IADD Unveils Braille Standard

To better satisfy the needs of the visually impaired in North America, the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD), located in Crystal Lake, IL, has created “Can-Am Braille,” a set of guidelines and recommendations for the use of braille on packaging.

The IADD worked in conjunction with the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) over the past 18 months to develop the standard, whose official release is set for Friday, May 8, at the 2009 IADD•FSEA Odyssey in Atlanta, GA, USA. An informative technical workshop, “Let Your Fingers Do The Talking: Braille on Folding Cartons” will review the North American standard in detail. All participants will receive a copy; further distribution will take place post-workshop through the IADD and BANA Web sites to reach out and bring together the printing, paperboard packaging and pharmaceutical industries. The standard has been reviewed and received its final approval by the IADD Executive Committee and Board of Directors in January 2009.