Unified English Braille (UEB)
Click on the following links for more information on each topic. All materials produced by BANA have been approved by the BANA Board. Materials listed here from other sources are provided for your information and convenience. Inclusion on this website does not indicate BANA's endorsement.
- BANA Press Releases about the Adoption of UEB
- UEB Rules and Guidelines
- UEB Guidance from BANA
- Nemeth-UEB Guidance
- Foreign Language Provisional Guidance
- Learn UEB
- UEB Resources
- Braille Formats, 2016 This new revision aligns with UEB.
- Example Documents in UEB
- Planning the Implementation of UEB
- CCSSO Implementation Guide
- State Plans for Implementing UEB
- Background Information to the UEB Project
- Research on UEB
BANA Press Releases about the Adoption of UEB
- November 2015: BANA Takes Action at Fall Meeting in Crystal Lake, IL
- November 2014: Implementation of Unified English Braille (UEB) Also file types: PDF, BRF, and BRF for downloading
- November 2013: BANA Affirms Date for Implementation of UEB
- November 2012: Motion to Adopt UEB Passed by the Braille Authority of North America on November 2, 2012
UEB Rules and Guidelines
- The Rules of Unified English Braille — UEB Rulebook available on the UEB page of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) website.
- UEB Guidelines for Technical Materials — Guidelines available on the UEB page of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) website.
- UEB Braille Symbols and Indicators List — Symbols & Indicators List
Provisional Guidance for Transcribing Mathematics in UEB
This new publication from BANA provides provisional guidance for use in UEB transcription that involves mathematics. These guidelines, intended for use in the US and Canada, supplement the rules and guidance presented in the international publications Rules of Unified English Braille, 2013 (RUEB) and Unified English Braille Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) authorized by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB). The purpose of this document is to provide additional clarification and practical suggestions for the transcription of "technical" texts (i.e., mathematics and science) transcribed using Unified English Braille.
PDF, BRF, and BRF for downloading.
Nemeth-UEB Guidance
Guidance for Transcription Using the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts
This method of switching between the Nemeth Code and Unified English Braille has been developed to ensure the continued viability of the use of the Nemeth Code for mathematics. Click the above link to expand information ...
PDF, BRF, and BRF for downloading
Foreign Language Provisional Guidance
Provisional Guidance for Transcribing Foreign Language Materials in UEB
This new publication provides provisional guidance for use in UEB transcription that involves foreign language.
PDF, BRF, and BRF for downloading
Learn UEB
- NLS Braille Transcriber Course — Information about the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) braille transcriber course is available at https://nfb.org/braille-transcribing
For currently certified transcribers who wish to add a Letter of Proficiency in UEB: www.nfb.org/ueb-resources.
- Introduction to Unified English Braille — Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: http://www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us/outreach/professional-development/ueb-introduction
- Unified English Braille Online Training (UEBOT) — Northern Illinois University's online course designed for people proficient in English Braille, American Edition (EBAE) is available at http://uebot.niu.edu
- The Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired UEB Courses — Information is available at https://www.hadley.edu/braillecourses.asp
- CNIB Transcriber's UEB Course — The CNIB offers a course for Canadians wishing to become UEB transcribers. The files for the self-paced course are available online. File types: Word, print PDF, BRF, and DXB. Course information may be found at http://www.cnib.ca/en/living/braille/Pages/Braille-Courses.aspx
- Canadian Technical Course — This resource is a short self-study set of materials that provides additional information about using UEB for math and science fount at https://cnib.ca/en/sight-loss-info/braille-services-and-courses/writing-braille-courses/ueb-technical?region=gta
- New Zealand UEB Manual — Information is available at http://banzat.org.nz/BrailleCodes.htm
- Unified English Braille Australian Training Manual 2014 — Information is available at http://printdisability.org/guidelines/unified-english-braille-australian-training-manual-2013/
- UEB Online — New online UEB course from the RIDBC in Sydney, designed for sighted readers, is available at http://uebonline.org
- Just Enough to Know Better — National Braille Press has updated their parent resource to UEB! Just Enough to Know Better presents the braille code in a self-paced workbook to parents who wish to know enough braille to keep up with their youngsters. For more information, visit http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/JETKB-UEB.html
UEB Resources
- Overview of Changes from Current Literary Braille to UEB — File types: HTML, PDF, and BRF
- Tips and Resources for Learning More about Unified English Braille — File types: HTML and BRF
- NLS list of Frequently Used UEB Symbols — NLS will begin producing books and magazines in UEB in 2016. NLS has provided this list of new symbols that are frequently used. File types: PDF and BRF
- Duxbury UEB Chart — Duxbury's one-page chart listing the contractions and short forms in alphabetical order is available at http://duxburysystems.com/images/ueb_black.pdf
- UEB Chart from Canadian Assistive Technology (formerly Aroga Technologies UEB Chart) — Canadian Assistive Technology presents the UEB contractions and symbols by category, available at
https://mailchi.mp/canasstech/unified-english-braille-chart
Braille-ready file version is attached here: BRF - The ABCs of UEB — This document, authored by Constance Risjord, outlines the major differences between English Braille, American Edition (EBAE) and UEB. To expand information about, click this link The ABCs of UEB
- Supplementary Guide to UEB Reference Materials — An index to the Rules of UEB 2013, developed by braille transcribers Peggy Spiess and Trumbull Ogilby, Oregon Textbook and Media Center/Willamette Educational Service District, Salem, Oregon.
- UEB to EBAE Comparison: Transitioning to UEB — Barb Lhotka developed this convenient guide for teachers and transcribers to quickly compare the two codes.
- UEB/EBAE Assessment Checklist — Tina Peaslee, a transcriber in Utah, developed this handy checklist for teachers to keep track of the braille symbols their students have learned.
- Literary Braille Contraction Checklist — TVI Carmen Willings of Cumming, GA, created this helpful UEB contraction checklist and graciously shares it through the BANA website.
- Nemeth or UEB: Factors and Considerations for Math Code — Developed by the Indiana UEB Implementation Sub-Committee, this resource can be used by IEP teams as they discuss individual needs of students regarding technical materials.
- Assessment of Braille Literacy Skills: UEB and EBAE, 2nd Ed. — This priced publication can be purchased from Texas Region IV and provides a tool for educators to document braille skills and knowledge. Order from the following link: http://www.region4store.com/Catalog.aspx?catid=347927&itmid=1196188
- Burns Braille Guide: A Quick Reference to Unified English Braille, 2nd Ed. — This new edition of an old favorite is a priced publication available from AFB Press. Order from the following link: http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/HomePage.aspx
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to UEB Maths. — This document was created by teachers in New Zealand as a quick reference for technical materials in UEB. Available for download from http://www.banzat.org.nz/documents/HHGMaths.pdf
- UEB Too. — A complete revision of the "Braille Too" curriculum materials, this priced resource is designed for middle and high school students who are learning UEB. Available from BRL2 Publishing; ordering information available from http://www.brl2.com/home.html
- UEB Curriculum for Braille Students — This free resource presents a series of 10 lessons for students who are making the transition from EBAE to UEB. Developed by Catherine Summ and Suzanne Cappiello, the lessons are available on the "Paths to Literacy" website from Perkins. http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/blog/ueb-curriculum-braille-students
- Braille Lessons — Retired teacher Louise Johnson has devised this book, Braille Lessons for Sighted People as a resource for parents, paraprofessionals, and others who read print and are interested in braille. While this manual does not cover every rule and symbol in UEB, it introduces the most common ones. For more information, visit www.kesterbraille.com
- "Braille Basics Plus" — Written by Merry-Noel Chamberlain (edited by Faye Miller), this print resource provides parents with an overview of UEB. Available from http://pdrib.com/downloads/Braille-Basics-Plus.pdf
- UEB Maths Practice Exercises — UKAAF has a page that includes practice exercises in higher level math (along with an answer key) taken from their Technical UEB course. This link goes to the page that has .pdf, .docx, and .brf versions: http://www.ukaaf.org/braille/ueb/ueb-maths-practice-exercises/
Example Documents in UEB
- Document: The Gettysburg Address — BRF and simbraille PDF
- Document: Pumpkin Pie Recipe — File types: BRF and simbraille PDF
- Document: I Have A Dream — File types: BRF and simbraille PDF
- Document: The Wizard of Oz, Chapter 1 — File types: BRF and simbraille PDF
- Document: Papa John's Online Menu — File types: BRF and simbraille PDF
- Document: 20 Google Search Shortcuts — File types: BRF, and simbraille PDF, and print DOC
- Document: How to Carve Chicken and Turkey — File types: BRF, simbraille PDF, and print HTML
- Document: Portion Distortion Quiz — File types: BRF, simbraille PDF, and print PDF
- Document: Dallas, November 22, 1963 — Available from BARD for eligible patrons https://nlsbard.loc.gov
Planning the Implementation of UEB
CCSSO Guide for UEB Implementation Planning
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has worked with BANA to conduct a national survey to collect information from each state about their plans for the transition to Unified English Braille (UEB). The information in the survey has led to the development of an implementation guide to support states in their efforts to make the change to UEB over the next year. The implementation guide is available for free download (PDF format) on the CCSSO web site and an accessible BRF or a BRF for downloading posted here.
BLUEPRINT for Planning the Transition to UEB — File types: PDF and BRF
UEB Fact Sheet for School Administrators — PDF
State Plans for the Implementation of UEB
States are encouraged to share their plans for the implementation of UEB through the BANA website. The following states have supplied BANA with their respective state plans for the implementation of UEB:
Background Information to the UEB Project
- The original memo from 1991 that proposed that BANA consider working on a unified code: http://www.iceb.org/cranem.html
- Considerations and Impact of Adopting UEB in the US — File types: HTML and BRF
- Article: Evolution of Braille: Can the Past Help Plan the Future?