The following list offers many options for computer access via braille. It includes:
For a comparison of BrailleNote and PAC Mate, click here.
See also the sections on One Handed Braille Production, Braille Embossers, Keyboarding and Computer Skills or Computer Access: Voice.
Free “demo” copies of several of these products are available from their websites, links to which are provided on the Suppliers page.
A detailed checklist, which may assist in the selection of suitable access technology solutions, is available - see Checklist for Access Technology.
Name and Supplier |
Price |
Input |
Output/Display |
Comments |
| Aria |
A$1,320 | Braille & function keys | Voice adjustable No display |
PC compatible palmtop computer Word processor, spell check, calculator, clock, phone directory, diary, file manager, modem Can send to printer or embosser |
| BrailleAlign Optek Systems |
A$750 | As per computer | Braille and print in the same document | PC - braille and print production software |
| BrailleNote mPower
(Notetaker with Refreshable Braille Display) |
18 cell: A$6,350 |
Braille or QWERTY keyboard | Voice Refreshable braille display Can send to printer or embosser |
Stand alone notetaker or as braille display for PC Includes Windows CE Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email Download free training tutorials from ATTO |
| A$7,050 |
Braille or QWERTY | Voice 18 cell refreshable braille display Can send to printer or embosser |
Personal data assistant Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email Bluetooth and USB Long battery life |
|
| Braille Test 'n' Teach Optek Systems |
A$275 | 6-key entry system on QWERTY keyboard | Voice On-screen |
Braille testing and teaching software |
| Brailliant Braille Display HumanWare VisTech |
24 cell A$4,650-$5,350 40 cell A$7,350-$8,550 |
Connects to laptop or disktop via bluetooth or USB | Refreshable braille display 24, 32, 40, 64 or 80 cell available |
Compact refreshable braille display for laptop or desktop via USB or
bluetooth Includes Window Eyes screen reader |
| Braillit Biosensors |
Free - contact Biosensors | As per computer | On-screen braille | Apple - braille font (compatible with MacClassic but not OS X native) |
| Connect Outloud Optek Systems VisTech |
A$520 | As per computer | Voice, print Braille if connected to embosser |
PC - simple word processing Access to the internet |
| Duxbury Braille Font Duxbury |
Free download | As per computer | On-screen braille | PC - braille font Prints braille dots in black & white for teaching or stereocopying for tactual diagrams |
| Duxbury Braille Translator Optek Systems HumanWare Quantum Technology VisTech View: Duxbury |
A$850-$1,055 | As per computer or scanner | On-screen braille or print | PC or Apple - software Translates text to braille |
| English Braille - American Edition,
1994 English Braille |
Free access online | Internet | On-screen print of print via printer | Offers braille code and rules for use for US braille code |
| Enterprise2 Moon Translator Optek Systems View: Moon |
A$750 | As per computer | On-screen Moon or print Emboss via embosser (eg Index Everest) |
PC - software Text can be produced in regular print and translated into Moon Editing can take place in regular print or Moon |
| Focus Braille Display Quantum Technology |
40 cell A$5,999 80 cell $11,499 |
As per computer | Refreshable braille | Connects to PC etc for refreshable braille output |
| Maestro HumanWare VisTech |
A$1,850 Fold up QWERTY keyboard A$225 Fold up braille keyboard A$575 Trekker GPS A$1,050 |
Tactual controls |
Text to speech voice output | Hand-held accessible pocket PC (PDA) with text to speech voice output Will synchronise to PC MS Office |
| Monty Quantum Technology VisTech |
A$295 Multi-user licence available |
As per computer | On-screen braille or print Braille from the Mountbatten or screen Print copy of formatted braille |
Braille translation program - works with a range of embossers Grade 1 or 2 braille Foreign languages Maths |
| Mountbatten Braillers Quantum Technology VisTech View: Mountbatten View: Mimic |
Writer A$3,055 |
Braille keyboard on Mountbatten Plug into QWERTY keyboard Attach to computer (via MB-COMM) |
Hard copy braille Voice - Writer says letters and messages eg low battery Pro has full speech access Can plug in LED display (Mimic A$455) |
Stand alone braille embosser/notetaker |
| Approx A$1,412 | Scanner | Can be viewed on screen, printed or rebrailled May need additional software (+$) |
Software for PC & standard scanner - optical braille
recognition Captures braille and converts to text on computer screen May be used by teacher to read student's braille or to make a copy of a brailled book etc Can read double sided braille |
|
| OpusDots Lite Optek Systems |
A$625 | Scanner, keyboard or mouse | Braille music when connected to embosser of Refreshable braille dispaly | PC - music translation to braille |
| PAC
Mate Quantum Technology VisTech View: PAC Mate |
No braille display A$4,047 |
Braille or QWERTY | Voice Optional 20 or 40 cell refreshable braille display which will also attach to PC desktop or laptop (USB) |
Pocket PC using Windows CE operating system with JAWS speech Web and internet access - modem (+$) GPS available Long battery life |
| PIAF (Pictures in a Flash) Quantum Technology View: PIAF |
A$1,395 | Black and white image on capsule paper | Tactual image | Capsule/swell paper required Draw, scan, photocopy image to swell paper - PIAF makes image tactile |
| Picture Braille for Windows Optek Systems |
A$450 | Create black line drawings with braille labelling for tactile diagrams | ||
| Quick Tac Duxbury |
Free download | As per computer | Image which can be printed to swell paper | Software for creating tactual graphics with braille fonts |
| Toccata |
A$1,725 | Scanner, keyboard or mouse | Print music and braille can be viewed simultaneously Braille via embosser |
PC - music translation to braille Notes are placed on blank music score and can be heard or replayed through computer speakers Music file can be saved as MIDI file, displayed on the screen, edited and translated into braille |
| Trekker HumanWare VisTech |
A$2,240 Fold up QWERTY keyboard A$225 Fold up braille keyboard A$575 Trekker GPS A$1,050 |
Tactual controls |
Text to speech voice output | Hand-held accessible GPS for location, route planning and mobility |
| VarioConnect Optek Systems |
12 cell A$2,850 24 cell A$4,250 32 cell A$5,500 40 cell A$7,000 |
As per computer | Refreshable braille | PC - refreshable braille display |
| ViewPlus SpotDot Colour Printer HumanWare |
US$9,350 | As per computer | Embossed text with print | Braille embosser/ink printer Will translate to braille within Word and Excel |
| VoiceNote (Notetaker with voice output) HumanWare VisTech |
A$3,450-$3,680 |
Braille QWERTY keyboard also available |
Voice Can send to printer or embosser |
Stand alone notetaker Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email |