionimpairment,ofwhom20arebrailleusersandsomeothersaredualmediausers.
• Attheschool,teachersusepolycomvideoconferencecameras.Athome,polycom,iPad,computerortelephoneareused.
• Thefamilyserviceisfreebuttheschoolserviceisatcost.
• Interactionsmaybedaily(bestforbraillelearners),weeklyormonitoring.
• Theyalsoofferablendedservice:ClientsareencouragedtovisitNorthRocks(freeforthefirstvisitofeachyear)tobuildarapport.
• Fivebraillecampsarealsoheldperyear,oneforeachoffivedifferentneedsgroups.Thecampsgofrom3to5daysandseparateactivitiesareheldforparentsandchildren.
• Theschoolsendsoutapackagewithamonth'sworthofmaterialsenclosed.Thisincludeslessonplans,aprintbookwithbrailleoverlays,aninteractivetactilebook,tactiletoys,informationforparents.
• "Spider'sweb","Feelit"and"Positions"aretactilebooksfromSouthAfrica-highlyrecommended.
• ParentsareencouragedtocompletetheUEBonlinecoursetobecomeproficientinbraille.
• Amuffintinisusedtoteachstudentsaboutthe6brailledotsinacell.Tennisballsareplacedintothetintomakeletters.
• Teachersmustprepareamonthahead.Theyareoftenworkingwithparentstoworkwiththechild,andwithschoolteachers.
• Resourcesareabigdifficulty.Youneedtwocopiesofeverything(onefortheteacher,oneforthestudent).Somefavouriteresourcesinclude:
• Iamable,byDianeWormsley
• OzzieDots,fromSVRC
• Onsetandrhymeflipbooks

8.Meetingclose

Thanksextendedto:

• TammyAxelsen,RTadministratorformeetingarrangementsandtirelessworkbehindthescenes.
• RTExecutive
• ABAExecutive
• KathyRiessenforlocalsupportandbrailleembossing.
• SonaliMaratheforcoordinatingproductionofalternativeformats
• Attendeesforcontributing.
• Triciad'Apiceforherpresentation,whichraisedmuchdiscussion.
• AnnetteSutherlandformicrophonerunning.
• JohnSimpsonforaudio,supportandmeetingarrangements.

WehopetoseeyouattheABAmeetingnextyear.

Appendix1:AustralianBrailleAuthorityReportoftheChairMay2015

Introduction

2014hasseenfurtherdevelopment,progressandconsolidationfortheAustralianBrailleAuthorityasweworktoraiseourprofileandtopromotetheuseandbenefitsofbrailleinourlives.

Ourfacebookfollowersareincreasing;ourwebpageinformationismoreextensive;wehavesevenadditionalholdersoftheTrans-TasmanCertificateofProficiencyinUnifiedEnglishBraille;andourtrainingmaterialsareprovingpopular.ThesearebeingrequestedbybrailleinterestedpeoplefromEnglishspeakingcountriesfarandwide.Meanwhile,ourmembersaroundthenationareworkinghardtopromotebrailleandtoensurethatitisavailableasrequired.Importantworkalsocontinuestobeundertakenonourbehalfattheinternationallevel.

InthisreportIreview2014,andhighlightkeyABAachievements.

StructureandAccountability

TheABAwasestablishedin1982.ItischargedwithoverseeingthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofbraillecodesandspecificationsusedinAustralia.ItservesasAustralia’sbrailleaccreditationbody,andpromotesbrailleastheprimaryliteracytoolforpeoplewhoareblind,deafblind,orhaveseverevisionimpairment.

AsChairoftheABA,IamavotingmemberoftheExecutiveofourparentorganisation,theRoundTableonInformationAccessforPeoplewithaPrintDisabilityInc.(RoundTable).IreportonouractivitiesatRoundTableExecutivemeetingsandparticipateinthebroadermanagementoftheorganisation.IthankRoundTableExecutivemembersledbyNeilJarvis,andalsoTammyAxelsen,ourRoundTableAdministrationOfficerfortheirguidanceandsupportthroughouttheyear.

OurABAmembersareRoundTableMemberorganisations,interestedintheproduction,teachinganduseofbraille.Theworkoftheirpersonnelinprovidinghighqualitybrailletoreadersaroundthecountryisinvaluable.Webraillereadersbenefitgreatlybythebraillecodeknowledgetheyacquireanddemonstrate,theenthusiasmtheyshowandthecareandpridedisplayedinthediversityandcomplexityoftranscriptionprojectstheyundertake.

ExecutiveCommittee

OurABAExecutivememberswereelectedfortwo-yeartermsatourAnnualNationalMeetinglastMay.Monthlytelephoneconferencingisusedtoplanandprogressourwork.TheConvenersofourRegionalBrailleForumsarealsoinvitedtoattendandfullyparticipateinthesemeetings.Fromtimetotimeweinviteotherstojoinandparticipate.Executivemembersareenthusiasticandconscientious.Theywillinglytakeonresponsibilitiesandfreelysharetheirknowledgeandskills–forthis,Iammostappreciative.

In2014ourExecutiveCommitteefarewelledLindaTriasmonoandBillJolley.

Lindadidnotofferherselfforre-electionduetoill-healthandBillretiredafterfifteenyearsofcontinuousservicetotheABAExecutive.BillalsoservedontheABAExecutiveduringthe1980s.WewelcomedLeonaHollowaybackontotheExecutiveandalsoJulee-anneBell.ThankyouBillandLindaforallyourwork.

RegionalBrailleForums

WehavetwoactiveRegionalBrailleForums.SydneyForumwhichwasconvenedbyAnnetteSutherlandisnowleadbyTriciad'Apice.Annette'sinvolvementcontinuesasForumsecretary.TheQueenslandForumisconvenedbyNicoleDonaldson.MembershipofourForumsisgrowinganditisthroughtheseForumsthatindividualsshowtheirsupportfortheworkoftheABA.

Bothgroupsmeetquarterly.Theirmeetingscleverlycombineamixofguestspeakerpresentations,"showandtell"sessions,informationexchangeandotherinteractivebraillerelatedactivities.Forumleadersworkhardwhenplanningmeetingstoinvolveandinformbrailleinterestedpeople.

BothForumsalsoorganiseeventstoinvolveourveryyoungbrailleusers.

• TheSydneyforumconductsitsChildren'sBrailleWritingCompetitionduringthesecondhalfoftheyear.ItculminatesinaprizegivingeveningeachNovember.
• TheQueenslandForumfacilitatesitsChildren'sBrailleClubeachschooltermaswellascombiningresourceswithQBWAandEducationQueenslandtoorganizetheAnnualBrailleChallenge.

Bothforumsfindnewandinnovativewaystopromotebraille. MoreinformationabouttheactivitiesoftheRegionalBrailleForumsisappendedbelow.

2014NationalMeeting

Our2014nationalmeetingwasheldatBrailleHouse,Annerley,Brisbaneandattendedbyabout40people.There,wejoinedoneofourmemberorganisations–theQueenslandBrailleWritingAssociation(QBWA)–tocelebrateitsDiamondJubileeofoccupancyofBrailleHouse.Weenjoyedadayofwonderfulhospitalityandweregiventheopportunitytolookovertheirpremises,learnmoreabouttheirvolunteerworkforthebraillereadingcommunityandtoinspectmanyofthetreasuresandprizepossessionsheldwithin.WethankSueWagner,herstaffandvolunteersforthewarmwelcomeandtheopportunitytosharesuchamilestoneoccasionwiththem.

MusicSubcommittee

TheMusicSubcommitteewasestablishedbyABAseveralyearsago,toworkonanAustralianAddendumtotheBrailleMusicCode.Ratherthanchangingexistingpractices,theaimwastodocumentwhereAustralia’sbraillemusictranscriptiondiffersfromtheInternationalManualofBrailleMusic(1997).Theaddendumwouldalsobeareferencefornewtranscriberswantingtolearnaboutnationalformattingconventions.

In2014,JordieHowellresumedthiswork.ShemetwithbraillemusictranscribersDorothyHamiltonandJohnShutetocontinueworkontheaddendum.BothDorothyandJohnhaveawealthofexperiencetranscribingbraillemusic.Dorothyhastranscribedforover30yearswithVisionAustraliaaswellastaughtpianoandbraillemusic.Johnhastranscribedforaround18years,forclientsinAustralia,aswellasforsomeoverseas.Untilveryrecently,JohnwasalsothemusictranscriberfortheNationalBrailleMusicCamps.

PreviousresearchcomparingthetranscriptionpracticesofAustralia,theUSandUKfoundthatinmanycases,AustraliafollowsmusicformattingpracticesoftheUK.JohnShutewillinglytookonthetaskofworkingthroughtheBrailleMusicTranscriptionLayoutManualbyJaneWare(RNIB)tohighlightwhereAustraliadiffersfromtheUK.

Afterconsultationwithtranscribers,usersandteachers,therenowisadocumentwhichwecanuploadtotheABAwebsite.Itisa"living"documentandfeedbackisalwayswelcome.

TheOzbrlemaillisthasprovedanexcellentvehicletodiscusselementsofmusictranscription;mostrecently,thebestwaytopresentmusictheoryexaminationpapersinbraille.

Althoughthetaskofwritingtheaddendumhasbeenchallenging,Australianowhasadocumentwhichhasalreadyassistedsometranscribers.Jordiewelcomesyourfeedback,ifbraillemusictranscriptionispartofyourskillsset.

Communications

Regularandresponsivecommunicationcontinuestobeoneofourhighpriorities.

OZBRLisourListserv;andasourelectronicnoticeboard,itremainsavaluablecommunicationtool,makingcirculationofnoticesandkeymaterialsquickandeasy.Itprovidesaquestionandanswerforumdealingwithallmattersrelatingtobraille.

Tojointhelist,sendablankemailwithablanksubjectlineto:

WethankBruceMaguireforhiscontinuedmoderationofourlist.

TheABAFacebookPagecontinuestogrowwitha50%increaseovertheyear.Wenowhavemorethan225people“liking”ourpage;whichisupdatedregularlywithinformationandlinksaboutnews,events,technologyandproductsrelatingtobraille.Someofthemostpopularpostsovertheyearincluded:

• Abraillejoke:Whydidn’tthebrailleteacherfeelanypainwhilegivingbirth?Becausetherearenocontractionsinpregnancy.
• Anarticleaboutbrailleonbanknoteswiththequote“yes,noteveryoneknowsbraille…butit’snotrocketscience.Youpracticeitandyouwilllearnit.”
• 3D-printedtactilemapsinJapan
• TheTouchableYearbookprojectwhichprovidedblindstudentswith3D-printedbustsoftheirfellowstudents.

TheABAfacebookpagecanbejoinedbysigningintofacebook,searchingfor"AustralianBrailleAuthority"andclickingon"like".

ThankyouLeonaHollowayformaintainingourfacebookpageandforkeepingitso"alive"andinteresting.

BrailleAustraliaWebsite:

Ourwebpagecontinuestoprovidekeyinformation;

• Visitornumbersaresteadilyincreasing,withtherenowbeingaround1000visitorspermonth.
• ADirectoryofBrailleServiceswasaddedtothewebsitein2014.ItlistsservicesandcontactdetailsformanybrailleprovidersinAustralia.Newentriesarealwayswelcome.
• “ThePhysicalSpecificationforBrailleSignage”wasupdatedsignificantlyinearly2014andisnowmucheasiertounderstand.
• TheEventsPageisconstantlyupdatedwithnewandchangingitems;whynotvisititregularly?

ThemostpopularpagesovertheyearweretheWelcomePage,UEB,AboutBrailleandtheDirectoryofBrailleServices.

LeonaHolloway'sskillsandenthusiasmensurethatourwebsiteisnowvibrant,currentandmostimportantly"visitorfriendly".Weencourageyoutovisitandsendusyourfeedback.Todoso,youcanusethelinkatthebottomofeachpage.

Ourwebsiteisstilldeveloping!Yourideas,commentsandcontributionsareimportant.Remember!IfitistobeourABAwebsite,itmustcontainourbraillerelatedcontributions.

ABAresources

TheUnifiedEnglishBraille–AustralianTrainingManual(RevisedEdition2014)hasbeeneditedbyJosieHowse,KathyRiessenandLeonaHolloway.Itisourmostrecentpublication.ItreplacestheBraillePrimer–AustralianEditionandcanbedownloadedfromourwebsite.IthankKathyRiessenfortakingonthechallengeofproducingthe4-volumebrailleeditionofthismanual.

WorkonRulesandGuidelinesforFormattingofBrailleMaterialshascontinued,thankstothededicatedleadershipofLeonaHollowaytogetherwithJosieHowse,KathyRiessen,ShirleyHendersonandChristineSimpson.WeweresadtoseeLindaTriasmonoleaveoureditorialteamduetoillhealth.Herperspectiveandmanylogicalsuggestionshavebeenimportanttothedevelopmentofthedocument.WewelcomedColleenFloodtothegroup,whoseexcellenteditingskillsareprovinginvaluableinthefinaleditingstages.

Thedocumentisnowaround200printpagesinlengthandnearingcompletion.Itcontainsmanyexamplesandguidanceonhowtoachievethedesiredformattingresults.Itseemstobeoneofthoseprojectswhich,like“Topsy”,justgrewandgrew;and,whenwethinkwearegettingclosetotheend,somethingelseneedingourconsiderationcomesalong.

ThankyouLeona,forleadingsuchacomplexproject.

TheDBTProducers'Manualhasnowbeeninuseforsomeyearsanditiscontinuingtoprovevaluabletobrailletranscriberseverywhere.Itisavailablefordownloadaseitherbraille,orprintfilesfromourBrailleAustraliawebpage.AsitguidesthereaderthroughthevariousDBTmenus,itusesmanyexamplesandscreendumpstoillustratethepointsbeingmade.

TheRulesofUnifiedEnglishBraille–SecondEdition2013(theRulebook)isnotofficiallyanABApublication,although,itisadocumentwhichcontinuestoinvolveseveralofourExecutivemembers.

UndertheauspiceoftheCodeMaintenanceCommitteeoftheInternationalCouncilonEnglishBraille,workcontinuestofurtherrefinethisinternationalstandardsdocument.LeonaandIserveasAustralia’srepresentativestotheCodeMaintenanceCommitteeandseveralotherExecutivemembersmakesignificantcontributionstothisworkasCommitteeObservers.

TheRulebookisavailablethroughourwebsite.Iencourageyoutodownloadit(inyourpreferredformat)andkeepitcloseathand.

Accreditation

InOctober2014examinationsfortheannualTrans-TasmanProficiencyCertificateinUnifiedEnglishBraillewereconducted.ThisistheseventhyearthistesthasbeenconductedasajointandsimultaneousundertakingbetweentheBrailleAuthoritiesofAustraliaandNewZealand.

Weencourageemployerstorecognisethebenefitsofstaffobtainingtheir“Trans-TasmanCertificateofProficiencyinUnifiedEnglishBraille”andstronglyurgethemtorewardsuccesswithappropriateremuneration.

Therewere11candidateswhosatthetestfromAustralia,sevenofwhomweresuccessfulachievingthefollowingresults;onehighdistinction,threedistinctionsandthreecredits.Thishasresultedinatotalof53certificatesbeingawardedinAustraliasince2008.

OnbehalfoftheABA,IcongratulateallProficiencyCertificaterecipientsonyourachievementandencouragethosewhowerenotsuccessfultotryagainin2015.

Thankyoutoallinvolvedintheconductoftheseexaminations.Yourwork,leadbyJosieHowseisappreciated.Welldone!

InternationalInvolvements

BillJolleycontinuesasAustralia'srepresentativetotheExecutive,oftheInternationalCouncilonEnglishBraille(ICEB),whereheservesasTreasurer.

JordieHowellhascontinuedtoChairtheMusicBrailleCommitteeandbothLeonaHollowayandmyselfarevotingdelegatestotheCodeMaintenanceCommittee.Bill'sreporttothismeetingwithcontributionsfromLeonaandJordieisattached.ItreportsonICEBactivitiesandachievementsthroughoutthe2014year.

ThankyouBill,JordieandLeonaforthisrepresentation.

ThenextICEBGeneralAssemblywillbeheldinBaltimoreinMay2016andwillbehostedbytheNationalFederationoftheBlind.WehopetohaveastrongAustraliandelegationofbrailleexpertsatthisassembly.Howeverthiswilldependonfundingsupportfromourmemberorganizations.

Conclusion

2014wasayearoffurtherachievementsfortheAustralianBrailleAuthority:

• ABApublicationsareassistingmanybraillelearnersandtranscribershereinAustraliaandareprovingverypopularamongbrailleinterestedpeopleinallpartsoftheworld.
• Withsevenmoresuccessfulcandidatesin2014wenowhave53holdersoftheTrans-TasmanCertificateofProficiencyinUnifiedEnglishBraille.
• Weareseeingincreasedmembershipof,andenthusiasmfor,ourBrailleForums.
• TheBrailleAustraliaWebpagereceivesaround1000visitorseachmonthandisnowwellpopulatedwithawiderangeofmaterialspertainingtobraille.
• OZBRLandtheFacebookpagekeepthebrailleinterestedcommunityup-to-dateandprovideaforumforbothimportantdiscussionandnotsoimportant,butinterestingfactsaboutbraille.
• AustralianowhasanAddendumtotheBrailleMusicCodewhichwillshortlybeavailablefromourWebpage.Musictranscribersandblindmusiciansalikewillbenefitfromthispublication.

IgratefullyacknowledgethecontributionsofourExecutivemembers–JordieHowell,JosieHowse,KathyRiessen,LeonaHollowayandJulee-anneBell,togetherwithTriciad'ApiceandNicoleDonaldson(ourForumConveners),fortheirsupportandcommitmentthroughoutthispastyear.EachofthesebusypeoplehasfoundtimetogivetotheleadershipofABAandeachleavesanindeliblestampoftheircontribution.InparticularIthankJulee-anne,whohascomeontoExecutive,immediatelytakenontheroleofminutesecretaryandveryquicklycometounderstandthemanyprojectsweareworkingacross.

NumerousotherpeoplehavealsoworkedextremelyhardtoensurethatbrailletrulyisOurKeytoLiteracy.Wethankyouall.

ChristineSimpson

Chair–AustralianBrailleAuthority

May2015

Appendix2:SydneyBrailleForum-2014Summary

SydneyBrailleForummetfourtimesin2014:

March 26

• ElectionofExecutive:AnnetteSutherland(Convener)andGailStory(Secretary)stooddownfromtheirroles.Triciad’ApicewaselectedasConvener,AnnetteSutherlandasSecretary.
• JosieHowsecongratulatedAnnetteonhercontributionsasForumleader.
• Presentation:BrailleResourcesforTeachingChildreninRuralandRemoteareas,includingtheReluctantReader.Triciad’Apice.
• Attendance:15

June 5

• GoogleGlassDemonstration.TomLucas,TelstraSeniorBrandManager-RetailDigital
• Attendance:FullHouse,standingroomonly

August 27

• ConversionofbraillefromtheMountbattentotextontheIpadorotheriOSdeviceviaBluetooth.TimConnellQuantumLRV
• Attendance:18

September10

• Workingpartymeeting:BrailleWritingCompetitionMarkingNight.
• 39studentparticipants;
• 6touchreaders,and6sightedreaders(asjudges)

November 19

• AnnualAwardNight,BurwoodRSL
• GuestSpeaker:MorrisGleitzman
• Attendance:125,twentythreeparticipantsplusfamilies,friendsandteachers.

TriciaD'Apice

Convenor–SydneyBrailleForum

Appendix3:QueenslandBrailleForum

TheannualreportoftheABAQueenslandRegionalForumcoverstheperiodfromJanuarytoDecember2014.Duringthistimetheforummetthreetimes.AnAGMwasheldinMay2014.

TheyearsawthecontinuationofBrailleClub–afunafternoonforschoolstudentswhousebraille.Thiscontinuestobeaverysuccessfulprogram.Numbershaveremainedsteadywithupto10childrenattendingacrossarangeofagelevels.BrailleClubisrunonatermbasisandthesessionsincludedmapping,cookingusingabraillerecipe,musicandtechnology.Itisfantastictoseetheyoungpeopleenjoyingusingbrailleforarangeoffunctionalpurposes,aswellasnetworkingwithotherbrailleusers–bothchildrenandadults.BrailleBuzzandHumanBrailleCellgamescontinuetobefirmfavouritesateverysession.

During2014theBrailleLiteracyChallengewasonceagainrunbyQBWAinconjunctionwithEducationQueensland.WhilstABAwasnotdirectlyinvolvedinanyorganisationoftheday,ABAmembersattendedthechallengeandparticipatedinjudgingrolesaswellasinteractingwithmanyofthestudents.ThedaywasagreatsuccessanditispleasingthatsomestudentshavesuchafamiliaritywithBrailleHouseandknowtheABAmembersduetobrailleclub.

Earlyin2014wecombinedwithWorldAccessfortheBlindAustraliainorganisingafundraisingeventinordertoreplenishsomemuchneededfunds.ThesefundswillbedirectedtoprovidingresourcesforBrailleClub.

WearepleasedthatABAQldmeetingscontinuetobewellsupported,though2014hasseenmanyregularmembersabsentduetoillhealth.ItwasexcitingforQldmemberstobeinvolvedwiththeRoundTableconferencein2014andwehopethiswillleadtoanincreaseinmembershipfor2015.WeareencouragedthatBrailleisabletobepromotedthroughtheeffortsofABAQld’senergeticandpassionatemembers.TheforumthankstheABAExecutiveforitsguidancethroughtheyear.

NicoleDonaldson

QueenslandRegionalForum

AustralianBrailleAuthority.

Appendix 4:AustralianBrailleAuthorityInternationalReport

BillJolley

January2015

Overview

Themainfocusofthisreportisthe2014calendaryearactivitiesoftheInternationalCouncilonEnglishBraille(ICEB).

ICEBbackground

ThemembersofICEBareAustralia,Canada,Ireland,NewZealand,Nigeria,SouthAfrica,theUnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStates.ThePresidentisChristodeClerkandIamtheTreasurer.

During2014theICEBExecutiveCommittee(ExCo)helditsmid-termmeetinginNewZealand,andthismeetingwassupplementedbyquarterlyteleconferences.

ThemeetingwashostedbyTheBrailleAuthorityofNewZealandAotearoaTrust(BANZAT)withsupportfromtheBlindFoundationandtheBlindandLowVisionEducationNetworkNZ(BLENNZ).IattendedtheNewZealandmeeting,andIrecordmyappreciationtotheRoundTablewhichsubsidisedmytravelandparticipationcosts.IpreparedaseparatereportfortheRoundTableandABAExecutiveCommittees.

OutcomesofExComeetinginNewZealand

AllExComembersattendedthemeeting,exceptforIlkaStaeglin and Ntshavheni Netshituni. InadditionobserversfromNewZealandattendedfromdaytodayandChristineSimpson(ABAChair),FrancesMarydeAndrea(BANAChair)andJordieHowell(ChairoftheMusicBrailleCommittee)participatedasobservers.

ResultingfromtheresignationofPeteOsborneasPresidentearlierintheyear,followinghisdeparturefromRNIB,ChristodeClerkhadbeenappointedasPresident.TheExComeetingappointedMariaStevensasVice-PresidentandNtshavheniNetshituniasamember-at-largefromSouthAfrica.

TheExCoheldanin-camerasessiontodiscussthefutureoftheICEB.ThediscussionwasinformedbyapaperwrittenbyPeteOsborneinwhichheexpressedconcernaboutICEB'slimitedresourcesandquestionedthefutureviabilityofICEBasastand-aloneentity.ThediscussiontookintoaccountdevelopmentswiththeWorldBrailleCouncil(WBC)sinceitsmostrecentmeetinginNovember2013.JudyDixonistheICEB’srepresentativeontheWBC.ThatmeetingwaschairedbyPeteOsbornewhohadcarriageofmanyoftheactionsresultingfromthemeeting.FollowingPete’sresignationasWBCChairWorldBlindUnionhasappointedanewchair,MrThorkildOlesenfromDenmark,buttherehasbeennofollow-upcontactwithWBCmembers.TheWBCwasnotregardedasasufficientlyrobustvehicletomaintainUnifiedEnglishBraille—currentlytheICEB’sprimaryresponsibility.

Attheconclusionofthein-camerasession,ChristodeClerkreportedtotheassemblythatICEBwillcontinueasaseparateentity.HesaidthatthereismuchongoingworkneededonUnifiedEnglishBraille(UEB);wewillfocusonachievablegoalsincludingoutreachtoothercountrieswhocouldbenefitfromadoptingUEB;wewillfocusondevelopingthewebsite;wewilllookateachcommitteeanddetermineifitsworkisrelatedtothefurtheranceofUEBinsomeway;andthePublicRelationsOfficerwillfocusonpromotionofUEB.

UEBCodeMaintenanceCommittee

ThiscommitteeisresponsibleforofficialdocumentationoftherulesofUEB,providingclarificationwhereneededandmakingadditionsandchangesasnecessary.TheCommitteeis chairedbyPhyllisLandon(acodeexpertfromCanada)andconsistsofonerepresentativefromeachmembercountryofICEB—LeonaHollowaybeingAustralia'srepresentative. In addition, there are twootherinvitedcodeexperts(ChristineSimpson–RulebookEditor)andJoSullivan(fromDuxburySystems).

Thecommitteeoperatesmainlybyemaillist.ThenumberofobserverstothelisthasincreasedsubstantiallyoverthelastyearwiththeforthcomingimplementationofUEBinCanada,theUKandtheUSA.AllmembersoftheABAExecutiveandtheconvenorsoftheABA’sRBFsareobserversonthelist.

UEBhasnowbeenadoptedinallICEBcountries,andtransitionprogramsarewellunderway,withtheUnitedStatesadoptingUEBinNovember2012andIrelandadoptingUEBinDecember2013.

ThecommitteehasreissuedtheGuidelinesforTechnicalmaterialwithanumberofeditorialandtypographicalcorrectionsincluded,andworkhascommencedonamajorrevisionoftheguidelinestobringthemintothesameformatandstyleastheRulebook.

Themid-termExComeetingconsideredapaperfromtheUnitedStatesdealingwiththerepresentationinbraillebydifferentsignsfortheapostropheandthesingleclosequote.Translationerrorscanarisebecauseacommonsymbolusedinprinthasseparaterepresentationsinbraille.Thisappearsasaparticularproblemwithsometranslatorssupportingrefreshablebrailledisplays,andshouldbeunderstoodasanEnglishlanguagebrailleissuegenerallyandnotassomethingapplicabletoUEBparticularly.ThemeetingrecognisedthesignificanceoftheissueandaddedittotheworkprogramoftheUEBCodeMaintenanceCommittee,witharequestthatthematterbedeterminedassoonaspracticable.Changestothetreatmentofthesesymbolsinbraillewereproposedbutnonefoundgeneralfavour.Australiahassupportedaproposalthatthebraillesymbolsremainbuttherulebechangedsothat,whenindoubt,thesymbolshouldbetreatedasanapostrophewhenbetweenlettersandasinglequotationmarkinothercircumstances.

Musiccommittee

TheMusicCommitteeisconvenedbyJordieHowell,whowascommendedattheExComeetingforherworkinleadingthiscommittee.

Followingthemid-termExComeeting,theMusicCommittee,alongwithothertechnicalcommittees,wasaskedtorefocusandrewriteitsworkprogramtobeachievablewithintheresourcesandtimeconstraintsofmembers.ThemusiccommitteechargeshavebeenreworkedsincethemeetingwithamuchmoredirectfocusonmusicandUEB.Thecommitteewillcontinuetoconsultwithorganisationsaboutwiderinitiativesthatincludebraillemusic.

Thecommitteewouldliketopublicisethefollowingdocumentwhichcontainsinformationregardingbraillemusictranscriptionandresourcesinmembercountries.IthasbeencompiledbytheUKAAFMusicSubjectArea,Braillemusictaskgroup.ThedocumentcanbefoundthroughtheRNIBwebsite

Mostofthecommittee’srecentworkhascentredonadiscussionpaperonMusicandUEBcompiledbyDanGeminderofBANA.Currentlythefocusisonchordsymbolsandhowthesearerepresentedinmusicscores;inparticular,whichsigntouseforthe“plus”symbol.Therearevariationsduetothebraillecodesusedindifferentcountries,andtheInternationalManualstatesthatthesesymbolsarecountry-specific.Thisdiscussionisongoing.

Therehasbeenmentionofworkonformattingbraillemusicscoresforusewithbrailledisplays.ThecommitteewillconsultwithorganisationssuchasRNIBandtheBlindFoundationNewZealandwhoarecurrentlyprovidingmaterialtobraillemusicuserselectronically

Othertechnicalcommittees

IssuesfromtheothertechnicalcommitteeswerediscussedbytheExComeeting.FollowingonfromthedecisiontodisbandtheTrainingMaterialscommittee,BillJolleyundertooktocompileandmaintainalistofUEB-relatedtrainingmaterialsfordisplayontheICEBwebsite.

SixthGeneralAssembly

ThesixthICEBGeneralAssemblywillbeheldintheUnitedStatesinthesecondquarterof2016—probably22-26May.ThemeetingwillbeheldattheheadquartersoftheNationalFederationoftheBlindinBaltimore.BillJolleyandMarySchnackenbergwillworkwithJudyDixontoprovideadvicebasedonexperienceinhostinginternationalmeetingsincludingthefourthICEBGeneralAssemblyinMelbournein2008.

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