Braille displays provide access to information on a computer screen by electronically raising and lowering different combinations of pins in braille cells. A braille display can show up to 80 characters from the screen and is refreshable—that is, it changes continuously as the user moves the cursor around on the screen, using either the command keys, cursor routing keys, or Windows and screen reader commands. The braille display sits on the user’s desk, often underneath the computer keyboard. The advantages of braille displays over synthetic speech are that it provides direct access to information; allows the user to check format, spacing, and spelling; and is quiet. The price of braille displays range from $3,500 to $15,000, depending on the number of characters displayed. Later models of braille displays offer notetaking and file storage capabilities. Some personal digital assistants (PDAs) may be connected to a computer and used as a braille display or speech synthesizer. Typically, braille displays are available with 40, 70 or 80 characters. A 40-character display is sufficient for most jobs. Examples of jobs that could require a 70- or 80-character display are computer programmer and customer service representative. Here are some questions to ask when purchasing braille displays:
- How does the display connect to your computer?
- How well is the display supported by your screen reader?
- Are the buttons and switches on the display comfortable and easy to use?
- How many braille cells do you need?
- How does the display feel? Do you prefer braille dots that are “rounded” or “sharper”?
- Is the display supported and repaired in the United States?
- How large is the actual display? Does it fit in your work space?
Actilino
Portable braille display with built-in features such as note taking, a calculator, a calendar and Handy Tech's music braille feature.
Active Braille
World’s first 40-character braille display with patented ATC technology. Powerful note taker on which one can also store hundreds of books and allows for automatic scrolling of the Bookworm mode. Also offers wireless Bluetooth connectivity for use with computers and mobile devices and braille keyboard allows for the entry of text directly from Active Braille.
ALVA BC680
Compact 80-cell braille display designed to work with a variety of products including PCs, Apple computers, mobile phones and PDAs. Includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity and built-in Windows access utility. The ALVA BC680 is like having two braille displays in one device. It's the only 80-cell braille display that offers simultaneous connectivity with two PCs/Macs. Or you can connect one PC/Mac and a Smartphone.
ALVA USB640
Compact 40-cell braille display designed to work with a variety of products including PCs, Macintosh, and Linux. Includes USB connectivity and built-in Windows access utility.
Braille Star 80
Desktop display that provides a “scratchpad” on which users can jot a few notes independently while connected to—or disconnected from—a computer. Allows users to download data from a computer into the scratchpad, and then disconnect from the computer to read, edit, add to and save the data.
Braille Wave
Forty-character braille display with a built-in notetaker. May be connected to a notebook computer. Software package supplied allows notes to be easily transferred to Microsoft Word on a personal computer. Can be connected to a computer through either a serial cable or Bluetooth (optional).
Brailliant B 80
Small, light and compact display for use with desktop or laptop computers. Offers both Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Brailliant BI 32
Small, light and compact display for use with desktop or laptop computers or mobile devices. Offers both Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Brailliant BI 40
Small, light and compact display for use with desktop or laptop computers or mobile devices. Offers both Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Easy Braille
Forty-cell braille display with USB or optional Bluetooth connection. The braille display is concave, so the user's fingers fall directly on the braille characters.
Focus 14 Blue Braille Display
Pocket-sized braille display with an 8-dot keyboard and 14 refreshable braille cells with USB and Bluetooth® connectivity for smartphones, iPads®, tablets and other mobile devices. May be used with JAWS for braille and speech access and works with JAWS BrailleIn™ for contracted braille input in Windows® and Braille Study Mode with JAWS. Works with Talks and Mobile Speak.
Focus 40 Blue Fifth Generation
Portable braille display with 40 braille cells and an 8-dot keyboard. Features include convenient thumb key and panning buttons; exclusive NAV Rockers for rapid scrolling by line, sentence, paragraph, or panning through a document; menu button for quick access to settings; adjustable key repeat for rapid scrolling and panning; option to select braille firmness with VariBraille; and time and date display. Use with JAWS for combined speech and braille access and JAWS for Braille Study Mode to learn and teach braille.
Focus 80 Blue Braille Display
Portable and adjustable refreshable braille display. Includes easy-to-remember braille commands and braille settings. Used with the JAWS screen reader, the refreshable braille cells act as a tactile monitor that allows users to navigate and read information in dynamic braille. Bluetooth- and USB-compatible and works with iOS, Mac, and Windows.
Seika Braille Display
Lightweight and portable forty-cell braille display. Connects to the computer with a USB cable or an optional Bluetooth.
Vario 340
Compact 40-cell braille display for use with computers at home, work, or school. Features a reversible USB-type C port, which means it doesn't matter which direction the USB plug is facing. Can be used with either desktop or laptop PC and can be used in conjunction with COBRA or JAWS screen-reading software.
Vario Ultra 20
Mobile braille display with 20 braille cells and an 8-button braille input keyboard. Connects with four Bluetooth devices and one USB device simultaneously. The change of different devices is easy and executed through a simple keystroke, allowing user to work simultaneously with a PC, tablet and smartphone. Doubles as a braille and electronic notetaker.
Vario Ultra 40
Mobile braille display with 40 braille cells and an 8-button braille input keyboard. Connects with four Bluetooth devices and one USB device simultaneously. The change of different devices is easy and executed through a simple keystroke, allowing user to work simultaneously with a PC, tablet and smartphone. Doubles as a braille and electronic notetaker.
VarioPro 80 Cells
Eighty-cell refreshable braille display designed for desktop use, which features space for a full-sized keyboard on top of the metal housing. Includes integrated cursor routing, innovative rolling thumb bars for the ultimate in navigation and is compatible with all leading screen-reading technology. With the COBRA screen-reading software from BAUM, it can also be configured with the optional TASO module, which includes vertical and horizontal sliders for unrivaled screen access.
