[Mabs] Web Braille Status

[David Andrews]

With the interest in Web Braille, and its status, I hereby post the below letter from President Maurer.

David Andrews

May 15, 2006
 
SENT VIA EMAIL
 
To the members of the board of directors of the NATIONAL FEDERATION of the Blind, THE PRESIDENTS of state affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind, and the members of the north America/Caribbean region of the world blind union 
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
            Last Thursday, I received information telling me that Web-Braille, part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Books for the Blind Program, was being taken offline.  As I was traveling, it took me a little time to seek out information regarding this action.  The Web-Braille program is one that was created by the library as an innovative example of ways to distribute Braille materials to library patrons, and I know that officials in the library are very proud of the program.  From what I know of Web-Braille, I understand why those in the library are proud of it, and I applaud the forward thinking of library staff and officials who created this most unusual book distribution system.
 
            With this background, I felt certain that there was an explanation for taking the program offline.  I have today talked with Mr. Cylke, the director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  He has assured me that the program will be reinstated within a reasonably short time–certainly within the next ten business days.   The reason the program has been taken offline is that technical corrections and repairs are required to insure the continued excellent performance and viability of the program.  Mr. Cylke assured me that the delay in reinstatement will be as brief as possible.  I provide this information to you so that you will have the most up-to-date facts on the matter.  As I receive additional data, I will be forwarding them to you.  It may be that the Web-Braille site will be back online before I get the opportunity again to write.
 
Cordially, 
 
 
 
Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
 
MM/kw