Braillecast

Braillists Foundation
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Weekly

Celebrating braille and keeping braillists informed with exclusive interviews, independent reviews, comprehensive demonstrations, clear presentations, thought-provoking commentary and up-to-the-minute braille news.

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    Braille at University

    How might you use braille at university, and what funding is available to help you get it? Join Connor Scott-Gardner to find out! Connor has experience as an advocate, DSA assessor and university student. In this session, he shared: How he used braille in his own studies, and how you might use it in yours Where braille technology works well in a university environment (and where it doesn't) What options are available for transcription, both for hard copy braille and electronic formats for use on braille displays What support is available and who is responsible for providing it Advice on navigating Disabled Students Allowance, and what to ask for at a DSA assessment This will be particularly relevant if you are about to start a university course, but much of the information will still apply if you are part-way through your studies.

  2. 5d ago

    MORE BRAILLE: MORE EMPOWERMENT – Launching the Global Braille Survey

    When we talk about braille, we often hear statements like: “Only 7–10% of blind people read braille.” “Blind children aren't learning braille at school like they used to.” “Technology is making braille irrelevant.” But how true are they? Help us on our mission to find out! A global braille survey has been launched by the International Council for Education of People with Vision Impairment (ICEVI) and the World Blind Union through their braille literacy campaign More Braille: More Empowerment. The survey is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of the international braille landscape, ensuring that future braille initiatives are informed by evidence, respond to real needs, and help secure future investment in braille literacy. Join us to find out: Why do we need a survey like this? What will happen to the data? Who can take the survey? How long will it take to complete? Will it be available in multiple languages? When will it close? Hear first-hand from senior leaders in ICEVI and WBU, members of the Global Braille Literacy Campaign Steering Committee and the researchers who compiled the survey, and discover how organisations are already planning to incorporate the results of the survey into their future work. Let your story shape braille’s next chapter. Take the Global Braille Survey

  3. 6d ago

    More Braille: More Empowerment – A Live Virtual Conversation

    The official launch of the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign On behalf of the International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) and the World Blind Union (WBU), we are pleased to mark the official launch of the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: More Braille, More Empowerment. The campaign champions braille as a foundation for literacy, learning, independence, and empowerment. The launch centres on a lively panel discussion with internationally recognised braille experts, exploring current and emerging topics in braille literacy across inclusive school, work, and community contexts. The campaign is open to everyone worldwide who shares a commitment to inclusive literacy and empowerment including policy makers, educators, families, advocates, researchers, organisations committed to inclusive literacy and the right to braille … and, most importantly of all, braille users! As part of the broader campaign launch, ICEVI and WBU have also released More Braille: More Empowerment – Voices Advancing Braille Worldwide, a campaign video featuring messages from members of the global campaign Steering Committee and campaign sponsors, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing the right to braille literacy worldwide. Join the global movement: be part of a worldwide call to action to ensure braille remains a living, evolving, and empowering literacy medium for generations to come.

  4. Oct 11

    Unpacking the Braille Innovations at CSUN 2026

    The 41st CSUN Assistive Technology Conference took place from 9-13 March 2026, introducing an impressive assortment of new braille products! Everything from the most advanced notetaker to the simplest USB-only braille display was unveiled, alongside new developments in multi-line braille technology and braille labelling. In this episode, join our panel of braille experts and enthusiasts as we round up the announcements and make sense of the ever-changing braille landscape.

  5. Jun 12 ·  Bonus

    Stay In Command: Customising Keyboard Shortcuts on Your iPhone or iPad

    Did you know you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard or braille display to any iPhone or iPad? It’s a great way of improving your productivity and efficiency. However, there are some features which don’t have a keyboard shortcut assigned to them by default, and others where the default keyboard shortcut is hard to remember or difficult to press. In this episode, we bring you highlights of a seminar recorded at Sight Village London in which Matthew Horspool shows you how to customise your keyboard or braille display shortcuts so that your iPhone or iPad best meets your individual needs, and shares some strategies for ensuring you can remember which shortcut you chose. The podcast heard during the demonstration of changing the magic tap keystroke was Double Tap.

  6. Jun 10 ·  Bonus

    The New Braille Features in iOS and iPad OS 26, Part 2: Braille Access

    Apple released the latest versions of its flagship operating systems, including iOS and iPad 26 for the popular iPhone and iPad product lines, in September 2025. Amongst the many new features are a significant number of improvements for braille users in VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader. In this, the second part of a two-part series, Matthew Horspool will devote the entire session to Braille Access, a new notetaker-like experience for connected braille displays. He will talk about: Launching apps and items Taking, reading and managing braille notes Reading and transferring BRF files The braille clock and calculator Live braille captions Braille Access settings Configuring braille keyboard commands for Braille Access Chapter marks have been added to aid navigation. Links of Interest The incredible Braille Access function in iOS and Mac 26 that turns your Braille display with a keyboard in to a Braille Note Taker | iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective Using Braille Access via Voiceover on the Mac, continuation of last podcast re Braille Access on iOS with VoiceOver | iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective What's New in iOS 26 Accessibility for Blind and DeafBlind Users | AppleVis Bridging Access to Braille: An In-Depth Look at Braille Access on iOS 26 | AppleVis iOS 26 and Braille Access: Apple's Impressive Investment in Braille Literacy | Braille Monitor              December 2025 What's new in iOS 26 | Access On: the Technology Podcast of the National Federation of the Blind

  7. Jun 8 ·  Bonus

    The New Braille Features in iOS and iPad OS 26, Part 1

    Apple released the latest versions of its flagship operating systems, including iOS and iPad 26 for the popular iPhone and iPad product lines, in September 2025. Amongst the many new features are a significant number of improvements for braille users in VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader. In this, the first part of a two-part series, Matthew Horspool will lift the lid on what is new and changed for users of braille displays and Braille Screen Input. He will cover: Braille Keyboard Input Item overview New cursor and text selection options Quick navigation Single-hand Braille Screen Input Changing gestures in Braille Screen Input Command mode Chapter marks have been added to aid navigation. Links of Interest Braille Screen Input presentation by Matthew Horspool on Accessible World Tek Talk Type braille directly on the iPhone screen with VoiceOver Type braille directly on the iPad screen with VoiceOver Braille Screen Input, by Judy Dixon

  8. Jun 5

    Unveiling Canute Scientific from Bristol Braille Technology

    Join Ed Rogers of Bristol Braille Technology as he lifts the lid on Canute Scientific, the next generation of multi-line braille technology designed specifically for blind people working, studying or exploring Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Based on the already popular Canute Console multi-line braille workstation, but with an upgraded system board, new chassis, greater connectivity options, roadmap for future development and a suite of custom applications designed with feedback and advice from braille readers at the forefront, BBT truly believes this is their best product to date. IN this episode, Ed will: Explain how Canute Scientific came to be and who will benefit most from it Describe the physical layout and appearance of Canute Scientific and how it differs from Canute Console Introduce Canute Scientific’s operating system and user interface Demonstrate some of the applications developed specifically for Canute Scientific Outline which features will also be available to Canute Console owners Explain the upgrade options available to owners of Canute Console and Canute 360 With thanks to Bristol Braille Technology CIC for sponsoring this episode. Links of Interest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B specifications (Canute Console) Raspberry Pi 5 specifications (Canute Scientific) Bristol Braille Technology on YOuTube

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About

Celebrating braille and keeping braillists informed with exclusive interviews, independent reviews, comprehensive demonstrations, clear presentations, thought-provoking commentary and up-to-the-minute braille news.

Information

  • Creator
    Braillists Foundation
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Braillists Foundation, a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1187244. Episodes licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/)
  • Show Website
    Braillecast

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