Victory Amps are offering braille panel options on any Victory amplifier worldwide, at no extra cost.
Victory Amps, which is based in the UK, started researching accessibility when they were building a customised amplifier for guitarist, and social-media personality, Anthony Ferraro. He had reached out, asking if he could try an amplifier in their existing lineup, but Victory wanted to build him an amp that was entirely accessible.
Learning to read braille as an adult can be a daunting task. The majority of early braille learning materials often cater to young students or children, making finding beginning braille reading tools as an adult difficult.
Braille Bridge changes that. A combination of digital and hard copy reading materials for older transition-age students as well as adults learning to read braille, Braille Bridge makes the transition to learning braille easy.
Braille Bridge is not a learning curriculum, but a tool to provide adults with braille reading tools that were designed with them in mind.
“Learning and reading braille as an adult allows for more independence and knowledge of the world around you. Signs, keypads, and tactile labels are all examples of common use of braille in everyday lives,” said Laura Zierer, Braille Bridge Product Manager at APH.
Braille Fluency as an adult provides a level of independence in navigating the world, and the workplace. It allows adults to engage with their environment in a whole new way and gives them the opportunity to understand their environment through tactile exploration.
Braille Bridge offers age-appropriate reading material while catering to understanding the basics of braille. This material will aim to incorporate not only complex vocabulary along with interesting and advanced topics, but will include engaging stories for adult readers.
“Adults don’t like to practice braille on children’s books,” said Laura.
Braille Bridge materials are available in both digital and hard copy formats to ensure that anyone can utilize the product regardless of which braille reading device they choose to use. A significant portion of new braille readers and adults who are blind or low vision do not own a braille display or embosser making a delivered hard copy essential for access to braille materials.
For most readers, comfort and fluency develops over time. With limited access to braille learning reading materials, adults are often left with only early education or children’s material to practice with. All braille learners deserve access to interesting and motivating reading material to guide them in their journey to braille literacy.
“This product fills a very large need in the braille learning community of braille-curious, newly blind adults. Once my rehabilitation case was closed, I lost access to my braille tutor, and this self-guided document is the first training course that has been exciting and easy enough to inspire me to get back into regular braille practice. This is just about the highest praise I can give a product for this market,” said one Braille Bridge field tester.
Find access to digital and hard copy braille reading materials when you purchase Braille Bridge available now in the APH Store.
HumanWare are thrilled to announce the release of their latest firmware update for the Brailliant BI X, Mantis and Chameleon braille displays! This update introduces learning braille tables, a recording application and support for the upcoming eBraille format.
Watch the version 2.6 introduction Video
Here’s what’s new:
A new set of learning braille tables is now available in its own category called “English braille learning tables”. These additional braille tables are designed to assist learners in developing their reading and writing skills using braille.
In addition to these learning tables, the list of braille tables has been reorganized and grouped by language.
A new application, KeyRecorder, is available for the Brailliant BI 40X. It uses the integrated microphone to record sessions, meetings and all your recording needs. Record on the go with a new global shortcut to start recording using Enter with R.
Educators and students now have access to assigned books through the Bookshare online library. A new category called “Assigned Titles” appears in the Bookshare online library.
With the anticipated eBraille file format soon to be available globally, the Brailliant BI X, Mantis Q40 and Chameleon 20 include initial support.
This version includes several improvements and introduces Estonian and Lithuanian support. New Swiss German and French keyboard layouts have been added to the Mantis Q40.
When connected to Wi-Fi, the Brailliant BI X, Mantis Q40 and Chameleon 20 will receive a notification that a system update is available. Select Download to begin the update. If the notification does not appear, follow these steps:
This version includes enhancements, localization and fixes that came directly from Brailliant BI X series, Mantis Q40 and Chameleon 20 users. We appreciate everyone who writes to us with suggestions or bug reports, your feedback helps us continue improving. Enjoy the new update!
Greetings from Orbit Research!
We are pleased to announce the availability of a new software update, version 1.7.10, for the Orbit Speak notetaker.
This is a hotfix that resolves several issues reported by customers.
The update can be installed by using the automatic software update feature built into the Orbit Speak. Instructions on performing this process are provided below.
Please follow the steps below to update the software. If you have already set up your Wi-Fi connection, you will automatically be notified of new software updates and will be able to download and install them easily.
Here are the steps to connect to a Wi-Fi network, if you have not already done so:
Once your Orbit Speak is connected to the Wi-Fi network, the following are the steps for updating the software:
APH is pleased to announce the release of BrailleBlaster 3.2.1. There are many bug fixes in this version and a few new features. The main new feature is the tools relating to being able to insert links into a document. See below for the full release notes.
For those running BrailleBlaster 3.0 or higher, you probably will soon get this update automatically, if not already received it. However if you do not get it automatically or if you just want to get it immediately, you can download it from the brailleblaster.org download page.
NOTE: Automatic updates are only for installed versions, those using the Windows zip files or Linux tar balls will need to manually update.
Also whilst talking about updating, we are aware of some error reports from users still using BrailleBlaster 1.x and 2.x. These older versions will not be receiving any further fixes. Whilst there may be a need to still use these older versions for existing old BB files, we recommend for new work all users should be using BrailleBlaster 3.
Welcome to BrailleBlaster 3.2. This release introduces the tools such as the Bookmark Window and the Insert Link Window.
This session will cover:
If you’re a JAWS user who wants to move beyond single-line braille and truly benefit from multi-line braille support, this is a session you won’t want to miss!
For 25 years, Dave has worked to advance accessibility for blind people. His professional background spans audio production, community media, agile design, and digital product testing, informed by his lived experience as a blind parent, international marathon runner, and award-winning volunteer.
Your chance to catch up with the team at Orbit Research.
You can never have too many tools in your braille teaching toolkit and Braille Brain, APH’s free, interactive online curriculum, is one you’ll want to explore. Designed to support instruction in Unified English Braille (UEB) and Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science, Braille Brain offers structured units, lessons, embedded knowledge checks, and flexible learning paths.
In this introductory session, participants will take a guided tour of the platform, learning how to navigate its features and begin integrating lessons into instruction.
This session is designed for pre-service and in-service TSVIs, paraprofessionals, parents, and educational team members who support braille learners. Whether you are new to braille or supporting others who are just getting started, this webinar will help you move forward with confidence.
Register Here for Braille Brain 101: Introduction to Units, Lessons and Navigations
Vispero Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan
Are you looking for practical ways to get the most out of using Braille and JAWS? Want tips to help you work more efficiently? If so, this webinar is for you.
We’ll provide tips for editing documents, accessing math content, navigating web pages, and more. Learn how to:
ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar.
Learn practical ways to get the most out of using Braille and JAWS.
Register for Six Ways to Increase Productivity with Braille and JAWS
Registration is now open for the spring term Braille And Tactile Skills courses, starting on 05 January2026.
Our Braille and Tactile Skills courses take place on Mondays either between 10AM/12PM or 1Pm/3PM.
Terms are eleven weeks long and are held at our Brockley Rise centre in South East London: 2 Brockley Rise, SE23 1PR
No previous knowledge of Braille is required, course fees are means tested and many of our applicants receive free or discounted places depending on their income.
We are a friendly and supportive group, and all learners work at their own pace towards their individual goals. We have lots of great group discussions about various topics related to visual impairment and use things like tactile games to make learning fun and to foster new friendships and connections.
To register, please call: 02083143300 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm to make an appointment for a pre-course assessment with supported learning, or you can email: [email protected]
For a list of all courses that are offered by Adult Learning Lewisham, please see: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/find-a-course