Author: Matthew Horspool

Join Chris Turner and Ed Rogers of Bristol Braille Technology as they lift the lid on Canute Scientific, the next generation of multi-line braille technology designed specifically for blind people working, studying or exploring Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Based on the already popular Canute Console multi-line braille workstation, but with an upgraded system board, new chassis, greater connectivity options, roadmap for future development  and a suite of custom applications designed with feedback and advice from braille readers at the forefront, BBT truly believes this is their best product to date.

IN this session, Ed and Chris will:

• Explain how Canute Scientific came to be and who will benefit most from it
• Describe the physical layout and appearance of Canute Scientific and how it differs from Canute Console
• Introduce Canute Scientific’s operating system and user interface
• Demonstrate some of the applications developed specifically for Canute Scientific
• Outline which features will also be available to Canute Console owners
• Explain the upgrade options available to owners of Canute Console and Canute 360

Register for Unveiling Canute Scientific

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 835 4384 4879
• Passcode: 123456

With thanks to Bristol Braille Technology CIC for sponsoring this session.

What happens when you combine the power of the BrailleSense with the revolutionary tactile graphics of Dot Pad X?

Join Dave Williams and Timothy Hornik from Dot Inc. with Jenny Axler from Selvas BLV for a special webinar to find out!

This session will share:

The work Selvas BLV has been doing to make the BrailleSense connect seamlessly with Dot Pad.

A live demonstration of Dot Pad X with BrailleSense.

Q&A with our expert panel.

Register for Dot Pad X with BrailleSense on Zoom

Tek Talk welcomes Venkatesh Chari, President of Orbit Research, to discuss What’s New with Orbit Research including a new subsidy program.

Meeting ID: 839 935 813

Passcode: awz

We are proud to announce that Tek Talk Programs can now be heard on ACB Media 1. Please visit the ACB Media Network Home page at https://www.acbmedia.org/ for upcoming events.

Podcast feed

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:

Presenter contact info:

Venkatesh Chari, President of Orbit Research

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 888-606-7248

Website: www.orbitresearch.com

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]

Hello Braille readers,

The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union (EBU) has already brought to you three interesting and informative sessions of table talks on braille displays usage — Use Your Braille Display Like a Pro. You can find the articles about our first three sessions on livingbraille portal:

• Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: the first C, connecting;
• Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: The second C — Consuming;
• Expert Table Talk Series on Braille Displays: the Third C, Controlling Your Device with a Braille Display.

The articles will lead you to the YouTube recording of each session.

As announced at the beginning of the series, the last Wednesday of each month from January to April has been dedicated to expert discussions on using braille displays. Today, we invite you to the fourth and final roundtable, focused on using your braille display like a pro:

• 📅 Wednesday, April 29, at 18:00 CET (17:00 UTC)
• on Zoom

The topic of our fourth table talk is: Creating Content with your braille display.

• Braille display with a braille or QWERTY keyboard? What are the pros and cons? “Playing chords” on your braille display.
• File types on stand-alone braille display, the impact of contracted and uncontracted braille input, and what to be aware of when transferring files. Code pages versus file types and braille display capabilities.
• Important information about braille table settings when creating the content with your braille display whether as a stand-alone device or when connected to a computer or smartphone.

A panel of experts will give short presentations and you are invited to share your experiences and ask your questions.

If you registered for our first session in January, you should have received the Zoom link by e-mail. The link remains the same for all sessions and we will send it to all participants who have already registered for previous sessions. In that case you do not need to register again.

If you did not register yet, we kindly request that you register for the table talk here: Registration form to the Expert Table Talks.

So come join us for our fourth expert table talk—and take your Braille display skill to the next level!

Selvas BLV is pleased to announce this major upgrade for Braille eMotion, V1.5.

This upgrade adds the popular Braille Practice application that exists on the BrailleSense, as well as the ability to create language profiles and emboss directly from the eMotion. It also fixes issues using HID with several screen readers. JAWS key maps are also updated to reflect current functionality via HID, which will also apply to Bluetooth in the May update to JAWS.

Please find the complete list of fixes and improvements in the release note download below.

Release Note Download

Read full newsletter

Blazie Technologies is soon going to be offering free training webinars. Each webinar will provide training on various topics with the goal of making you a more proficient BT Speak or BT Braille user. Initially, this is not going to be a multi-session course. Instead, each training session will provide one lesson covering one specific topic, followed by questions from participants.

If you own a BT Speak or BT Braille, David Goldfield would be very interested to know what topics would be most helpful, interesting or relevant to you. Please email [email protected]

Thank you in advance for your input.

Books open windows to new worlds, connecting people, cultures and ideas across generations.

Today, April 23, is UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day — and we’re using it to ask a simple but powerful question:

What good is the power of reading if not everyone can access it?

For the 253 million people worldwide who are blind or have print disabilities, too many books remain out of reach. That’s not a gap we can afford to ignore.

That’s why the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment and the World Blind Union are championing “Born Accessible” publishing — books designed from the very beginning to work for every reader.

No retrofitting. No afterthought. Accessible from day one.

Through our More Braille: More Empowerment campaign, we’re pushing for a world where access to braille, digital and audio formats worldwide isn’t an exception — it is the standard.

Because the right to read isn’t a privilege. It’s just a right.

Learn more about the ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/ https://wbu.ngo/about/global-braille-literacy-campaign

#WorldBookDay #AccessibleBooks #BornAccessible #MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment #Inclusion #Braille #VisualImpairment

Many braille displays have built-in applications for reading and writing when not connected to a computer, smart phone or tablet. However, some of these displays do not have built-in braille translation and therefore do not properly support even the most basic of common file formats!

In these cases, you will need to work with braille files: special text files which contain braille dots instead of regular characters.

Send to Braille is a free. Lightweight application for Windows which converts many common file types to braille, and braille files to text files. It adds a shortcut to your “Send to” menu in File Explorer and translates the files automatically. All you need to do is press enter and the translated file will appear in a matter of seconds!

This week, join Matthew Horspool as he explores the question: “Is this too good to be true?”

Matthew will cover:

• Downloading and installing Send to Braille
• Using Send to Braille
• Configuring Send to Braille
• When it is, and isn’t, appropriate to use Send to Braille
• Limitations of Send to Braille

Register for Send to Braille: Braille Translation with Ease

To join by phone, please use these details:

Phone number: 0131 460 1196

Meeting ID: 885 9452 8190

Passcode: 123456

Braille, Simplified – Accessible Reading & Navigation Made Easy

Featuring Guest Speaker: Alyssa Shock, Psy.D: Doctor of Counseling Psychology & Accessibility Advocate

Discover the Hable One® Reader, an innovative braille-first device designed to make reading and smartphone navigation more accessible, intuitive, and comfortable, especially for beginners and seniors.

Why Attend?

• Meet the Hable Reader: Learn how this compact device transforms braille reading and interaction with smartphones and tablets.
• Braille Functions Explained: Alyssa will demonstrate core braille features, including reading, input, and navigation shortcuts.
• Phone Navigation Made Simple: See how the Hable Reader connects to iOS and Android to make texting, reading, and app navigation easier and more efficient.
• Easy Mode for Seniors: Explore Easy Mode, a simplified interface specifically designed for older adults and users new to assistive technology.
• Confidence Through Access: Discover how intuitive tactile tools can promote independence, reduce frustration, and support lifelong learning.

About VLANJ Tech Talks

A free monthly online series featuring guest speakers and instructors sharing accessible technologies, helpful apps, and smart home innovations for blind and low vision individuals.

Register for VLANJ Tech Talks on Zoom