RNIB’s position statement on Moon and FAQs
Updated June 2012
Email all enquiries about this position statement to andyour message will be directed to the relevant department.
Contents
RNIB's position statement on Moon as a tactile reading format
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about RNIB’s position on Moon
Q1: What has RNIB done previously to support Moon?
Q2: How is Moon used in the UK now?
Q3: Will RNIB continue to sell Moon products?
Q4: Will RNIB share master resources/products to enable others to produce them instead?
Q5: Will Moon books continue to be made available through the RNIB National Library Service?
Q6: Will RNIB transcribe resources into Moon on request?
Q7: Will RNIB promote Moon as an accessible reading format?
Q8: Will RNIB continue to support the Moon Forum?
Q9: Will RNIB continue to carry out research into an alternative tactile code to Braille?
Q10: Who can help answer questions about Moon resources?
Q11: What does RNIB advise people who want to learn or teach Moon to children and adults?
Q12: Who should people contact if they have questions about RNIB's position on Moon?
Appendix: RNIB latest research reports on tactile reading and Moon
RNIB's position statement on Moon as a tactile reading format
RNIB believes that there is a need for an alternative simple tactile script for people whose sight is too poor to use a print script, but for whom braille, even uncontracted braille, is not a satisfactory solution.
However RNIB and other blindness agencies world-wide have serious reservations about the viability of Moon as this alternative tactile script. One reason is that it uses several rotated and reversed characters which we know makes it confusing for some people to learn. Moon was designed in the 19th century when it was more cost-efficient to use the same letter in different orientations rather than have separate characters. However, with the availability of electronic-based printing we now have the capability of generating other alphabets.
We aspire to conduct research into the viability of alternate tactile scripts, but in recent years our financial position has prevented us from embarking on such a large-scale project. To design and implement a new tactile code would require heavy investment in code research and design, new equipment, new learning materials and promotion.
With its limited resources, RNIB has decided to focus its resources on the teaching and promotion of braille and other accessible formats. This is in line with other major blindness organisations world-wide.
At the present time, RNIB is not planning to return to active production and promotion of Moon, though we will continue to offer products until stocks run out, loan adult books from our library, and signpost to practitioner experts and other resources.
RNIB welcomes and supports the work of specialist groups such as the Moon Forum, which shares information on Moon and promotes its benefits to this special group of end-users. RNIB recognises that presently Moon may still be useful to some people.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about RNIB’s position on Moon
Q1: What has RNIB done previously to support Moon?
In the early 1990s RNIB developed a range of Moon resources and services in collaboration with the University of Birmingham. However, despite promotion, take-up in the following years was much lower than expected, and has remained very low.
Around 10 years ago, RNIB reviewed the situation and decided not to further develop, support or promote Moon. A more recent review based on research collected in 2008-2011 on the use of tactile reading codes in the UK and internationally (see Appendix) has revealed no new evidence to change that decision.
Q2: How is Moon used in the UK now?
Moon is mainly promoted and supported by a small number of practitioners for blind children with complex needs, and for blind adults - groups of people who cannot read braille because of reduced tactual and/or cognitive ability, but who need some kind of tactile literacy. The Moon Forum is a voluntary group ofpractitioners promoting the use of Moon in the UK - visit
Q3: Will RNIB continue to sell Moon products?
Yes, we will maintain supplies of Moon products where there are sufficient sales to make this viable. At the present time this will include the Moon handframe, Moon alphabet card and alphabet and number label sheets in 36-point. All other Moon products will be discontinued when each item sells out. A nominated RNIB liaison person (from Products and Publications) will provide sales and stock reports to the Moon Forum to appraise them of the likely lifespan for specific Moon products.
Q4: Will RNIB share master resources/products to enable others to produce them instead?
Yes, the Products and Publications Department are reviewing masters and will provide hard-copies or electronic mastersto the Moon Forum from whom they will be available on request.
Q5: Will Moon books continue to be made available through the RNIB National Library Service?
Yes, existing Moon books for adults will continue to be available for loan from RNIB's National Library Service. However, RNIB will not be producing new books for the library (nor have we done for a number of years).
Donations of Moon books for adults, especially short stories, may be welcome, please email to discuss.
Q6: Will RNIB transcribe resources into Moon on request?
No. If we receive enquiries for Moon transcription we will signpost people to the UK Association for Accessible Formats (UKAAF) and their Directory of Services which lists transcribers and the formats they can produce. Visit
Q7: Will RNIB promote Moon as an accessible reading format?
Not significantly.However, we will maintain information pages about Moon on RNIB's website at signposts to our existing products and to the Moon Forum website at
Q8: Will RNIB continue to support the Moon Forum?
Yes, but in a more limited capacity than in recent years. RNIB will support the Moon Forum by:
- Providing a position statement in support of groups like the Moon Forum -RNIB's position regarding Moon as a tactile reading format
- Providing a liaison person (from the Products and Publications Department) whose role will be to provide updates as often as required (perhaps quarterly) on RNIB's product stock and sales, be the contact person between the Moon Forum and RNIB, and will update relevant RNIB webpages.RNIB staff will no longer attend Moon Forum meetings.
- Continue to allow and make theroom bookings at no charge to the Moon Forum for the quarterly half-day Moon Forum meetings at RNIB offices (Judd Street, Peterborough or Birmingham), but as previously, RNIB will not pay for catering.
Q9: Will RNIB continue to carry out research into an alternative tactile code to Braille?
No, there are no current plans to continue research into this area. RNIB's latest literature reviews and research into tactile reading codes and Moon were conducted between 2008-2011, and are available on RNIB's website. See list below of RNIB's latest research reports for details.
If you are interested in researching in this area please email .
Q10: Who can help answer questions about Moon resources?
- RNIB's Helpline- can tell customers what products are available from RNIB’s catalogue and shop, andcan also refer them to the Moon Forum website (see below), telephone 0303 123 999.
- RNIB's product catalogue and online shop - includes Moon products,website
- The Moon Forum - this is a small voluntary group of practitioners who promote the use of Moon and maintain a list of Moon resources, website
- RNIB's National Library Service-holds adult Moon books for loan, telephone 0303 123 9999, email , website
Q11: What does RNIB advise people who want to learn or teach Moon to children and adults?
We will use our webpage information and these FAQs to signpost to available resources, the Moon Forum, and other agencies which offer support. We will also advise people that more advanced Moon materials are not widely available, and so they may like to consider other formats as well as, or instead of, Moon if they can.
Q12: Who should people contact if they have questions about RNIB's position on Moon?
Email RNIB at and we'll direct your enquiry to the relevant department.
Appendix: RNIB latest research reports on tactile reading and Moon
Cryer, H., Gunn, D., Home, S., and Morley Wilkins, S. (2008). Identifying areas for research into an alternative tactile reading code. RNIB Centre for Accessible Information, Birmingham: Literature review #1a.
Cryer, H., Gunn, D., Home, S., and Morley Wilkins, S. (2009). International survey of tactile reading codes. RNIB Centre for Accessible Information, Birmingham: Research report #6.
Cryer, H., Home, S., and Morley Wilkins, S. (2011). User requirements for Moon: an informal investigation with experts. RNIB Centre for Accessible Information, Birmingham: Research report #13.1.
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