Every so often, you’ll encounter a BRF file, with some vague footnotes about how you can use it to emboss your own hard copy of a document. But how do you actually do this?
In this session, Matthew Horspool will take us through the process step-by-step.
He will start by answering some common questions including:
What is a BRF file anyway?
How do I know what size paper I need?
I don’t have the right size of paper: can I still emboss the file?
Do I need special software to emboss a BRF file?
Do I need to do anything special on my embosser before I emboss the file?
I already have braille translation software installed. Why would I choose to emboss a BRF file?
He will then take us on a tour of a free program from Index Braille called IbPrint, which is designed specifically for embossing BRF files. He will explain why it is useful, show us where to download it, talk us through its settings, and demonstrate how it can be used to emboss BRF files on any embosser, even if it’s not made by Index!
Please note: you do not need to be a computer programmer in order to follow this session! However, some knowledge of how to change the settings on your embosser, a methodical mindset, and a willingness to experiment will all be an advantage.
Tek Talk meets 2/23/26 at 8pm Eastern and welcomes Venkatesh Chari, President of Orbit Research, to present an overview of Orbit’s affordable braille and tactile technology for blind and visually impaired users
The presentation will cover recent developments across the Orbit product line, including braille displays, notetakers and the Orbit Player along with a look at what is coming next. Orbit Research focuses on making high-quality assistive technology accessible worldwide, with particular emphasis on education, literacy, and employment.
Tek Talk Programs can also be heard on ACB Media 1. Please visit the ACB Media Network Home page at www.acbmedia.org for upcoming events.
Those wishing to subscribe to past Tek Talk program archives can do so using their mobile device and podcast app of choice or using their computers and podcatcher program of choice. The link with which to subscribe follows: https://accessibleworld.org/feed/podcast/tektalk
The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.
From the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, US:
The topic for the February 24, 2026, That All May eRead online program will be Using Your eReader with Your Android phone. In the remaining time, we will answer any questions you have about the NLS Braille eReader.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. eastern time and will last for one hour. The meeting will be recorded.
From the Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union:
Hello Braille readers,
The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union invites you to the second round table on using your Braille display like a pro. We’ll meet via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 17:00 UTC (18:00 CET).
After our highly successful introduction, where we untangled the web of possible connections between Braille displays and various devices, we now turn to actually reading and consuming, information on your Braille display.
The topics will include:
What if the characters I see on my Braille display are not what I expect? Do I need to learn another Braille code, or is it simply the matter of adjusting the settings??
What are all of these abbreviations taking up precious space on my Braille display? How can I customize them and reclaim some valuable display real estate?
Is there a way to improve my reading speed? How can I become more efficient, especially when reading aloud?
This time, each of our panelists will present a few practical ideas, and then open up the floor for your comments, questions and suggestions.
If you registered for our first session in January, you should have received the Zoom link in the mail. If you did not, please let us know. For everyone else, we kindly request that you register for the table talk here:
https://forms.gle/nypYM2ZVZNNtEYmN8
So come join us for our second expert table talk—and take your Braille display skill to the next level!
In the first part of this interactive session, Paul will talk about the Braille input and output options on smartphones and tablets. The focus will mainly be on Apple products, but Android will also be discussed.
Paul will talk about using Braille on the touch screen as well as using external braille devices for input and output such as the Hable One, Orbit Writer, Brailliant devices and others that connect by Bluetooth.
In the second part of the session, Paul will open up a discussion with participants. Topics could include experience of setting up and using braille on devices, tips and hints to make the experience better and an opportunity to help new users experience the freedom that Braille brings to the arena of smart devices. We will also share some resources and further reading on the topic.
Paul Porter is a trustee of TAVIP and has been involved in technology for many years. He worked for 25 years in RNIB’s technical team providing information and support for individuals and organisations looking for advice on what products were available.
Paul says: “Technology has always played a major role in my life. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, there was little technology to help blind and partially sighted people. I remember buying my first book at RNIB in London and my family were amazed at the number of volumes. I used the Perkins, Talking Book player and cassette players extensively for school and university work.
“Looking back, my technology journey has been a long and fruitful one. Technology helps me in every part of my life from looking up information, choosing what to listen to, shopping and getting around, and I am excited to see where will tech take us next.”
Learning braille can open up a whole world of opportunities, information and pleasure – it’s all about access. However, before you start the business of learning the intricacies of all those dots it helps to refine gross and fine motor skills as well as being able to use a light touch. These don’t just happen of their own accord or overnight, especially if you are learning braille because of sight loss – as a teenager, say. This session will give ideas linked to foundational braille (pre braille) and how to make learning these skills fun and incidental.
We welcome questions in advance but there will also be the opportunity to ask questions throughout, via the ‘Chat’ function of Teams.
Bookings will close on Friday 27 February and the Teams Link will be sent to delegates on Monday 2 March.
Emily Salmon is a visually impaired English Language student at the University of Birmingham and she is looking for some participants for her dissertation on Braille.
This will involve a call over Microsoft Teams where she will ask about the ways in which you read with Braille and other assistive technology, if your preferences for how you read differ for different types of reading tasks, your views on Braille and how available and accessible you think it is.
Please note that these teams calls will be audio recorded, but this data will remain anonymous and will not be made public.
To participate, you need to be a Braille user, be living in the UK and be between the ages of 25 and 40.
If you are interested, or have any questions, please email Emily.
I’m Tingying He, a researcher at the University of Utah. Our team is studying how to support blind and low-vision individuals in exploring data visualizations using 3D-printed tactile Braille charts and an AI chatbot (conversational AI). We’d really love to learn from your experience and perspective!
What you will do:
We will mail you a 3D-printed tactile Braille chart to explore during the interview.
You will join one Zoom interview. The session is fully remote and lasts about 1.5–2 hours.
Who we’re looking for (required):
At least 18 years old
Legally blind
Uses a screen reader
Reads Braille
Has a U.S. mailing address
Currently working or enrolled in school at least part-time
Compensation: $100 gift card
Timeline: Interviews will be scheduled before March 6, 2026
I’m also happy to answer any questions. And if you know someone who might be a good fit, feel free to share this invitation. Thanks so much!
This study has been approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board (IRB), Protocol IRB_00180924.
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.
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.
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.