Expert: Sharon Toji - 5/23/2011

Question
Is there a difference between "california contracted grade 2 braille" and "contracted grade 2 braille"?  The california building code (based on IBC) does not spell out "california contracted grade 2 braille" but it seems the word "california" should be used on details and specifications if there is a difference.

Thanks!

Answer
Contracted (Grade 2) Braille, applies only to the translation of braille, i.e. how the words in braille are "spelled." For instance, if you want to "spell" the word "women" in contracted braille, you would type in "wom5" in order to do that. The computer key "5" gives you a braille contraction for the letter combination "en".

Both federal and state codes/guidelines call for the use of contracted (Grade 2) braille. The designation is now known, according to the Braille Authority of North America, just as "contracted braille," but it used to be known as "grade 2 braille," so both terms are used so that people won't think there is a change in the actual rule.

"California" braille applies only to the spacing between dots and cells, rounded or domed dots in a horizontal layout, and the height at the apex of the dot of the individual dot. Originally, it only applied to dot and cell spacing and dot height, but the codes were added to so that people would not make "flat topped" braille, and would not make vertical or even diagonal braille, which was sometimes desired by architects to squeeze signs into tight spaces.

In contrast, the federal Guidelines, 1991 ADAAG, had absolutely NO requirements at all for braille size, height or spacing. Technically, you could have had braille dots a half inch across, touching each other, 1/64 inch raised off the surface! There were NO measurements of any kind. "California" braille, meaning the spacing and dot height, were actually legal throughout the United States, and it's sad that everyone didn't use them, because they were carefully thought out both as an advantage to sign fabricators, and for readability by a greater number of blind individuals.

The new federal guidelines, 2010 ADA, actually encompass all the California measurements in their new section on braille, which has a range of spacing, dot height, and dot size as well, and includes "domed or rounded" as one requirement. Since it is a range, you can't really refer to it as "California" braille, which right now is exact, with no range. It also adds some spacing requirement, some placement requirements, and a new one -- restriction on the use of the capital letter designations. You can see the new standards by going to the Access Board site:  www.access-board.gov/

The California specifications for braille should certainly be given for every project where the signs will be installed in California. They are clearly listed in Title 24, and have been for many years, even before the passage of the ADA.

So - to recap:  
1.  1991 ADAAG requires "Grade 2 (contracted) braille", with no other requirements of any kind, including spacing or dot height.

2.  The state of California requires "Contracted (Grade 2) braille, and adds specifications for dot spacing, cell spacing, dot height, format (horizontal), and shape (domed or rounded." Actually, there are also rules for how far the braille must be from the tactile characters (minimum 3/8 inch and maximum 1/2 inch), and where it must be located (below tactile characters, flush left with the characters or centered beneath them.)

3.  The "new" 2010 ADA, which can be used now, will be legally enforceable on March 15, 2012, less than a year away. It will require a range of measurements for braille, and the California specifications will be the easiest to follow, since there are already fonts published with that spacing, and those measurements are included within the new federal ranges.

I hope this explains it clearly!

Sharon Toji