Kenya’s push for inclusive education has taken a notable turn, with digital publisher eKitabu shifting from Standard English Braille (SEB) to Unified English Braille (UEB), a change expected to ease learning for visually impaired students and align the country with global standards.
For years, braille users in Kenya have relied on SEB, a system that often required symbols to be interpreted differently depending on context. In subjects such as mathematics and science, this added an extra layer of difficulty beyond the concepts themselves.
EKitabu said the transition aims to address those inconsistencies and improve access to learning materials.
“The decision to transit from SEB to UEB was made through a consultative and participatory process that involved all stakeholders, and will positively impact the country’s quality of education for braille users,” said Fredrick Haga, Director at the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Special Needs Education.
UEB applies a single, consistent coding system across both literary and technical content. This reduces ambiguity and allows learners to focus on understanding concepts rather than decoding symbols, with the biggest gains expected in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
For Bazil Onen, a product developer at eKitabu who grew up using braille, the shift addresses a long-standing challenge.
“The same symbol can mean several different things depending on the context… In some cases, one code can represent five different meanings. For a learner, this creates a very steep learning curve,” he said.
The move also connects Kenyan learners to countries already using UEB, including the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa, making it easier to share braille materials across borders.
“Inclusivity guides our work,” said eKitabu CEO Will Clurman. “Transitioning to UEB is not just a technical shift it’s a commitment to ensuring that everyone has equal access to learning and life chances.”
As the first braille publisher in Kenya to fully adopt UEB, eKitabu’s catalogue, including more than 50 children’s e-braille storybooks and adult titles, will now meet international standards.
