The Evolution of Braille: Can the Past Help Plan the Future?

A three-part article from the Braille Authority of North America

Published in 2011–2012

Publication Note: This article was published before the United States voted to adopt Unified English Braille in 2012. It articulates the circumstances and factors that led to the development and adoption of UEB. Parts 1 and 2 are of particular interest because they outline the changes in print, braille, and technology in recent years. Those sections also discuss how codes and guidelines are developed and current challenges in transcription, translation, and backtranslation of braille.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 or the complete article as a pdf file or as a brf file

"Braille itself has been instrumental in making possible the integration of blind people into society, and, in turn, this increased integration has driven developments in the use and production of braille. The more integrated that blind people have become, the greater are the demands placed on sources of literacy. Are the literacy tools keeping up? ..."