Information from a personal computer can be converted through braille translation software into tactile form. To produce the braille output, a device capable of embossing or printing braille is required. This can be as simple as the Mountbattan Brailler, to a commercial braille embosser used for printing textbooks for people with vision impairment. Most braille embossers are able to be plugged into a computer and selected in the printing options.
A technology assessment should be used to determine the device that best suits your client’s needs. Click each image for a product demonstration.
Mountbattan Brailler:
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Mountbattan Braille Machine | |
| The Mountbattan Braille machine can connect to mimic, a keyboard, laptop or iPad to communicate and print. | |
| Transportable | Has a handle for carrying, but heavy at 4.7kg. |
| Available | Vision Australia Price: $4,830.00 AUD |
| Practical | Connects and allows sighted and non sighted communicate with each other via braille to digital format. |
| Engaging | Easy to use, load standard photocopying paper and interact with. Talks the commands to the student |
Smart Perkins:
Smart Perkins
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Smart Perkins | |
| Released in 2014, the Smart Perkins is based on the hardiness of the original Perkins, but is designed to be able to help teachers and parents to teach and learn braille with the students. Can connect to digital devices. | |
| Transportable | Still quite bulky, so best fixed, but can be moved. |
| Available | Vision Australia $ |
| Practical | The braille machine is very heavy and needs annual servicing, however is simple in its functions so it can not store documents. |
| Engaging | Video and audio feedback. Building on Patterns series loaded on to sequentially teach braille. USB port to transfer files. |
Common Braille Embossers small copying for home/small business use.
Juliet:
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Juliet Embosser | |
| The Juliet embosser allows 56 character braille line to be printed from a PC | |
| Transportable | 23kg so fixed! |
| Available | Quantum $7,445.00 AUD |
| Practical | Allows simple and quick embossing |
| Engaging | Up to 55 copies per minute and can do up to 99 prints |
Also available in small/medium printing
- Index Basic Embosser Available from: Optek Systems
- SpotDot Embosser Available from: Humanware
- Index Everest Embosser Optek Systems.
- Index 4×4 Embosser Optek Systems
Large volumes of braille
Book Maker Embosser:
Book maker braille machine
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Book maker braille machine | |
| The Book Maker embosser can print double sided high speed printing at 500 sheets per hour | |
| Transportable | 22kg fixed device |
| Available | Quantum $28,375.00 AUD |
| Practical | High resolution and speech feedback |
| Engaging | Small and compact, yet fast high definition printing |