edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
Editor’s Note: We are sad to learn that Cynthia Hawkins will no longer be able to compile and edit the “Here and There” column for “The ACB Braille Forum.” We have enjoyed working with you, Cynthia, and wish you much success.
If you’re interested in attempting to follow in the footsteps of Cynthia Hawkins and those who preceded her in the role of “Here and There” editor, please send a letter of application, along with a resume, references, and two to three writing samples. You may send this application package to Sharon Lovering, American Council of the Blind, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by email to slovering@acb.org. Resumes and other attachments may be in Word or text format. Applications will be accepted through June 15; we hope to announce a new editor for the column no later than August 1st. (Please note: This position is unpaid.)
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
East Bay Centre Offers Two Short Braille Courses
The East Bay Centre for the Blind is pleased to launch two short braille courses, each for UEB readers and EBAE readers. Our Braille 104A course was designed to help UEB readers learn EBAE (English Braille American Edition) code. Since January 4, 2016, the date when the United States adopted Unified English Braille (UEB), most new braille learners have learned UEB, but there are tens of thousands of braille books available in EBAE with National Library Service for the Print Disabled (NLS) and other libraries. Responding to several enthusiastic readers who did not know EBAE, we decided to design Braille 104A enabling UEB readers to read EBAE books.
The Braille 104B course introduces EBAE readers to UEB. From my weekly webinars — I Love Braille on Thursdays and I Learn Braille on Fridays — I learned from many participants that they struggle to read UEB. Some of them are even afraid to learn this new code. Basically, there is barely 5% difference between UEB and EBAE. Braille 104B, titled “UEB in a Nutshell,” introduces learners to this new code in easy-to-learn way.
All our courses are available at no cost. In addition to Braille 104A and 104B, we also offer Braille 101 that teaches uncontracted braille; 102 teaches contracted braille; and 103 teaches how to write in braille using a slate and stylus and a braille writer. Anyone can sign up by filling out our enrollment application at https://www.eastbaycenterfortheblind.org/braille-class-signup/.
For more questions/clarification, contact Prof. Vileen Shah via email at shah@eastbaycenterfortheblind.org, or via phone, (510) 843-6935.