Like any new skill, braille takes time to learn.
But for those venturing into braille’s tactile world, a few custom-made devices can help with the process.
This week’s episode of Talking Tech, host David Woodbridge explores some braille options for student, namely the Annie Self Teaching Braille Device.
“It's a whole unit designed with two lots of braille cells, which are very, very big,” he said.
It also has a braille keyboard, a little six-cell standard braille display and a six-dot hand frame slate.
Photo: The new Quantum RLV MB Braille Tutor.
Listen to the full review in the player below:
It can also link up to a service called Helios which gives feedback to tutors or teachers on the progress of the student.
Also for those helping their child learn braille, another piece of useful equipment is the new Quantum RLV MB Braille Tutor.
“It's a very versatile device,” David said.
It connects to iPads so the type is converted into braille, it can make bumpy pictures and maps and produce braille stickers to place in books.
“On paper, you can link up a keyboard to it and type from standard typing into braille,” David added.
The new product will be unveiled in a free webinar in February, with a chance to discuss its uses and tips on teaching a child when you don’t have braille knowledge yourself.
Event: Talk to the Experts-Mountbatten Tutor Launch
Date: Tuesday 22 February
Time: 11am (AEST)
Registrations are now closed.
Here are a few more devices that are perfect for braille novices:
Stylus
What is it? A way to handwrite braille with a custom designed sharp metal point.
Cost: $7
Braille Teaching Cube Keyring
What is it? A yellow keyring fob made of rotating blocks with raised black rivets to mimic a braille cell.
Cost: $19
LEGO® Braille Bricks
What is it? Lego® blocks custom made to correspond to a letter or character of the braille alphabet.
Cost: Free, borrow the kit from Vision Australia library
Hear more tech tips from a blind and low vision perspective every week on Talking Tech, Tuesday 4.30pm AEST or catch up with the podcast via Spotify, Omny, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts.