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Overview
History of the NLBCT and NCLB
The National Literary Braille Competency Test (NLBCT) was originally maintained and administered by The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress. It was developed in response to a recommendation of the Committee on Joint Organizational Effort (JOE), which was made up of representatives from the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Canadian Council of the Blind, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, and The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress. The promotion of braille literacy, and thus the development of the test by the JOE, was born out of the committee’s concern that teachers of blind children and adults should have sufficient knowledge and skills in braille.
In 2005, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was asked to take over leading the development of the test. The NFB, along with a steering committee of experts in the field, including members of the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB), has reviewed, updated, and revised the test to meet today’s needs in the field. The target population of individuals who will take the test is now seen as including pre and in-service teachers who teach or will teach braille reading and writing to children and adults, and other individuals interested in demonstrating their knowledge/proficiency in reading and writing the braille literary code as defined in recent versions of English Braille American Edition (EBAE).
In March, 2007, it was decided that the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) should lead in the final stages of test development. The revised test is now in finished form, and is administered solely under the direction of the NBPCB.
Structure of the Test
The NLBCT is a written examination that tests an applicant’s ability to read, write, and understand literary braille. The examination consists of four sections; including:
1. Braille Writing - using a braillewriter
2. Braille Writing - using a slate and stylus
3. Proofreading - identifying braille errors
4. Multiple Choice - correct braille usage and rules
For complete details on the test structure and application process, download the NCLB Candidate Guide or visit the Initial Certification page for more details.
Important Terninology
CBMR: Consumer Based Model of Rehabilitation refers to the collective knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of the organized blind who have achieved economic, social, and community integration.
CBP: Certified Blindness Professional, as determined by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB).
JOE: Joint Organizational Effort. The committee that worked collaboratively in the development and testing of the NLBCT.
NBPCB: The National Blindness Professional Certification Board, which is the body responsible for all certification activities, policies, and decisions.
NCLB: National Certification in Literary Braille. The professional credential awarded to successful applicants who receive a passing score on all four sections of the NLBCT. This certification attests that the candidate has successfully demonstrated the capacity to effectively read, write, and understand literary braille.
NLBCT: National Literary Braille Competency Test is used to measure the level of a person’s ability to read, write, and understand contracted literary braille. Individuals who pass all four sections of this exam may be eligible to receive NCLB. Although the exam can be taken by anyone, it is intended primarily for teachers of braille and future teachers of braille.
NLS: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, sector of the library of Congress which formerly administered the NLBCT.
NFB: National Federation of the Blind is a nationwide organization whose leadership and membership consists of individuals who are themselves blind, and whose objectives include advocacy, public education, and policy change. As it relates to the NCLB, the NFB formerly administered the NLBCT during the 2006 pilot phase.
EBAE: English Braille American Edition, the only reference allowed to be used during the NLBCT.
Initial Certification
To learn more about how to prepare for, apply, and sit for the NLBCT, see the Initial Certification page.