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Selvas BLV is pleased to announce that we are still accepting pre-orders for the all-new BrailleSense 7 braille tablet.

Following the highly successful unveiling at last week’s CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, we are continuing the momentum by hosting an in-depth webinar highlighting this award-winning technology. Although the BrailleSense 7 has not yet begun shipping, it has already been recognized as a winner of the prestigious iF Design Award 2026—one of the world’s most respected honors for innovation, functionality, and user-centered design.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 PM Central Time for a comprehensive overview and live demonstration of the BrailleSense 7. During this session, we will explore the features and innovations that distinguish this device as a leader in its class.

What You’ll Learn

What’s Included

• BrailleSense 7 tablet with touch-sensitive braille cells
• User-replaceable battery
• Secondary battery
• Dual input: Both Perkins-style and QWERTY keyboards
• Protective carrying case with shoulder strap

Hardware Overview

• Available in 40-, 32-, and 20-cell models
• Touch-capacitive braille interface
• Octa-core processor
• 256 GB flash storage with support for additional SD Micro memory

Device Layout

• Ergonomically designed braille keyboard
• Overview of all ports and connectors
• Orientation of top, front, back, left, and right panels

Settings and Navigation

• Support for legacy commands
• Gesture controls (swipe left/right, double-tap for navigation and app launching)
• Smart Scroll for seamless reading with minimal physical button interaction
• Customizable cursor routing options
• Scroll wheel for adjusting speech parameters and navigation

Software Capabilities

• Braille-first applications and curated third-party apps
• New multi-page home screen
• Full Excel spreadsheet creation and editing (beyond a viewer)
• Quick Search for local and online content
• Integrated Web TV tuner

This webinar is ideal for consumers, educators, and assistive technology professionals who are seeking a detailed look at the next generation of braille productivity and accessibility tools. Reserve your spot today and experience the future of braille technology with BrailleSense 7.

Please note: although all of the product information in this webinar is likely to apply in the UK, this is a US webinar and as such, release timelines may vary and pricing information and trade-in options should be treated as a guideline only.

Register for the webinar

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.