Devices

Braille Writing Devices

This section covers devices to permit a blind person to write Braille on paper or plastic. The best known Braille writer is the Perkins, which has the advantage of being upward-writing; this is particularly important if the device is to be used in the classroom. However it only uses one side of the paper which is a disadvantage in terms of the cost of the paper and the bulk of the Braille. Machines designed for shorthand often use paper tape. A good Braille shorthand user can work at 120 words per minute; not all the machines can operate this fast.

Table comparing products and prices

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India
G T Road, Kanpur 208016, India.
Tel: +91 512 770897/770172/770614
Fax: +91 512 770617
Email: alimco@artlimbs.com or alimco_hq@vsnl.net
Web: www.artlimbs.com

Braille Shorthand Machine
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Writes on 1" wide roll of paper tape in 6-dot braille. Capable of operation at 140 words per minute.
Ref: TD1S10
Price: Rs.5000.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Asian Power Cyclopes
Rochipura, Majra, Dehradun 248171, India.
Tel: +91 135 2620488
Fax: +91 135 2620961
Email: paritoshgulati@yahoo.com; asian@nde.vsnl.net.in

Braille Typewriter
Typewriter for producing braille material.
Price: US$1,000.00
Last updated: 04/05/2006

Blista-Brailletec gGmbH
Industriestrasse 11, D-35041 Marburg, Germany.
Tel: +49 6421 8020
Fax: +49 6421 80214
Email: brailletec@brailletec.de
Web: www.brailletec.de

Elotype 4E
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This new, fully electronic writer offers the comfort of a modern text processing system in an attractive and ergonomic design, featuring the new four-pin synchronous embossing head. An easy-to-use braille keyboard optimized by ergonomic engineers. All functions of a good typewriter are available; e.g. tabulator, margin release, variable line spacing, an Editor with a battery-backed memory which allows to store and edit documents. Passages of text can be deleted, inserted and overwritten. The text memory is organized in 25 pages with 30 lines each and 40 character per line. The machine can write six/eight-dot braille. Acts as a braille input system for your PC. A sighted person can read simultaneously on a PC-screen what a braille user is typing on the braille keyboard of the connected Elotype 4E and through connection of a standard PC keyboard can turn typed text into braille. Acts as a braille output system. Via the serial port the Elotype 4E can be used as a personal braille printer on the PC. Both, single sheets and fanfold paper (with tractor) are applicable. Also has a Braille-Graphics-Printout Capacity with a 2 mm dot spacing. Graphics can be made by the software "BrailleGraf Version 2.0", designed for Windows 9x - XP or higher, or imported via Paint, Clipart or Scanner. After converting the picture into a dot pattern by BrailleGraf datas will be sent via serial cable to the Elotype 4E and printed.
Length: 290mm Width: 420mm Height: 110mm
Weight: 4.9kg
Ref: 00 58001
Price: €2,105.85
Last updated: 09/06/2006

Eurotype E
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Light and robust portable electrified Braillewriter. Maximum of 42 Braille cells per line. 6 or 8 dot Braille, 5 tabs, 3 different line spacings, left and right margin free adjustable.
Length: 295mm Width: 440mm Height: 110mm
Weight: 4.9kg
Ref: 00 54600
Price: €1,431.00
Plastic case for Eurotype E and Elotype 4E
Ref: HW75780
Price: €129.90
Last updated: 09/06/2006

Marburger Tape Printer
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Standard mechanical stenographic tape printer which embosses on a roll of paper in Braille 6-dot system. Adjustable for high speed writing at over 300 syllables per minute. Folds into compact plastic case. Options available for right and left-handers.
Length: 210mm Width: 130mm Height: 70mm
Weight: 1.2kg
Ref: 00 5600; 00 56100 (right-handed); 00 56200 (left-handed)
Price: €512.00
Last updated: 08/06/2006

Erika Picht
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Used for writing on one side of paper using the Braile 6-dot system (also available using the 8-dot system). This machine uses a simple paper roller mechanism that makes typing fast and quiet. Comes in an imitation leather case.
Length: 390mm Width: 220mm Height: 95mm
Weight: 2.8kg
Ref: 00 66700 (6-dot system); 00 66704 (8-dot Braille system)
Price: €389.00 (6-dot system); €467.00 (8-dot system)
Last updated: 08/06/2006

Howe Press of Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, USA.
Tel: +1 617 924 3490
Fax: +1 617 926 2027
Email: Howepress@perkins.org
Web: www.perkins.org

Large Cell Electric Perkins Brailler
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The braille cell on this machine is enlarged to provide more space between the dots, allowing persons with tactile problems to read and produce braille. Includes dust cover, felt pad and wooden eraser.
Price: $975.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Large Cell Perkins Brailler
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The braille cell on this machine is enlarged to provide more space between the dots, allowing persons with tactile problems to read and produce braille. Includes dust cover and wooden eraser.
Price: $730.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Light Touch Electric Perkins Brailler
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The Light Touch Electric Blue enables braille writing with much less force for longer periods of time. Perfect for students, the Electric Perkins Brailler is approved by UL and CSA. A felt pad is included with each new machine. Includes dust cover, felt pad and wooden eraser.
Price: $900.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Light Touch Standard Perkins Brailler
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Perfect for children and adults, the Light Touch Standard Perkins Brailler is specifically constructed and tuned to reduce the force required to operate the braille keys by up to 40%. It embosses lines with 42 cells on various sizes of paper. The Brailler includes a dust cover, operating instructions, and a wooden eraser. Available in blue, green and grey.
Price: $690.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Standard Perkins Brailler
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The Standard Perkins Brailler will meet the needs of most people. It is sturdy and portable and can emboss 25 lines with 42 cells on an 11" x 11 1/2" sheet of paper. Includes dust cover and wooden eraser. Available in blue, green and grey.
Price: $640.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

Unimanual Perkins Brailler
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This machine offers the same features as other Perkins Braillers along with the ability to produce braille with only one hand. The keys for dots 1,2,3 will remain in a locked position until dots 4,5,6 are added or until the spacebar is depressed. Extension Keys for the one-handed user can also be added to a Standard unit. Includes dust cover and wooden eraser.
Price: $690.00
Last updated: 17/11/2006

National Institute for the Visually Handicapped
116 Rajpur Road, Dehradun, (Uttranchal), PIN 248001, India.
Tel: +91 135 2744979; +91 135 2744387
Fax: +91 135 2748147
Email: nivh@sancharnet.in or director@nivh.org
Web: www.nivh.org

Shorthand Machine
Price: Rs.4388.00
Last updated: 21/11/2006

Spool for Shorthand Machine
Price: Rs.118.00
Last updated: 21/11/2006

Quantum Technology
5 South Street (Cnr Euston), Rydalmere, New South Wales 2116, Australia.
Tel: +61 2 8844 9888
Fax: +61 2 9684 4717
Email: info@quantumtechnology.com.au
Web: www.quantumtechnology.com.au

The Jot a Dot
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The Jot a Dot is a low cost, pocket-sized mechanical braille-writing device enabling regular Braille writing from the left hand side of the page to the right, a major advance in simple manual Braille writing. Direct six key Braille entry - for fast & accurate Braille. Uses tactile indicators to find the current cell and line of Braille.
Length: 205mm Width: 110mm
Weight : 350g
Ref: 008-001
Price: A$425.00
Last updated: 25/05/2006

The Mimic
The Mimic is an LCD display that attaches to the Mountbatten Brailler. It displays in print any information entered in Braille on the Mountbatten. The Mimic allows sighted people to read what the vision impaired person has written in braille. It can store up to 32 pages of Braille, enabling review of braille in progress or to check back over previous work. Battery operated and portable. Information held in the Mimic can be sent back to the Mountbatten. Information can also be sent to the Mimic from a computer. Also compatible with other note-taking devices.
Ref: 006-115
Price: A$455.00
Last updated: 25/05/2006

Mountbatten Brailler Learning System
The MB Learning System has been designed for children who need Braille. A fun and inclusive introduction to Braille literacy, it provides a solid foundation for a life-time of learning. With its exceptional flexibility and range of functions, the MB Learning System is a solution for meeting ever changing educational and teaching goals. The MB Learning System: develops awareness of Braille characters - utilising speech output (14 languages available) to enable and reinforce experiential learning. Facilitates pre-Braille activities and play for young children long before they are physically able to use traditional mechanical Braille writers. Links music and Braille (fun mode; Braille music editor). Links technology and Braille as Life Skills. Concepts of using files and editing documents are introduced at a basic level, all in the context of learning Braille. Introduces organisational concepts such as planning and time management. This is achieved using the built-in clock and diary functions. Sighted teachers, peers and family can connect a regular PC keyboard and write in Braille. Work is displayed on the Mimic screen.
Length: 240mm Width: 450mm Height: 90mm
Ref: 006-207
Price: A$4,495.00
Last updated: 25/05/2006

RNIB
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE, UK.
UK Customer Services Tel: 0845 702 3153
UK Customer Services Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk
Overseas Customer Services Tel: +44 1733 37 5400
Overseas Customer Services Email: exports@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/shop

NB: Some of the RNIB products have two prices where they have been specifically designed or adapted for disabled people. The lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind and partially sighted people resident in the UK and exempt from paying VAT and to UK charities buying on their behalf. Where one price is displayed this applies to all customers and includes VAT of 17.5%.

There is a separate catalogue available for overseas customers. If you have any enquiries, please contact RNIB Exports Department on +44 1733 37 54 00.

Braille Labeller
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Produce Braille labels without having a knowledge of braille. Simply select required letter from the print alphabet dial, squeeze gun and a braille character of that letter will be embossed on to the Dymo tape. Continue to select letters to produce words in braille. Alphabet dial also has braille markings for use by those who read Braille. Gun has a white dial and black lettering. Additional rolls available separately. Now comes with a new plastic, lightweight beige handle. NB. The Dymo gun produces Grade 1 Braille and some Grade 2 contractions.
Length: 248mm Width: 110mm
Weight: 0.214kg
Ref: DL62
Price: £29.99; £35.24
Last updated: 12/05/2006

Svec a Spol s.r.o.
Stanicna 5O2, Vrable 95201, Slovakia Republic.
Tel: +421 37 783 3445
Fax: +421 37 783 3137
Email: svec@svecaspol.sk
Web: www.svecaspol.sk

Tatrapoint Adaptive
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Tatrapoint is mechanical six- key Braille typewriter. Every model comes with adjustable left and right margins, bell is 5 cell before the end of the line. Dymo tape holders (clips) are fixed on carriage. Carriage release key, backspace key, reading table. Adjustable keyboard allows alteration of the distance between keys. Tatrapoint Adaptive comes in two sizes: 34 characters per line and 40 characters per line, two colours: red or blue and is supplied with either a briefcase or backpack storage bag.
Last updated: 08/06/2006

Tatrapoint Standard
Mechanical six-key Braille typewriter. Every model comes with adjustable left and right margins, bell is 5 cell before the end of the line. Dymo tape holders (clips) are fixed on carriage. Carriage release key, backspace key, reading table. The keyboard is for both hands but also available for single left or right handling with adjustable length of central key (unimanual). Supplied with a briefcase storage bag.
Last updated: 08/06/2006