Author: Matthew Horspool

Literacy is the foundation of learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment. As the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign continues its call for More Braille, More Empowerment, we mark World Day for Assistive Technology by recognising the important role that assistive technology can play in advancing braille literacy and expanding opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and have low vision.

Braille literacy remains a fundamental right and a cornerstone of inclusive education, lifelong learning, and meaningful participation in society. In an increasingly digital world, braille literacy and assistive technology together can create new pathways to learning, communication, independence, and participation across all stages of life.

When designed, developed, and deployed inclusively, assistive technology has the potential to transform how braille is taught, learned, accessed, and used. From refreshable braille displays and accessible learning platforms to emerging digital and AI-driven solutions, technology can strengthen braille teaching, expand opportunities for braille reading and writing, and support the development of literacy skills that foster independence, autonomy, confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

As recognised in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to braille, alternative formats, and assistive technology is essential to achieving inclusion and equal participation. We therefore encourage governments, educators, technology and AI developers, publishers, organisations of persons with disabilities, and development partners to work together to ensure that technological progress strengthens braille literacy and contributes to a more inclusive and accessible world.

Throughout June, the More Braille, More Empowerment Campaign invites relevant stakeholders to share stories demonstrating how braille literacy and assistive technology together are creating opportunities for learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment.

#MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment

#TechnologyForBrailleLiteracy

Most braille displays include an integrated Perkins-style keyboard which can be used to enter and edit text. But did you know you can also use your braille display’s braille keyboard to perform complex QWERTY keyboard keystrokes? Join Matthew Horspool to find out how!

We will cover:

• Similarities and differences between JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver
• Assigning a braille display keystroke to a QWERTY keystroke
• Pressing and holding modifier keys
• Numbers in conjunction with modifier keys
• Emulating F1-F12
• Emulating common keys such as the arrow keys, home, end, page up, page down and tab
• Practical examples of where this might be useful

Register for the session

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 881 2861 0698
• Passcode: 123456

The Braille Working Group of the European Blind Union would like to invite you to a round-table discussion this Wednesday, June 17, at 18:00 Central European Time (16:00 UTC).

Braille was a major theme at SightCity 2026, Europe’s largest trade fair for blindness and low-vision technology, held in Frankfurt last month. New devices were unveiled, new partnerships were announced, and a couple of long-established players in the accessibility industry made a comeback.

There is much to share and discuss, and we in the Braille Working Group look forward to sharing our impressions and answering your questions. We hope you will join us this Wednesday for an informal conversation about the latest developments in the world of Braille technology.

Please, register for the Table Talk (Google form) to get the link for joining us. We will send the link to the registered participants on Wednesday.

Participants, who have been receiving our e-mails after the registration to our previous sessions, will get the link to join us automatically.

We hope to see you this Wednesday. Because Braille matters.

You’re cordially invited to celebrate National Braille Press’ accomplishments over the past year at our 99th Annual Meeting.

Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Location: Northeastern University Fenway Center
77 Saint Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115

Join us for a special evening of community, appreciation, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and updates from National Braille Press.

The evening will include:

• Join us as we honor 2026 Touch of Genius Award recipient Ann Cunningham, renowned artist, sculptor, and tactile art expert, for her extraordinary contributions to braille literacy and accessibility. Ann will share her innovative “Flip-pics” approach, designed to create complex tactile images with greater clarity and less clutter.
• The “State of NBP & Braille” update from President & CEO Brian Mac Donald, including:
• Highlights of recent work
• Exciting new initiatives and programs
• Welcoming our incoming Trustees and thanking those concluding their Board service
• Introducing our newest Friends of NBP
• Celebrating our Volunteer Award Winners
• Sue Ammeter Volunteer Award: Kate Crohan
• Volunteer Group Award: Norfolk, MA Lions Club

Let’s gather to celebrate the people who power our mission. We hope to see you there!

You can join us in person or via Zoom.

RSVP here

HumanWare is pleased to invite you to an exclusive webinar introducing the new BrailleNote Evolve — where the power of Windows 11 and the simplicity of KeySoft come together in one seamless experience.

Join Andrew Flatres and David Woodbridge as they demonstrate the BrailleNote Evolve: a full-fledged Windows 11 computer in the form factor of a convenient, travel-sized braille note-taker. Discover how HumanWare is redefining what a notetaker can be by placing braille at the centre of a powerful and flexible productivity solution.

During this information-packed session, you will learn about:

• Why the BrailleNote Evolve was designed
• A physical overview and guided tour of the device
• The Main Menu and KeySoft experience
• Enhancements to the full-featured Microsoft Office Suite
• How JAWS and NVDA work seamlessly with Windows to deliver a comprehensive braille-first solution

Register here

The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind is excited to present a special virtual workshop with Orbit Research, a leading developer of affordable and innovative assistive technology designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Founded in 1998, Orbit Research has become widely recognized for its products, such as:

• Refreshable braille displays
• Braille note-takers
• Tactile graphic displays
• DAISY media players
• Digital magnifiers
• Many more!

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the future of assistive technology!

Join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83581605488?pwd=UWYvTVZ2Q2RRejhJamVJREF4Rlltdz09

Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488

Passcode: 182630

This month, we’ll be showcasing the June 2026 software update for BT Speak and BT Braille. We’ll demonstrate new features, highlight important improvements, and share tips for getting the most out of the latest release. We think you’re really going to love this update.

As always, we’ll walk through our products live and answer your questions during the Q&A.

If you’re unable to join us live, don’t worry! A recording of the webinar will be posted on our website shortly after the event. You can find recordings of past webinars on our YouTube Channel and on our media page.

Whether you join us live or catch the recording later, we hope you’ll tune in and see what’s coming next at Blazie Technologies.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86431419272?pwd=ea9zmQmAfqVex3peP8vGCh5Oa9dQRD.1

Meeting ID: 864 3141 9272

Passcode: 754528

The topic for the Tuesday, May 26, 2026, That All May eRead online program will be Navigating DAISY Files on Your eReader. 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.g\ov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread.

For more information, please contact:
Tamara Rorie
Head, Patron Engagement Section
[email protected] or [email protected]

How might you use braille at university, and what funding is available to help you get it? Join Connor Scott-Gardner to find out!

Connor has experience as an advocate, DSA assessor and university student. In this session, he will share:

• How he used braille in his own studies, and how you might use it in yours
• Where braille technology works well in a university environment (and where it doesn’t)
• What options are available for transcription, both for hard copy braille and electronic formats for use on braille displays
• What support is available and who is responsible for providing it
• Advice on navigating Disabled Students Allowance, and what to ask for at a DSA assessment

This session will be particularly relevant if you are about to start a university course, but much of the information will still apply if you are part-way through your studies. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

Register for Braille at University

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 844 5048 9979
• Passcode: 123456

The ICEB Executive Committee has recently approved a significant update to the choice and placement of grade 1 indicators, section 1.7 of the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM). The new guidance clarifies when it is appropriate to use a grade 1 symbol, word or passage indicator and will be of particular interest to those working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The updated guidance gives a consistent approach to selecting which kind of grade 1 indicator to use, removing confusion where the same mathematical expression could be written in multiple ways.

ICEB is delighted to invite you to a special town hall event, taking place at 20:00 UTC, on Thursday June 4th, where we will explain these changes in detail, provide examples and most importantly, answer your questions.

If you are a transcriber, a teacher, or a braille reader (especially working with Mathematics or scientific notation), this session will most certainly be of interest.

Please register here to attend. We look forward to your company!