The Braille reading and writing system for the visually impaired was invented by French educator Louis Braille, and to date, his system remains virtually unchanged

Over two centuries ago, there weren’t enough educational systems or methods in place to support the education of people with visual impairments. The lack of an education system also meant that the communication abilities of visually impaired people were limited. However, it all changed with Louis Braille, who lost both his eyes during his childhood but, in 1821, developed the Braille reading and writing system for the visually impaired. Two centuries later, the system remains unchallenged and is widely recognized to empower the visually impaired.

Since 2019, the Braille reading and writing system has been celebrated on January 4th by the World Health Organisation. On this occasion, let us take a look at technology that has incorporated braille to ensure that the visually impaired can access as many resources as possible.

Refreshable braille displays

(credit- orbitresearch)

An electro-mechanical device, refreshable braille displays allow visually impaired people to read text output from computers or smartphones. The device comprises Braille alphabets and numerals that display the text output from the computer or smartphone after the output gets converted by software.

Braille notetaker

(credit- nelowvision)

The Braille notetaker is a portable, all-in-one device that combines a QWERTY keyboard, a refreshable Braille display, and speech output with built-in productivity tools. The device allows a visually impaired person to not only take notes seamlessly but also use email, access a calendar, use a calculator, manage files, browse the web, and even use Nemeth code for mathematics.

Dancing dots

(credit- dancingdots)

The usage of Braille is not limited only to education or for making daily lives accessible. Braille can also be used by those who are visually impaired people who love to listen to music in their leisure or wish to pursue music as a profession. For example, Dancing Dots is one of the leading software suites that translates print or digital music into Braille, which can help with creation or playback.

There is also a website called BrailleMUSE, which offers MusicXML input and Braille music output for score creation.

Annie

(credit- economictimes)

When it comes to braille tech, India is also working on multiple innovative projects. For example, Annie, which is the world’s first self-learning Braille device, started as an independent research project at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. Annie is a device for children via which one can be introduced to braille, can learn typing or writing, and can even interact with pre-loaded educational and fun-learning content.

Braille embossers

(credit- allyant)

Last but not least, even though the world has gone digital, hard copies and printouts remain crucial for those who use braille. Therefore, Braille embossers are used to make printouts of digital texts into physical Braille on paper. Embossers are the reason why Braille books, documents, and other physical materials can be accessible to the visually impaired.