Author: Matthew Horspool

HumanWare is proud to officially launch BrailleNote evolve—a breakthrough in accessible technology and a new era of braille computing.

More than a notetaker

BrailleNote evolve is a braille-first, all-in-one companion computer, designed to grow with you. Built on Windows 11 Pro and powered by the trusted KeySoft experience, it brings together the simplicity of braille with the power and flexibility of a full computer.

Built for today. Ready for what’s next

For over 35 years, HumanWare has led innovation in braille technology. With BrailleNote evolve, we are redefining what a braille device can be—removing barriers to digital access and enabling users to do more, at every stage of their journey.

A powerful partnership that expands possibilities

Through our collaboration with Vispero, BrailleNote evolve can now be used with JAWS, offering users the option of a powerful, widely trusted screen reader for even greater flexibility and opportunity.

Users can build essential screen reader skills directly on the device, starting in a familiar KeySoft environment and transitioning seamlessly to JAWS when ready—creating a strong bridge toward independence, confidence, and professional success.

With six months of JAWS available, users can begin developing these critical skills immediately. Activation is simple—users just need to contact their local distributor to obtain their license, with the option to continue at a preferential rate.

Learn, transition, and succeed

BrailleNote evolve supports a seamless progression:

• Start with a structured, braille-first experience
• Build confidence with integrated digital tools
• Transition naturally to Windows and screen readers

With access to mainstream tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, users can learn, create, and work in the same environments used in education and the workplace. From writing documents to working with math and graphing in Excel, BrailleNote evolve supports advanced tasks with ease. The KeySoft add-on seamlessly enhances these applications, bringing a familiar, braille-first experience that makes every interaction more productive and efficient.

Bridging the gap to the real world

BrailleNote evolve bridges the gap between braille learning and real-world digital skills—helping users develop confidence and access greater opportunities in education, rehabilitation, and employment.

Designed to evolve with you

From early learning to professional use, BrailleNote evolve adapts to each user:

• Simple, braille-first navigation for beginners
• Advanced workflows and productivity tools for experienced users
• Full access to Windows environments when needed

It’s a device that evolves alongside you—supporting independence, productivity, and long-term success.

Explore BrailleNote evolve

Join the waiting list

Don’t wait—be among the first to get your hands on BrailleNote evolve. Orders are first come, first served.

BrailleNote evolve isn’t just a new product—it’s a new approach to braille computing.

Together, we are not just evolving a product—we are expanding possibilities.

Dot is pleased to introduce an important update to Dot Book, their free reading app designed for use with the Dot Pad X. Now available on iPhone and iPad, the latest version brings a more immersive and efficient braille reading experience.

Continue reading Read up to 10 lines of braille with Dot Book on iOS

In EBU Braille Working Group we believe you are tuned in our international meetings with braille displays as a main topic of our interest.

Before you receive an invitation to our last session of 4C, we would like to share the recording of our third C about controlling your devices with a braille display.

You can find the article and in it, also the recording of our table talk on @livingbraille YouTube channel.

Read the article Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: the Third C, Controlling Your Device with a Braille Display on livingbraille.eu portal.

We encourage all of you to become a member of our livingbraille community – just write us with your wish to be registered and we will promptly do that. After registration, you can publish new posts and comment existing ones.

Make the livingbraille.eu living with us.

--

Best regards,

Livingbraille.eu administrator

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: https://www.livingbraille.eu/

Funded by European Blind Union: The voice of blind and partially sighted people in Europe

Web: https://www.euroblind.org/

The April webinar contained demos of several upcoming features, including using AI tools to ask questions, perform spell check, grammar check and summarization of a document. They also demonstrated their speech history where you’ll be able to review the last 500 utterances spoken by the BT Speak or BT Braille. And if that isn’t enough, they went to town, quite literally, showing everyone their new BT Towne open world social platform.

You’ll find the webinar recording on their Guides and Media page.

If you missed the BrailleSense 7 webinar from Selvas BLV last month, or want to rewatch a part of it, you can find the recording with the Q&A section on YouTube. This webinar proved valuable to consumers, educators, and assistive technology professionals who are seeking a detailed look at the next generation of braille productivity and accessibility tools. This webinar reviewed what comes in the box, hardware overview, device layout, settings and navigations, and software capabilities, as well as a 30 minute Q&A at the end.

Webinar Chapter Timestamps:

• 00:00: Introduction
• 01:54: Physical Layout
• 17:15: User Interface and Menus
• 34:16: Gestures and Editing
• 40:29: Excel Editor
• 56:09: NVDA Remote
• 1:02:27: Gemini
• 1:11:36: Web TV
• 1:17:13: Q&A
• 1:57:29: Wrap Up & Contact Info

Watch the BrailleSense 7 Webinar on YouTube

A statement from the joint ICEVI/WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign, 20 April 2026

For blind children, braille builds the same foundation that printed books give sighted kids: spelling, grammar, structure, and the power to write their own story.

And mathematics? You can’t listen your way through an equation. Braille gives children the tactile access they need to understand mathematical notation, work through problems, and truly master numbers — not just hear them.

Audio tools are great — but they can’t replace the independence that comes from reading, writing, as well as doing math in braille.

Braille equals confidence. Braille equals opportunity. Braille equals a future without limits.

More Braille means more empowerment. More Braille means more opportunity.

#MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment #BrailleBuildsFutures #GlobalBrailleLiteracyCampaign

For information, contact ICEVI and WBU:

Email: [email protected]

Visit websites: https://wbu.ngo/about/global-braille-literacy-campaign; https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/

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!

Register for the Braille Bar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdOyopjMiHdyORwRuXacnY9IrA4lVN2Bh

Or, to join by phone, use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 880 3508 8878
• Passcode: 123456

Join BITS and presenter Nicki Keck for Braille Across Devices.

When:  Wednesday April 15 at 8:00 PM Eastern (5:00 PM pacific).

Where:  BITS Zoom

Join Blind Information Technology Solutions (BITS), and presenter Nicki Keck, for Braille Across Devices.

This presentation will include an overview, and demonstrations of setting up the Brailliant BI 20X/Chameleon 20, the Mantis Q-40, and the Focus 14 Blue from Freedom Scientific, on Windows, IOS, and Android.

We will also take a look at how to get help navigating each of the devices.

Nicki will switch between each device when demonstrating setup, so there will be a variety of methods demonstrated.

Register on Zoom

If you have a problem registering for this event, please contact:

Brad Snyder

BITS Presentations Chair

[email protected]

The Braille Revival League is a special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind which is interested in doing all that it can to promote the use of braille.

One of its activities is a bimonthly zoom call which happens on the third Wednesday of even-numbered months. Our meeting will happen on April 15 at 8:30 PM Eastern time.

Much of our meeting this time will be devoted to exploring some of the new braille technology products that have been released this year or are soon to arrive on the market. Humanware will release the BrailleNote Evolve. Selvas BLV will be issuing the BrailleSense 7. Orbit Research has two new lines of braille products. Hable is marketing the Hable Easy braille keyboard.

In addition to exploring all of these products we will hear from our President about our convention program that will happen in St. Louis late in July!

Patty Slabby is now President of our organization but has been kind enough to allow Paul Edwards to continue to run this activity!

Patty and Paul and the rest of the Board hope you can join us as we explore braille technology that has been released in 2026!

Want the Zoom link? Email Paul Edwards on [email protected]

Discover how KeySoft and Windows work seamlessly together with the new BrailleNote evolve.

Join Andrew Flatres and Rachel Ramos for a live demonstration of BrailleNote evolve: a full Windows 11 computer in a convenient, travel-sized braille notetaker form factor.

In this session, you will:

• Learn why BrailleNote evolve was designed
• Explore the device through a guided physical overview
• Get a tour of the intuitive Main Menu
• Discover enhancements to the full Microsoft Office suite
• See how JAWS and NVDA integrate seamlessly with Windows, keeping braille at the center of the experience

This will be an information-packed session you won’t want to miss.

Register for the webinar