INBAF News

ICEB Town Hall event: Introducing the 3rd edition of the rules of Unified English Braille - Our friends at the International Council on English Braille are running an interesting webinar on January 30th at 8 pm (see details below). Happy new year from the International Council on English Braille (ICEB). As we join with the global Braille community in marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code we are excited to announce the first in a series of online town hall meetings, where you can find out more about our work and meet our team. Our first event is taking place at 20:00 UTC on Thursday January 30th, and, at that event, we’ll be telling you all about the 3rd edition of the rules of Unified English Braille, which we launched last month. This comprehensive reference is a must for transcribers, teachers and Braille users alike, so why not join us and find out more about the rulebook, what it contains, and, who knows, you might even learn some fun facts about how it was put together! Please register here to attend this session. We look forward to your company.
World Braille Day Statement - Listen to our World Braille Day statement On this World Braille Day, 4th January 2025, we proudly reaffirm the strong and productive collaboration between Vision Ireland, the National Sight Loss Agency, ChildVision, Ireland’s National Education Centre for blind children, and INBAF, the Irish National Braille and Alternative Formats Authority. This year holds special significance as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code. This revolutionary system, created by Louis Braille in 1825, has transformed the lives of countless individuals with vision impairments, providing them with the means to read and write independently. Together, we are committed to ensuring that Braille and the necessary support systems remain accessible to all who need them. Our partnership is built on a foundation of shared advocacy, comprehensive research, and the continuous exchange of best practices. This unified approach allows us to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision impairment, providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Kevin Kelly, Head of Partnerships with Vision Ireland commented, "Our collaborative efforts with ChildVision and INBAF exemplify how working together can lead to greater achievements in supporting those with vision impairments. We are committed to promoting the importance of Braille as a means of access to information and education." Derval Healy, Director of Reading and Learning from ChildVision added, "At ChildVision, we know that the right support can transform lives. By working with Vision Ireland and INBAF, we are creating a stronger network of resources and expertise to support access for those with vision impairments across Ireland." Stuart Lawler, Executive Director and chairperson of INBAF, emphasised, "Braille is more than just a way of reading; it is a gateway to independence and empowerment. Our joint efforts are ensuring that everyone who relies on Braille can access it easily and effectively." As we celebrate World Braille Day and the bicentennial of the Braille code, we invite everyone to recognise the importance of Braille and the impact it has on millions of lives. Together, we will continue to champion the cause and support those who depend on this vital medium.
Christmas Message from Stuart Lawler, Chair and Executive Director of INBAF - As we approach the end of another year, I would like to extend Christmas greetings from the Irish National Braille and Alternative Formats Authority (INBAF). Reflecting on the past twelve months, one of the highpoints was undoubtedly our remote participation in the eighth General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB), held in New Zealand. This event not only underscored the importance of our mission but also highlighted our commitment to staying engaged with the global Braille community, even from afar. As we look forward to the year ahead, we are excited for the celebrations marking 200 years of Braille. INBAF looks forward to joining hands with the international community in commemorating this monumental milestone. Together, we will reflect on the legacy of Braille and its impact on the lives of individuals with sight loss. Our journey continues to be enriched by the collaborative spirit and dedication of our founding members - ChildVision, Vision Ireland, and Arbour Hill Prison’s Braille unit. Alongside these organizations and others within the sector, we will strive to be a collective voice. Our mission to promote alternative formats for people with sight loss in Ireland remains steadfast, and we are committed to increasing awareness and championing accessibility in every conceivable way. We look forward to another year of working together, fostering partnerships, and making a lasting impact. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Warm regards, Stuart Lawler Chair and Executive Director Irish National Braille and Alternative Formats Authority (INBAF)
UEB Terminology - UEB Terminology Some of the ways you talk about Braille, and some terminology that you may have been familiar with in the past has changed with the adaption of Unified English Braille. We've put together a brief guide to show you what's different. You can Download the Microsoft Word version of the guide UEB Terminology (Word) and Download the Braille-ready version of the guideUEB Terminology (Braille version)
Press Release - INBAF Launch Press Release May 3rd 2012 National Braille Production at ChildVision, the Media Centre at the NCBI and the Braille Unit at Arbour Hill prison announce the launch of INBAF, the Irish National Braille and Alternative Format Association on May 3rd 2012. INBAF is the first Irish organisation to advise about rules, layout and best practice for the Irish and English braille codes used in Ireland. INBAF will also be available to help anyone with large print rules and rules for other alternative formats, i.e. audio files, more complex mp3 files and emerging new formats “INBAF can provide help and advice to producers of alternative formats, educational establishments providing alternative formats and readers of alternative formats in Ireland. For the first time, Irish interests in this area will also be directly represented by INBAF internationally”, says the out-going chairperson of INBAF, Ilka Stäglin. INBAF will now offer advice on the implementation of the Unified English Braille (UEB) code. The UEB was developed by a working group of The International Council on English Braille over the past 15 years. The aim of UEB is to have one English Braille code worldwide. This implies that there will be changes to the current English Braille code that is taught and produced in Ireland. INBAF will be looking at when and how UEB might be introduced in Ireland and to ensure that any transition will be well prepared. Braille is also used worldwide in connection with handheld electronic devices that can connect to an Ipad and the technology subgroup of INBAF will be able to advise. The work of INBAF will start straight after the launch with the formation of a working group on Irish braille who will review and update the Irish braille code in line with new developments in the world of braille. INBAF would like to thank the CEOs of the NCBI, Desmond Kenny, of ChildVision, Brian Allen, and the governor of Arbour Hill Prison, Liam Dowling, for encouraging the development of the authority, which will work for and on behalf of users of alternative formats nationwide. INBAF has full support of the International Council on English Braille, as well as UKAAF, the UK Association for Alternative Formats, who have both been very helpful to their new Irish counterpart.  
Official Statement on the Adoption of UEB - Monday, 2nd December, 2013 The Irish National Braille and Alternative Format Authority (INBAF) is delighted to announce the adoption of Unified English Braille (UEB) in Ireland. This follows a unanimous vote in favour of UEB at the most recent INBAF committee meeting and has been fully acknowledged by the Department of Education and Skills (DES). The founding members of INBAF include National Braille Production Childvision, NCBI and Arbour Hill. Ireland is the last country from the International Council of English Braille (ICEB) to adopt UEB. This will bring Ireland in line with other members of ICEB, namely; the UK, New Zealand, Australia, the USA, South Africa, Canada and Nigeria. “The adoption of UEB means that blind children in Ireland will now learn the new global, unified English braille code. Exchanging books and files with other English speaking countries will be much easier and the internet and social media will also be at their fingertips, as all modern braille devices now support UEB.” Says Ilka Staeglin, manager of National Braille Production, ChildVision and INBAF’s current chairperson. UEB is fully based on the existing English braille code (Standard English Braille or SEB), with some significant changes. These changes will take away ambiguity from many difficult braille signs. In practical terms, UEB will be introduced via the primary and secondary schools, as well as the Library Service at NCBI. DES and INBAF have set up a steering group to oversee the schedule of the implementation and to ensure that the transition will be very smooth for all.