Latest News
- Unpacking the Braille Innovations at CSUN 2026, Tuesday 17 March at 7:30 PM
The 41st 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.
To join by phone, please use these details:
- Phone number: 0131 460 1196
- Meeting ID: 863 5563 0010
- Passcode: 123456
- Introducing the Strata and Flow Families of Braille Devices
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.
- Announcing a New Subsidy Program for Braille and Reading Devices in the U.S>
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.
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.
- A powerful partnership. A shared mission. An incredible opportunity.
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 14.1 Service Release 2 is Now Available
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:
- Open DBT
- Go to HELP
- 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].
- eBraille in DBT
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.
- Two Year Anniversary March BT Speak Release Notes
Hello and Happy Anniversary from Blazie Technologies.
Here are the release notes for the up-coming March 2026 BT Speak update. This is a free update for all users in recognition of the second anniversary of BT Speak shipping to customers.
Introduction
Happy anniversary from Blazie Technologies! It was in March of 2024 when we began shipping the BT Speak to our customers. Since March represents an exciting milestone, we decided to celebrate by offering this update at no cost as an anniversary gift to our customers.
There are some other benefits of ensuring that all of our customers have this update on their BT Speak. We are refactoring the software architecture significantly to make future upgrades easier and more reliable. This change also keeps the BT Speak and BT Braille user experience equally consistent. We also want to release BT Towne to everyone (more on this later) because we believe a larger community of users will make it a richer experience. Having all users on this new architecture is necessary to maintain quality technical support for everyone, regardless of whether a customer has a maintenance contract.
Please Note: installing this update may take longer than usual, perhaps as long as ten minutes.
Quick Instructions for Updating Your BT Speak
- Ensure that your BT Speak is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Your battery level should be at 40% or higher.
- Type O-Chord for the Options menu.
- Type M for the BT Speak Management menu.
- Type U to Check for Software Updates.
- Your BT Speak should tell you that a new update is available and will ask if you’d like to install it. Press the letter Y to begin the installation.
The BT Speak will download and install the update. The installation may take as long as ten minutes to complete.
Once BT Speak restarts, you will be able to start enjoying the new update.
Read Braille Books and Magazines From the NLS BARD Service
We are pleased to introduce the first version of the NLS BARD app. This application allows you to search, browse, download, and read Braille titles available through the BARD service from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). You can also manage your BARD subscriptions and view or update items in your BARD wishlist.
To use the BARD app, you must already be an NLS patron and have an active BARD account. BARD is available to NLS patrons living in the United States and to U.S. citizens living outside the United States who are registered with NLS.
To access the BARD app, open Options, then Applications, then Library, and select NLS BARD (shortcut L).
BT-Towne: a New Interactive Community for BT Speak Owners
We are excited to introduce the first version of BT Towne, an interactive social world available exclusively on BT Speak. BT Towne is a place where users can gather, explore, and connect with one another in a shared environment designed for conversation, games, and community.
The first location in BT Towne is the Tavern. Here you can meet other users who are currently in the room, chat together in real time, interact with our AI bartender, and enjoy games and activities with fellow visitors.
BT Towne is just getting started, and new places and experiences will be added over time as the world continues to grow.
To access BT Towne, go to Options, Applications, Games.
BT Towne will continue to improve as we add new ones over time.
Here are the keystrokes which are currently available to you.
O: Open the main menu
C: Chat with other users.
E: Interact with your environment. Allows you to examine objects, talk to NPCs (AI-based non-player characters) and play games
G: go to another room
H: help using BT Towne
I: list your current inventory
L: look around (describes the room you’re currently in)
M: open a map of BT-Towne. Lists the available rooms and how many BT Speak users are in each room.
S: Settings
Q: Quit BT Towne
The Settings menu allows you to change the volume level of BT Towne’s background music and other sound effects.
BT Towne is experimental and we anticipate updates and changes to it over the next few weeks and months.
We welcome your feedback regarding this new community. Please don’t hesitate to report bugs or suggest new features and other ways to improve the experience.
Blazie Platform Unification
This anniversary release introduces a major software architecture upgrade that supports both the upcoming BT Braille and the continued development of BT Speak. A unified codebase now runs across both devices, allowing applications to behave consistently, regardless of hardware.
A key benefit of this overhaul is that Blazie mode applications can now self-voice and directly control Braille output. This gives applications precise control over what is spoken and what is sent to the Braille display, completely independent of what is printed to the terminal or shown on a connected visual display.
Screen Sharing with HDMI
When a HDMI display is connected, teachers, students, and family members can now visually follow what you are working on in the editor.
Standard text files will appear on the screen as normal text. Braille files are also displayed, currently using an ASCII text representation of Braille contractions.
In a future release, we plan to add support for a Braille font, which will allow Braille files to be shown visually as Braille characters. For now, Braille content is displayed using its text representation.
Improved Speaking of Menus and Dialogs
Menu announcements have been streamlined. When opening a menu or submenu, BT Speak now announces the name of the menu followed by the word “menu”, rather than saying “opened.” For example, pressing o-chord will now announce “Options menu.”
In addition, dialog titles are now spoken in situations where they were previously silent. You will notice this improvement in several Blazie Mode applications, such as YouTube Stream. This update also resolves a long-standing issue where dialog names were not announced.
You may also notice smoother speech output with fewer interruptions before messages are spoken, such as when requesting the time or battery level.
Going forward, we will continue to fine-tune voice messages for clarity and brevity, based on user input.
Notes on Screen Review Mode: R-Chord
Now that we are primarily self-voicing, the Brltty review mode has less relevance than before. In fact, the only place it is operational now is in the bash shell.
Warning, At present, the R-Chord command is still present in Blazie mode, but entering that mode will not access useful text information. However, if you enter review and forgot, it may seem like your device is not operating correctly. If in doubt, do a z-chord to exit review mode.
We plan to address this in a future release, but we didn’t want to disable review mode for shell users.
Word and Character Navigation in More Places
You can now navigate Python menu items, Wikipedia results and Now Playing info, by word or character using the standard navigation commands.
This capability is not yet available in every menu, but we plan to expand support to additional areas of the system in future updates.
New History Feature for Input Fields
Many input fields now include a history feature. When performing searches in Wikipedia or entering information in other input fields, you can review your previous entries by pressing dot-1 chord.
Use dot-1 chord to move through earlier entries. When the desired entry appears under the cursor, press Enter to send it to the application. You may also edit the previous entry before pressing Enter if you want to modify it.
This feature works the same way as the calculator history and the editor’s find history.
Each input field stores up to 50 of your most recent entries.
Improved Radio Recording
We have improved how recordings from the radio tuner are saved. In the previous update, recordings from some stations were occasionally saved with a .bin file extension, which prevented those files from being played back. This issue has now been addressed.
In addition, when you stop recording a station, the recording toggle now announces its final state more reliably.
New Options for Announcing Words With Mixed Case
It’s now possible to control how the BT Speak announces consecutive upper-case characters. From the start, it always separated them as separate letters, which worked nicely for acronyms but it could be challenging to understand for words that were in all upper-case. Now, in the speech settings menu, you have three choices: split mixed-case words (the new default), split all upper-case characters (what we did before), or off, which passes everything to your preferred text to speech engine without any processing.
Speak or Hide Characters in Wi-Fi and Other Blazie Password Prompts
When you are connecting to a Wi-Fi network, you now have the option to speak the characters that you enter while typing your password. This option also allows you to review what you have entered. To hear the characters you are typing, press low-H chord (dots 2-3-6-chord). This is a toggle, so pressing low h-chord again goes back to hiding the characters.
New Title for the Welcome Screen
The title of the welcome screen help topic has been renamed to “Welcome to BT Speak”. This was done to ensure that its menu entry fits better with the other topics that are listed.
Easier Method for Selecting or Deselecting Files to Move or Copy in the File Browser
The space key is now being used to select or deselect a file that you want to move or copy. This should be a more intuitive way of selecting files. The letter x is still available for this action. Dots 3-4-6 is still used to move or copy files that you have selected.
Disk Format Utility
This utility allows you to format an externally connected storage device, such as an SD card or a USB drive. You will find this utility by going to Options, BT Speak management menu. You can select either EXFAT or FAT32 formats, and the entire drive will be set up with a single partition.
Voice Notes Updates
The Voice Notes app has been partially re-written to be more efficient and consistent.
- New notes are now named Note01, Note02 etc. Existing notes are not renamed.
- When you move to the microphone volume setting, you can adjust it with the Previous/Next commands which are dot 7-Chord and dot 8-Chord. You can also use back tab(1-2-Chord) or tab (4-5-Chord). The microphone volume level is now announced.
- When you are pointing to a note, you can type r to rename the note.
- When you are pointing to a note, you can type d or low-d-chord to delete the note.
Miscellaneous Improvements
- The Wi-Fi Status report output uses a more accurate bitrate reading.
- When in help topics, typing invalid characters now produces a beep.
- When in read-only files in the main editor, the message “write protected” is now announced instead of “file is write protected.” For conciseness.
Concluding Remarks
Thank you for being a Blazie Technologies customer and for celebrating our two-year anniversary with us. We hope you enjoy the new update.
As always, we appreciate and welcome your feedback on this latest update. Please email your feedback to [email protected] or call us at (772) 214-1616.
- Firmware Version vB0.00.00.01r11 is now available for the Orbit Writer
Orbit Research is pleased to announce the release of firmware version vB0.00.00.01r11 for the Orbit Writer.
Following are the new features and improvements.
- Added three new vibration intensity levels, increasing the total from three to six vibration intensity levels.
The firmware package is available here.
For instructions on upgrading the Orbit Writer, please refer to Section15 of the User Guide available on the website.
- Announcing NLS Braille eReader software update
NLS has released an update to the software used by the HumanWare NLS Braille eReader. Patrons can download and install the software, called EBH version 3.0.1_Build 3486, upon connecting to Wi-Fi. (No update is required for patrons using the Zoomax model of the NLS Braille eReader.)
This software update addresses a bug in EBH software version 3.0 that prevented patrons from logging into BARD or downloading BARD books due to expired tokens. It improves the HumanWare NLS Braille eReader’s handling of BARD Login token expirations and ensures that tokens are not malformed due to concurrent access.
If your HumanWare eReader is not connected to the Internet, you do not need to install this software update.
- Paige is now on the App Store
The Paige App for learning braille is now live on the App Store, and it’s free to download!
It’s the easiest way to learn Unified English Braille on your iPhone or iPad. 13 chapters take you from the alphabet to Grade 2 contractions, with mini-games, a built-in translator, and a complete braille reference library.
Here’s why people are loving it:
- Learn by doing: each level shows braille dot patterns and asks you to identify the meaning. You build real reading fluency, not just memorisation.
- Three games to keep it fun: daily braille Wordle, Dot Builder, and Streak Run make practice something you actually look forward to.
- Translate anything: type text and see it in UEB Grade 1 or 2. Tap any contraction to learn how it works.
- Fully accessible: VoiceOver support throughout, external braille keyboard support, configurable haptic and audio feedback.
Whether you teach braille, learn braille, or support someone who does, this app was made for you.
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.