UKAAF: Title of Report

UKAAF Logo UK Association for Accessible Formats

UKAAF: Unified English Braille Update Issue 7 April 2014

Mandy White Braille subject Lead

23rd April 2014 Welcome to the seventh edition of UEB Update from UKAAF (the UK Association for Accessible Formats), issued at the beginning of each school term. In this update we have information on training courses in UEB, updated braille reading schemes, new reference material in UEB and lots more. Please click on the links that are underlined in each paragraph for further information.

Technical UEB Course Following on from the hugely successful UEB training days held last term, RNIB is pleased to offer a follow up course for people who are interested in learning more about the changes to maths and science in UEB. There are still places available in London, Bristol and Edinburgh. To reserve your place please visit the RNIB website for more details

UEB training If you missed the UEB training days, last term, for standard literary text, then the trainer who delivered the workshops is available to come to your own event. For costs and availability please email [email protected] Braille reading schemes The latest braille reading scheme to be made available in UEB is Take Off. This second level braille reading scheme is designed to develop children's phonic skills and knowledge of braille contractions and wordsigns. The fun stories encourage the enjoyment of reading and writing. The print version of the braille text appears on facing pages to encourage shared reading at home and school. To order please phone RNIB on 0303 123 9999 and quote TC21413. A teachers' handbook (print) is available to buy separately TC21415P. We understand that The 'Abi books' should be available towards the end of term.

The Braille Primer The New RNIB braille primer is a comprehensive guide to contracted Unified English Braille. It is now available in standard print (TC21423P), braille (TC21423B) and large print (TC21423LP) for £9.90. To order please phone 0303 123 9999.

Technical guidelines The UEB rulebook has a companion volume entitled Guidelines for Technical material. This publication gives additional information and examples for mathematics, science and computing in UEB. It is available to view and for free download on the ICEB website. Now for the first time it is available for purchase as a paper copy for £9.95. To order please phone 0303 123 9999 and quote TC21425P for the print copy and TC21425B for the braille copy.

2 Foreign Languages An agreement has finally been reached on the approach to be taken for foreign language text books and exams for school age children. The guidelines are being finalised and will be available on the UKAAF website shortly

UEB-Ed Mailing list UKAAF has recently set up a mailing list for people who might have queries about UEB. To join the list, click on this link. If the link doesn't work then send a message to [email protected] and in the subject line type subscribe

Onkyo essay comp There is very little time left, but if you or your pupils are feeling creative and have something to say about braille, then please consider entering the Onkyo essay competition. There is $6,000 worth of prize money up for grabs and it is open to adults and children of all ages, but hurry, the closing date is 30th April 2014

Sad News It was with great sadness that UKAAF learnt that Claire Wilson passed away suddenly at the end of last month. Claire was the braille and moon literacy officer at RNIB for many years and a passionate user of braille herself. She will be missed by everyone who came into contact with her, and her contribution to improving braille literacy for both children and adults alike cannot be measured.

Get in touch We'd love to hear your views on UEB and what you want from these email updates. Get in touch with Mandy White, UKAAF Braille Subject Lead by emailing [email protected].

Mailing preferences If you no longer wish to receive our UEB Update, unsubscribe by emailing your request to [email protected]. If you have been forwarded this email by someone you know and you'd like to join our mailing list for yourself, then please register your details on the UKAAF website