Author: Matthew Horspool

A Tour of IbPrint, and Other Strategies for Embossing BRF Files, Tuesday 24 February at 7:30 PM

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.

Register for the session

To join by phone, please use these details:

  • Phone number: 0131 460 1196
  • Meeting ID: 812 9676 0267
  • Passcode: 123456

Orbit Research on Accessible World Tek Talk, Tuesday 24 February at 1:00 AM

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.

Join the meeting in the Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/839935813?pwd=eXFMRHpxNnhFZlRiMHAzRWNWYXM3Zz09

Meeting ID: 839 935 813

Passcode: awz

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

Presenter contact info:

Venkatesh Chari, President of Orbit Research

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 888-606-7248

Website: www.orbitresearch.com

Contacts

Larry Gassman: Accessible World Co-Chair

Phone: 714-449-1958

Email: [email protected]

Alan Lemly: Accessible World Co-Chair

Phone: 601-919-6907

Email: [email protected]

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.

That All May eRead: Using Your eReader with Your Android phone, Wednesday 25 February at Midnight

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.

To access the meeting, go to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1603971745?pwd=AAyByFXmbZ94WHMCroPt1Iw28Se5mU.1

Meeting ID: 160 397 1745

Passcode: 471174

If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us.

  • +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
  • +1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
  • +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
  • +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
  • +1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
  • +1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
  • International numbers

Remember that the meeting is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording.

You can find recordings and transcripts of previous That All May eRead programs on the NLS website at www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread

Using your Braille Display like a Pro, Part 2: Consuming, Wednesday 25 February at 5:00 PM

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!

Braille Input and Output on Smartphones and Tablets, Wednesday 25 February at 7:30 PM

The Technology Association of Visually Impaired People (TAVIP) is delighted to invite you to join Paul Porter for a Masterclass on how to use Braille input and output on smartphones and tablets.

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.”

Join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/2222397064

Phone number: 0203 695 0088

Meeting ID: 2222 397 064

English Language Student Looking for Participants for a Dissertation on Braille

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.

Participant Call (Paid, Remote Interview): Research on Conversational AI and Tactile Braille Charts for Blind and Low-Vision People

Hi everyone!

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

If you’re interested, please email me at [email protected].

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.