The following message and reply appeared recently:
(see comment at end)
> > Dear colleagues,
> > Is there such a thing as a portable brailler? Has anybody heard of
> > one that is smaller than a Perkins, light enough for a student to
> > carry around in her bag? Preferably a manual unit.
> > I would appreciate any tips.
> > Thanks in advance.
> I just received a catalog today with a device call a Braille 'N
> speak - it measures 8" X 4" and has 30 hours between charges. We had a
> student that used one for his classes and loved it. The 800 number for
> the catalog is 1-800-468-4789, fax 847-498-1482, Web Site -
> http://www.lssgroup.com, e-mail - [log in to unmask]
>
The reference to the Perkins shows that the original message was for
a portable braille printer. The braille and speak is effectively a
blind person's filofax. It uses braille input through the keys on its
face and stores the input in ram. This can be read back using speech
synthesis. It has an interface to enable it to be connected to an
external printer or even a PC to download text. Obviously this could
drive a braille printer but it is not a substitute for one.
Very small braille devices, especially manual ones, are hard to
imagine as the plasticised paper which is used is very stiff compared
to ordinary paper. This is to ensure that the dot impression can
survive rough treatment. It follows that the energy needed to create
it in the first place is considerable. This is why the Perkins was
such a hefty beast and why braille priters should never be placed in
libraries as the noise of them can be heard three blocks away.
It is possible that the original request was for someone who needs to
make notes while on the move, prefers to use braille and does not realise
that things like braille and speak exist. If so then it is far the best
alternative.
Renewable braille devices exist but they are very very expensive and
are linked to a PC.
Dave Laycock MBE
Head of CCPD, Chair of NFAC
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL
tel. 0171-911-5161
fax. 0171-911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
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