![[ ICEB logo ]](iceblogo.gif)
Quick links for UEB: Rules of UEB, Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM), UEB resources, UEB History
Quick links to other pages:ICEB home, Committees, Contact Us, Site Map
Unified English Braille was developed by the International Council on English Braille to unify the braille codes used among English-speaking countries and to unify the braille symbols used in literary, mathematics and computing contexts. It was ratified in 2004 and is now used in many countries around the world, including Australia, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kiribati, Malaysia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Philipines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. ICEB continues to monitor the use of UEB and clarify or review its symbols and rules as necessary.
the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) is delighted to announce the completion of the third edition of The Rules of Unified English Braille, superseding the second edition published in 2013.
This edition introduces several new features including:
All changes to the UEB code since 2013 have been incorporated into this new edition. In particular:
The Rules of Unified English Braille is the definitive UEB Rulebook produced by ICEB. The electronic files are available below for free download and can be printed or embossed for personal use. When hardcopy versions are available for purchase, ordering information will be provided here.
The PDF version is designed for printing. See:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2024.pdf.
The braille edition of the UEB Rulebook, in seven volumes, is available as
formatted braille (BRF) files with page size 25 lines by 30 cells:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2024 brf files zipped
The second edition of the UEB Rulebook has been translated into French. The PDF version
is available for free download:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013-Translated into French.pdf.
Translation of the Rulebook into further languages is welcome. Permission must be sought from ICEB by a recognised Braille Authority for the language. Funding and translation is then provided by the requesting Authority.
This guidelines document was first produced in October 2008 by the Maths Focus Group, a subgroup of the former UEB Rules Committee during the UEB development phase. The purpose of this document was to give transcribers enough information and examples to produce Mathematics, Science and Computer notation in Unified English Braille.
In August 2014, a new version was produced to correct errors in the first edition. Hard copies of the 2014 version are available for purchase from RNIB in print and
braille.
Electronic versions are available for free download in print or braille:
Guidelines for
Technical Material 2014 (PDF format)
Guidelines for Technical
Material 2014 (BRF [formatted braille] format)
For those who already have copies of the October 2008 edition, errata
are available in print (5 pages) and braille (7 pages):
Errata GTM 2014 (pdf format)
Errata GTM 2014 (brf [formatted braille] format)
The Guidelines for Technical Material are currently under revision and will be released in sections for immediate use. Changes in the use of technical symbols that have been approved by the ICEB Executive are also listed below.
In all files, each math example is followed by a verbalization enclosed in quotation marks. Print readers are advised to use the PDF file because many versions of Word will not properly show the math symbols. The Word file is accessible for those who wish to use a screen reader. A braille display will provide optimum reading.
Approved October 2018. This is the first completed section of the revised Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM).
GTM 3. Signs of Operation and Comparison (PDF) - recommended for print readers
GTM 3. Signs of Operation and Comparison (BRF) - recommended for use with a braille display. It is formatted with with 30 cells per line and 25 lines per page.
GTM 3. Signs of Operation and Comparison (Word) - available for use with a screen reader
(August 15, 2017)
The triple vertical bar ⦀ (U+2AF4, U+2980 or U+2AFC in print) is a sign of comparison meaning is similar to, as in same shape but different size. Its UEB symbol is ⠼⠸⠇ (dots 3456-456-123). It will be used in the same way as other signs of comparison and is included in the revision of 3. Signs of Operation and Comparison.
ICEB has compiled a list of UEB training and resource materials available for free from its member countries.
In April 2004, the ICEB General Assembly declared Unified English Braille to be substantially complete and that it could be recognized as an international standard and considered for adoption by individual countries. The original UEBC Research Project and its subcommittees were disbanded and replaced by a new project charged with oversight over UEB, including its further development.
After official adoption in five countries, the ICEB Executive, at its July 2010 meeting, determined that the development phase was complete and replaced the development project with a UEB Maintenance Committee. UEB has now been adopted in all seven member countries of the ICEB.
Some of the documents pertinent to the research phase of the project, as listed in UEBC Research Project Information -- especially the final committee reports presented at the 2004 General Assembly -- are useful as background information as to how UEB was developed and why certain decisions were made. However, the documents listed on this page provide the most up-to-date information about UEB and in particular, the Rulebook should be considered definitive.