News

You’re invited to a very special Braille 200 celebration event!

In 1824 Louis Braille invented a tactile system that would revolutionise the world for people with sight loss and empower them to achieve things that would never before been thought possible. Join us in a day of celebrations, information, talks and shared experiences. All welcome.

The first stop is at Barking Library, at Barking Learning Centre (5 minutes from Barking tube station) on Friday 27 September, 10am-3pm. The day will have talks, an interactive session, invitations to share your braille story, information stands and a special talk from Mike Brace, the Paralympian, but most importantly tea, coffee, cake and lunch!

Barking Learning Centre
2 Town Square, Barking IG11 7NB
Friday 27 September, 10am-3pm

Schedule:

• 10.00am – Meet and Greet with Refreshments
• 10.15am – Braille 200 Presentation
• 10.45am – Meet the Braille Buddies and your stories
• 12 noon – Lunch
• 12.30pm – Barking and Dagenham Braille Services
• 13.00pm – Keynote talk – Paralympian & CEO Mike Brace

Find out more

Braille Screen Input has been overhauled!

iOS and iPad OS 18, due for release on Monday 16 September, include the biggest refresh of Braille Screen Input since the feature was first introduced in iOS 8. Although you can, for the most part, still use Braille Screen Input as you always have done, the new functionality in Apple’s latest flagship operating systems is a source of much excitement throughout the blind community and will almost certainly take your Braille Screen Input experience to the next level.

Join us on Tuesday 17 September at 7:30 PM UK time, as Matthew Horspool talks us through:

• The devices supported by iOS and iPad OS 18
• New ways to enter and exit Braille Screen Input
• New sounds and haptics
• Braille entry improvements
• Using Braille Screen Input to control and navigate your iPhone or iPad

We welcome your questions during the session and we will make sure we allow plenty of time to answer them!

Register for the Masterclass here.

To join by phone, please use these details:

• Phone number: 0131 460 1196
• Meeting ID: 896 5162 5988
• Passcode: 123456

Registration is now open for the autumn term for Braille And Tactile Skills courses at Adult Learning Lewisham, starting on 16 September 2024.

They say: Our Braille and Tactile Skills courses take place on Mondays either between 10AM/12:30PM or 1Pm/3:30PM. Terms are eleven weeks long and are held at our Brockley Rise centre in South East London: 2 Brockley Rise, SE23 1PR. No previous knowledge of Braille is required and many of our applicants receive free or discounted places depending on their financial situations and the benefits that they may be receiving. We are a friendly and supportive group, and all learners work at their own pace towards their individual goals. We have lots of great group discussions about various topics related to visual impairment and use things like tactile games to make learning fun and to foster new friendships and connections.

To register, please call: 02083143300 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm to make an appointment for a pre-course assessment with supported learning, or you can email: [email protected]

Codex Global have asked us to share the following opportunity. For further information, please email Carlos Silva, Senior Talent Manager – Team Lead, on [email protected] copying [email protected] or call 0207 647 9540.

My name is Carlos and I’m part of the Talent Management team here at Codex Global, an Language Service Provider based in London.

One of our clients has enquired about Braille transcription and I’m reaching out to inquire about your availability and interest in collaborating with us on these projects.

Specifically, we are seeking:

• Experienced Braille Transcribers: Proficiency in accurately transcribing English (UK) content into Braille (Grade 1 and Grade 2)
• Printing and Delivery: Ability to print Braille transcriptions on clear paper (without company logos or letterheads) and send them directly to specified addresses
• Attention to Detail: Commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality transcriptions
• Professionalism: Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive, client-specific documents (signing of an NDA will be required)

Project Details:

• Frequency: Ad hoc (2-10 projects per year)
• Volume: Typically, between 500-2,500 words per project
• Budget: £15 per page

Could you let me know if a collaboration would be possible and share any information from your side that would be pertinent.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and to share more details.

THE BRISTOL BRAILLE INNOVATION CENTRE, G11, 37 Philip St, Bristol, BS3 4EA, UK

Inviting all Braille users who are interested in 2 dimensional electronic Braille on the Canute Console.

Next event 12 – 03 pm on Saturday 14th September: Roger Firman has been using a Canute for some years. In his short presentation, Roger will discuss the importance and relevance of tactile maps for vision impaired people, and talk about an evolving project using the Canute Console in astronomy and other possible applications.

There will also be plenty of opportunity for each delegate to have hands-on experience with the Canute Console.

By prior arrangement some travel expenses may be covered by Bristol Braille Technology.

Nearest train station is Bristol Temple Medes.

To inquire or sign up: email [email protected]

Agenda:

Arrive 12 pm for coffee.
Chance for those who have not seen the Canute Console to have a touch tour of the machine, so it is clearer what we will be discussing. There will be 3 Canute Consoles set up, and 3 of us can demonstrate them.

12:15 – Ed will give a demonstration of some maps and explain some of the possibilities for the future.

12:30 – Roger will discuss the importance and relevance of tactile maps for visually impaired people and talk about an evolving project using the Canute Console in astronomy and other possible applications.

Lunch.

Rest of session: All will participate in discussing the points raised by the presentations. We are keen to hear your thoughts on tactile maps—what aspects you like, what works and what doesn’t, and why.

There will be an opportunity for people to try out the Canute Console for themselves and understand its potential.

Orbit Research are thrilled to announce additional distribution partners in the UK! Welcome Aspire Consultancy, Computer Room Services, and Sight and Sound to the Orbit Research family. These partnerships will expand our reach, ensuring that our innovative products bring accessibility and independence to even more people across the UK. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to experience the best in assistive technology!

As has become customary, we will be taking a summer break to give our staff and volunteers time to rest and recuperate. Book Club on Thursday 25 July was the last event of term, and we will resume on Tuesday 3 September with Braille For Beginners.

There will be no online or face-to-face events during the break, and emails to [email protected] will not be answered until we return.

Orders for Braille For Beginners resources will continue to be processed, but at a slower rate.

We invite you to keep listening to our Braillecast podcast and contributing to our Braillists Forum.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Braillists for their dedication and hard work, and we wish you a pleasant August.

Bristol Braille Innovation Centre, G11, 37 Philip St, Bristol, BS3 4EA, UK

Sight and Sound Technology, in collaboration with Bristol Braille Technology are delighted to invite you to this drop-in event which will allow attendees to get hands-on experience with the Canute Console.

• The Canute Console is the next generation in Braille technology. It builds upon the foundation of the Canute 360 Braille e-reader and takes it to new heights.
• Imagine a device that combines the functionality of an e-reader with the power of a Linux workstation. That’s precisely what the Canute Console offers.
• The Console consists of a Canute 360 Braille display docked in a workstation.

Specifications:

• Multiline Braille Display. The Canute 360 Braille display remains at the heart of the Console, providing a reliable and efficient way to read Braille content.
• Qwerty Keyboard. Pull out the Qwerty keyboard when you need to type or search. It’s perfect for professionals, students, and anyone who wants to engage with Braille in a more interactive way.
• High Contrast Monitor. The Console features a fold-up 13-inch high contrast monitor. Share what you’re reading with visual readers or comfortably explore Braille content.
• Smart Mode. Switch to Smart Mode, which runs in the Linux command line. In this mode, the Console becomes a versatile tool:
  • View and manipulate data.
  • Edit and write documents.
  • Transcribe to and from Braille.
  • Explore diagrams and maps.
  • And here’s the exciting part: It’s also the world’s first and only tactile videogaming platform!
• Reader Mode. If you prefer a traditional reading experience, use the Console in Reader Mode. Read comfortably while benefiting from the additional monitor and keyboard.

We can’t wait to see you in Bristol and show you why this is the most exciting thing to have happened to Braille in years!

If you are planning on attending, we would appreciate it very much if you would kindly complete this short registration form so that we can understand your specific interest or any requests you may have in advance of your visit.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact Stuart Lawler at Sight and Sound Technology.
Telephone: 01604 344304.
Email: [email protected]

On Tuesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. eastern time, the Patron Engagement Section of the National Library Service in the US will launch a new monthly program called “That All May eRead” on Zoom. This program, occurring the last Tuesday night of each month, will focus on using the NLS Braille eReaders. Each session will begin with a brief demonstration of a feature or use case. The rest of the hour will be spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders.

You may access the program by going to: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614539282?pwd=vVKnyVjiG8x91SGk7RN6lgxhb9XyLz.1

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

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
• +1-646-828-7666

Meeting ID: 161 453 9282
Passcode: 776136

According to its website, “Tactile Reading and Graphics is a recurring international conference. It brings together participants worldwide that contribute to making information accessible through tactile solutions. In addition to braille, this also involves tactile graphics, drawings and 3D. During three days, the conference will feature a varied program about all aspects of tactile reading.

“The event is about sharing knowledge, ideas and experiences from practical work, innovation and research. The contributors will bring new knowledge and inspiration to the participants in their professional work and promote further development of new understanding within the field of tactile reading.”

Registration for the conference costs €635.25 (including 21% VAT) until Sunday 12 January 2025, after which the cost rises to €756.25 (including 21% VAT). Discounts are available for students and those who live in low and middle income countries. Register for Tactile Reading here.

If you would like to present at the conference, the Call for Abstracts is open until Friday 18 October 2024.