Introducing Bliss About Blissymbolics BCI Board of Director. International Affiliates

About Blissymbolics

Blissymbolics Communication International (BCI) is a non-profit, charitable organization that has the perpetual, worldwide, exclusive license from C.K. Bliss (1975, 1982) for the use and publication of Blissymbols for persons with communication, language and learning difficulties. BCI has given leadership world-wide to the development of the system of Blissymbolics and to its use by persons with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI).

Since its incorporation in Ontario, Canada, in 1975, BCI has supported Blissymbol use through the training of professionals, assistance to Blissymbol users, consultation, publications, technology and software development, and projects related to Blissymbol applications. Some professionals associated with BCI have been working with Blissymbolics since the system's first application to children with cerebral palsy in 1971.

During BCI’s first three decades, funding support was received from the Ministry of Education, Province of Ontario; the Department of Communications (now Industry Canada), Government of Canada; The Ontario Crippled Children's Centre; The Easter Seal Society of Ontario; charitable foundations; service clubs; private industry and private individuals.

In the nineties, BlissInternet was developed to allow Bliss users to communicate with anyone with internet access and BlissInternet software. Funding from the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy supported the early application of BlissInternet.

Prior to BlissInternet, a software bulletin board system called BlissNet was developed funded by Industry Canada, and its application in Ontario funded by the Ontario Network Infrastructure Program (ONIP), Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario Government.

Since 1990, BCI has received extensive support from the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (OFCP), through office space, and through support of projects to apply Blissymbol technology and develop teaching materials. In 2002, OFCP provided start-up funding for the Blissymbolics Learning Centre in Bala, Muskoka, and continued as the Centre’s primary donor until 2008, when the direction of the Centre’s program moved to the support of technology and print literacy for persons with both physical and mental disabilities. In November, 2008 OFCP joined with BCI to establish a Pilot Partnership Project to develop, demonstrate and evaluate a Blissymbolics Service based in Toronto and reaching electronically throughout Ontario.

BCI Board of Directors

International Affiliates

Blissymbolics has been used in over 33 countries and has been translated into 17 languages:

How Can You Help?

There are many ways to facilitate the work of BCI!

1. Take time to become a Friend of Bliss. This comes first! We urge you to learn about Blissymbols and introduce yourself to a Bliss user in your own community.
2. Tell others about Blissymbols and Bliss users and encourage them to become "Friends of Bliss"
3. Make a donation to BCI. Help us to help others who can benefit from the capabilities of Blissymbolics.