World Braille Day

  Introduction  The framework of this report has been defined with precision. Modern techniques are obviously the utilisation of data processing and electronics, and traditional methods are the embossing of sheets of paper or plastic. However, we will recall some characteristics of the traditional techniques and, at the end, we will mention briefly the non-traditional methods, such as the elimina tion of braille paper and the utilisation of the normal method of printing embossed characters for the production of braille. According to traditional techniques, the cooperation of a non-blind person is used. This person should have, according to his abilities, the knowledge of grade 1 braille, contracted braille, braille music or mathematical notations. The instruments used are the LOUIS BRAILLE writing frame or slate, the 6 key braille writer and the stereo typing machines. These latter permit the embossing of aluminium plates, indispensable for the press printing of a large number...

  Recommendation No. 1. With regard to the difficulties arising from the transcription of ink print books into braille, the Conference recommends that the braille version should reproduce as accurately as possible the corresponding ink prifit original, taking maximum advantage of the possibilities of the braille system to identify para graphs, chapters, etc., through the use of blank or dotted lines and other means. Although the exchange of views has revealed that there is not unanimity with regard to criteria for repre senting pictures, graphs and diagrams, the Conference has emphasised the need to carry out an exchange of experiences and practical results among the different institutions concerned, in order to exploit fully the potentialities of embossed reproduction and tactile ability. The desirability of undertaking the necessary research and experiments so as to make braille books more attrac tive to touch through imaginative resources was also pointed out. Differing views we...