Latest News
- Braille Bar on Tuesday
Our popular Braille Bar returns this Tuesday at 7:30 PM. No question is too small, from kit to code – just ask and our experts will assist you!
Or, to join by phone, use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 880 3508 8878
- Passcode: 123456
- DOT INC. AT CSUN 2026, Monday 23 March at 4:00 PM
If you didn’t make it to the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference this year, you don’t have to miss what’s new.
Join the Dot team for a special post-CSUN webinar where we’ll share the latest product innovations that we’re launching, and which we demonstrated at this year’s conference.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Dot AI – new AI-powered integrations with Microsoft and Google enabling tactile PowerPoint experiences and new classroom access tools.
Our partnership with LG Electronics bringing multiline braille to accessible public kiosks.
The Nemonic Dot Braille Printer – a pocket-sized printer designed for durable braille labelling anywhere.
- Online Round Table Using your Braille Display – Control your Device, Wednesday 25 March at 5:00 PM
Hello Braille readers,
The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union (EBU) has already brought to you two interesting and informative sessions of table talks on braille displays usage – Use Your Braille Display Like a Pro. You can find the articles about our first two sessions on livingbraille portal:
- Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: the first C, connecting;
- Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: The second C – Consuming.
Both articles will lead you to the YouTube recording of each session.
Today we invite you to the third round table on using your Braille display like a pro:
Wednesday, March 25, at 18:00 CET (17:00 UTC)
on ZoomThe topic of our third table talk is: Control your device from your braille display.
- Basics of controlling a mobile device with a braille display
- Basics of controlling a Windows computer with a braille display
- Focus on unique features of European displays – Helptech and Papenmeier
A panel of experts will give short presentations and you are invited to share your experiences and ask your questions.
If you registered for our first session in January, you should have received the Zoom link by e-mail. The link remains the same for all sessions and we will send it to all participants who have already registered for the first and the second session.
If you did not register yet, we kindly request that you register for the table talk here.
So come join us for our third expert table talk—and take your Braille display skill to the next level!
Best wishes
The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union (EBU)
- BrailleSense 7 Webinar from Selvas BLV, Thursday 26 March at 9:00 PM
Selvas BLV is pleased to announce that we are still accepting pre-orders for the all-new BrailleSense 7 braille tablet.
Following the highly successful unveiling at last week’s CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, we are continuing the momentum by hosting an in-depth webinar highlighting this award-winning technology. Although the BrailleSense 7 has not yet begun shipping, it has already been recognized as a winner of the prestigious iF Design Award 2026—one of the world’s most respected honors for innovation, functionality, and user-centered design.
We invite you to join us on Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 PM Central Time for a comprehensive overview and live demonstration of the BrailleSense 7. During this session, we will explore the features and innovations that distinguish this device as a leader in its class.
What You’ll Learn
What’s Included
- BrailleSense 7 tablet with touch-sensitive braille cells
- User-replaceable battery
- Secondary battery
- Dual input: Both Perkins-style and QWERTY keyboards
- Protective carrying case with shoulder strap
Hardware Overview
- Available in 40-, 32-, and 20-cell models
- Touch-capacitive braille interface
- Octa-core processor
- 256 GB flash storage with support for additional SD Micro memory
Device Layout
- Ergonomically designed braille keyboard
- Overview of all ports and connectors
- Orientation of top, front, back, left, and right panels
Settings and Navigation
- Support for legacy commands
- Gesture controls (swipe left/right, double-tap for navigation and app launching)
- Smart Scroll for seamless reading with minimal physical button interaction
- Customizable cursor routing options
- Scroll wheel for adjusting speech parameters and navigation
Software Capabilities
- Braille-first applications and curated third-party apps
- New multi-page home screen
- Full Excel spreadsheet creation and editing (beyond a viewer)
- Quick Search for local and online content
- Integrated Web TV tuner
This webinar is ideal for consumers, educators, and assistive technology professionals who are seeking a detailed look at the next generation of braille productivity and accessibility tools. Reserve your spot today and experience the future of braille technology with BrailleSense 7.
Please note: although all of the product information in this webinar is likely to apply in the UK, this is a US webinar and as such, release timelines may vary and pricing information and trade-in options should be treated as a guideline only.
- Braille Access Workshop from Braille Literacy Canada, Saturday 28 March
Braille Literacy Canada will be hosting a hands on/active participant workshop on the Braille Access App, new in iOS26.
For further details and to register, please email [email protected] and put “braille access” in the subject line.
- Introducing eBraille, Tuesday 31 March at 7:30 PM
For many years, we have had the ability to use electronic files to store and retrieve braille. Perhaps the most well-known file format for this purpose is BRF. However, working with these files presents a number of challenges, from the point of view of both embossing in hard copy and reading on electronic braille devices.
The recently released eBraille standard from the DAISY consortium addresses many of these challenges.
In this session, we will hear from Willow Free, Tactile Technology Product Manager at APH and Co-Chair of the DAISY eBraille Working Group. Willow will give a brief history of the eBraille project, explain how the standard works today, describe how to create and obtain eBraille files, and provide an overview of where eBraille is currently supported. Particular topics will include:
- The differences between a BRF file and an eBraille file
- Converting BRF files to eBraille, and the limitations of this process
- Some products and tools which currently support reading and creating eBraille files
There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions at the end of the session.
To join by phone, please use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 815 7769 8751
- Passcode: 123456
- Bristol Braille Announces Canute Scientific
Hello from Bristol Braille.
We would like to share some exciting news. As we have a good history of working with the Braillists and have always appreciated your input and feedback over the years, we wanted you to be the first to know.
Over the last few months, we’ve been working on a new product, we’ve dubbed the Canute Scientific.
This is a significant evolution on our Canute Console, multi line Braille workstation. As the name suggests, it is aimed at blind people working, studying or with the ambition to do so, in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, (STEM.)
With an upgraded system board, new Chassey, greater connectivity options, roadmap for future development and a suite of custom applications designed with feedback and advice from Braille readers, we truly believe this is our best product to date.
We are starting with a special limited edition run of 12 units Before we officially launch. As such, we have some great offers, including upgrade options for existing Canute Console and Canute 360 owners.
Current Console owners will not be left behind either, as our new applications will be made available to them too. However, if you decide to upgrade, you will get the new system, with the faster processor, greater connectivity, new Chassey, servicing of your existing 360 display and a new 4 year warranty. This would save around £3,600 on the launch price of the Canute Scientific.
For the full feature list, specifications and details of pre-launch offers, please see our new online brochure below.
The Canute Scientific pre-launch
We will be taking the Canute Scientific on the road at various events throughout the year. Including our Braile Space events which offer people a chance to get their hands on the tech, see what it can do and share ideas with other Braille readers.
For more information about these events, please contact Chris at: [email protected]
You can also subscribe to our news letter to keep in touch with where we’ll be.
Bristol Braille Technology CIC
Thank you.
The Bristol Braille Team.
- Arabic Braille Classes in Birmingham and Bradford: Expressions of Interest Wanted
Are you interested in learning Arabic Braille? Have you ever wanted to experience reading the Quran in the same way that a sighted person would?
Basira Braille Institute is looking for expressions of interest in Arabic Braille classes. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned braillist, we want to hear from you.
We are proposing to hold sessions in Birmingham and Bradford, with a session held in each location every fortnight.
We intend to begin with the letters of the Arabic alphabet with the eventual aim of being able to read the Quran and other Arabic material fluently and confidently. We envisage that the course will require around 18 classes, but we would encourage students to work at their own pace. Students will also have the opportunity to solidify their knowledge by remaining with the group after completion of the course and engaging in further practice by reading to teachers out loud. We will also assist students to read Arabic Braille using their chosen Braille display or notetaker.
We anticipate each class will be priced in the region of £10-£15, subject to student numbers, on a “pay as you go” basis. However, we understand the financial pressures which our community is under. If you would find it difficult to pay for classes, we will endeavour to subsidise costs if possible.
We are hoping to begin classes in the summer of 2026, depending on sufficient interest.
Please express your potential interest by filling in this accessible Microsoft form which can be completed using your screen reader of choice.
Alternatively, please send any questions, comments or feedback to [email protected] or call 07759858538.
- Unpacking the Braille Innovations at CSUN 2026, Tuesday 17 March at 7:30 PM
The 41st CSUN Assistive Technology Conference took place last week, introducing an impressive assortment of new braille products! Everything from the most advanced notetaker to the simplest USB-only braille display was unveiled, alongside new developments in multi-line braille technology and braille labelling.
In this session, join our panel of braille experts and enthusiasts as we round up the announcements and make sense of the ever-changing braille landscape.
To join by phone, please use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 863 5563 0010
- Passcode: 123456
- Introducing the Strata and Flow Families of Braille Devices
Orbit Research has introduced two new families of refreshable braille devices: the Strata and Flow series. These new products expand the ways people experience braille and introduce Orbit’s first devices with piezo braille cells alongside our established TrueBraille technology.
The Strata family includes three devices designed for different ways of working with braille. The Strata 40 is a compact 40-cell braille display that combines Orbit’s signature standalone and connected capabilities with piezo braille technology. The Strata 40 Pro and Strata 20 Pro extend this platform into multimodal braille systems that bring together braille, speech, audio, online services, and built-in applications.
We are also introducing the Flow family of braille displays. The first device in this series is the Flow 40, a compact 40-cell braille display designed for seamless use with computers and mobile devices. With piezo braille cells, ergonomic navigation keys, and instant USB connectivity, Flow 40 delivers a smooth and natural braille reading experience.
Together, the Strata and Flow families provide more ways to experience braille through combinations of braille reading, speech, audio, and connected services.
The new lineup includes:
- Strata 40 – 40-cell braille display, features similar to the Orbit Reader 40
- Strata 40 Pro – multimodal 40-cell braille system, combining the features of the Orbit Speak and the Orbit Reader 40.
- Strata 20 Pro – Same as the Strata 40 Pro, but with 20 cells.
- Flow 40 – the first device in the Flow family, with only braille output
Shipping for the new Strata and Flow devices is expected in the second half of the year.
Visit our web pages Strata Family and Orbit Flow 40 for more details.
The Braillists is a grass-roots community group offering high quality training and support to emerging and established braille users. We also work with family members, friends, colleagues and teachers of braille users, and connect braille users with braille technology developers and funders.
What Is Braille?
Braille is a simple code for representing written language. We believe braille has the potential to transform the life of any blind person who has the opportunity to learn it.
Discover more about braille on this page.
Learn Braille
We support hundreds of adults to read braille by touch in a few short weeks through our innovative and approachable Braille for Beginners course. Free of charge, it comprises hard copy resources through the post and a series of short pre-recorded lessons, supplemented by email and Zoom support from highly qualified and experienced tutors.
Find out more about Braille for Beginners and register here.
There are plenty of other courses available too, for both children and adults, reading by touch or by sight. We have made a list of these on our Learn Braille page.
Perkins Repairs and Other Braille Equipment
The Perkins Brailler is the most established braille writer in use today, and even machines from the 1950s can still be serviced and repaired. We have compiled information about Perkins repairs, places to purchase Perkins Braillers, and other types of braille equipment on our Braille Equipment page.
If you are looking for braille paper, you can find it on our Braille Consumables page.
Our Aims
- Promote the value of braille as a proven literacy tool that enriches the lives of blind people.
- Support efforts to make affordable braille and tactile reading technologies available to all blind people irrespective of education and employment status.
- Provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas about the development of future braille technology.
Find Out More
Join our announcements only mailing list to receive our weekly newsletter.
Join the conversation and meet other Braillists on our discussion forum.
Connect with us on Twitter (@Braillists) or like us on Facebook for up to the minute Braillists news.
Listen to some braille-related audio on Soundcloud (braillists).
Please see our Sponsors and Partners for information on organisations who are supporting us.
Get In Touch
Email [email protected] or call 020 3893 3392. Further details on our Contact Us page.