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Computer Access - Braille


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
Robotron 
View: 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)
HumanWare 
VisTech 
View: BrailleNote

18 cell: A$6,350
32 cell: A$9,250

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

BrailleNote PK
HumanWare 
VisTech 

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
Optional QWERTY or braille keyboard
Optional mobile phone, GPS (Trekker), DAISY etc

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
Pro A$4,195
LS Education A$4,995 (includes keyboard, Mimic, Monty, Jot A Dot)

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
Can braille now, save, edit and emboss later
Translation software with Plus and Pro models
Adjustable impact for different weight paper
Can use A4 copy paper

OBR
Quantum Technology 

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
20 cell A$6,899
40 cell A$9,999

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
Optek Systems 
View: 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
Can record vocal and written notes
Optional QWERTY or braille keyboard
Optional mobile phone, DAISY (Maestro) etc

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

List of Suppliers 
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Website editor Deb Lewis, Statewide Vision Resource Centre - Victoria, Australia. Last updated November 2007.
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