More stuff coming out of CSun, so thought this might be of interest to some.
First affordable braille reader launched ($400 Canadian dollars) - says RNIB
are part of the design consortium)
Date: 24 March 2016 at 22:16:03 GMT
First affordable braille reader launched
TORONTO, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The new Orbit braille reader was launched
last night at the Annual International Technology & Persons with
Disabilities
Conference in San Diego, California.
The Orbit braille reader is the first ever affordable refreshable braille
reader that is portable. Until now, braille displays cost on average around
$3,000,
putting them out of reach for many people - not just in Canada, but around
the world. In contrast, the new Orbit braille reader will retail for under
$400,
providing an important new option for people who are blind or partially
sighted to access literacy at an affordable cost.
"Solving the global issue of affordable refreshable braille devices is not
something any one organization can do, and we were thrilled to be part of
the
consortium that took on the challenge of making braille technology widely
available," says John Rafferty, President and CEO of CNIB. "It means that a
braille
reader can now be right in the homes of many children and youth who are
learning to read, and it also provides previously lacking access to braille
in
many developing countries."
CNIB is one of ten organizations worldwide who were involved in creating the
new technology, along with the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind)
in England, NFB (National Federation of the Blind) in the United States,
American Printing House for the Blind, New Zealand's Blind Foundation,
Perkins,
the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Association
Valentin HauY (AVH), Sightsavers, and Vision Australia. CNIB provided
research
and development funding, expertise and testing.
A refreshable braille display is a device that allows a person who is blind
or partially sighted to read the contents of a display, like a computer, a
text line at a time as a line of braille characters.
In addition to CNIB contributing financially, Diane Bergeron, Executive
Director, Strategic Relations and Engagement, CNIB, was a member of the
product
development committee which provided input on design and testing in Canada.
"Reading is one of the daily human activities affected most profoundly by
vision
loss, and it's absolutely critical to the success of a person who is blind
or partially sighted living in a sighted world," said Bergeron.
"Early childhood
literacy can have an impact on a person's commitment to education, ability
to work and level of personal satisfaction in life."Braille continues to be
an important tool for people who are blind or partially sighted, despite
advances in technology. Reading braille helps teach basic literacy skills
like
spelling, grammar, sentence structure and comprehension in a way that audio
cannot help with. Simply hearing the words "there" and "their"
won't teach
you how "they're" spelled.
The Orbit braille reader works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and can read files
stored on an SD card inserted in the reader. The Orbit braille reader can
read
translated, formatted braille (BRF) files, translated, unformatted brailled
(BRL) files, portable embosser format (PEF) files and text
(TXT) files.
CNIB is the exclusive supplier of the Orbit braille reader in Canada, which
will be available in the fall from Shop CNIB at www.shop.cnib.ca.
About CNIB
CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based
support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or
partially
sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate
in life. To learn more, visit cnib.ca
or call the toll-free CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642.
SOURCE CNIB
Kind Regards,
Jackie Brown
Emails: thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx
jackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Check out my website: www.thebrownsplace.info
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Skype: thejackmate
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