Literacy & Controversy: Focus-Group Data from Canada on Proposed Changes to the Braille Code

Abstract

Focus-group research conducted on Unified English Braille highlights the diversity of views about the desirability of the new code and its proposed changes. Many features seen by students as positive were the same features deemed undesirable by other students. In general, teachers were more amenable to the changes than were students. Nearly all participants expressed serious concern about the effect of the new code on current students and on adult braille readers. Issues were raised about the feasibility of instituting the new code as well, and about how closely braille needs to be wedded to print. With many constituents opposed to altering the braille code, this research explores questions associated with the controversy over instituting the proposed changes.