This is a summary document of the pros and cons of UEB. It is not exhaustive, but is prepared to show the main points relating to UEB.  There is no attempt in this document to propose or oppose the introduction of UEB in the UK. The purpose is to give information which could stimulate discussion.

Discussion on UEB is invited on the Brailleuk Freelists discussion list. UKAAF will monitor the discussion and Members of the Braille Coding Group will contribute as they feel appropriate. Views expressed will be noted and taken into account by UKAAF when reaching a view on UEB later this year.

The following items are not necessarily in order of importance, but are numbered for ease of reference.

Points in favour of UEB

1. All braille material in the English language from whatever source and on whatever topic, from a given date, will be in a single integrated code. This will facilitate the exchange of braille materials in countries where English language braille is used. (NB this does not include very specialist material such as music).
2. Automated transcription from print to braille will therefore be simplified.
3. Improved capability for braille to text transcription.
4. The changes in literary code features between SEB and UEB are small; existing braillists will not have to re-learn braille.
5. UEB has the feature to show type face indicators. Please note this is optional, because in some instances it can lead to an unnecessarily cluttered feel to the text.
6. Moving from subsets of the code, e.g. literary to maths, will be seamless.
7. Those using the more complex elements of the code will not need to ‘unlearn’ any elements when learning the additional code features.
8. There would be no need to maintain SEB or maintain SEB transcription software, which is likely to become a UK sole responsibility and expense.
9. UEB and transcription software would become an international (ICEB) responsibility.

Points against UEB

1. There will be an extensive back catalogue of material in SEB and other codes for many years, so those needing to access such material will need to know the previous codes.
2. UEB takes more space than SEB, especially for maths and science features, but the increase for literary braille is small.
3. UEB is a general purpose code, so isn't optimised for special areas such as maths or computing. However, a wider range of symbols are assigned in UEB.
4. Capitalisation is an essential element of UEB, so the dual standard in force in the UK re capitals could not be retained.
5. Although several UEB changes merely delete SEB contractions, there are changes to some other signs, such as brackets and quotation marks.
6. Teachers would need to learn UEB.
7. The full specification of UEB would need to be disseminated widely to those who need it, together with a quick reference guide for readers needing the literary code elements only.
8. There is no general accent sign in UEB. Each specific accent is represented by a two-cell braille symbol which precedes the letter to which the accent applies. This adds clarity, but the specific signs must be learned.
9. UEB maintenance would become an international (ICEB) responsibility, in which UK would be represented, but we would not have authority to make changes on our own.
10. The consultation process and vote on UEB in 2008 showed that at that time there was a substantial body of opposition to UEB from existing braille readers.