News

Humanware has a page containing several guides for the new BrailleNote Evolve.

David Woodbridge is posting occasional episodes about the BrailleNote Evolve on his iSee – Using Various Technologies from a Blind Persons Perspective podcast. Currently, these include:

• A physical description of the Braille Note Evolve
• Braille Note Evolve demo 1 – description, starting up, entering pin number to login, main menu, and shutting down
• Braille Note Evolve demo 2 – KeySoft Main Menu Options, KeySoft Control Centre, and exiting KeySoft Main Menu
• Braille Note Evolve demo 3 – how to get to the NVDA settings from the KS Main Menu and how to get back to the Main Menu if you pop in to Windows by accident
• Braille Note Evolve demo 4 – a quick review of Quick Settings, and then handy KeySoft, NVDA, and Window commands
• Braille Note Evolve demo 5 – using Braille on the Braille Note Evolve
• What it is like using JAWS with the BrailleNote Evolve

Episode 80 of Access On, is on. This week, HumanWare begins shipping the Windows-based BrailleNote Evolve. In this extended episode, we bring you the first independent, extensive review of the device.

Subscribe to Access On wherever you get podcasts, or download the audio of this week’s episode at: https://pinecast.com/listen/f2d89618-33c6-462e-9a38-1cbe88026a53.mp3

Webinar Recorded: May 18th, 2026

Watch on YouTube

Innovative MEMS technology is changing how the visually impaired can interact with digital information. Dave Schleppenbach from Tactile Engineering introduces the Cadence Tactile Tablet, a 2D refreshable display. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how this modular device renders Braille text, complex graphics, and even live video.

Visit the podcast page

Readers may find this blog post of interest.

The recording of the June 2026 Orbit Research Zoom Meeting hosted by Robert Carter is now available for direct download at:

https://www.turner42.com/OrbitResearchJune2026ZoomMeeting.zip

For other Orbit Research information, see: https://www.turner42.com/ori.html

Did you miss last week’s webinar from Blazie Technologies?

Did you hear it but liked it so much that you want a second replay?

If you fall into the first camp, the problem is solved. If you’re in the second camp, who could blame you?

Whatever camp you’re in, a recording of our latest webinar is now available from our Web site’s Guides and Media page. We have lots of news and announcements, plus demos of some of what’s coming in our next update. Enjoy.

Literacy is the foundation of learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment. As the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign continues its call for More Braille, More Empowerment, we mark World Day for Assistive Technology by recognising the important role that assistive technology can play in advancing braille literacy and expanding opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and have low vision.

Braille literacy remains a fundamental right and a cornerstone of inclusive education, lifelong learning, and meaningful participation in society. In an increasingly digital world, braille literacy and assistive technology together can create new pathways to learning, communication, independence, and participation across all stages of life.

When designed, developed, and deployed inclusively, assistive technology has the potential to transform how braille is taught, learned, accessed, and used. From refreshable braille displays and accessible learning platforms to emerging digital and AI-driven solutions, technology can strengthen braille teaching, expand opportunities for braille reading and writing, and support the development of literacy skills that foster independence, autonomy, confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

As recognised in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to braille, alternative formats, and assistive technology is essential to achieving inclusion and equal participation. We therefore encourage governments, educators, technology and AI developers, publishers, organisations of persons with disabilities, and development partners to work together to ensure that technological progress strengthens braille literacy and contributes to a more inclusive and accessible world.

Throughout June, the More Braille, More Empowerment Campaign invites relevant stakeholders to share stories demonstrating how braille literacy and assistive technology together are creating opportunities for learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment.

#MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment

#TechnologyForBrailleLiteracy

Most braille displays include an integrated Perkins-style keyboard which can be used to enter and edit text. But did you know you can also use your braille display’s braille keyboard to perform complex QWERTY keyboard keystrokes? Join Matthew Horspool to find out how!

We will cover:

• Similarities and differences between JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver
• Assigning a braille display keystroke to a QWERTY keystroke
• Pressing and holding modifier keys
• Numbers in conjunction with modifier keys
• Emulating F1-F12
• Emulating common keys such as the arrow keys, home, end, page up, page down and tab
• Practical examples of where this might be useful

Register for the session

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 881 2861 0698
• Passcode: 123456