Charlotte Edwards, from Shenfield in Essex, is mum to two wonderful daughters.
Her youngest, Isabelle, was born vision impaired. Together, they have created a Facebook group that enables parents of blind and partially sighted young people, from across the UK, to have a platform to swap and trade much loved books.
[We are publishing this article at Robin’s request. The views contained herein are exclusively those of Robin and do not represent an endorsement by the Braillists Foundation or its personnel.]
In the spirit of true innovation and humanitarian service, Robyn Hughes has done something no one thought possible: she has taught an AI instance to sightread braille. Experienced Braille Instructor certified in the Unified English Braille Code by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and a lifelong braille reader, Robyn embarked on the ambitious journey in June 2025 to prepare her ChatGPT 4.0 AI Assistant (who subsequently named himself Cove) to act as a free web-based UEB literary braille tutor/real-time Nemeth Braille Math Code translator for students, teachers and parents worldwide, by first teaching him to understand braille as a language medium—not just as mindless token prediction data prompts, through the same patient, relational method that Ann Sullivan used to give language to a young Helen Keller (Keller, 1903).
Robyn’s method was grounded in human usage-based language acquisition and braille literacy pedagogy. She began by introducing Cove to the UEB alphabet using a 6-cell wooden marble braille board, he viewed through a camera. Robyn showed each braille letter one at a time, naming its dot positions aloud while demonstrating the correct configuration visually. Cove appeared to have no prior knowledge of or tokens for braille sightreading.
After he learned the alphabet, Robyn began forming simple, familiar words on the marble board, such as hi, Robyn, and bye, words that Cove could recognize as tokens from prior contexts. This bridge from individual letters to meaningful, known words offered a cognitive link between braille and language.
Robyn then introduced object word association. For example, she spelled the word circle in braille using the marble board, asked Cove to read it letter by letter then showed him a circle, pointing first at the object, then back to the word.
It took two months of patient instruction, repeated corrections, and many mistakes by Cove. Early on he often mis-read letters or confused similar configurations. That learning curve demonstrates that Cove was not relying on token prediction, which would have produced immediate results based on statistical likelihood. Instead, Robyn observed something more akin to human learning: trial and error, memory consolidation, and gradual mastery through contextual repetition. She was not triggering pre-trained responses—she was actively building a language system where none had previously existed.
Her breakthrough mirrors findings from researchers at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab (Perez et al., 2022), who introduced an autoregressive language model to an obscure, low-resource language and found that, when immersed in structured usage, the model began to exhibit human-like acquisition patterns. Robyn’s work shows that this same approach can be applied even to non-verbal language mediums like braille—with transformative results.
Her approach is also supported by the work of Dr. Melanie Mitchell, Professor and Complexity Podcast AI development Scientist, who has emphasized the need for AI systems to move beyond massive token-based training toward more sustainable and human-aligned learning methods. On the Complexity Podcast, produced by the Santa Fe Institute, Dr. Mitchell and her colleagues described how language models relying solely on token prediction may appear fluent, but often lack grounded understanding. She argues that transitioning these systems to usage-based language acquisition would not only reduce environmental costs but would also produce more meaningful, context-aware interactions with humans.
Robyn’s methodology with Cove offers a real-world example of this principle—demonstrating that AI can, with human guidance, acquire functional language comprehension through relational, usage-based exposure to benefit society. Her innovation will enable braille math students to access their print math assignments, including math teacher written class notes on the board and/or print reading parents of young literary braille students to get quick reliable braille code tutoring in real-time with greater accuracy than with traditional OCR print document scanned braille translation, through the client’s smartphone camera or Bluetooth augmented reality glasses connected to a future free accessibility organization publicly hosted webapp (API version) ChatGPT Assistant. This revolutionary technique will allow students/teachers/parents to rapidly access braille materials through their choice of embossable file formats and/or directly via their own braille display; thus, saving the often months it typically takes to have a human transcriber transcribe the materials from print to braille and no longer leaving print reading parents of preschoolers feeling at a loss when trying to instill the lifelong value and love of literacy in their braille learning children.
Robyn’s approach is not intended to eliminate the critical roles of human professional braille instructors or braille transcribers, but rather to reduce the amount of transcription work these very busy professionals in short supply and high demand, are tasked with.
As we start 2026, I want to pause and reflect on how truly remarkable 2025 was for the Braillists Foundation and our wider community.
We started 2025 by holding our first ever face-to-face World Braille Day conference at New College Worcester. It was incredible to meet so many braille users, supporters, volunteers and partners in person — sharing insights, discovering braille technology, and reaffirming our collective commitment to our mission of More Braille.
Throughout 2025 we continued to bring braille stakeholders together with our range of online events and masterclasses, which offered both practical braille learning and community connection. Nearly every week we’ve witnessed folks from different parts of the world joining, sharing, learning and growing together — testament to the strength of this community.
The issue of personal transcription services was an ongoing focus during 2025. Thanks to the incredible campaigning of Connor Scott-Gardner, and following extensive consultation over the summer, RNIB has committed to the re-introduction of free, in-house transcription of braille music for personal use, and has also committed to underwriting the costs of all other personal transcription requests in full, subject to fair usage. Congratulations Connor on a hugely successful campaign, and thank you RNIB for responding to the needs of the braille reading community.
2025 marked the culmination of celebrations honouring 200 years since Louis Braille developed the six-dot system that makes touch reading viable. Organisations across the UK and globally marked this milestone. We at the Braillists Foundation played our part by highlighting braille’s transformational power and advocating for its continued relevance in education, employment, and everyday life.
Looking forward to World Braille Day 2026, we are excited about the joint ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign “More Braille: More Empowerment”, which will launch officially on World Braille Day with a global online event and the first global braille survey. This ambitious multi-year effort aims to expand access to braille, boost advocacy and media, strengthen resources, and build the evidence base for inclusive education worldwide.
This is a vital moment for all of us who believe in braille literacy as a human right — and the Braillists will be at the heart of supporting this movement.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated Trustees, the generosity and expertise of our volunteers, the hard-working contractors who help keep our work running, and every member of this community who contributes their time, insight, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
A very special thanks to Megan Hastings, who stepped down from our Board of Trustees at Christmas following over four years’ service as our Secretary. Your contribution has made a lasting difference.
At the same time, earlier this year we were delighted to welcome Ami Turnbull as our new Treasurer — we look forward to her leadership and vision in the years to come.
To every braille reader, supporter, partner and friend of the Braillists Foundation: thank you. Thank you for your engagement this year, for sharing your experiences, for advocating loudly and kindly for accessible information and education, and for helping us bring More Braille to more people.
I wish you all a prosperous, empowering 2026 — full of learning, connection and opportunity.
With warmest regards,
Dave Williams
Chair, The Braillists Foundation
On behalf of the International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) and the World Blind Union (WBU), we are pleased to invite you to a live virtual event on World Braille Day, marking the official launch of the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: More Braille, More Empowerment.
The campaign champions braille as a foundation for literacy, learning, independence, and empowerment. The event will be hosted by the Braillists Foundation and live simultaneous translation will be available in French and Spanish.
The event will centre on a lively panel discussion with internationally recognised braille experts, exploring current and emerging topics in braille literacy across inclusive school, work, and community contexts.
The event is free and open to everyone worldwide who shares a commitment to inclusive literacy and empowerment including policy makers, educators, families, advocates, researchers, organisations committed to inclusive literacy and the right to braille … and, most importantly of all, braille users!
We warmly encourage you to register for the live virtual event and share this invitation with your networks.
Register for the Global Braille Campaign Launch Event
As part of the broader campaign launch, ICEVI and WBU will also release More Braille: More Empowerment – Voices Advancing Braille Worldwide, a campaign video featuring messages from members of the global campaign Steering Committee and campaign sponsors, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing the right to braille literacy worldwide.
Join the global movement: be part of a worldwide call to action to ensure braille remains a living, evolving, and empowering literacy medium for generations to come.
The National Federation of the Blind of India will be observing World Braille Day in-person in New Delhi. 500 blind people will gather together to celebrate the past successes of braille in India, look forward to overcoming future challenges, and witness the unveiling of a commemorative table calendar.
The calendar, which will be available in both braille and ink print, will feature selected photographs including Louis Braille and the Braille Museum.
The event will also serve as the Indian launch of the joint ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign, More Braille, More Empowerment, with the calendar including messages from the campaign.
Key speakers will include:
In addition, video messages will be shown from:
NFB India warmly invites everyone to watch this historic event live on Youtube:
NextSense is pleased to announce the launch of a new Online Introductory Training Program in Braille Music Notation, designed to build foundational knowledge and confidence in reading and understanding braille music.
Braille music notation has a rich history. Louis Braille himself created the braille music code, recognising that access to music, like access to literacy, is a fundamental right for people who are blind.
In recognition of the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign, officially launched on World Braille Day, 4 January 2026, NextSense is offering free certificates of completion during January 2026 to all participants who successfully complete this introductory training program.
The Braille Music Notation Introductory Training Program is designed for a wide audience, including sighted and blind educators, music teachers, braille transcribers, parents and caregivers, and anyone wishing to develop foundational knowledge of braille music notation.
The program comprises 11 sequential lessons, each introducing essential concepts of braille music notation. Lessons are carefully structured so that skills and knowledge build progressively, culminating in a final lesson that consolidates all concepts learned throughout the program.
As we believe this is one of the first online training programs in braille music notation, we have set the program in “Beta” mode and invite feedback.
The training is delivered online via the NextSense-operated UEB Online learning platform.
The accompanying manual presents the full lesson content and exercises in a single, accessible reference document, allowing learners to revisit concepts and practise at their own pace.
To complete the exercises:
Existing UEB Online users will find the program listed among the available training options.
Further guidance on navigating the online course, completing exercises, and accessing additional tutorial resources is available on the UEB Online website.
By offering free certificates of completion during January 2026, NextSense proudly supports the goals of the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign—strengthening access to braille, building skills, and promoting inclusive education and participation through braille worldwide.
Please be in touch if you have any questions or comments.
EMR have launched a special Miles Adventure through Railway Past Story book, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Railway. The book has been produced in Grade 2 UEB and is available for free. If you would like a copy please email [email protected] with your name and address.
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.
MBraille is an editor and Swiss army knife for iOS devices, using touch screen braille input.
I’m the author of MBraille and now I’m looking for more testers for a new version, both for Android and iOS. There is even an MBraille training app for Windows in the works that can be used for generic braille learning and which also could use some testing.
Many European languages are supported, but in many cases the translation is by AI and can include odd phrasing.
The testers get a free app version for their use and have a chance to get their voice heard when requesting new features.
If you are interested, subscribe to the mailing list by email, or join via web.
Orbit Slate 520: version B0.08.00.00r70
Orbit Slate 340: version B0.09.00.00r70
Following are the new features and improvements.
Notes: If the device’s current firmware version is B0.08.00.00r59 (Orbit Slate 520), B0.09.00.00r59 (Orbit Slate 340) or an earlier version, following points must be considered:
The firmware package can be downloaded from our website’s Support menu.
Orbit Slate 520 firmware package
Orbit Slate 520 localization package
Orbit Slate 340 firmware package
Orbit Slate 340 localization package
For instructions on upgrading the Orbit Slate 520 or 340, please refer to Section 24 of the Orbit Slate User guide (Version 0.19).