Category: Uncategorised

Monday at 2:15 PM and Tuesday at 9:45 AM, Seminar Room 1
Presenter: Stuart Lawler, Head of Digital Content and Braille Specialist, Sight and Sound Technology Ltd

As we mark two centuries since the invention of braille, we’re excited here at Sight and Sound Technology and are taking a moment to reflect—and to look ahead to the future. Braille has revolutionised access to information for blind and visually impaired people, and its impact continues to grow. When paired with the assistive technologies we’re passionate about, the potential is truly limitless. Join Stuart Lawler, who will take us on a journey through the history of Refreshable braille technology, explore today’s innovations in both single and multi-line braille displays, and offer a glimpse into what the future may hold.

Hosted by Bristol Braille Technology:

Location: Sacks of Potatoes, 10 Gosta Green, Birmingham B4 7ER (just a 4-minute walk from the Sight Village venue)

This informal gathering is the perfect way to unwind after the first day of the exhibition. You’ll have the chance to meet fellow Braille users, connect with innovators in the field, and experience the joy of Braille in a fun and relaxed atmosphere over your favourite drink.

And we have two subjects in particular that we want to have a discussion about, so we especially hope you can join us if they interest you: the future of tactile maps, and creative writing using Braille. These are both areas that Bristol Braille is going to be running projects within and we welcome inventive minds to share their experiences.

If you can’t make it to Braille and Beer, but would like to discuss your ideas with Ed or Steph during Sight Village, you can book a one-to-one session here.

We very much look forward to seeing you at Braille and Beer and sharing everything new from Bristol Braille Technology!

Braille access just got easier: text-to-speech is now built right into the Paige website. Whether you’re translating braille for school, home, or fun, you can now hear the translation read aloud without needing a screen reader.  This makes learning and using braille smoother for everyone, especially those new to assistive tech.

Perfect for:

• New learners exploring braille
• Teachers supporting classrooms
• Families helping braille users

This update is now live on both the Translate tool and Learn tool.

Watch it in action and share it with someone who could benefit from more accessible braille learning.

From our friends at Paige Braille:

From June 26–29, finalists from across the U.S. and Canada will gather in Los Angeles for the 2025 Braille Challenge Finals, hosted by the Braille Institute. This one-of-a-kind academic competition brings together the brightest young braille readers and writers, celebrating literacy, achievement, and connection.

More info at brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge

The Third Tactile Reading and Graphics Conference recently concluded at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, bringing together over 400 participants from around the world to discuss braille, tactile graphics and much more.

In this special event, we will bring together an eclectic panel of attendees to relive the Conference and share their key takeaways.

Register here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 895 4517 7091
• Passcode: 123456

A message from Sense:

We’re excited to invite you to the launch of Helene Ryles’ new writing display at Sense TouchBase Pears, Birmingham!

Date & Time: Tuesday 24 June 2025 | 11 am–12 pm
Location: Sense TouchBase Pears, Birmingham

Come join us as we celebrate and explore the beautifully curated collection of Helene’s writing. This is a lovely opportunity to connect and support our creative community.

Refreshments will be provided, and there’ll be time to connect with Helene about the stories and creativity behind her work.

We’d love to see you there—please RSVP via the link to confirm you place and share with anyone else you would like to at attend.

Would you like to take part in an innovative project designed for the visually impaired community?

A Warwickshire-based software company is looking for members of the visually impaired and blind community to participate in an exciting new project that uses new technology to transform photographs into 3D tactile bas-reliefs.

What we’re looking for:

We’re seeking volunteers who rely on their sense of touch to submit images of cherished moments and people in their lives. These photographs will be turned into 3D reliefs for a tactile exhibition in London.

Images might include weddings, graduations, family members, or a memorable holiday, for example. We ask each volunteer to submit at least three images.

The exhibition will be held in London on 15th September 2025. If your image is selected, you’ll be invited to the event where you’ll be able to feel your 3D photo and have it displayed alongside the original photograph.

When submitting your images, please state whether or not you’ll be able to attend the exhibition.

If you’re interested, please email Brad Castle on [email protected] for a consent form. Once the form is signed, you’ll be invited to submit your images for consideration.

As Chair of the Braillists Foundation, I want to take a moment to offer my sincere thanks to every single one of our volunteers.

Whether you’re delivering events, sharing your expertise, or working quietly behind the scenes, your contribution is the heartbeat of everything we do. You help grow our community, inspire new braille users, and make sure our work stays rooted in lived experience.

This Foundation wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for your time, your passion, and your belief in braille.

Dave Williams

From Mary Lea

Because of the good feedback we got from the Braille workshop for children event earlier this year Limavady Library have asked me to run a Braille introductory session for adults. It’s from 2.30pm to 4. 30 pm – largely because Irish people like to chat.

They’ve also agreed to me running an eight week introduction to Grade One Braille starting in September. I’ll get back with more details once it’s confirmed. And if the eight week course goes well they might be happy to have a regular reading group after.

Closing date: 10 June 2025

If you are interested in producing braille and tactile resources you may wish to apply for this vacancy.