Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Masterclass for this month has been postponed by one week and will take place next Tuesday, 24 February.
This Tuesday, join us for our popular Braille Bar at 7:30 PM. No question is too small, from kit to code – just ask and our experts will assist you!
Register for the Braille Bar here
Or, to join by phone, use these details:
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:
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.
To join by phone, please use these details:
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:
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:
So come join us for our second expert table talk—and take your Braille display skill to the next level!
A FREE online webinar via Teams.
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.
Since 1997, the CNIB has organised a Canada-wide Braille Creative Writing Contest for children and youth. This important competition celebrates braille literacy and encourages young people to flex their creative muscles while practicing their braille skills. Put the power of literacy at your fingertips!
VICTA have encouraged UK participants to get involved with this exciting competition for the past 3 years and we are delighted to share this with you once again.
Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you’ve written for school this year to be in our prize draw for Amazon vouchers, there is a £75 and a £25 voucher up for grabs! Each piece of writing is an entry into the prize draw – the more you write, the more chances you have!
What are you waiting for?
APH is excited to introduce the BRF to eBraille Converter!
A new tool that helps bridge familiar braille workflows with the future of digital braille, the converter is one of the first practical ways many people will interact with eBraille. It takes an existing BRF file and converts it into an eBraille file that can be read, reviewed, and tested on eBraille capable devices and software. The converter analyzes spacing, indentation, page structure, and formatting patterns, then applies structure and markup so that the content can behave like a modern digital document while still respecting established braille rules. Read this article to learn more about the BRF to eBraille Converter.
Amongst the many enhancements in firmware 1.6 for the Victor Reader Stream 3 is “Experimental eBraille file support”. This complements its existing support for BRF. Files will be back-translated and read aloud in a synthetic voice.
Discover the winners of the VICTA braille art competition: visit the page on the VICTA website
From Blazie Technologies:
You’re invited to join the Blazie Technologies Facebook page to keep up with news about the BT Speak and BT Braille as well as interacting with us.
We also plan to have some exclusive content on our page, along with some other exciting opportunities. Join our page now to stay in the know.
ICEB is delighted to announce its 2026 mid-term Executive Committee meeting, which will take place from Monday 10th to Thursday 13th August. All meetings will be held at Perkins School for the Blind.