By Dr. Obert Maguvhe and Alphonce Dzapasi

Background
The development of African Language Braille codes received active attention in the mid 1980s when Mr. Du Plessis (then affectionately known as Oom Doep) played a pivotal role in the development of the Xitsonga, Tshivenda, IsiNdebele and SiSwati Braille codes. That effort placed those languages on a par with IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Setswana, Sesotho, Sepedi, Afrikaans and English Braille codes.

More recent developments
The codes used for different African languages were applied with little amendment until the advent of the “Unified Braille Code”. The Unified Braille Code came with several advantageous features which persuaded the South African Braille Authority (Braille SA) to adopt it immediately. A prominent advantage was that it was unambiguous and easily readable, particular dot configurations carried consistent meanings across technical and everyday language usage – and one Braille symbol would represent one print symbol irrespective of its meaning. This created an urgent need to realign the Braille codes for African Languages with the UBC format.

The South African National Council for the Blind and its cooperating partners had to align different the Braille codes for African Language with the Unified Braille Code so, Council made funds available for the revision of the Xitsonga and Tshivenda Braille Codes. Consequently, a panel of Braille experts, in collaboration with Word Frequency Specialists from various institutions of higher learning worked on each language for five days. After completion, a report (with a code amendment) was tabled before the Braille SA Committee for ratification.

Positive outcome
As a result of these changes, Council was able to administer the first Braille Examinations in two African Languages (IsiXhosa and Sepedi) in 2008.

Outstanding today
What remains to be done is the distribution of Braille code manuals in all African Languages spoken in South Africa. This would enable recipient populations to learn the new codes and benefit from the simplicity that these versions now have.

We believe thousands of blind and partially sighted people will embrace these new developments and take advantage of the simplified codes to read more, further their studies and prepare themselves for employment in an ever tougher, competitive environment. Beyond gains in basic numeracy and literacy, the Unified Braille Code allows for the easier to use symbols representing concepts in Mathematics and Science, thereby allowing more blind and partially sighted people to enter these fields which were typically the preserve of sighted learners. Many among the blindness fraternity should assert themselves and face the challenge of delving into hitherto unfamiliar learning territories. Technological innovation is yielding positive results in communication systems for blind persons. Consequently, blind and partially sighted people should use available chances optimally.