{"id":301,"date":"2011-11-01T10:38:18","date_gmt":"2011-11-01T14:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=301"},"modified":"2011-11-28T14:11:43","modified_gmt":"2011-11-28T19:11:43","slug":"tech-tip-tuesday-1112011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=301","title":{"rendered":"The BraillePen12: A Refreshable Braille Display"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent addition to the Assistive Technology Loan Library is the BraillePen12<\/a>.\u00a0 As the name implies, the BraillePen12 is a small braille display with 12 cells of refreshable Braille.\u00a0 While it can connect to computers running a compatible ScreenReader, the main purpose of the BraillePen is to provide Braille output to portable devices.<\/p>\n

Setting up the BraillePen12 to work with an iOS device\u00a0took under a minute.\u00a0 Instructions are provided for connection with both Nokia and Windows Mobile cellphones.\u00a0Additionally,\u00a0a standard Perkins-style keyboard allows for text entry and control of the host device.\u00a0 Scrolling of the display can be done either with the buttons on either side of the Braille cells, or with the small joystick located at the center of the top panel.<\/p>\n

The BraillePen can augment or replace the audio interface entirely.\u00a0 A refreshable Braille interface is attractive to many users who want to take notes during a lecture or conversely\u00a0 read notes while giving a presentation. Compact Braille displays have also become popular with those who wish to read using one of the many book reading apps available on iOS devices.<\/p>\n

Several Braille displays are available from our Assistive Technology Loan Library.\u00a0 Contact an Assistive Technology Specialist for further information or to arrange for a demonstration.<\/p>\n

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