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The International Council on English Braille (ICEB) was formed in 1991, after two international braille conferences held in the 1980s demonstrated the benefits to be gained by greater international cooperation on braille-related issues. ICEB has its headquarters at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in Toronto.
The main aim of ICEB is to provide a forum for international cooperation among those countries that use English-language braille. In pursuing this aim, ICEB is guided by a number of objectives. These include:
Membership of ICEB is open to all countries that have a national standards-setting body for braille, and where there is a substantial use of English-language braille. Countries, organizations and individuals that do not satisfy these requirements may apply to become Associate Members of ICEB.
Currently, the member countries of ICEB are Australia, Canada, Ireland, Nepal, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Associate membership is also available for countries that do not have a braille authority or for organisations and individuals.
Please refer to the Full Membership Form or Associate Membership Form if you are interested in joining us.
ICEB is administered by an Executive, which is elected by, and takes direction from, the General Assembly, which meets every four years. The first General Assembly of ICEB was held in 1995. As well as electing the incoming Executive, the General Assembly provides an opportunity for ICEB members to discuss the latest research into braille, exchange information about braille codes and practices in individual countries, and explore new ways of promoting the ICEB's objectives.
Shortly after its establishment, ICEB assumed responsibility for a project that had begun as an initiative of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA). The Unified English Braille Code (UEBC) Research Project worked towards the development of a single, unified braille code to encompass all subject areas with the exception of Music (for which there was already an international braille code), and provide a mechanism for making an adaptable and efficient medium of literacy for its users. Unified English Braille (UEB), as it is now known, was sufficiently complete for adoption in 2004 and is now the official braille code for english-language braille in all seven ICEB member countries. ICEB's UEB Code Maintenance Committee monitors the application of UEB, refines its symbols and rules for usage, and improves its documentation in the Rules of Unified English Braille and the Guidelines for Technical Materials.
ICEB also has several other committees that monitor particular aspects of braille. The Braille Music Committee is tasked with aligning Unified English Braille to the international music braille code to avoid conflicts and highlight minimal ambiguities. The Braille Technology Committee keeps abreast of developments regarding the implementation of Unified English Braille on electronic devices and in braille translation software. It works to engage with manufacturers and developers to ensure that the implementation of the UEB is of high quality and usability. The Research Committee monitors and shares braille-related research. The Promotions Committee promotes the use of braille and shares the work of ICEB and its member countries.
Each Full Member of ICEB pays an annual subscription of $US500 and the fee for Associate Members is $US300. This money is used to support the operation of the Executive and the committees that ICEB establishes to perform specific tasks. ICEB is keen to involve as many countries as possible, and endeavours to support less prosperous nations who use braille.
ICEB is working on plans to raise funds for other international projects. Support from the public is welcomed.
For further information on ICEB and how you can help us reach our goals, please contact:
The President
International Council on English Braille
E-mail: info@iceb.org
Web site: www.iceb.org