Author: Matthew Horspool

In Memory of George Bell

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of George Bell on Wednesday 24 June 2026, aged 79.

Originally from Edinburgh, George spent a lot of his working life in Northampton where he was known to many as the Managing Director of Techno-Vision Systems. He distributed many braille products including the Eureka; Cosmo; braille embossers from Index Braille, Enabling Technologies and Thiel; Canute; music products from Dancing Dots; and perhaps most significantly of all, the Duxbury Braille Translator, for which he also wrote most of the documentation.

George was made an honorary member of the British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB), now the Technology Association of Visually Impaired People (TAVIP), in the early 2000s and was a regular supporter of the Braillists Foundation since its establishment in 2014. He also served for a time on the Braille Production and Technology Group of the UK Association for Accessible Formats (UKAAF), contributed to many discussions through the International Council on English Braille (ICEB), and facilitated access to braille in many developing countries.

Aside from braille, he was instrumental in establishing the Sight Village exhibition in Birmingham, which is now organised by Queen Alexandra College.

Jackie Brown is collecting tributes to George to be shared with his family and the blind community. If you would like to send a tribute, please email [email protected]

From ICEVI and WBU: Endorse the Global Declaration on Braille Literacy in Education

In June 2026, SK Rungta and Susan LaVenture, Presidents of the World Blind Union (WBU) and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), jointly launched the Global Declaration on Braille Literacy in Education during the 19th Session of the United Nations Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CoSP19).

We warmly invite governments, UN agencies, organisations, institutions, professional bodies, educational providers, and individuals to endorse the Declaration and add their voices to this important global call for action. The Declaration may be downloaded from the ICEVI website in English, French and Spanish. Go to: https://icevi.org/global-declaration-add-your-voice/.

Endorsements may be submitted through any of the following options:

Please include the following information in your email:

  • Name
  • Title or position
  • Organisation affiliation
  • Country
  • Email address
  • Type of endorsement (UN agency, government ministry, organisation, institution, individual, etc.)
  • Consent to include your name and/or organisation in the public list of endorsers

The Declaration affirms that braille literacy is a fundamental human right and an essential component of inclusive education. It calls upon Governments, Ministries of Education, legislative bodies, educational institutions, organisations of persons with disabilities, families, professionals, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that learners who are blind or have low vision have equitable access to braille instruction, materials, technologies, and qualified teachers.

The Declaration further recognises the vital role of braille literacy in advancing implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in achieving Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Together, we can help ensure that every child, young person, and adult who relies on braille has the opportunity to become literate, participate fully in society, and realise their potential. Thank you for your support of this important global initiative.

From Florent Zwiers: Masters project on braille; seeking participants

Hello!

I am an MA student in Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London and am writing my dissertation on the topic of braille signage on the Queen Mary campuses. I do know (UEB) braille, but am a sighted reader; I do not rely on braille.

For my dissertation project, I would like to speak to some regular braille users to understand their thoughts on the signage I’ve found on my university campus.

If anybody would be willing to be interviewed by me for my project, I would be very grateful. My only criteria for the person to be interviewed are that they are an adult and that they use (English) braille regularly.

The interview would take up to an hour and I will anonymise any data I get from the interview. I will happily provide more information or details to anyone who is interested.

If interested, please email: [email protected]

From Orbit Research: Firmware Version vB0.00.00.01r12 is now available for the Orbit Writer

We are pleased to announce the release of firmware version vB0.00.00.01r12 for the Orbit Writer.

Following are the new features and improvements.

  1. “Quick Navigation, which allows VoiceOver users to quickly navigate between items such as headings, links, and form controls, can now be toggled by pressing the Left and Right Arrow keys simultaneously while connected to VoiceOver.”

The firmware package can be downloaded from our website’s Support menu.

The firmware package is available here – https://www.orbitresearch.com/support/orbit-writer-support/orbit-writer-firmware-download/

For instructions on upgrading the Orbit Writer, please refer to Section15 of the User Guide available on the website at Orbit Writer User Guide Downloads : Orbit Research

From Dot: Developing for Dot Pad: Webinar Recording and Resources

The recording of Dot’s recent webinar, Explore Developing for Dot Pad, which took place on June 22, 2026, is now available.

Watch Now

Whether you are a developer building the future of tactile technology, an educator creating inclusive lessons, or a user exploring your new device, having the right tools makes all the difference.

We have compiled a master list of official platforms, community driven apps, and essential resources to help you get the most out of your Dot Pad.

Official Resource and Developer Hubs

  • Developer SDK Portal gives access to the Dot Pad Software Developer Kits (SDKs) to start building custom multiline braille and tactile graphic applications.
  • AT Guys Distributor Site is the official US distributor hub for purchasing, hardware information, and device updates.

Apps and Web Tools to Explore

  • Dot Canvas available via Dot Apps is a creative tool for uploading, editing, and rendering SVG files or digital documents directly on the display.
  • AT Guys Dot Pad Apps offers web based apps including Calendar, Connect Four, and Tetris designed for the device.
  • Dot Experiments UI is a web based proof of concept for testing automated grid layouts, mazes, and turtle graphics.
  • AccessTrader provides accessible live financial trading and stock market charts with ongoing development for tactile integration.

Third Party Integration and Software Tools

  • Bluefy Web Browser can be used on iOS for running web apps via Bluetooth when paired with Dot Pad outside of VoiceOver.
  • Liblouis is an open source braille translation framework used to format and render text for braille displays.
  • Fritz Chess is an accessible gaming project where screen reader scripts are being developed to render braille chess codes on the display.

Stay Connected and Get Support

Developer support is available from Technical Support Manager Gary Readfern Gray at [email protected] for SDK guidance.

From Nicholas Adams: Software Braille Keyboard

I wanted to make you aware of a tool I wrote for myself, as I am SSI, that I have now made available via the Microsoft Store for Windows PCs, that turns an ordinary keyboard into a Braille keyboard using UEB.

The Braille input works across the OS, rather than just in one app, and removes any need for specialised hardware. Full documentation is linked on the Store website.

It is called BrailleKeyboard and can be found on the Microsoft Store

From the EBU Braille Working Group: Illustrated Braille Calendar 2027: Call for Participation and Contribution

The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union (EBU) will publish a calendar for 2027 with images composed of braille signs.

A basic example of a braille image is a table: ⠹⠉⠉⠏

We invite European countries, there assotiations of blind people or single persons to take part and contribute with a braille image.

The calendar will consist of 12 pages for the 12 months of the year. Each page has an image and the days of the month.

The images will be chosen to represent a typical object from twelve different countries. This can be a famous building, a plant, a tool, something to eat etc.

The calendar will be published for free as a digital braille file to download and print with a braille embosser.

Please contribute to our calendar with such an image composed by braille cells.

Here are a few examples of braille images:

Important restriction: The maximum size of the images is 17 lines and 28 cells per line.

Please add a descriptive title in English which is not longer than 15 characters.

You can submit your artwork in different ways: as a digital file with Braille text, as a photo where the Braille dots are clearly visible, or traditionally on paper by mail.

Please indicate your interest to take PART BY 15 July 2026.

Please send in the braille image representing your country BY 1 September 2026.

Please contact to register and with any question Reiner Delgado – [email protected]

An Introduction to Nemeth, Tuesday at 7:30 PM

The Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation was developed in the US and used in many parts of the world until the introduction of Unified English Braille. Although it was never the official maths and science code in the UK, many people acquired a passing familiarity with it as it was used by default by many braille technology manufacturers in applications such as calculators on braille notetakers.

IN this session, we are joined by Jen Goulden, the Chair of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA), which maintains the Nemeth code. Jen will tell us about the origins of the code and its creator, Abraham Nemeth, explain how the code is maintained, and provide an overview of common Nemeth symbols.

Register for An Introduction to Nemeth

To join by phone, please use these details:

  • Phone number: 0131 460 1196
  • Meeting ID: 827 5569 1951
  • Passcode: 123456

2026 NLS Summer Reading Program Information, Tuesday 16 June to Tuesday 11 August 2026

The Braille Institute of America was selected by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to host this year’s nine week literary and learning experience open to anyone, anywhere interested in participating.

The 2026 summer reading theme is “Unearth a Story” that emphasizes discovery with dinosaurs, nature and more. Programs are designed for kids — as well as adults — to encourage reading through fun activities.

Why is your participation in the Summer Reading Program (SRP) so important?

Books matter, plus there are going to be some audio narrated soundscapes of some awesome places!  We hope you will join this SRP.  Your support helps these organizations continue to provide great activities and programs.

Adult Programming & Activities

Inspired by Unearth a Story Summer Reading Theme, stories are everywhere, embedded in landscapes, preserved in archives, carried through families and reflected in individual lives.

To register go to:  https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/

Here are the SRP activities:

  • Tuesday, June 16, 4 p.m. eastern time: Author Event: Best-selling author Peter Heller discusses his novel, The Dog Stars (DB75493) and The Orchard (DB134029), with public radio journalist Maeve Conran.
  • Monday, June 22: Narrated Soundscape “walk-through” of Badlands National Park: Kathleen Slocum, Accessible Library Services Manager at South Dakota Accessible Library Services, released June 22.
  • Tuesday, June 30, 4 p.m. eastern time: National Parks as Living Archives: Stories from New Mexico: National Park Service staff and partners explore the science, history, and culture embedded in Aztec Ruins National Monument, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, and Valles Caldera National Preserve.
  • Monday, July 6: Narrated Soundscape “walk-through” of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Matthew Brown, Managing Librarian at Hawaii State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, released on July 6.
  • Tuesday, July 14, 4 p.m. eastern time: Author Event: Blind authors Leona Godin, There Plant Eyes (BR23825, DB104014), and Georgina Kleege, More Than Meets the Eye (BR22550, DB93533), explore nonfiction as excavation in conversation with Mike Marlin, Director of the Braille & Talking Book Library in Sacramento.
  • Monday, July 20: Narrated Soundscape “walk-through” of Everglades National Park: Felicia Brown, Talking Book Librarian, and Jennifer Shipley, Library Operations Manager, Special Services at Miami-Dade Public Library System, released July 20.
  • Tuesday, July 28, 4 p.m. eastern time: “Excavating a Life: Megan Marshall” Author Event: Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Megan Marshall will be in conversation with author Heather Clark about her memoir After Lives (DBC11807).
  • Monday, August 3: Narrated Soundscape “walk-through” of Cape Cod National Seashore: Kim Charlson, Executive Director, and Andrea Everett, Children’s & Young Adult Services Librarian at Perkins Library, released August 3.
  • Tuesday, August 11, 4 p.m. eastern time: Digging Up the Past: A Historical Fiction Panel with authors Sadeqa Johnson, Elizabeth Wein, and Jess Shaara. Author-led exploration of the research, craft and creative rewards of historical fiction.