Global Adoption of Unified English Braille in English
Braille Using Countries: The Introduction of a Massive
Open Online Course to Support the Transition in the
U.S.
Sean Tikkun, M.S.Ed. TSVI, stikkun@niu.edu
Stacy M. Kelly, Ed.D., TSVI, COMS, skelly@niu.edu
Thomas J. Smith, Ph.D., tjsmith@niu.edu
Northern Illinois University
In 2004, the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) adopted the
Unified English Braille (UEB) code. This adoption trickled down over time to
each English Braille using country and resulted in some form of formal
adoption. Here in the United States, the Braille Authority of North America
(BANA) made their decision in 2012 after observing adoption trends in other
English-speaking nations over time. The changes and reasons have been
well documented in the literature (Bogart, Cranmer, & Sullivan, 2000; Bogart,
D'Andrea, & Koenig, 2004; Bogart & Koenig, 2005; Knowlton & Wetzel, 2004;
Steinman & Johnson, 2003), but a primary consequence of the change--how
to retrain existing professionals and those new to the field--is a subject that is
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