The Inclusion On Tablet PC

There have been several instances over the years where Braille has been incorporated into the technology and gadgets to improve the experience of learning and making the lives of the visually impaired a lot easier. These efforts have been taken to implement affordable and technologically developed assistance without having to depend on other people for learning or guidance.

For instance, ‘Kindle’ is going to introduce Braille kindle which is a tactile device that lets one feel the written words and images with their fingers. The display will be like raised bumps which can be felt by touch. The pneumatic system creates certain bubbled surfaces to create such graphics or words. These researchers belong to the University of Michigan and aim to reduce the difficulties of millions of blind citizens.

Since the current Kindle is expensive, the researchers aimed to make a more pocket-friendly Kindle because this device is created for helping the disabled and should be affordable to them or else it might not be worth it.

BLITAB

BLITAB is another Braille device that is an award-winning visually impaired tablet which aims at achieving an inclusive future and universal literacy. Its motto is study, work, play, and connect. It can convert any text into Braille, minor dots emerge on the screen as tixels and then fall down when words change on the screen. A new experience is developed for Braille as well as non-Braille readers via the text-to-speech output, touch navigation, and Perkins-style keyboard application.

InsideONE is a Braille Tactile Tablet for Windows 10 with 32 celled refreshable display of Braille that is fully integrated and has superior quality. It unites print and Braille in a wonderfully unique way.

Amazon Fire Tablet

The Amazon Fire tablet Braille support might not be the perfect package yet, but it is certainly a very helpful device, especially for people who prefer reading devices. Amazon basically changed how it integrated Braille, and instead, it was incorporated directly into Fire Tablet’s ‘VoiceView’. Since then several updates have been made from the primarily released read-only tablet. The process of pairing the Braille display is firstly going to Accessibility> VoiceView > Braille > search for devices and then finally select the display from the given list.

Therefore, it is evident that efforts have been made constantly by researchers to develop new technologies for visually impaired people however the question still remains whether reading and writing tangibly can ever be replaced by digital means. Even though these gadgets are amazing, most of the visually impaired people might not be comfortable using them and will continue to prefer books or paper for the feel and smell of a page turning. While the younger generation might relate more to tablets, the older generation might prefer tangible Braille learning.

Learn more about the usefulness of braille to those with vision impairment and advantages & disadvantages of Braille technology right here.

Incorporation In Voting Ballots To Aid The Participation Of The Blind In Electoral Process

If you are suffering from some visual disability, it might be difficult for you to vote during the electoral process. However, with time the government too realized that every individual must have the right to vote, and right to equality dictates that every citizen is equal and can decide their future leaders. Here are some examples of electoral aids for visually impaired citizens-

Braille Ballot Guides

A ballot box guide enables a visually impaired individual to vote through determining each voting box. A ballot can be pulled out or in by the voter because it is hinged. These boxes are arranged and labeled in braille for each candidate or party. In the years 2015 and 2017, from Mexico, the Electoral Commission of Mexico City offered blind citizens an opportunity to vote through this method.

Voter’s Signature

A guide is also used in several places to facilitate voter’s signatures by keeping their hand steady so that they can easily find a grip and with the help of someone else they can sign their vote. The box for sign becomes easy to identify for the visually impaired citizens. This format is used in Costa Rica.

The Tactile Ballot Guide

The Supreme Tribunal of Electoral Justice produced the Spanish and Braille instructions for visually impaired voters. It explains how to use, why to use, and the proper way to line up the templates to the poll workers and voters.

Magnifying Glass

The Supreme Tribunal for Electoral Justice of Paraguay since 2015 provides upon request a magnifying glass for visually impaired people. In Mexico also magnifying sheets are an option.

Pencil Grip

Paraguay also has pencil grip on special request which makes it easier for impaired people to vote properly on the ballot.

Stamp

Mexico’s election commission provides an assistive stamp device which has an ‘x’ in the bottom that makes it easier to locate the point of the stamp and an elastic grip for easier holding.