Category: Uncategorised

Braille Literacy Canada will be hosting a hands on/active participant workshop on the Braille Access App, new in iOS26.

For further details and to register, please email [email protected] and put “braille access” in the subject line.

Hello from Bristol Braille.

We would like to share some exciting news. As we have a good history of working with the Braillists and have always appreciated your input and feedback over the years,  we wanted you to be the first to know.

Over the last few months,  we’ve been working on a new product, we’ve dubbed the Canute Scientific.

This is a significant evolution on our Canute Console, multi line Braille workstation. As the name suggests, it is aimed at blind people working, studying or with the ambition to do so, in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, (STEM.)

With an upgraded system board, new Chassey, greater connectivity options, roadmap for future development  and a suite of custom applications designed with feedback and advice from Braille readers, we truly believe this is our best product to date.

We are starting with a special limited edition run of 12 units Before we officially launch. As such, we have some great offers, including upgrade options for existing Canute Console and Canute 360 owners.

Current Console owners will not be left behind either, as our new applications will be made available to them too. However, if you decide to upgrade, you will get the new system, with the faster processor,  greater connectivity, new Chassey, servicing of your existing 360 display and a new 4 year warranty. This would save around £3,600 on the launch price of the Canute Scientific.

For the full feature list, specifications and details of pre-launch offers, please see our new online brochure below.

The Canute Scientific pre-launch

We will be taking the Canute Scientific on the road at various events throughout the year. Including our Braile Space events which offer people a chance to get their hands on the tech, see what it can do and share ideas with other Braille readers.

For more information about these events, please contact Chris at: [email protected]

You can also subscribe to our news letter to keep in touch with where we’ll be.

Bristol Braille Technology CIC

Thank you.

The Bristol Braille Team.

Are you interested in learning Arabic Braille? Have you ever wanted to experience reading the Quran in the same way that a sighted person would?

Basira Braille Institute is looking for expressions of interest in Arabic Braille classes. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned braillist, we want to hear from you.

We are proposing to hold sessions in Birmingham and Bradford, with a session held in each location every fortnight.

We intend to begin with the letters of the Arabic alphabet with the eventual aim of being able to read the Quran and other Arabic material fluently and confidently. We envisage that the course will require around 18 classes, but we would encourage students to work at their own pace. Students will also have the opportunity to solidify their knowledge by remaining with the group after completion of the course and engaging in further practice by reading to teachers out loud. We will also assist students to read Arabic Braille using their chosen Braille display or notetaker.

We anticipate each class will be priced in the region of £10-£15, subject to student numbers, on a “pay as you go” basis. However, we understand the financial pressures which our community is under. If you would find it difficult to pay for classes, we will endeavour to subsidise costs if possible.

We are hoping to begin classes in the summer of 2026, depending on sufficient interest.

Please express your potential interest by filling in this accessible Microsoft form which can be completed using your screen reader of choice.

Alternatively, please send any questions, comments or feedback to [email protected] or call 07759858538.

The 41^st CSUN Assistive Technology Conference took place last week, introducing an impressive assortment of new braille products! Everything from the most advanced notetaker to the simplest USB-only braille display was unveiled, alongside new developments in multi-line braille technology and braille labelling.

In this session, join our panel of braille experts and enthusiasts as we round up the announcements and make sense of the ever-changing braille landscape.

Register for the session

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 863 5563 0010
• Passcode: 123456

Orbit Research has introduced two new families of refreshable braille devices: the Strata and Flow series. These new products expand the ways people experience braille and introduce Orbit’s first devices with piezo braille cells alongside our established TrueBraille technology.

The Strata family includes three devices designed for different ways of working with braille. The Strata 40 is a compact 40-cell braille display that combines Orbit’s signature standalone and connected capabilities with piezo braille technology. The Strata 40 Pro and Strata 20 Pro extend this platform into multimodal braille systems that bring together braille, speech, audio, online services, and built-in applications.

We are also introducing the Flow family of braille displays. The first device in this series is the Flow 40, a compact 40-cell braille display designed for seamless use with computers and mobile devices. With piezo braille cells, ergonomic navigation keys, and instant USB connectivity, Flow 40 delivers a smooth and natural braille reading experience.

Together, the Strata and Flow families provide more ways to experience braille through combinations of braille reading, speech, audio, and connected services.

The new lineup includes:

• Strata 40 – 40-cell braille display, features similar to the Orbit Reader 40
• Strata 40 Pro – multimodal 40-cell braille system, combining the features of the Orbit Speak and the Orbit Reader 40.
• Strata 20 Pro – Same as the Strata 40 Pro, but with 20 cells.
• Flow 40 – the first device in the Flow family, with only braille output

Shipping for the new Strata and Flow devices is expected in the second half of the year.

Visit our web pages Strata Family and Orbit Flow 40 for more details.

Orbit Research is pleased to announce a new subsidy program in partnership with Voice of Specially Abled People (VoSAP) to make braille and reading technology even more accessible to blind and deafblind individuals in the United States.

The Orbit Reader 20 has already transformed the braille technology landscape. By dramatically lowering the cost of refreshable braille, it has enabled thousands of people around the world to access braille for reading, education, and employment.

Through this new subsidy program, eligible individuals in the United States can receive:

• Orbit Reader 20 – now available for $499
• Orbit Reader 20 Plus – now available for $599
• Orbit Player – now available for $199

The Orbit Reader 20 is a refreshable braille display with a built-in book reader and note taker designed to support literacy, education, and productivity.

The Orbit Reader 20 Plus adds braille translation and productivity apps.

The Orbit Player provides a simple and convenient way to read DAISY books, listen to music, and access audio learning content on the go.

This initiative builds on the strong success of the Orbit and VoSAP subsidy program in India, which has already helped many blind and deafblind individuals obtain affordable braille technology. We are delighted to now expand this opportunity to individuals in the United States.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and apply here

You may also apply on behalf of a family member, student, or friend who could benefit.

Please help us spread the word so more members of the blind and deafblind community can benefit.

HumanWare is proud to announce that BrailleNote evolve is evolving into something even greater.

HumanWare and Vispero have joined forces in a powerful partnership, united by a mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired, opening doors to learning, awareness, and opportunities that help them thrive.

As part of this collaboration, HumanWare is delighted to offer a FREE 6-month JAWS subscription with every BrailleNote evolve. HumanWare also confirmed it will manage the global distribution of JAWS for BrailleNote, further expanding access to powerful screen reading technology for BrailleNote users worldwide.

This exceptional offering reflects the strong alignment between our two organisations. Together, we are committed to empowering users with the tools and skills they need to succeed, in education, rehabilitation and the workplace.

BrailleNote evolve is far more than a notetaker. It is the lightest and most portable braille computer of its kind, seamlessly combining Windows with the familiar KeySoft environment and a customised NVDA experience, all within one integrated device that puts braille at your fingertips. Now, with JAWS alongside it, BrailleNote evolve becomes an even more powerful gateway to independence, confidence and professional success.

Designed with everyone in mind, whether you are starting your learning journey with braille, studying in education, building confidence through rehabilitation, or advancing in the workplace, BrailleNote evolve adapts to your needs. Users can comfortably operate a full Windows computer through the accessible and familiar KeySoft interface, gradually developing essential screen reader skills at their own pace before fully moving to the JAWS experience.

“At HumanWare, although we do not develop our own screen reader, we have always encouraged users to build strong screen reading skills” says Andrew Flatres, Senior Product Manager at HumanWare. “For those who are just beginning, the learning curve can feel overwhelming. BrailleNote evolve provides a supportive bridge, enabling users to build these critical skills within a familiar environment and, when they are ready, transition seamlessly to the world’s leading screen reader, JAWS — all on the same device.”

“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration. By bringing together our expertise, we can create even greater opportunities for the blind and low vision community. Including six months of JAWS with BrailleNote evolve allows users to build confidence and develop essential screen reader skills, with the option to continue their subscription at a preferential rate through HumanWare.” — Matt Ater, Senior Vice President, Vispero

Together, HumanWare and Vispero are opening new pathways for braille users to develop essential digital skills, build confidence, and access greater opportunities in education, rehabilitation, and employment. With six months of JAWS included free of charge with every BrailleNote evolve, and with HumanWare now managing the global distribution of JAWS for BrailleNote, users can begin building these skills immediately, with the option to continue their subscription at a preferential rate through HumanWare.

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

DBT Win 14.1 SR2 and DBT for Mac 14.1 SR2 are now shipping.

DBT Win 14.1 SR2 is a free upgrade to those who purchased DBT Win or an update to DBT Win on or after January 1, 2024.

DBT for Mac 14.1 SR2 is free upgrade to those who purchased DBT for Mac or an update to DBT for Mac on or after January 1, 2024.

For those with DBT the easiest way to see if DBT 14.1 sr2 is free is to:

1. Open DBT
2. Go to  HELP
3. Go to CHECK FOR UPDATES!

You can also contact [email protected] with your DBT serial/License number, or check with your preferred Adaptive Technology supplier.

You can always check our website for more information: https://www.DuxburySystems.com

DBT Win 14.1 SR2 provides the following important improvements and fixes and more.

Support for SWIFT

• DBT runs a web service that allows connectivity to a web-based implementation of SWIFT.
• All template (.dxt) files have been revised to correct a minor error in the names of linear styles. This will be needed to work with web-hosted editions of SWIFT.

BANA Braille Template

• DBT 14.1 includes BANA Braille 2024, an updated version of the BANA Braille template created by Susan Christensen.

Language Support

• Sotho (Northern and Southern Pedi) print-to-braille translation has been modified to update contractions per input from a South African authority, as has Tswana translation.
• Mi’kmaq (Mi’kmaw) translation support has been added in this release.
• The Swahili (Kenya) translators (both print-to-braille and braille-to-print) have been updated to correct the handling of a certain shortform.
• The English/Unified (UEB) print-to-braille translation table has been updated to correct a problem whereby a required grade 1 indicator could be missing in certain instances where a hyphen immediately follows an expression explicitly declared to be “technical”, e.g. when a “math” style is applied to just the “x” in “x-coordinate”. This change also affects translation of several uncontracted languages where print-to-braille translation is derived from the UEB table and UEB learning series (“Weebee Dots”) translation. Contracted forms of several unusual words have also been corrected in print-to-braille translation.

Embosser Support

• A top margin adjustment automatically applied to ViewPlus Columbia embossers is now also applied to Irie BrailleTrac embossers.

Python: PDF and Macros

• DBT includes support for importing PDF files and a general-purpose macro facility. These two major new features require support of Python, an optional installation component that may be omitted when required by network policy.

Installer

• Operation of the DBT installer in French is corrected.

Mathematics

• Importation of mathematics markup from the Equation Editor built into Microsoft Word 2007 and newer is considerably improved.

Miscellaneous

• DBT/Win display of error messages from failed imports is improved.
• DBT 14.1 corrects a longstanding defect that would cause unusual instances of extra characters being inserted as the start of the first word of each page when importing .brf or .prf files.
• Over eighty new user interface languages are new to DBT 14.1.

We are constantly working on improved language support. If you are interested in specific language improvements, please write to us at [email protected].

Duxbury Systems has begun early testing of eBraille support in DBT, and expects support to evolve very quickly. Users interested in having a look at this feature before release are urged to contact Peter Sullivan on [email protected]

A current DBT license for DBT 14.1 sr2 is required.

Hello and Happy Anniversary from Blazie Technologies.

Here are the release notes for the up-coming March 2026 BT Speak update. This is a free update for all users in recognition of the second anniversary of BT Speak shipping to customers.

Introduction

Happy anniversary from Blazie Technologies! It was in March of 2024 when we began shipping the BT Speak to our customers. Since March represents an exciting milestone, we decided to celebrate by offering this update at no cost as an anniversary gift to our customers.

There are some other benefits of ensuring that all of our customers have this update on their BT Speak. We are refactoring the software architecture significantly to make future upgrades easier and more reliable. This change also keeps the BT Speak and BT Braille user experience equally consistent. We also want to release BT Towne to everyone (more on this later) because we believe a larger community of users will make it a richer experience. Having all users on this new architecture is necessary to maintain quality technical support for everyone, regardless of whether a customer has a maintenance contract.

Please Note: installing this update may take longer than usual, perhaps as long as ten minutes.

Quick Instructions for Updating Your BT Speak

1. Ensure that your BT Speak is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Your battery level should be at 40% or higher.
2. Type O-Chord for the Options menu.
3. Type M for the BT Speak Management menu.
4. Type U to Check for Software Updates.
5. Your BT Speak should tell you that a new update is available and will ask if you’d like to install it. Press the letter Y to begin the installation.

The BT Speak will download and install the update. The installation may take as long as ten minutes to complete.

Once BT Speak restarts, you will be able to start enjoying the new update.

Read Braille Books and Magazines From the NLS BARD Service

We are pleased to introduce the first version of the NLS BARD app. This application allows you to search, browse, download, and read Braille titles available through the BARD service from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). You can also manage your BARD subscriptions and view or update items in your BARD wishlist.

To use the BARD app, you must already be an NLS patron and have an active BARD account. BARD is available to NLS patrons living in the United States and to U.S. citizens living outside the United States who are registered with NLS.

To access the BARD app, open Options, then Applications, then Library, and select NLS BARD (shortcut L).

BT-Towne: a New Interactive Community for BT Speak Owners

We are excited to introduce the first version of BT Towne, an interactive social world available exclusively on BT Speak. BT Towne is a place where users can gather, explore, and connect with one another in a shared environment designed for conversation, games, and community.

The first location in BT Towne is the Tavern. Here you can meet other users who are currently in the room, chat together in real time, interact with our AI bartender, and enjoy games and activities with fellow visitors.

BT Towne is just getting started, and new places and experiences will be added over time as the world continues to grow.

To access BT Towne, go to Options, Applications, Games.

BT Towne will continue to improve as we add new ones over time.

Here are the keystrokes which are currently available to you.

O: Open the main menu

C: Chat with other users.

E: Interact with your environment. Allows you to examine objects, talk to NPCs (AI-based non-player characters) and play games

G: go to another room

H: help using BT Towne

I: list your current inventory

L: look around (describes the room you’re currently in)

M: open a map of BT-Towne. Lists the available rooms and how many BT Speak users are in each room.

S: Settings

Q: Quit BT Towne

The Settings menu allows you to change the volume level of BT Towne’s background music and other sound effects.

BT Towne is experimental and we anticipate updates and changes to it over the next few weeks and months.

We welcome your feedback regarding this new community. Please don’t hesitate to report bugs or suggest new features and other ways to improve the experience.

Blazie Platform Unification

This anniversary release introduces a major software architecture upgrade that supports both the upcoming BT Braille and the continued development of BT Speak. A unified codebase now runs across both devices, allowing applications to behave consistently, regardless of hardware.

A key benefit of this overhaul is that Blazie mode applications can now self-voice and directly control Braille output. This gives applications precise control over what is spoken and what is sent to the Braille display, completely independent of what is printed to the terminal or shown on a connected visual display.

Screen Sharing with HDMI

When a HDMI display is connected, teachers, students, and family members can now visually follow what you are working on in the editor.

Standard text files will appear on the screen as normal text. Braille files are also displayed, currently using an ASCII text representation of Braille contractions.

In a future release, we plan to add support for a Braille font, which will allow Braille files to be shown visually as Braille characters. For now, Braille content is displayed using its text representation.

Improved Speaking of Menus and Dialogs

Menu announcements have been streamlined. When opening a menu or submenu, BT Speak now announces the name of the menu followed by the word “menu”, rather than saying “opened.” For example, pressing o-chord will now announce “Options menu.”

In addition, dialog titles are now spoken in situations where they were previously silent. You will notice this improvement in several Blazie Mode applications, such as YouTube Stream. This update also resolves a long-standing issue where dialog names were not announced.

You may also notice smoother speech output with fewer interruptions before messages are spoken, such as when requesting the time or battery level.

Going forward, we will continue to fine-tune voice messages for clarity and brevity, based on user input.

Notes on Screen Review Mode: R-Chord

Now that we are primarily self-voicing, the Brltty review mode has less relevance than before. In fact, the only place it is operational now is in the bash shell.

Warning, At present, the R-Chord command is still present in Blazie mode, but entering that mode will not access useful text information. However, if you enter review and forgot, it may seem like your device is not operating correctly. If in doubt, do a z-chord to exit review mode.

We plan to address this in a future release, but we didn’t want to disable review mode for shell users.

Word and Character Navigation in More Places

You can now navigate Python menu items, Wikipedia results and Now Playing info, by word or character using the standard navigation commands.

This capability is not yet available in every menu, but we plan to expand support to additional areas of the system in future updates.

New History Feature for Input Fields

Many input fields now include a history feature. When performing searches in Wikipedia or entering information in other input fields, you can review your previous entries by pressing dot-1 chord.

Use dot-1 chord to move through earlier entries. When the desired entry appears under the cursor, press Enter to send it to the application. You may also edit the previous entry before pressing Enter if you want to modify it.

This feature works the same way as the calculator history and the editor’s find history.

Each input field stores up to 50 of your most recent entries.

Improved Radio Recording

We have improved how recordings from the radio tuner are saved. In the previous update, recordings from some stations were occasionally saved with a .bin file extension, which prevented those files from being played back. This issue has now been addressed.

In addition, when you stop recording a station, the recording toggle now announces its final state more reliably.

New Options for Announcing Words With Mixed Case

It’s now possible to control how the BT Speak announces consecutive upper-case characters. From the start, it always separated them as separate letters, which worked nicely for acronyms but it could be challenging to understand for words that were in all upper-case. Now, in the speech settings menu, you have three choices: split mixed-case words (the new default), split all upper-case characters (what we did before), or off, which passes everything to your preferred text to speech engine without any processing.

Speak or Hide Characters in Wi-Fi and Other Blazie Password Prompts

When you are connecting to a Wi-Fi network, you now have the option to speak the characters that you enter while typing your password. This option also allows you to review what you have entered. To hear the characters you are typing, press low-H chord (dots 2-3-6-chord). This is a toggle, so pressing low h-chord again goes back to hiding the characters.

New Title for the Welcome Screen

The title of the welcome screen help topic has been renamed to “Welcome to BT Speak”. This was done to ensure that its menu entry fits better with the other topics that are listed.

Easier Method for Selecting or Deselecting Files to Move or Copy in the File Browser

The space key is now being used to select or deselect a file that you want to move or copy. This should be a more intuitive way of selecting files. The letter x is still available for this action. Dots 3-4-6 is still used to move or copy files that you have selected.

Disk Format Utility

This utility allows you to format an externally connected storage device, such as an SD card or a USB drive. You will find this utility by going to Options, BT Speak management menu. You can select either EXFAT or FAT32 formats, and the entire drive will be set up with a single partition.

Voice Notes Updates

The Voice Notes app has been partially re-written to be more efficient and consistent.

• New notes are now named Note01, Note02 etc. Existing notes are not renamed.
• When you move to the microphone volume setting, you can adjust it with the Previous/Next commands which are dot 7-Chord and dot 8-Chord. You can also use back tab(1-2-Chord) or tab (4-5-Chord). The microphone volume level is now announced.
• When you are pointing to a note, you can type r to rename the note.
• When you are pointing to a note, you can type d or low-d-chord to delete the note.

Miscellaneous Improvements

• The Wi-Fi Status report output uses a more accurate bitrate reading.
• When in help topics, typing invalid characters now produces a beep.
• When in read-only files in the main editor, the message “write protected” is now announced instead of “file is write protected.” For conciseness.

Concluding Remarks

Thank you for being a Blazie Technologies customer and for celebrating our two-year anniversary with us. We hope you enjoy the new update.

As always, we appreciate and welcome your feedback on this latest update. Please email your feedback to [email protected] or call us at (772) 214-1616.