Author: Matthew Horspool

The Perkins Brailler is probably the most commonly used and well-known Braille writing device in the world.  It’s been used in the UK since the 1950s, and many blind people use them today in schools, at home and in the workplace. It is a mechanical device similar, in some ways, to a manual typewriter, though it obviously does not require ink!

Over the years, various attempts have been made to modernise the Perkins, including the revered Braille and Print, which connected the Perkins directly to a printer.

Recently, two new attempts have come to market, both of which connect to a computer or smart device:

• the Paige Connect, which connects via Bluetooth and sends FDSJKL to supported applications;
• the Perkins Braille Bloom, which connects via USB or Bluetooth and sends regular text.

On Friday 30 October, Matthew Horspool will be joining Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Tech Friday programme to demonstrate both devices. He will provide more details on the differences between the two and explain where each one would be most beneficial. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see both devices both detached from, and attached to, a Perkins, and try them out for themselves with a range of compatible devices.

This event will run from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Thomas Pocklington Hub, 3 Queen Square, London WC1n 3AR. Biscuits and tea/coffee will be available on the day.

TPT staff can meet you at 10:30 at Russell Square station on the Piccadilly line if required. Please indicate whether you would like to be met when registering or alternatively, contact the hub team on 0208 995 0880 or email [email protected]

Register for Tech Friday with the Braille Bloom and Paige Connect

Sight Village London takes place:

• Tuesday 27 October, 9:30 AM-3:30 PM
• Wednesday 28 October: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Braille-Related Exhibitors

• Braillists Foundation
• Bristol Braille Technology
• Hable
• HumanWare
• Index Braille
• jw.org
• Sight and Sound Technology
• Torch Trust

Tuesday at 1:20 PM in Seminar Room 1: BrailleNote Evolve, BrailleSense 7 or Something Else?

Presented by Matthew Horspool, Braillists Foundation

There’s so much choice when it comes to braille devices nowadays! But which choice is the right one? In this session, we will discuss the pros and cons of the two new flagship braille notetakers, the BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare and the BrailleSense 7 from Selvas and explore how they compare with stand-alone braille displays and other products. By the end of the session, you will understand the factors to consider when choosing a braille device and be able to make more informed decisions about the device which is right for you or the people you are supporting.

Tuesday at 2:40 PM in Seminar Room 1: Introduction and presentation of our company Index Braille, our products and how we achieve “Braille”

Presentation of our free software “Index tactile graphics” and how to create and edit braille graphics.

Wednesday at 12:10 PM in Seminar Room 2: Introduction and presentation of our company Index Braille, our products and how we achieve “Braille”

Presented by Mikael Vikman Sunna, Index Braille

Presentation of our free software “Index tactile graphics” and how to create and edit braille graphics.

BrailleNote evolve is designed to grow with you, but which model best matches your skills, needs and learning journey?

In this webinar, we’ll compare the Braille keyboard and upcoming QWERTY 40 versions of BrailleNote evolve and explore who each option is designed for.

We’ll look at how the Braille keyboard can support braille-first learners as they build confidence with Windows, screen readers and eventually QWERTY skills, while the QWERTY 40 provides a familiar keyboard experience for users who already know QWERTY and want braille integrated directly into their everyday computing.

Throughout the session, we’ll include short live demonstrations to show how each version can be used in real-world education, workplace and independent-living scenarios.

By the end of the webinar, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which BrailleNote evolve configuration is the right fit for where you are today — and where you want to go next.

Register on Zoom

BT Mail is our new email application designed specifically for Blazie Mode, allowing users to read, write, and manage their emails using the familiar menus and commands they already know. From managing multiple email accounts to organizing messages and attachments, BT Mail brings everyday email functionality directly into the Blazie experience.

We’re excited to offer a live Introduction to BT Mail training session on Tuesday, October 27, at 7:00 PM ET, hosted by David Goldfield via Zoom. David will walk participants through the new email application, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. It’s a great opportunity to get familiar with the application and see how it works firsthand.

Join the October 27 Training: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85830158789?pwd=xhdT5qXZCAyi5tl9KdiwZ84PZtaF3Z.1

Dear Braille Display Users,

We are writing on behalf of the Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union (EBU).
More information about EBU and our braille-related activities can be found here:
https://livingbraille.eu

This message is about our next expert table talk; BBQ – Braille, Brands & Questions, an informal online table talk dedicated to braille displays and their use.
This public online event for braille experts and braille users is part of a series of table talks with different braille display manufacturers.

📅 The meetings are planned to take place on the last Wednesday of each month, of autumn 2026 and spring 2027.

We will welcome you on our next BBQ:
on Wednesday 28TH of October 2026 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm CET (16:00 GMT);
with our guest Thomas Friehoff from BBTF GmbH;
on Zoom.

🎧 We plan to record each meeting and publish the recording on our YouTube channel, together with a text summary on livingbraille.eu. You can find the summaries and reports of our previous Table Talks on the livingbraille portal. You can also listen to previous sessions comfortably in your podcast player in the LivingBraille.eu podcast.

During the table talk, we will discuss following topics with our guests:

• their braille displays and their main characteristics;
• how their products relate to our checklist on choosing a braille display;
• different features of braille displays and the needs of users in different use cases.

EBU Braille Working Group team is looking forward to welcome you on our online BBQ.

Register for Braille, Brands and Questions

The October update is here!!

The October 2026 software update for BT Speak and BT Braille is huge! From email in Blazie Mode to new ways to connect your devices and write in Braille, this is an update you won’t want to miss. Check out the full release notes now!

Your Email, Now in Blazie Mode with BT Mail

One of our most requested features has arrived! Read, write, reply, and forward messages using familiar Blazie menus and reading commands. Manage multiple accounts in one inbox, work with attachments, and keep your conversations organized.

Connect an External Braille Display to BT Speak

Connect a compatible Braille display by USB or Bluetooth to read your apps, menus, and documents in Braille across Blazie Mode, Desktop Mode, and the shell. Supported display keyboards also let you enter text and commands, giving you more flexibility in how you use your BT Speak.

Control Your Phone, Tablet, or Computer with BT Speak

Your BT Speak keyboard can now control your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer over Bluetooth. Read a message on your phone, then switch back to your work on BT Speak without losing your place. BT Braille users also gain a redesigned menu for switching between connected devices.

Type Contracted Braille Directly in Desktop Applications

Write emails in Thunderbird and documents in LibreOffice Writer using contracted Braille directly in supported text fields. Available on both BT Speak and BT Braille, Direct Braille Input lets you write, review, and correct your text without opening a separate Braille editor.

And There’s Much More

This release also brings dozens of additional features and improvements, including easier Wi-Fi management, clipboard sharing with other devices, an offline dictionary, saved speech and Braille profiles, podcast transcription, and enhancements throughout your favorite applications.

Ready to Get Started?

On your device, open Options, choose BT Speak Management or BT Braille Management, and select Check For Updates.

It’s an exciting time at Blazie Technologies! With the recent release of BT Mail, one of our most requested features, we’re continuing to bring new capabilities to BT Speak and BT Braille based on the feedback and requests of our users.

BT Mail is our new email application designed specifically for Blazie Mode, allowing users to read, write, and manage their emails using the familiar menus and commands they already know. From managing multiple email accounts to organizing messages and attachments, BT Mail brings everyday email functionality directly into the Blazie experience.

To help everyone get started, we’ve launched a brand-new BT Mail webpage! This dedicated resource walks users through everything from setting up an email account to exploring key features, compatibility, and everyday uses. Whether you’re new to BT Mail or looking to learn more about what it can do, the page is a great place to start.

Explore BT Mail

At Blazie Technologies, we’re always listening to what our users want to see next. BT Mail is just one example of the exciting improvements we’re bringing to our devices, and there’s plenty more on the way! We’re continuing to expand the capabilities of BT Speak and BT Braille, making them more versatile, accessible, and useful in everyday life.

We invite you to explore our new BT Mail webpage, join us for the upcoming training, and stay connected as we continue introducing new features and improvements. If you’ve been thinking about getting a BT Speak or BT Braille, there’s never been a more exciting time to get started!

Software update V1.2 is now available, bringing new features and improvements to the BrailleSense 7. Highlights include easier Android app discovery through Quick Search, file attachments for Gemini prompts, and enhancements to File Manager and reading features, along with many other improvements and fixes across the system.

For the full list of changes and update instructions, visit the Selvas BLV BrailleSense 7 Download Center.

Before updating, back up your settings and files, ensure the battery is above 40%, and keep the device connected to AC power throughout the update. Do not interrupt the process once it begins.

Turtleback premium black leather carrying cases, custom-designed for the 32-cell and 40-cell BrailleSense 7 models, are now available for order. Each case features a protective key cover, carrying strap, and convenient front storage pocket. Please be advised that this case is intended for the BrailleSense 7 unit only. The Power Pack Module and QWERTY Keyboard cannot be stored in the case.

Price: $159 per case. Selvas North America is offering free shipping through the end of the year. (Offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii.)

We expect the 32-cell case to begin shipping by the end of next week, and the 40-cell case to begin shipping the following week.

Order the case for the 32-cell and 20-cell BrailleSense 7 from Turtleback

Order the case for the 40-cell BrailleSense 7 from Turtleback

Order from Selvas BLV

The campaign is building an international, curated database of braille and tactile resources, so that braille readers, families, teachers, transcribers, researchers and policy makers can find reliable material in one place. The collection currently holds 108 resources from 14 countries or regions. Coverage is strongest in English and in well-resourced countries, and we especially need resources in other languages and on tactile graphics, accessible STEM, teacher preparation, deafblindness and braille in low-resource settings.

Every submission is reviewed by campaign members before it is published. A fully accessible public website for the collection is planned for World Braille Day, 4 January 2027.

You can suggest resources using the ICEVI WBU Resource Collection Form. We are also looking for reviewers in every region who know the braille resources available in their own languages. If you would like to help, please email [email protected].