Our popular Braille Bar returns this Tuesday at 7:30 PM. No question is too small, from kit to code – just ask and our experts will assist you!
Or, to join by phone, use these details:
Join BITS and presenter Nicki Keck for Braille Across Devices.
When: Wednesday April 15 at 8:00 PM Eastern (5:00 PM pacific).
Where: BITS Zoom
Join Blind Information Technology Solutions (BITS), and presenter Nicki Keck, for Braille Across Devices.
This presentation will include an overview, and demonstrations of setting up the Brailliant BI 20X/Chameleon 20, the Mantis Q-40, and the Focus 14 Blue from Freedom Scientific, on Windows, IOS, and Android.
We will also take a look at how to get help navigating each of the devices.
Nicki will switch between each device when demonstrating setup, so there will be a variety of methods demonstrated.
If you have a problem registering for this event, please contact:
Brad Snyder
BITS Presentations Chair
The Braille Revival League is a special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind which is interested in doing all that it can to promote the use of braille.
One of its activities is a bimonthly zoom call which happens on the third Wednesday of even-numbered months. Our meeting will happen on April 15 at 8:30 PM Eastern time.
Much of our meeting this time will be devoted to exploring some of the new braille technology products that have been released this year or are soon to arrive on the market. Humanware will release the BrailleNote Evolve. Selvas BLV will be issuing the BrailleSense 7. Orbit Research has two new lines of braille products. Hable is marketing the Hable Easy braille keyboard.
In addition to exploring all of these products we will hear from our President about our convention program that will happen in St. Louis late in July!
Patty Slabby is now President of our organization but has been kind enough to allow Paul Edwards to continue to run this activity!
Patty and Paul and the rest of the Board hope you can join us as we explore braille technology that has been released in 2026!
Want the Zoom link? Email Paul Edwards on [email protected]
BSU are hosting one of Bristol Braille Technology’s Braille Space events. These are a series of events, usually hosted at their workshop in Bristol, where people can get their hands on equipment, try things out, bounce some ideas round with like minded folk. This one is a bit special as they’ve been working with a group of students at BSU engaged in their Creative Industries Challenge. They’ve been set the task of developing a fun application for the Canute Scientific which introduces new users to the machine. BBT are hoping the guys will be able to show their progress so far.
To confirm attendance at Braille Space, please email: [email protected]
The Rules of Unified English Braille (RUEB) is the definitive reference book for all things Unified English Braille. It covers all the signs available in UEB and the rules for using them.
The International Council on English Braille (ICEB) published the 3rd edition (2024), superseding the 2nd edition (2013). Highlights in the new edition include:
New symbols include the tick (✓) and German sharp S ß; there are clarifications about shortforms including medial capitals, updated rules for quotation marks and more.
You can download print (PDF) or braille (BRF) copies from www.iceb.org and now we are delighted to announce that you can purchase hard copies in print or braille from RNIB.
Go to shop.rnib.org.uk, or call RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Product references:
Bristol Braille Technology recently launched the Canute Scientific. For a taste of what it can do, they’re now uploading some videos to their Youtube channel.
First, a quick audio described overview of the device: The Canute Scientific Braille display: audio description
In this one Holly and Steph demonstrate the Braille chess game Holly wrote. It’s a great example of how you can create and adapt applications to make the Canute Scientific truly your own: Braille Chess on the Canute Scientific
If you are registered for our Braille for Beginners On Demand course, our next Office Hours session will take place on Tuesday at 7:30 PM. Please look out for a reminder email containing your unique joining link. If you have not received it by Tuesday lunchtime, please write to [email protected] for assistance.
If you are new to braille and not registered for Braille for Beginners, please consider signning up at www.braillists.org/beginners.
For people not following Braille for Beginners, your next session will be next Tuesday. Please see next week’s Newsletter for more information.
You’re invited to join Blazie Technologies for their April webinar.
We’ll be lifting the lid regarding upcoming features in our next update, including some live demos. We’re excited to show you what we’re cooking up in our lab as well as answering your questions.
Tuesday, April 7
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89320198762?pwd=cjn48EFF5obAq7qhMWpa7Jlkm9o4Pq.1
Meeting ID: 893 2019 8762
Passcode: 5017304
Join BITS, as we welcome Humanware’s Joel Zimba and Rachel Ramos, as they introduce the exciting BrailleNote Evolve.
When: Tuesday April 7 at 8:00 PM Eastern (5:00 PM Pacific).
Where: BITS Zoom
Looking for a full-fledged, portable computing solution? The BrailleNote Evolve delivers.
Join Blind Information Technology Solutions (BITS), as we welcome HumanWare Blindness Product Specialists Joel Zimba and Rachel Ramos, (), where they will walk you through the BrailleNote Evolve’s design, interface, and real-world applications – from note-taking to full Microsoft Office productivity using Windows 11 Pro, JAWS, and NVDA—all with braille at the core.
Bring your questions, and get ready to increase your knowledge about the BrailleNote Evolve!
If you have a problem registering for this event, please contact:
Brad Snyder
BITS Presentations Chair
The primary topic for discussion is about the new BrailleSense 7 which is projected for release this summer. They will also talk about updates to existing products such as the BrailleSense 6, Braille eMotion and SensePlayer, which are all expected to receive updates before the end of the year.
Join the presentation on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/839935813?pwd=eXFMRHpxNnhFZlRiMHAzRWNWYXM3Zz09
Meeting ID: 839 935 813
Passcode: awz
Earle’s email: [email protected]
Jenny’s email: [email protected]
Tek Talk Programs can now be heard on ACB Media 1. Please visit the ACB Media Network Home page 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