[Ct-nfb] Low-cost Refreshable Device to be Available in 2016

Wed Sep 3 06:32:52 UTC 2014

I'd just like to say this is a long time coming. The most unfortunate thing
about Braille in my view is the slowness of technical advancement, and the
persistently astronomic cost of refreshable Braille displays. One must spend
the price of several decent computers in order just to have one--maybe two
lines of Braille output at a time from a digital device. Sure they've gotten
a little cheaper, lighter, and less bulky; but we're talking at least 20
years of potential advancement. Hopefully now with the mainstream use of 3D
printing technology, Braille tech will be able to make some leaps and bounds
in tandem.
Sorry for the entertainment.
Just keep brailing,
Trevor

-----Original Message-----
From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin
Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 12:48 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org'; 'ctabs at nfbnet.org'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Low-cost Refreshable Device to be Available in 2016

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Roberta Williams, (502) 899-2357 (office),
rwilliams at aph.org<mailto:rwilliams at aph.org>

Low-cost Refreshable Device to be Available in 2016

Louisville, Kentucky (August 27, 2014) - American Printing House for the
Blind (APH) is pleased to announce that the Transforming Braille Project,
for which it serves the CEO function, has reached a new plateau. Beginning
in 2012, APH and eighteen other non-profit organizations
http://www.transformingbraille.org/faq/#faq_03
concerned about the high cost of refreshable braille devices began a quest
to create a low-cost option by forming an international consortium to work
on the issue.

Recently, Orbit Research LLC  http://www.orbitresearch.com/  and the
Transforming Braille Group LLC http://www.transformingbraille.org/
announced an agreement to produce a low-cost refreshable braille display.

According to a release sent out by Transforming Braille Group, "The
objective of the project is to produce a stand-alone 20-cell refreshable
braille display for $300 (or £200) which will bring refreshable braille
within the reach of children in developing countries and will provide
libraries in developed countries with a viable alternative to hard copy
braille. The product will be launched at CSUN (California State University,
Northridge Center on Disabilities Annual International Technology and
Persons with Disabilities Conference) in 2016.

The display is designed to work through USB and Bluetooth connectivity with
'smart' phones and tablets. It is not intended to compete with high
specification refreshable braille displays already on the market, primarily
used in education and employment, but is intended to bring braille displayed
e-books to a wide audience at an economical price."

Of the project, Larry Skutchan, CEO of Transforming Braille Group LLC and
Technology Project Manager at APH, said, "Dramatically reducing the cost of
refreshable braille is one of the most effective ways to increase literacy
for people who are blind. Between this new refreshable braille display and
the advent of free or low cost screen readers like NVDA, anyone can afford
to participate in the electronic text revolution we all now take for
granted. While the impact to people in less developed countries is most
dramatic, even braille readers in more prosperous countries, like the United
States, can afford to read without the help of government subsidies. Since
the device works both independently and connected to computers and smart
phones, it is possible to distribute documents with a commonly available SD
card. The simple user interface is analogous to that of an electronic book
reader, except that instead of a screen, it uses refreshable braille. This
project truly transforms braille."
-MORE-
"We're excited to participate and lead this global effort for braille
literacy," said Tuck Tinsley III, APH President.

About the American Printing House for the Blind:
The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c) (3) non-profit
organization, is the world's largest nonprofit company devoted solely to
researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind
or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its
kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the
Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational
materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less
than college level.

APH manufactures textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded,
and digital formats. APH also makes hundreds of educational, recreational,
and daily living products including computer software and an array of
assistive technology items.

The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. is located at 1839 Frankfort
Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, call
(502) 895-2405 or log on to www.aph.org<http://www.aph.org>

END-

Roberta
Roberta Williams, 502-899-2357
Public Relations Manager
Publicity, Tours, InSights Art

http://www.aph.org<http://www.aph.org/>
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American Printing House for the Blind
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