Affordable Refreshable Braille Computer That Will Revolutionize Portable PC Processing for the Blind

National Braille Press (NBP) announced today that it has developed an affordable refreshable braille computer, the B2G® that will give the blind and visually impaired the opportunity to have a portable PC device that is simple to use and is priced thousands of dollars lower than other devices. The price for the B2G® is $2,495, significantly less than other similar devices that average around $5,000 to $7,000 dollars. The National Braille Press will be showing the B2G® at the 31st Annual International Technology & Persons with Disability Conference in San Diego, hosted by CSUN (California State University, Northridge) from March 23 – 26, 2016.

“Braille is literacy and an essential skill for blind students to learn. The B2G® is the affordable digital tool that levels the playing field for students in the classroom and for adults in the workplace to be fully connected with the digital world that we live in today. Unlike other braille devices, the B2G® runs on an open source mobile platform that allows users to be more integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and to tailor their device the way that they want,” said Brian Mac Donald, President of the National Braille Press.

Braille literacy rates have declined from an estimated 50-60 percent 40 years ago to approximately 12 percent today. Aside from the exorbitant cost of braille technology, a number of other reasons have contributed to the decline – from the advent of the personal computer and audio technology, smart phones and audio screen readers; to the mainstreaming of blind children into public schools where the lack of TVIs (Teachers of the Visually Impaired) limits students’ ability to become proficient in braille. Therefore, the majority of the last two generations of adults are not braille literate, and more than 70 percent of them are unemployed. However, most of the blind adults who are employed, are braille readers.

“It was important for the National Braille Press to create a more affordable braille display for families and school systems to support the teaching of braille, which is a key factor in educational advancement, technology, and employment prospects for the blind and visually disabled,” said MacDonald. “This project could never have happened without the tremendous support from Deane Blazie, who is the pioneer that successfully developed refreshable braille technology in the world for the blind.”

The B2G® is an Android driven, 20-cell refreshable braille computer and optional smartphone, that uses an eight dot braille keyboard, and a tactile navigation pad. Just like an Android smartphone or tablet, the B2G® comes with the Google suite of apps such as a calendar, calculator, camera, clock, compass, editor, email, file management, gallery and music. National Braille Press has also developed specialized apps designed specifically for blind people.

The B2G® has more flexibility than traditional braille displays and note takers because of its open source design with a user interface that is intuitive and logical. Users can download apps from the web, and also from the NPB website such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, BARD mobile, Tune In Radio and others.

“We wanted to make the B2G® affordable, simple and easy to use so that the blind and visually impaired would be fully connected and integrated in today’s digital world,” MacDonald said.

National Braille Press is a national partner with the Verizon Innovation Program and is in the process of certifying the B2G to also have voice and data capability with a cell phone module.

ABOUT NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS

A non-profit braille publisher, National Braille Press promotes literacy for blind children through outreach programs and provides access to information by producing information in braille for blind children and adults. www.nbp.org