May 2012
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Frances Mary D'Andrea, Chair
Braille Authority of North America
Phone: 412-521-5797
Email: literacy2@mindspring.com
On April 24, BANA released the new Braille Formats: Principles of Print-to-Braille Transcription, 2011. This completely revised publication is available in three accessible electronic versions: enhanced PDF, BRF, and online HTML. These are available at www.brailleauthority.org and are offered without charge. Print and braille versions will be available for purchase from the American Printing House for the Blind later this year.
This is an extensive revision of the previous formats publication. Appendix A of the new publication provides a quick reference of changes and additions.
The official implementation date for use of Braille Formats 2011 is January 1, 2013. The principles set forth in the Braille Formats 2011 supersede all previous formats documents, including the rules and appendices regarding formatting given in English Braille American Edition (EBAE).
BANA wishes to thank the tireless members of the Braille Formats Technical Committee and their Chair Lynnette Taylor for their decade of work and commitment that made this publication possible.
For additional resource information, visit www.brailleauthority.org
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.