BANA Braille Bits

Episode 13 of the BANA Braille Bits podcast features Judy Dixon, the President of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB). In this episode, Judy talks about ICEB, the organization's goals and major priorities, its member countries, and some upcoming events including next year's townhall meeting. Judy also represents the American Council of the Blind (ACB) on the BANA Board.

Episode 12 of the BANA Braille Bits podcast celebrates BANA's 50th Anniversary with special guest, Darleen Bogart. Darleen is the longest-serving member representative of the BANA Board, first as an observer at the very first meeting in 1976. In this special episode, Darleen shares highlights from those early board meetings, and talks about how BANA has shaped the world of braille over the years.

In this 11th episode of BANA Braille Bits, hosted by BANA Chair, Jen Goulden, we highlight BANA's newest member organization, the Foundation for Blind Children located in Phoenix, Arizona. Our guest, Brian Voeller, Director of Accessible Learning Services, talks about the goals of FBC, highlights some of its braille on demand programs, and shares details of the braille resources FBC provides for the community.

In this tenth episode of BANA Braille Bits, hosted by BANA Chair, Jen Goulden, we highlight Perkins School for the Blind, which is based in Watertown, Massachusetts. Wendy Buckley is the Perkins representative on the BANA Board and the current BANA Vice-Chair.  Wendy talks about the history of Perkins, its goals supporting students, and projects focusing on community engagement.  

In this ninth episode of BANA Braille Bits, hosted by BANA Chair, Jen Goulden, we highlight the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), which is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Hollie Knight represents CIDI on the BANA Board and is a Braille Media Specialist. Hollie shares information about CIDI's mission towards braille, the resources it provides, as well as some upcoming goals and activities.

In this eighth episode of BANA Braille Bits, hosted by BANA Chair, Jen Goulden, we hear from Dave Williams, Chair of The Braillists Foundation in the United Kingdom. Dave provides an update on various events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille. Dave is also an Inclusive Design Ambassador for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). For more information on Braille 200 events, visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/braille-200/what-is-braille-200/.

In this seventh episode of BANA Braille Bits, we hear from Dr. Judy Dixon who serves as President of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) and who also represents the American Council of the Blind (ACB) on the Braille Authority of North America (BANA). Host Tamara Rorie, BANA Representative from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) and Past BANA Chair, interviews Judy who shares highlights from ICEB's 2024 8th General Assembly held in Auckland, New Zealand, in May. Judy also details information on the work of ICEB, the status of the ICEB rulebook, and resolutions passed at this quadrennial ICEB General Assembly. For more information about ICEB, you can contact Dr. Dixon at the following email addresses: [email protected] for general questions concerning ICEB or [email protected] for questions on UEB.

Hosted by Tamara Rorie, representative of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, this episode of BANA Braille Bits highlights one of BANA's Member Organizations, Hadley. Danette Johnson, the team leader of the Braille and Rehab teams at Hadley, shares how the mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive at home, at work, and in their communities. She also gives us exciting information on current and upcoming projects. For more information on Hadley, call 800-323-4238 or visit hadleyhelps.org  

Hosted by Tamara Rorie, representative of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, this episode features an interview with Jen Goulden, current Chair of BANA, who represents the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Jen talks about BANA's role, its member organizations, and gives a glimpse into what's in store for 2023-2024.

This episode features an interview with Darleen Bogart, CNIB National Braille Convenor and long-time representative on the BANA Board. She looks back at the establishment of and early days of the Braille Authority of North America in 1976. Darleen reflects on the composition of BANA, projects and means of communication over the years. She brings the history of BANA forward and updates us on her current activities.