Author: Matthew Horspool

by Michael Whapples

I am pleased to announce the release of BrailleBlaster 3.0.0. This major version bump is to indicate BrailleBlaster reaching a new milestone in its life as it becomes open-source under the GNU Public License. With new packaging bringing automatic updates and Linux AARCH64 support, as well as many improvements and bug fixes we recommend all users to upgrade. As usual you can get BrailleBlaster from the BrailleBlaster website. For full details of what has changed please see the below release notes.

Unfortunately for Mac users, we do not currently have a release for you, this will be coming soon.

BrailleBlaster 3.0.0, March 26, 2025

Welcome to BrailleBlaster 3.0.0. With this release BrailleBlaster is open-source and is now released under the GNU Public License (GPL). This license change now means that users will have the freedom to make modifications to the software and they can contribute back to the project to improve things for the whole BrailleBlaster community. Whilst making the license change, we also took the opportunity to redo our build and packaging process. This should make it easier for us to produce new releases, will offer better user experience and automatic updates as well as better compatibility with some security software. Unfortunately it does mean, if you have BrailleBlaster.2.1 installed you should uninstall that before installing BrailleBlaster 3.0.0. As usual there have been a number of other improvements and bug fixes as well, so review the below release notes for full details.

License and packaging

• BrailleBlaster now under the GNU Public License V3 (GPL3).
• Users who use the installer options will now get automatic updates happening in the background.
• Fixed some issues when using BrailleBlaster with some security software, such as quicker start up when using certain VPN tools.
• Packages available for Linux AARCH64 systems such as the BTSpeak and RaspberryPi.

Math enhancements

• Now able to paste math equations from other websites and sources. Do not have to highlight the equation and click on Math Translation Toggle. Now use Ctrl+Shift+M to paste Math from another source.
• Nemeth Code Change Indicators are working when the translation settings are set accordingly and when Math translation toggle is used.
• Fixed issue when typing a line of text on first line of document then entering on a second line using the ASCII Math Hub, the first line of text stays on first line and second line is the inserted ASCII math.
• Following UEB Guidelines for Technical Materials The blank line is working in the Spatial Math Editor for UEB Matrices.

UI enhancements

• Issue with Braille Preview not working when using some .xml files has been fixed.
• A Disable Status Bar Item is available in the Settings Menu tab.
• Status bar cell information indicates which view the cursor is in whether it is in the Print view (Text) or Braille View.
• The ability to add Unicode Braille is now an option. When you highlight the braille in the braille view and right click, there is an option to Copy in Unicode.
• Selecting all or Ctrl+A will highlight text in the text fields now in both the Ascii Math Hub and Correct Translation dialogs.

Translation enhancements

• EBAE Profile has been added to the Translation settings profiles.
• Uncontracted change translation is correct. No grade 1 indicators when the translation is changed to uncontracted. Single letter contractions changing to whole uncontracted words do not show a grade 1 indicator.
• The Contraction Relaxer in Tools has been added.

Other improvements and bug fixes

• When attempting to emboss a brf which does not fit on the paper, an alert window appears that is titled “Document larger than embosser paper.” The window either allows the user to continue with the process or to stop to avoid any embossing issues or problems.
• Nimas files opens without the presence of the Default style at the top
• The backspace key causing an error when you press on it and erase text or when you press on it when Braillblaster is first loaded is functioning normally.
• Other various bug fixes and performance improvements.

The DAISY Consortium is pleased to announce the eBraille 1.0 Candidate Release. Whilst feedback is still encouraged, it is likely that this will closely resemble the final eBraille 1.0 specification.

Writing on the eBraille Mailing List, Willow Free from APh acknowledged those who sent in feedback, including James Bowden and John Ylioja, and to Matt Garrish and the other eBraille Editors for incorporating that feedback and getting the candidate specification published.

Galloways is proud to partner with the Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Awareness and Screening Participation Small Grants Scheme. Together, they are committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer awareness, screening participation, and early diagnosis within the blind and low vision community. By providing information on common cancer signs and symptoms, as well as details about the screening process, in large print, audio, and braille formats, Galloways ensure that blind and partially sighted individuals can access the information they need to stay informed and proactive about their health.

For your free braille guide in the post, please email Neve Whiteside-Sutton or Holly Atkinson or call 01772 744148.

Last week saw the 40th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference take place in Anaheim, California, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, educators, researchers and users from all over the world. As ever, a wide variety of braille products was on show at the exhibit hall, and the conference programme featured several braille-related presentations including research on how the length of a braille display affects reading speed, reflections on 200 years of tactile literacy, and the first public draft of the new EBraille specification.

In this session, we’re excited to be joined by the team from Double Tap, the popular technology show from Accessible Media Inc. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece both attended CSUN for the first time this year. They will tell us about the braille products they saw and share their perspectives on how CSUN compares with exhibitions like Sight Village in the UK.

We will also be joined by Australian assistive technology expert and braille enthusiast Scott Erichsen. Scott has been at the forefront of the development of braille technology for over twenty years as a user, a private beta tester and a distributor, and will tell us about the new and improved products in the exhibit hall. He will also share his insights into how the braille technology industry is evolving and the part that CSUN plays in driving innovation forwards.

Register for Perspectives from CSUN here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 898 9330 6464
• Passcode: 123456

After much user testing and discussions, the first ever silently described silent film screening will be taking place on Friday 21st March in the beautiful Scottish town of Bo’Ness (an easy 30 minute journey from Edinburgh or Glasgow). The newly restored 1917 feature film, ‘The Pride of the Clan’, stars Hollywood royalty, Mary Pickford as Marget MacTavish and encompasses clan politics, daring sea rescues, quaint island customs, a thwarted romance and a rag-to-riches storyline, along with, of course, some highland dancing.

The live music accompanying this film will be provided by the extraordinary duo of musicians and silent film accompanists Stephen Horne and Elizabeth-Jane Baldry who, between them (and often in the same performance) play harp, flute, piano and accordion.

Patrons can bring their own wifi-compatible refreshable braille device, or opt to request a headset to receive good old fashioned audio description (itself a rarity for silent film, and itself a unique experience combined with live music), which will also be available through the HippFest at Home online offering for 48 hours after the event.

Tickets (for both in-person and online) are on sale through the HippFest website.

Polly Goodwin says: “I would be so very grateful if you could share this invitation with anyone you think might be interested. My hope is that we get an audience excited to try out this new experience, and even more excited to give me frank and full feedback afterwards to further develop the process of opening up a unique part of cinema to people who are blind or have low vision.”

If you are interested in attending please contact Polly Goodwin.

Join Peter and Andrew for an exclusive look at the first Monarch firmware update.

Discover the exciting new features in our first update, including KeyMail, Internet browsing, and a preview of the highly anticipated eBraille experience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see how Monarch continues to evolve!

Register here

My name is George Fence, and I am a second year PhD student at Birmingham City University. My research focuses on haptic technologies for accessibility, which are devices that use the sense of touch.

I am currently recruiting participants from the United Kingdom for and in-person test. If you have experience reading Grade 2 Braille and are familiar with the Perkins keyboard layout, this research might interest you.

The study will involve using a new Finger Braille reading device which uses six actuators worn on the fingers in the Perkins keyboard layout to show Braille characters. The goal of the study is to explore combining vibration and pressure to improve reading performance, and the findings could be used to improve haptic technologies such as Braille displays.

Participation in the study is completely voluntary, and the collected data will be anonymised. By taking part in this research, you will contribute to knowledge in the field of accessibility.

Testing will take place at Birmingham City University, or we can discuss meeting in a public space (e.g. public library) closer to you.

Participant Inclusion Criteria

• Must know how to read Grade 2 English Braille.
• Must have experience with a Perkins keyboard or finger Braille.
• Must be an adult. (over 18 years of age)
• Must identify as having a vision and/or hearing impairment or disability; or have professional experience working with disabled individuals. (e.g. vision impairment, hearing impairment, deafblindness)
• Must be able to communicate verbally in English with the researcher.
• Must be able to provide informed consent and agree for an interview to be recorded.
• Must be able to travel to Birmingham or to meet in a mutually agreed public location.

If you are interested in experiencing new Braille technologies and want to find out more about the study, please submit your interest on this Microsoft Form or contact me directly by email.

HumanWare is thrilled to announce Monarch Version 1.2, the first of many exciting updates! This release introduces KeyMail, our brand-new email application, along with groundbreaking first preview experience of the new anticipated eBraille advancements, improved web browsing, and a visual display on demand feature.

KeyMail – Stay connected with ease

Introducing KeyMail, the powerful new email application from KeySoft, supporting Office 365 and Google email accounts. With KeyMail, students, teachers, and professionals can effortlessly communicate, share documents, and exchange tactile graphics. Plus, a new multi-line email experience makes reviewing messages more convenient than ever.

Alongside KeyMail, we’re also introducing a Contacts application, making it easier to manage your connections and send emails efficiently.

eBraille – A new era of accessible reading

Monarch is pioneering support for the revolutionary eBraille file format, making it the first refreshable braille device to do so. In collaboration with Dolphin, the Victor Reader app powered by EasyReader now offers a preview experience of eBraille. With two of three core elements already integrated, this marks a significant step toward a more flexible and advanced digital braille future.

Smarter web browsing with Ecosia

Navigating the web just got better! The latest update to Ecosia now enables smoother navigation, allowing you to review more webpage content — perfect for a seamless browsing experience.

Visual display on demand – A game changer for sighted peers

Need to toggle between visual braille and text output? Now you can—instantly! Our new braille viewer shortcut (Press Enter + Backspace + V) makes it easier for sighted users to review braille on screen and print it when needed.

Read the full announcement

Closing date: Saturday 31 May 2025

Since 1997, the CNIB has organised a Canada-wide Braille Creative Writing Contest for children and young people. This important competition celebrates braille literacy and encourages young people to flex their creative muscles while practicing their braille skills.

This year, the CNIB is especially allowing UK entries from VICTA students!

Put the power of literacy at your fingertips! Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you’ve written for school this year.

Entry criteria

We can accept original stories, essays or poems written in:

• Contracted or uncontracted braille – use the braille you know!
• Perkins or computer (6-key entry)
• Computer braille is accepted – please contact [email protected] so that we can confirm the best format for you to send it in
• The contest is open to children and young people aged between 5-17 years old who are registered or are registrable as blind or partially sighted
• Entrants must be permanent residents of the UK
• The online entry form must be completed by a parent/carer
• By completing the online entry form, you agree to your child’s entry as well as your child’s name and age being used by VICTA, including being displayed on the VICTA website and on VICTA social media channels

The results of the recent VICTA Braille Art Competition are in, and the galary of entries is now live on the VICTA website. Read the full announcement here