Braille was developed by Louis Braille
in the beginning of the 19th century. 6 dot braille letters, common punctuation
marks, and a few symbols are displayed as raised 6 dot braille cell patterns
read by using a fingertip to feel the raised dots. The 6 dot braille alphabet,
the method for representing braille numbers, and some braille punctuation marks
are used in all languages that share the Roman alphabet. There are variations of
6 dot braille in various Roman alphabet languages. Representation of punctuation
marks and differences in the meanings of other 6 dot braille cells are commonly
used to represent special characters and/or common letter combinations.
Braille characters are based on a 6 dot braille cell having two parallel columns
of three dots each. If the empty cell is counted, 64 unique dot combinations are
possible with a 6 dot braille cell. Dot height is approximately 0.02 inches (0.5
mm); the horizontal and vertical spacing between dot centers within a braille
cell is approximately 0.1 inches (2.5 mm); the blank space between dots on
adjacent cells is approximately 0.15 inches (3.75 mm) horizontally and 0.2
inches (5.0 mm) vertically. A standard braille page is 11 by 11 inches and
typically has a maximum of 40 to 42 braille cells per line and 25 lines.
The braille dots are numbered as follows:
1 o o 4
2 o o 5
3 o o 6
14
25
36
1 o o 4
2 o o 5
3 o o 6
7 o o 8
14
25
36
78
Unified Braille Code
4 o o 5
3 o o 6
2 o o 7
1 o o 8
45
36
27
18
45
36
27
18
6 dot braille
can only produce 63 different braille cells. In 6 dot braille an unused braille
cell or a blank braille cell is used as a space. Some 6 dot braille cells have
numerous meanings. Numbers, capital letters, and many symbols require more than
one cell to produce 6 dot braille data. There are four braille codes currently
used in the United States. The four U.S. braille codes are the Literary Braille
Code, the Nemeth Braille Code, Computer Braille Code (CBC), and the Music
Braille Code. There are differences in the
braille
codes used in various English-speaking countries, which prevent the exchange of
braille materials. Other braille codes are presently under development, some
which require the use of 8 dots or other raised symbols.
8 dot braille
can produce 255 different braille cells. The Braille Authority of North America
(BANA) is the organization with the final word on new braille codes used in the
United States. There has been many attempts to produce a Unified Braille Code
(UBC) which would eliminate the problems of both producing and reading braille.
The Unified
Braille Code
found on this website accommodates all English-speaking countries and all Latin
based alphabets. The
Unified Braille Code
found on this website can also be used as a method of communication (Finger
Braille) for the Deaf-Blind, which is fast and logical to learn and can be
taught and used in minutes. The
Unified Braille Code
found on this website can also be used as a method of chordic 8 key typing for
data entry or as an 8-bit binary computer code.
Literary Braille Code
Grade 1 braille consists of only the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and a few
punctuation marks. It is rarely used for published works.
Grade 2 braille (Literary Braille Code) is used for most literary works of
fiction and nonfiction, including textbooks, science, foreign languages, and
music. Math, mathematical symbols and scientific notation are the exceptions.
American Literary Braille consists of over 250 symbols represented in single
braille cells or multiple braille cells for letters, numerals, punctuation
marks, composition signs, contractions, single-cell words, and short-form words.
The Braille Authority of North America (B.A.N.A.) distributes the rules for the
correct usage for each of the Grade 2 braille symbols and is found in English
Braille, American Edition, 1994 revision. Letters require one braille cell to
represent data. Numbers require the addition of the number sign (dots 3-4-5-6)
before the number. The numbers1'' through0'' are the same as the first ten
letters of the alphabet, thea'' is the1'' and thej'' is the0''. Punctuation
marks require one or two cells. There are no capital letters in braille.
Acapital sign'' braille cell (dot 6) is inserted before a lower case letter to
produce aCapital Letter''. Two capital signs are inserted in front of a braille
word to indicate that the entire word is capitalized. There are braille cell
signs for italics, letters that mean words, single cell words, etc. Contractions
can be single cells that mean two or more letters, such as dots 1-4-5-6 forth''
or dots 2-4-6 forow'' or they may be two-cell contractions, either initial
letter contractions, such as dots 5, 2-3-5-6 fortime'', or final letter
contractions, such as dots 5-6, 1-3-4-5 fortion''. Single cell words are letters
of the alphabet or contractions that, when they stand alone, mean words. For
example, the letterb'' standing alone means the wordbut'', the lettere''
standing alone meansevery'', and the letterp'' meanspeople''. Short words are
combinations of two or more cells which mean an entire word. Short words may
contain contractions. For example,ab'' meansabout'',rcv'' meansreceive'',
and(the)mvs'' meansthemselves''. Some symbols have multiple meanings. For
example, dots 2-5-6 may meandis'',dd'', a period.'', or a dollar sign$'',
depending on how it is used.
Nemeth Braille Code
The Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation is used for
mathematics and science material which contains symbols not available in
Literary Braille. The Nemeth Braille Code is not an expanded version of the
Literary Braille Code; there are many significant differences. Numbers are
different, Literary Code contractions must not be used under certain
circumstances, and some symbols are different. The code book, The Nemeth Code
for Mathematics and Science Notation, 1972 Revision, lists 40 pages of symbols
with each page containing between 12 and 21 braille symbols.
Computer Braille Code (CBC)
Computer Braille Code was developed in order to transcribe materials relating to
computers. Computer Braille Code requires file names, the exact count of blank
spaces, and other details that are required for computer programming and the use
of computers. Computer Braille Code uses some symbols from Literary Braille,
some from Nemeth Code, and some symbols of its own. The symbols and rules for
the Computer Braille Code are published in the Code for Computer Braille
Notation.
Music Braille Code
Music Braille Code is a completely different braille code than astandard braille
code'' (Grade 1 or Grade 2). An extensive knowledge of music is necessary for
the accurate transcription of music into braille.
Formats
There are two main formats in braille, Literary (which is not related to the
Literary Code) and Textbook. The Nemeth Code uses some parts of Textbook format
but has some idiosyncrasies of its own. The difference in the two formats is
that the Textbook format includes the page numbers of the print version and the
Literary format does not. There are alsomini-formats'' which determine the order
and/or placement of components of items like restaurant menus and recipes in
cookbooks.
Computer Produced Braille
In the past, braille materials were produced by a braille slate and stylus or a
brailler (braille typewriter). The slate and stylus was the first method
developed to produce braille. The slate is a hinged device which has holes in
the upper part and indentions in the lower part. The stylus is a pen with a
small, rounded point about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen at one end.
The paper is inserted in between the two parts of the slate, and the stylus is
used to press each individual dot into the paper. The holes in the top part of
the slate ensure uniform spacing, and the indentions in the lower part ensure
uniform height of the embossed dots. The writer works from right to left
(backwards), so that the braille will be read from left to right when the
braille paper is removed from the slate.
A brailler is similar to a typewriter, except that it has only six keys and a
spacebar operated by the left or right thumb. The six keys correspond to the six
dots, with dot 1 being the index finger of the left hand, dot 2 being the second
finger of the left hand, dot 3 being the ring finger of the left hand, dot 4
being the index finger of the right hand, dot 5 being the second finger of the
right hand, and dot 6 being the third finger of the right hand. Paper is
inserted into the brailler, and multiple keys are pressed at once, creating an
entire braille cell with each chordic key press.
About 20 years ago, computer software developers began producing computer
programs that would translate certain types of computer files into braille. At
first, these were custom programs which cost thousands of dollars and braille
embossers cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The computer revolution
has reduced the cost of braille translation programs to hundreds of dollars.
There are now several models of braille embossers in the $3,000 to $5,000 range.
There are problems with translation software which have never be solved.
Two Methods of Input
There are two methods of producing braille on a computer: direct chordic braille
input and translation of files created by software, such as a word processing
program. The direct input software (POKADOT, Edgar, etc.) changes the normal
computer keyboard so that it will accept six key chordic braille input, although
not all keyboards will work this way. Thef'' key is pressed for dot 1, thed''
key for dot 2, thes'' key for dot 3, thej'' key for dot 4, thek'' key for dot 5,
thel'' key for dot 6 and the spacebar works normally. As in the case of the
braille writer, up to sixdot'' keys are pressed simultaneously, creating one
braille cell for each keystroke. Of course, the person entering the braille by
the direct input or six key chordic braille data entry method must know braille
code.
The process for braille translation / transcription is:
(1) material is entered into a computer by scanning or typing
(2) files are translated into braille using one of the translation programs,
such as Duxbury or Megadots
(3) material is proofread and corrected
(4) material is embossed and bound.
No translation program is 100% accurate. Because of the rules of braille,
particularly those regarding contractions, some words may be incorrectly
translated. The single ending quotation mark is the same in print and in ASCII
as the apostrophe, but it is different in braille.
Braille ASCII
6 dot braille has only 63 symbols and ASCII has 25 symbols. Braille embossers
read (translate) ASCII characters differently than the computer printer does.
Each complete braille cell has its own ASCII symbol, many of which correspond to
the letters they represent. Contractions, numbers, and punctuation marks are
different. Almost all braille embossers sold in the United States use the same
braille ASCII codes and should work fine with almost any braille program. The
Micro Braille direct input program does not use standard braille ASCII codes, it
uses a totally different set of codes in its program. Each translation program
has its own set of internal codes. Files produced by one translation program are
usually not compatible with another translation program, unless they are saved
in braille ASCII (.brf format). Most direct input braille programs will save in
braille ASCII as an optionalFile''Save As'' feature.
Online refreshable Braille displays for computers are available from a number of
commercial sources. Dot spacing and height is typically slightly larger than
that used for paper braille. Because the mechanical mechanisms used for raising
the pins are expensive and fragile, these devices are quite expensive and
commonly need frequent service/repair. The most popular models can display a
single row of 40 braille cells and cost more than $5000.
8 dot braille is being used for some special purposes and computer online
refreshable braille displays. Many braille printers can print 6 dot braille and
8 dot braille. 8 dot braille cells have two columns of four dots. 8 dot braille
has 256 unique patterns if the blank cell is counted. Many computer braille
displays indicate capital letters with a dot on the lower left (dot 7). There is
little consistency in the use of the lower two dots. There are a number of
official and semi-official 8 dot braille codes, mostly in Europe. Very little
literature has been reproduced in any 8 dot braille code.
The new 8 dot Unified Braille Code is programmed into the split space bar /
universal wireless keyboard on this website.
The universal keyboard
was designed to stop the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cumulative
Trauma Disorders, Repetitive Motion Syndrome, Repetitive Strain Disorders and
Repetitive Stress Injuries, and other injuries. Unlike other keyboards, this
computer keyboard remains on your lap while you
type. Your entire upper body and arms are relaxed as your wrists remain
straight while you type. Preliminary testing of the
ergonomic 8 key chordic
wireless computer keyboard
prove it to be the best way to stop the development of muscular, skeletal and
neurological injuries. Back, shoulder, neck, arm, wrist and hand pain or
discomfort is prevented using the
ergonomic keyboard. The 8 key chordic data entry method can be learned and
used in five to ten minutes on the new
chord keyboard. Learning curves of previously tested chordic
typing methods have proven them to be faster to learn and faster to use than
the standard touch typing method. The 8 key chordic
virtual keyboard data entry method is far superior to any previous chordic
data entry method and is easy to learn and fast to use. The 8 key chordic
braille keyboard data entry method can also be used as an alternative
8 dot braille arrangement for the blind
and a new form of communication ''fingerbraille''
for the deafblind community.
Individuals who write or use the hunt and peck method of typing will be able to
type faster
in a very short period of time (minutes to hours) using the 8 key chordic
keyboarddata entry method.
Pressing any key on the
wireless game keyboard produces the data labeled on the key face, just like
a standard computer keyboard or typewriter.
While typing or touch typing , the
QWERTY keyboard has an editing mode that is entered into by pressing the
left and right space bars both down at the same time.
The computer keyboard
allows the typist to easily backspace and delete data or move the cursor to the
left and to the right while in the editing mode or cursor movement mode.
While in the 8 key chordic typing mode, the
chord keyboard has the lowest error rates and the fastest learning curves.
All computer keyboard data and every Latin based alphabet can be typed using
only 8 keys on the keyboard.
The wireless keyboard
does not have to sit on a desk or keyboard tray, it was designed to be used
while positioned on the lap.
8 key chordic typing on the
chord keyboard allows
ergonomic positioning of the arms, wrists, hands and fingers.
The ergonomic
keyboard is the only keyboard that prevents the development of Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome, Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Repetitive Motion Syndrome, Repetitive
Strain Disorders and Repetitive Stress Injuries.
The Deaf-Blind community
can communicate faster using the 8 key data entry method as a new finger
spelling technique (finger braille).
The wireless
computer keyboard is the only keyboard device that meets with all the
requirements found in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section
504 and Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The virtual keyboard
makes all existing keyboards and keyboarding technologies obsolete.
Unified 8 dot Braille Code 
