braillewizard.org/
Introducing the Wizard
The Wizard is a braille Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, designed
specifically for blind people. Most of us use PDA's in our
personal lives and know them as smart phones, iPad's, laptop
computers, and even desktop computers. The Wizard is a similar
device that is tailored for blind people. Instead of a screen,
the Wizard features a 20-character braille display with synthetic
speech output and a standard braille keyboard for data entry.
Packaged to keep it small and portable, the Wizard is about half
the size of a sheet of paper and less than one inch thick, so
users can take it everywhere they would take a cell phone.
Why Create Another Braille PDA for Blind People?
Braille PDA's for the blind are not a new concept. The
technology has been available for almost three decades, but since
blindness is a low incidence disability in the U.S,. the size of
this market does not encourage the same innovation that drives
mainstream technology. As a result, current braille PDA's are
expensive-in the $5,000-10,000 range- and often lack the same
features as sighted people have come to expect in a PDA What
makes the Wizard different is that it is being produced by a
Boston-based non-profit, National Braille Press, that is
dedicated to literacy for blind people through braille. NBP is
committed to creating a braille PDA that is affordable, with a
wide range of features, and uses Android as an open source
platform to encourage innovation.
Wizard Features and Functions
. 8 dot braille keyboard with an imbedded cursor pad.
. 20 cell, 8 dot braille display with cursor routing and forward
and back keys.
. Android Operating system found in many smartphones and
notepads.
. 32GB of internal storage, users can plug SD cards into the
back of the Wizard to create data backups or to load data from
other sources.
. Bluetooth wireless connectivity for headsets and other hands
free devices.
. WiFi connectivity to access local networks or other WiFi
hotspots.
. Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for users to connect to
other computer devices.
. Accelerometer - the same chip that is used in games is also
used to detect the orientation of the Wizard and allows it to
adjust when it is tapped or rotated.
. Speech input and output for users who want to listen instead
of read braille, the Wizard has synthetic speech output. It
also has speech input so users can perform voice searches, dial
by voice, and create voice short cuts.
. Cellular connection for data and voice, which can be used as a
cell phone and smart phone for email, web browsing, and smart
applications.
. Built-in speakers and microphone for users with a cell phone
carrier contract to make and receive phone calls.
. Headphone/headset jack, a standard jack where users can plug
in their favorite headphones.
. GPS receiver to identify locations, and with the help of smart
applications, to provide navigation information. Android-based
navigation applications for blind users are currently being
created by other developers.
. Compass to help users navigate.
. Built-in music player. Users can load a music library on the
Wizard and listen via speakers or headset.
. 5Mp camera, for photography and to identify items or
surroundings in the user's environment. Applications are
available that can photograph and read a printed page.
. Video output connector: for users who need a visual display.
National Braille Press is currently in the first year of product
development and making significant progress. A working prototype
of the Wizard is expected to be completed by 2011 and the device
will be available to the public soon after that. Since Android
is a working, usable operating system, we expect to continually
upgrade and expand the features of the Wizard. Applications for
the Wizard will be created by third party developers so there is
unlimited possibility for the product to evolve based on the
user's needs.
About National Braille Press The Wizard is a project of the
Center for Braille Innovation (CBI) at National Braille Press,
which began in the winter of 2009. In an effort to increase
braille literacy, the Wizard was conceived as the first CBI
project, one of many projects that NBP's Center plans to initiate
to make accessible technology products for blind people so that
they can stay connected in the digital world. NBP is taking
a leadership role to research, develop and produce specific
affordable accessible technology products that will help promote
braille literacy for young readers, and support blind students
and adults in school and in the workplace environment. While
paper braille will not disappear in the immediate future, NBP
believes that it is equally important for blind people to have
accessible technology to access information that the digital age
provides
Worldwide Collaborations Since the launch of National Braille
Press's Center for Braille Innovation, NBP has been joined by the
National Federation of the Blind, The China Braille Press, the
World Braille Foundation and the American Printing House for the
Blind to partner in various affordable technology projects for
blind people. The Wizard project is being funded by the National
Braille Press, federal appropriations, the National Federation of
the Blind, and the China Braille Press. As non-profit
organizations, these groups are committed to ensuring that blind
people have access to technology at affordable prices. If you
would like to donate to this project, please go to NBP.org to
learn more.
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