Latest News
- Reminder: Discover Braille Access Tonight at 7:30 PM
Apple recently released the latest versions of its flagship operating systems, including iOS and iPad 26 for the popular iPhone and iPad product lines. Amongst the many new features are a significant number of improvements to VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader, including a new notataker-like feature called Braille Access.
In the second part of this two-part series on iOS 26, Matthew Horspool will talk about:
- Launching apps and items
- Taking, reading and managing braille notes
- Reading and transferring BRF files
- The braille clock and calculator
- Live braille captions
- Braille Access settings
- Configuring braille keyboard commands for Braille Access
Register for the Masterclass here.
To join by phone, please use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 890 9440 0482
- Passcode: 123456
- Introducing Split Braille: Webinar Wednesday from Sight and Sound, 1 October at 2:00 PM
In October, we celebrate National braille week, so naturally, this month’s Webinar Wednesday has a braille theme.
We’re thrilled to welcome back Matthew Horspool, a long-time friend of Sight and Sound Technology. Matthew wears many hats—he’s the Code Maintenance Officer for the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) and General Manager at the Braillists Foundation.
Matthew will be talking us through a relatively new and powerful feature in JAWS called split braille. Split Braille allows your braille display to show content from two different locations or views at the same time, by splitting the display into two regions. For example, you can read the main document text on one side and see attributes like bold or italics, comments, or speech history on the other. This helps you review more information at once without switching views. While split Braille works on any size braille display, it is most useful on larger displays, where splitting the braille line would still afford ample space for accessing information.
Please register here to attend what will undoubtedly be a hugely informative and worthwhile session.
- That All May eRead from NLS, Wednesday 1 October at 1:00 AM
The topic for the Tuesday, September 30, 2025, That All May eRead online program will be NLS eReader Searching: Tips and Tricks. We will open the program with a brief presentation and demonstration and then we will answer your questions about the Zoomax and HumanWare Braille eReaders for the remainder of the hour.
The program will begin at 7 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. To access the program, go to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1600222400?pwd=4laeaft2Upzed3CbsPRUKq8xGdTXMC.1.
Remember that the program is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording.
If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us.
You can find recordings and transcripts of previous That All May eRead programs on the NLS website at www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread.
Join by Telephone
- +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
- +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
- +1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
- +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
- +1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
- +1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
Meeting ID: 160 402 1014
Passcode: 555132
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
- Webinar on Canute Console sponsored by Dancing Dots, Wednesday 1 October at 5:00 PM
Introducing the Canute Console from Bristol Braille. A 360 cell, 9-line refreshable braille display synced to a high contrast 13″ monitor.
Read literary, math or music Braille a nine-line page at a time; Use the Console to access math, financial and chart information in a more intuitive way; Study; Use the Console for Linux system administration; programming; exploring maps and much, much more.
Presented by Ed Rogers from Bristol Braille.
Join the Zoom meeting Meeting ID 890 8536 4510 000764
- BrailleSense 6 and 6 mini Firmware 3.0 Release
Selvas BLV are very excited to announce this much-anticipated version 3.0 update for the BrailleSense 6 and BrailleSense 6 mini.
This update adds several advanced formatting functions to the Word Processor, including creation of tables, footnotes, and bullets and numbering, as well as improving stability, and allowing you to define default settings for the purpose of creating default document templates.
They have also added a new Braille Practice application, and Compressed Mode for braille documents in the Notepad. The Web Radio and Podcast defaults have been updated, and these applications have improved interfaces.
In addition, they have updated all apps in the App Installer in the Android Apps menu, and have uploaded new versions of all of the Optional Add-on applications to update for various issues. You may simply redownload the apps you have already installed from either of these areas, and they will be automatically updated to the latest versions.
Finally, this update includes the long-awaited new Web Browser. As this is a transition, and they cannot account for every type of website a user may encounter, they are including both browsers for this first release. In addition to stream-lining the interface, the new browser should allow you to fill out forms, play embedded media, and perform tasks like logging in to hotel and airport wi-fi that have been problematic with the older browser.
- BrailleNote Touch Plus: Simplifying Maths and introducing a new recording App
A new KeySoft update is now available for BrailleNote Touch Plus. This release focuses on making daily tasks smoother: math can now be created and edited directly in KeyWord, and KeyRecorder makes recording and playback easier than ever.
New in KeyWord — Math Made Easy
Previously, creating math content meant switching to another application, and bringing prepared math content into KeyWord just wasn’t possible.
With this update, you can now create, edit, and read math content directly in KeyWord, keeping your work in one place and your workflow uninterrupted.
KeyMath becomes KeyGraph
With this update, you can now create and read math content directly in KeyWord, making it easy to present your own work and read materials prepared by your teacher. As a result, KeyMath is no longer needed for math editing, but the graphing tools remain essential. That’s why KeyMath has been renamed to KeyGraph, perfectly reflecting its purpose.
Meet KeyRecorder — Capture Every Word, Anytime
KeySoft is proud to introduce KeyRecorder, the new, easy-to-use app that puts audio recording right at your fingertips. Start recording instantly from anywhere with a global command, perfect for capturing ideas, lectures, meetings, or personal notes on the go. You can also use KeyRecorder as a media player, letting you listen to supported audio and video formats, including MP3, MP4, 3GP, M4A, and OGG files. Whether you’re making a quick audio note or playing back your favourite media, KeyRecorder keeps it simple, fast, and accessible.
EasyReader update
A wide range of improvements, including new libraries.
- Terminal Mode Goes Live with JAWS on Monarch
Monarch’s terminal mode app bridges the gap between screen readers and multi-line braille displays. The program allows for the two device types to work in tandem, providing a comprehensive reading and navigation tool for all users. Thanks to the newest updates from NVDA and Vispero’s JAWS, the two screen readers are officially ready for terminal mode use with Monarch.
Terminal mode relies on screen reader support to transfer information from the screen onto Monarch. The application became available with the 1.3 Monarch update and now has support from the recent JAWS and NVDA updates to be used through USB connection. The expansion to Bluetooth connection is expected to come soon. Continued expansion of terminal mode to other screen readers is also on the way.
Using terminal mode with the NVDA screen reader allows users to experience wrapped mode, which intelligently adjusts the text to fit the multiline display for a more natural reading experience. When using the JAWS program, Monarch users have even more options for personalization in how they interact with text in terminal mode. The first is cropped mode, an innovative way to detect and display table content, such as tables found on the web or Excel spreadsheets. Cropped mode spatially aligns tables and sets of data to help users explore information in its correct formatting. Within cropped mode, users can ‘zoom’ into specific columns, rows, and even individual cells of data. This allows for granular exploration of data without compromising on formatting.
JAWS also supports split display, a new way to split the Monarch’s display into two independent sections, like having two monitors on one device. Users can choose specifically how much of the screen they’d like to split, and between which tabs. Students could complete assignments with date sets and tactile graphics appearing in tandem alongside their questions. Split display creates a world of new possibilities for individualized displays to support each user.
With Monarch’s innovative braille cell design, it is the only multi-line display with touch capabilities in terminal mode. Users can read, write, and edit all at the same time. Monarch’s touch capabilities allow for the option to “point and click.” Touching a specific dot, followed by the action button, moves users to that exact spot for editing, reviewing, and careful review of materials.
“Terminal mode on Monarch is a fully input and output experience,” said APH’s Head of Global Technology and Innovation, Greg Stilson. To begin using, ensure both Monarch and JAWS or NVDA programs are updated to the newest version. Terminal mode is live now!
- Build Your Braille Skills with New Advanced Lessons on Braille Brain
If learning braille feels like an overwhelming task, we have just the resource for you. Whether you’re helping your child learn braille or you’re an adult adjusting to vision loss, the Braille Brain website is your guide.
Braille Brain is a free learning tool from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). It gives you step-by-step lessons to help you learn Unified English Braille (UEB). And now, there are even more lessons available!
Braille Brain Offerings
Braille Brain offers UEB Foundations lessons that cover alphabet, numbers, word signs, contractions, basic math signs, punctuation, and fractions, with opportunities to practice by reading the braille on your computer and writing braille with your computer keyboard.
Braille Brain also offers UEB Advanced, which covers subscript, superscript, complex fractions, shapes, angles, and arrows, as well as sine, cosine, and tangent. And let’s not forget Nemeth! Braille Brain offers lessons to support Nemeth learning, including code, operations, punctuation indicators, code switch indicators, complex fractions, Roman numerals, and additional math concepts.
Advanced UEB Lessons
These new lessons go beyond the basics. They help you understand braille used in math, science, and other technical subjects. You’ll learn things like:
- How to read and write math and science symbols in braille
- How braille is formatted in school and work documents
- How to follow equations and expressions
- How to read higher-level school materials
You can move through the lessons at your own speed.
Check Your Progress
The new lessons now have built-in assessments. These assessments help you check what you’ve learned and show you where you might need more practice. If you’re a parent or caregiver helping someone learn, these tools can be a great way to challenge yourself to learn alongside your child or family member.
Earn a Certificate
Coming soon will be the opportunity for learners to earn certificates when they complete a set of lessons and pass the quiz. You will be able to download it to show others what you’ve learned. It’s a great way to celebrate your progress and take pride in your braille literacy journey.
Why This Matters for Families
If you’re a family raising a child who is blind or low vision, learning braille can help you better support their learning. And if someone in your family is losing vision, these new lessons can better help you through learning alongside and providing feedback as they are learning a new skill.
Braille Brain gives you the chance to learn and grow, one step at a time. It’s friendly, flexible, and made with families in mind.
Get Started
Ready to take the next step in your braille journey? Visit braillebrain.aphtech.org today. Explore the new Advanced UEB lessons and earn your certificate as you build your braille skills.
- Introducing the new tactile transport map for the Canute Console
Putting UK travel hub location, train station information at your fingertips.
Over the past few weeks, the team at Bristol Braille Technology have been hard at work conducting research, consulting with various partner organisations and visually impaired users to find out what provision already exists in terms of accessible travel hub information. What the challenges are for VI people wanting to access this information and where their efforts can fill the gaps. With big thanks to the National Centre for Accessible Transport, based on research and user feedback, BBT has developed the Maps app for the Canute Console.
The Braillists is a grass-roots community group offering high quality training and support to emerging and established braille users. We also work with family members, friends, colleagues and teachers of braille users, and connect braille users with braille technology developers and funders.
What Is Braille?
Braille is a simple code for representing written language. We believe braille has the potential to transform the life of any blind person who has the opportunity to learn it.
Discover more about braille on this page.
Learn Braille
We support hundreds of adults to read braille by touch in a few short weeks through our innovative and approachable Braille for Beginners course. Free of charge, it comprises hard copy resources through the post and a series of short pre-recorded lessons, supplemented by email and Zoom support from highly qualified and experienced tutors.
Find out more about Braille for Beginners and register here.
There are plenty of other courses available too, for both children and adults, reading by touch or by sight. We have made a list of these on our Learn Braille page.
Perkins Repairs and Other Braille Equipment
The Perkins Brailler is the most established braille writer in use today, and even machines from the 1950s can still be serviced and repaired. We have compiled information about Perkins repairs, places to purchase Perkins Braillers, and other types of braille equipment on our Braille Equipment page.
If you are looking for braille paper, you can find it on our Braille Consumables page.
Our Aims
- Promote the value of braille as a proven literacy tool that enriches the lives of blind people.
- Support efforts to make affordable braille and tactile reading technologies available to all blind people irrespective of education and employment status.
- Provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas about the development of future braille technology.
Find Out More
Join our announcements only mailing list to receive our weekly newsletter.
Join the conversation and meet other Braillists on our discussion forum.
Connect with us on Twitter (@Braillists) or like us on Facebook for up to the minute Braillists news.
Listen to some braille-related audio on Soundcloud (braillists).
Please see our Sponsors and Partners for information on organisations who are supporting us.
Get In Touch
Email [email protected] or call 020 3893 3392. Further details on our Contact Us page.