Author: Matthew Horspool

Innovative MEMS technology is changing how the visually impaired can interact with digital information. Dave Schleppenbach from Tactile Engineering introduces the Cadence Tactile Tablet, a 2D refreshable display. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how this modular device renders Braille text, complex graphics, and even live video.

Visit the podcast page

Readers may find this blog post of interest.

The recording of the June 2026 Orbit Research Zoom Meeting hosted by Robert Carter is now available for direct download at:

https://www.turner42.com/OrbitResearchJune2026ZoomMeeting.zip

For other Orbit Research information, see: https://www.turner42.com/ori.html

Did you miss last week’s webinar from Blazie Technologies?

Did you hear it but liked it so much that you want a second replay?

If you fall into the first camp, the problem is solved. If you’re in the second camp, who could blame you?

Whatever camp you’re in, a recording of our latest webinar is now available from our Web site’s Guides and Media page. We have lots of news and announcements, plus demos of some of what’s coming in our next update. Enjoy.

Literacy is the foundation of learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment. As the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign continues its call for More Braille, More Empowerment, we mark World Day for Assistive Technology by recognising the important role that assistive technology can play in advancing braille literacy and expanding opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and have low vision.

Braille literacy remains a fundamental right and a cornerstone of inclusive education, lifelong learning, and meaningful participation in society. In an increasingly digital world, braille literacy and assistive technology together can create new pathways to learning, communication, independence, and participation across all stages of life.

When designed, developed, and deployed inclusively, assistive technology has the potential to transform how braille is taught, learned, accessed, and used. From refreshable braille displays and accessible learning platforms to emerging digital and AI-driven solutions, technology can strengthen braille teaching, expand opportunities for braille reading and writing, and support the development of literacy skills that foster independence, autonomy, confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

As recognised in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to braille, alternative formats, and assistive technology is essential to achieving inclusion and equal participation. We therefore encourage governments, educators, technology and AI developers, publishers, organisations of persons with disabilities, and development partners to work together to ensure that technological progress strengthens braille literacy and contributes to a more inclusive and accessible world.

Throughout June, the More Braille, More Empowerment Campaign invites relevant stakeholders to share stories demonstrating how braille literacy and assistive technology together are creating opportunities for learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment.

#MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment

#TechnologyForBrailleLiteracy

Most braille displays include an integrated Perkins-style keyboard which can be used to enter and edit text. But did you know you can also use your braille display’s braille keyboard to perform complex QWERTY keyboard keystrokes? Join Matthew Horspool to find out how!

We will cover:

• Similarities and differences between JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver
• Assigning a braille display keystroke to a QWERTY keystroke
• Pressing and holding modifier keys
• Numbers in conjunction with modifier keys
• Emulating F1-F12
• Emulating common keys such as the arrow keys, home, end, page up, page down and tab
• Practical examples of where this might be useful

Register for the session

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 881 2861 0698
• Passcode: 123456

The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union would like to invite you to a round-table discussion this Wednesday, June 17, at 18:00 Central European Time (16:00 UTC).

Braille was a major theme at SightCity 2026, Europe’s largest trade fair for blindness and low-vision technology, held in Frankfurt last month. New devices were unveiled, new partnerships were announced, and a couple of long-established players in the accessibility industry made a comeback.

There is much to share and discuss, and we in the Braille Working Group look forward to sharing our impressions and answering your questions. We hope you will join us this Wednesday for an informal conversation about the latest developments in the world of Braille technology.

Please, register for the Table Talk (Google form) to get the link for joining us. We will send the link to the registered participants on Wednesday.

Participants, who have been receiving our e-mails after the registration to our previous sessions, will get the link to join us automatically.

We hope to see you this Wednesday. Because Braille matters.

You’re cordially invited to celebrate National Braille Press’ accomplishments over the past year at our 99th Annual Meeting.

Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Location: Northeastern University Fenway Center
77 Saint Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115

Join us for a special evening of community, appreciation, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and updates from National Braille Press.

The evening will include:

• Join us as we honor 2026 Touch of Genius Award recipient Ann Cunningham, renowned artist, sculptor, and tactile art expert, for her extraordinary contributions to braille literacy and accessibility. Ann will share her innovative “Flip-pics” approach, designed to create complex tactile images with greater clarity and less clutter.
• The “State of NBP & Braille” update from President & CEO Brian Mac Donald, including:
• Highlights of recent work
• Exciting new initiatives and programs
• Welcoming our incoming Trustees and thanking those concluding their Board service
• Introducing our newest Friends of NBP
• Celebrating our Volunteer Award Winners
• Sue Ammeter Volunteer Award: Kate Crohan
• Volunteer Group Award: Norfolk, MA Lions Club

Let’s gather to celebrate the people who power our mission. We hope to see you there!

You can join us in person or via Zoom.

RSVP here

Join Dave Williams and Timothy Hornik from Dot Inc., along with special guests from our community, for an exciting webinar exploring Developing for Dot Pad X.

We’ll show how existing projects are already bringing multiline braille and tactile graphics to life for education, gaming, productivity or creative access. We’ll also share tips for how you can develop your own solutions.

About this webinar:

• Ideal for existing Dot Pad users, assistive technology professionals and anyone interested in developing accessible tools.
• We’ll share existing solutions for gaming and productivity, and explain how you can access them.
• Q&A with our expert panel.

Register to attend the live event or receive the recording

HumanWare is pleased to invite you to an exclusive webinar introducing the new BrailleNote Evolve — where the power of Windows 11 and the simplicity of KeySoft come together in one seamless experience.

Join Andrew Flatres and David Woodbridge as they demonstrate the BrailleNote Evolve: a full-fledged Windows 11 computer in the form factor of a convenient, travel-sized braille note-taker. Discover how HumanWare is redefining what a notetaker can be by placing braille at the centre of a powerful and flexible productivity solution.

During this information-packed session, you will learn about:

• Why the BrailleNote Evolve was designed
• A physical overview and guided tour of the device
• The Main Menu and KeySoft experience
• Enhancements to the full-featured Microsoft Office Suite
• How JAWS and NVDA work seamlessly with Windows to deliver a comprehensive braille-first solution

Register here