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We are always delighted to receive Newsletter submissions from our audience. Here is one such article, from a devoted participant in our Tuesday evening sessions, recommending some interesting podcasts:

Pro Braille. Worldwide Initiatives For Accessible Music

The first one is a very engaging conversation about Braille music. It was recorded for my friend’s Youtube channel TifloInfo. He published it for the Russian speaking audience but he also published an original version in English. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJBnvn-AgDk&pp=0gcJCfwJAYcqIYzv

Here is the description from the video page:

“It was only ten years ago that Braille music was in a crisis,” says Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins. “However, through international efforts of dedicated people and organisations, this trend has been reversed.” To find out more and to explore avenues of international cooperation in promoting accessible music, we speak with Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins (Project Manager of the DAISY Music Braille Project) as well as two other distinguished panelists:

• Jay Pocknell, Music Officer at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and Project Manager of Sound Without Sight
• James Bowden, Braille Technical Officer, RNIB)

The show is hosted by Ksenia Blake, Yana Leschenko, and Andre Polykanine. Please note: This is the original version of a live interview, recorded for a Russian-speaking audience.

Release date: 8 October 2025

Bridging Access to Braille: An In-Depth Look at Braille Access on iOS 26

Next are two podcasts about Braille Access in iOS 26. The first one is from AppleVis. Scott Davert recorded it. Here is the link: https://applevis.com/podcasts/bridging-access-braille-depth-look-braille-access-ios-26

It has a transcript.

Here is the description from the page:

In this episode, Scott Davert gives us an in-depth demonstration of Braille Access. New in iOS 26, Braille Access aims to offer an experience similar to dedicated braille note takers.

What’s new in iOS 26

The second podcast covering Braille Access on iOS, is Access On by Jonathan Mosen. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-new-in-ios-26/id1777481188?i=1000729563307

How JAWS Went Multiline and Playful Learning with Lego

The next podcast I’d like to talk about is Raising the Dots. Dave had a great interview about support for multiline Braille displays in JAWS. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-jaws-went-multiline-and-playful-learning-with-lego/id1824662653?i=1000731184766

Here is the description from the episode page:

Going behind the recent introduction of multiline braille support in the popular JAWS for Windows Screen Reader, this month we hear from Joe Stephen, a blind software engineer with Vispero, on the new Wrapped and Cropped modes and why they’re a breakthrough for tables, spreadsheets, coding, and even braille music.

Playful learning & research: Prof. John Ravenscroft from the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Sensory Centre and ICEVI Europe speaks with us from the Tactile Literacy Conference about his work with LEGO Foundation and LEGO Braille Bricks, highlighting the global push for braille and tactile literacy.

An in-depth look at multiline Braille support in JAWS

Here is another one about multiline Braille support. This one is an FSCast episode: https://blog.freedomscientific.com/fscast-261-an-in-depth-look-at-multiline-braille-support-in-jaws-and-an-ai-user-survey-by-the-afb/

This one also has a transcript: https://blog.freedomscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FSCast261-August2025Transcript.htm

Here is the description from the podcast page:

On this episode, Joe Stephen and Rusty Kelly unveil some of the details of our upcoming support for multiline Braille.

Monarch: The Future of Braille and Beyond

And the latest one about multiline Braille support:

It has the transcript.

It’s See Things Differently with HumanWare.

The title of the episode is: Monarch: The Future of Braille and Beyond.

It’s quite an engaging, fast-paced and interesting conversation about different ways of using a multiline Braille display in educational and professional environment. The discussion was led by the Senior Braille product manager Andrew Flatres.

Here is the description from the page:

In this milestone 10th episode of See Things Differently, Rachel Ramos and David Woodbridge hand the mic to HumanWare’s Braille Product Manager Andrew Flatres for a deep-dive into one of the most exciting innovations in accessibility tech: the Monarch.

Andrew is joined by Chris Cooke, Scott Erichsen, and Allison Meloy, three early Monarch users who share how this groundbreaking tactile device is transforming the way people experience Braille and tactile graphics. From first impressions to classroom applications and the “wow” moments of exploring diagrams through touch, their stories highlight what makes Monarch so revolutionary.

Recently recognized by Time Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2025, the Monarch represents a major leap forward for digital Braille — and for the future of accessible learning.

Whether you’re a teacher, tech enthusiast, or just curious about what’s next in accessibility, this conversation will leave you inspired by what tactile technology can achieve.

Here is the link to the transcript: https://see-things-differently-with-hu.pinecast.co/episode/276dfff2/monarch-the-future-of-braille-and-beyond

Inside Apple’s Braille Access and the Future of Braille Literacy

Podcast At Your Fingertips – Braille Then and Now has a new feed.

I’d like to bring your attention to the latest episode talking about Braille Access on iOS and about multiline Braille displays. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-apples-braille-access-and-the-future/id1841245814?i=1000731264761

Here is the description from the episode page:

Discover what’s new in Braille accessibility with Apple’s latest updates. From iOS 26’s “Braille Access” mode to creative uses of BRF files and multi-line displays like the Monarch, this episode of At Your Fingertips explores how technology continues to shape modern Braille literacy and why it still matters in 2025.

This episode dives deep into Apple’s new Braille Access feature in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, revealing how it allows users to create BRF (Braille Ready Format) files, take notes, perform calculations, and seamlessly switch between apps using a Braille display. Host Chris Cooke explains practical use cases—from writing Braille music to sharing specialized code—and highlights how iCloud storage makes Braille more portable than ever.

Listeners are also introduced to Seeing Hands (seeinghands.org), a nonprofit distributing Braille books and dictionaries for young readers and developing Sudoku puzzles for multi-line Braille displays like the Monarch.

The show closes with reflections on the ongoing “Braille debate” discussed recently on Double Tap: whether Braille remains essential in a world of screen readers and AI. Chris Cooke offers a compassionate perspective, acknowledging both lifelong Braille users and those who struggle with tactile reading, while celebrating literacy, technology, and inclusion.

Posted on4th November 2025AuthorMatthew Horspool Edit
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New SD Card of Christian Braille Books Available from Torch Trust
Copyright © 2014-2025.

The Braillists Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales, no. 1187244. Our governance and policy documents can be found on our Governance page.

A new firmware update has been released for all fifth generation Focus braille displays, introducing support for the HID (Human Interface Device) braille protocol over both USB and Bluetooth.

Further information, including release notes, download links and update procedures, can be found on the Focus Blue 5th Generation Firmware Downloads page of the Freedom Scientific website.

In Touch recently ran a feature on RNIB’s Personal Transcription Service, amit widespread concerns about its future.

Listen to the programme here

We are pleased to announce that our braille SD card is now available to buy. The card contains thousands of books converted from our braille library, including hymn collections and even the latest edition of the NIV Bible.

It is designed to slot into an electronic braille display – a compact, portable device that converts digital text into tactile braille. These devices are growing ever more popular – they display one or a few lines of braille at a time using pins which can be raised or lowered by mechanical means and thus the braille can be endlessly advanced. In this way a whole book can be read on the device with the user pressing a button to scroll to the next line.

Sheila Armstrong, Torch trustee, writes: “Some people have suggested that braille’s dying out, as they can’t imagine heaving all those heavy volumes around – the forty-three volumes of the Bible, for instance. But what if you could have thousands of braille books on something the size of a postage stamp or even smaller? Well, it’s now possible, thanks to little SD cards which can be popped into electronic braille readers. Up comes the book you’ve selected and if you finish it, there are many, many more where that one came from. I have a lot of time for St John’s comment about there not being enough space in the whole world if all the books had been written about our Lord Jesus’ time on earth. If I owned all the braille books you can fit on an SD card, the house would definitely not be big enough to contain them!”

To purchase the SD card at a cost of £10, please call the Client Services team on 01858 438260 or email [email protected].

We hope that this project will reach braille users across the UK, enabling access to so many wonderful Christian resources at no more than the press of a button.

Unlock the world of touch reading with our braille course! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this course will teach you the fundamentals of braille.

Every Friday 11am-1pm at Bedford Hall, 72-74 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 2AR

Book by calling 020 8688 2486 / 07395 247699 or emailing [email protected]

Boots

2025 will be the 20th consecutive year that RNIB have worked with Boots to provided accessible versions of their Christmas Gift Guide. Christmas Gift Guide are available in audio, braille and large print.

Customers can order their free accessible copy now.

Call 0345 070 8090 or email [email protected]

From Monday 27th October, the content will also be available online, including an accessible PDF of the Gift Guide at boots.com/christmas-gift-guide/accessible-gift-guide.

M&S

Christmas Food Magazine available in audio and braille.

Braille copies can be ordered by emailing [email protected].

Lakeland

Christmas Magazine available in audio. Requests to [email protected] or call 01539 488 100.

Free content

• Alzheimer’s Society Dementia together bi-monthly magazine: Available in audio. Requests to [email protected] or call 0330 333 0804.
• British Heart Foundation Keep your heart healthy publication. Braille copies of the booklet can be ordered via bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/keep-your-heart-healthy-braille-version. Easy Read version is also available at bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/keep-your-heart-healthy-easy-read-booklet
• British Heart Foundation Understanding high blood pressure. Braille copies of the booklet can be ordered via bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/braille/understanding-high-blood-pressure-braille-version
• Deafblind Open Hand magazine available in audio and braille. Request via deafblind.org.uk/get-support/open-hand-magazine. Alternatively, customers can contact the Deafblind helpline to be added to the mailing list: call 0800 13 23 20, text 07903 572885, email [email protected] or text relay 18001 then 0800 13 23 20.
• National Trust Quarterly magazine for National Trust members: Audio and large print requests can be ordered by emailing [email protected] or calling 01733 375 370.
• Vogue Monthly magazine. Audio via vogue.co.uk/article/british-vogue-audio-braille-2025, digital braille file requests from [email protected]
• Charged publications Braille Chess Association quarterly chess magazine for members available in braille. If people are interested in finding out more about the Braille Chess Association please ask them to contact the Publicity Officer at [email protected]. Membership is priced at £10 per year (4 quarterly gazettes) or £20 for five years (20 quarterly gazettes).
• British Legion Magazine available in audio and large print. Membership fees charged at £20 per year. Sign-up here.
• Diabetes Balance magazine available in audio and large print. Sign-up for £3 a month. This includes a sign-up form and an option to pick if they’d like to receive Balance in an a large print or audio format.
• RSPB magazine available in audio. To arrange membership and order magazine please call 01767 693 680.

The “old-fashioned Perkins” is a term we hear (and perhaps use) a lot. Whilst it is true that it was invented over fifty years ago, the evolution in braille writing in the period leading up to the first Perkins Brailler being sold was immense, with dozens of braille writers coming to market. Some of them survived; some of them have been almost completely forgotten; but all of them have a story to tell.

In this Masterclass, we are delighted to be joined by Alan Thorpe, Perkins repair expert and owner of the largest known private collection of heritage braille equipment in the world. We will explore how ideas around braille writing evolved over time, from stylus to Stainsby and beyond, and discover afresh why the Perkins Brailler is considered by many to be a timeless treasure.

Register for the Masterclass here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 878 2641 0908
• Passcode: 123456

Vispero and HumanWare invite you to an exclusive webinar showcasing the future of braille access with Monarch and JAWS. Together, we’ll demonstrate how multiline braille and split braille open new possibilities for education, productivity, and independence.

Discover how cursor routing on multiline displays provides faster, more intuitive navigation across multiple lines of text, bringing braille access closer than ever to the experience of print. Learn how JAWS and the Monarch work hand-in-hand to deliver a powerful, seamless solution for braille users of all levels.

Join us to see firsthand how this groundbreaking collaboration is transforming braille access and empowering users worldwide.

Register for Monarch Meets JAWS

SuperNova 24 Now Supports More Braille Displays

Recent updates to SuperNova version 24 now allow refreshable Braille users to access over 60 braille displays.

Layered Hotkeys

In Layered Hotkey mode, the Braille layer gives you over twenty easy-to-remember commands at your fingertips, making it simple to get more done with fewer keystrokes. For example, pressing CAPS LOCK + SPACEBAR, then B, then O will quickly toggle Braille on and off.

You can also simulate multiple keypresses directly from your HumanWare or Focus Braille display, letting you input Windows commands without moving away from your device.

Automatic Detection

SuperNova and Dolphin ScreenReader will automatically detect your Braille display when it is connected to your computer.

Braille Output Support

SuperNova and Dolphin ScreenReader supports two forms of Braille output: Computer Braille and Literary Braille.

Easy Navigation

Learning how to navigate content from a display as well as simulating common Windows commands can help you work more efficiently as it stops you having to move your hands away from your display to the keyboard to perform popular tasks.

Training Course

To find more information about various hotkeys, or for more information about multiple keypresses, visit the Dolphin Braille course.

Free 30-Day Trial

If you’re new to SuperNova or you’re running an older version, you are welcome to try this and other new SuperNova 24 enhancements free for 30 days.

SuperNova Free Trial

Friend of the Braillists Scott Davert has updated his article on AppleVis: Using a Braille Display on iOS: an Introduction.

The update reflects some changes to iOS 26, including Braille Access, and removes some obsolete information.