Latest News
- Introducing See Things Differently with HumanWare: An engaging podcast that explores technology’s impact on blindness and low vision
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to really see the world differently? The HumanWare team is excited to unveil our newest project: See Things Differently with HumanWare, a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of blindness and low vision.
Each month, charismatic show hosts Peter Tucic and Rachel Ramos deliver story-driven content based on human-interest. Listeners will be able to access truly engaging conversations with captivating guests, including HumanWare’s own team members and partners in the blindness and low-vision space.
What to expect
Each episode will offer a blend of insightful and entertaining content, including featured guest interviews with inspiring stories and fresh perspectives, conversations with partners who make an impact in their communities, lively debates on trending issues in blindness and low vision, practical advice to simplify and improve life, and, of course, a Cringe/Funny Story of the Month—because we all enjoy a good laugh, even at our own expense!
Mark your calendars!
The first episode of See Things Differently with HumanWare drops on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and will be available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes will be released on the third Thursday of every month.
Why you’ll love it
Whether you’re part of the blind and low-vision community, a tech enthusiast, or someone who simply loves a good story, our podcast has something for everyone.
Expect friendly banter, expert insights, and moments that will make you laugh, think, and connect.
- Introducing Braillecast Live! Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Throughout January
In celebration of 200 years of the braille code, and following the immense success of our first ever World Braille Day conference, we’re keeping the momentum going throughout January, which is observed in some countries as Braille Literacy Month.
In place of our regular Tuesday evening schedule, we are piloting a brand new format: Braillecast Live. Each Tuesday in January, we will be recording three interviews for publication on our Braillecast podcast, and giving you the audience the opportunity to ask some of the questions.
The interviews will centre around braille technology, giving you the opportunity to engage directly with manufacturers and distributors from the UK and further afield.
Each event will start at the slightly earlier time of 7:00 PM and will end at the much later time of 9:30 PM, ensuring we have enough time to interview each of our guests in our usual thorough but relaxed manner. You are welcome to either join us for the whole event, or drop in and out throughout the evening.
In our first event, taking place on Tuesday 14 January, we will hear from:
- Sight and Sound Technology (7:00 PM)
- Paige Braille (7:50 PM)
- Bristol Braille Technology CIC (8:40 PM)
Register for Braillecast Live.
To join by phone, please use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 859 7317 7463
- Passcode: 123456
- Rare Braille Book in Oxford: Read it for Yourself! Tuesday 21 January, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Robert Bolick has been collecting artists’ books since 2012. His collection ‘Books on Books’ contains over 1200 items, and a selection of over 150 works featured in an exhibition curated by Robert, Alphabets Alive! which toured from July 2023 to January 2024.
He has recently procured a new book from artist Masoumeh Mohtadi, which modifies and transcribes into braille the Persian fable called “The Little Black Fish” to teach the reader how to make an origami fish. He is working with MyVision Oxfordshire and Oxford University to run a workshop to enable blind people to handle and explore the book for themselves.
The workshop will be taking place on Tuesday 21 January, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM at:
Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
Attendance is free and lunch will be provided beforehand.
Please register your attendance in advance by emailing Nathan Tree, Community Engagement Lead for MyVision Oxfordshire, on [email protected]
- Braille Event at Limavady Library, Wednesday 19 February 2025 from 2:00 PM
5 Connell Street, Limavady, Londonderry, BT49 0EA
Braille enthusiast Mary Lea is hosting a braille-themed event at Limavady Library on Wednesday 19 February 2025.
Children from local primary schools will visit from 2:00 PM, and secondary school children and other interested people from 3:00 PM.
The event will provide a hands on introduction to braille, with a Perkins brailler on show, plenty of examples of writing systems and books, braille stickers and name badges, and braille moulds for arts and crafts.
For more information, please contact us and we will put you in touch with Mary.
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.