[Trainer-Talk] Mountbatten Brailler vs Smart Brailler and Other Similar Options?

[marianne at denningweb.com]

I think the technology for the Mount Batten is very old. I have heard they
are working on a new version but I don't have any idea when it will come
out. There used to be extension keys that could be added to a Perkins
Brailler to make it easier to use. Since the student is in middle school
what about a Braille display? I know hard copy Braille is the best but I
think a Braille display may have more pot\sential.

-----Original Message-----
From: Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Snow, Amy
L. (IT) via Trainer-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 7:44 PM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
<trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Snow, Amy L. (IT) <amy.snow at wcbvi.k12.wi.us>
Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Mountbatten Brailler vs Smart Brailler and Other
Similar Options?

Good evening,

A teacher friend of mine reached out to me with this question and I thought
I'd pose it to the group.

She has a student who needs a light touch brailler due to limited finger
strength.  However, the Perkins Light Touch isn't "light touch enough" for
lack of a better term.  The family has worked with a Mountbatten Brailler in
previous districts and insists it is the only device that will work and
isn't very cooperative when the teacher is looking for other options.  This
teacher thinks the Mountbatten is "overkill" since it seems to be an
embosser and learning system as much as anything and the light touch
capabilities is the only feature that the student really utilizes.

As background, the student is more or less on grade level and is in middle
school.  Not sure what the student is looking at for postsecondary options,
but even if they did know, they've got plenty of time to change their mind!
Smile.

The TVIs questions are these:

  1.  What's the advantage of the Mountbatten over something like a Smart
Brailler (which also has a light touch, is more portable, and is more cost
effective)?
  2.  There used to be more than one type of Mountbatten...but now there
just seems to be one?  Does anyone have a comparison of the different
models?
  3.  Are there other more realistic options of light touch braillers that
would be more appropriate for a student who only really needs to have the
ability to produce hard copy braille and not have the extra "bells and
whistles"?
  4.  Have you had a client or student who has found this device to be the
only one that really "works" for them?  If so, what features make it the
best option for them?

Thanks to anyone with insight!

Amy


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