Anyone who is blind, or who has worked with the blind, knows how expensive our technology can be. This couldn't be more true with relation to braille displays. Even the cheapest costs at least $799, and it's already behind the newest in that line, at $899. This is the Orbit Reader 20 and 20+. Now, a student in India wants to change that by creating a display that is truly affordable (under $50)! Please pass this on, so that we can give him greater recognition within the blind community. Even if it costs a bit more than he initially suspected it would, there is no excuse for the $2,000 to $5,000 average price of such technology when cheaper alternatives can be designed! He is determined to bring this to market, so let's help him do it and show our appreciation for his hard work on this life-changing project!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinanderton/2024/11/30/14-year-old-boy-invents-digital-braille-reader-and-wins-3500/

#access #ACB #accessibility #affordability #blind #braille #BrailleDisplays #children #education #employment #independence #India #learning #NFB #ocr #parent #reading #science #school #students #teachers #technology #work #writing

I also noticed on HumanWare's Web site that they're planning to offer hardware protection contracts for the Monarch display, following the end of the two-year warranty period. This potentially alleviates one of my concerns, that we don't know how durable and reliable the hardware is, especially the cell components. Any actual information about this is probably proprietary and confidential anyway. I can just imagine the repair costs... The hardware maintenance agreement might well be worth it. One would also have to consider insurance against loss or theft, especially if the device were to leave home.
#BrailleDisplays #MonarchDisplay

still remembering the day when I was at least I'd say 85% deaf due to an ear infection, and having a #BrailleDisplay on hand when text messaging with a friend for comfort during a scary time. More than glad that #BrailleDisplays are more readily available, regardless of reasoning as to why, since it's an important access option to have and has been for some time. #Braille #BrailleLiteracy

I'm this person that needs always to know what she invests into. So with that said, who of my followers, or non-followers, has a 14cell braille display? What is the good about it? Also, has anyone used the focus 14 cell and do they use it still, etc. I'll be glad for any answers. I just can't always carry a 40 cell display, and find it difficult to carry sometimes. I also don't use speech all the time, so maybe having something more portable will be good. Anyway, awaiting your wise words, or just responces. Thanks! #Braille #accessibility #BrailleDisplays

My personal technology highlights of the year: (1) more capable, multimodal large language models. Image descriptions and question answering are starting to be more widely used in real applications. (2) The Monarch Braille and tactile graphics display - on balance, the most capable Braille device on the market, and an impressive engineering achievement. (3) High-performance Arm processors are heading to laptops and desktop systems, beyond Apple's devices, while Apple itself continues its performance lead.
#MachineLearning #BrailleDisplays #ArmCPUs

I have a question for my #Blind friends who have #BrailleDisplays in general and more specifically from #Humanware. Did you choose to purchase the extended warranty for your unit? If so did you choose 1 or 2 years? If not why not; and what informed your choice. Thanks for allowing me to learn from you. I express my gratitude in advance.

Frequently, when refreshable braille displays are discussed, someone asserts that they're too expensive. Prices have actually reduced in the last few decades at both the low and the high ends of functionality. I think it's time for those concerned about the cost of this technology to grasp the very real possibility that there will be no technological fix. Braille devices may well remain expensive, specialized products, with quality and capabilities increasing with price. If this is so, attention should be turned from cost reduction to cost shifting - ensuring that someone other than the end user pays for the hardware and the maintenance. Ultimately, I think greater public funding is justified in countries in which it is presently inadequate, but private sources of support can be called upon as well.
#brailleDisplays #accessibility #AssistiveTechnology

The European Blind Union's survey of Braille display users has reported its findings. Please note that I am not associated with the survey; I'm merely forwarding the link.https://www.livingbraille.eu/results-of-the-survey-braille-display-usage/
#Braille #BrailleDisplays

The European Blind Union is conducting a survey of braille display users, preparatory to discussions with product manufacturers. The survey's organizers are seeking respondents both within and outside the E.U.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTwXqIiE018k3wMOeTqALmMaggvd1sGqOm3VCkbrDUIzHu7A/viewform?usp=sf_link
#braille #BrailleDisplays #AssistiveTEchnology #accessibility