An Electronic Braille Display, also known as a refreshable braille display, is a device which can be attached to a computer to enable the user to read the contents of the computer screen using the braille produced on the display.
The braille displays usually consist of 20, 40 or 80 braille cells. Each cell has 6 or 8 nylon pins which are electronically controlled to move up and down to display a braille version of the characters that appear on the source system, usually a computer or braille note taker.
Workplace adjustments or solutions
To gain full access to programs using a Braille display, a screen reading program which supports the Braille display is also required. There are a number of screen readers on the market which can do this.
Refreshable Braille Displays can also be used with portable and handheld computers. The 20 and 40 cell displays are frequently used with portable computers.
A smaller 12 cell display is also available which is often used with mobile phones or PDA’s, connects via bluetooth, and enables the user to send text messages.
Other Braille related products that may also be useful within the workplace include:
References
Pacific Vision (no date specified), Blindness Products, Pacific Vision, Melbourne, viewed 15 July 2011, http://www.lowvision.com.au/product_page_blindness.htm.
Vision Australia 2009, Electronic or Refreshable Braille Displays, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 15 July 2011,http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1232.