Taken from the web site I mentioned earlier. Here's an article on a board that was previously manufactured, followed by the info on the newest one from a different company.
In 1988 the Braille Sports Foundation (BSF), whose mission is to increase accessibility for individuals with visual impairment (VI), was looking for a way in which individuals with VI could participate in the game of darts. After approximately one year of research and development, an Audio English Mark Dart machine was created. This machine enables individuals with VI to effectively compete in the game of darts against sighted and unsighted opponents. Dart Machine and Positioning Essentially, the Audio English Mark Dart Machine runs much like any other electric dart machine. After turning it on, it lights up and audibly announces it is ready for play. Beneath the target, on a board, are the buttons needed to activate the machine: press Player button, on the left hand side of the board, for the desired number of players (up to four individuals or teams). Game selection buttons are in a vertical row at the lower left corner; the order from top to bottom is 301, Count-up, 501, and Practice mode. In the lower right hand section is the Player Change button. Modifications give this machine the ability to inform players of when to throw, the round, the score, and the winner of the game. A typical electronic dart machine makes various noises when a dart hits and registers. The Audio English Mark Dart machine informs the player which segment of the board is struck and the player's score at the end of each dart. For example, a player throws a dart and it hits the segment seventeen. The machine verbally announces and either adds or subtracts the number from the total score, depending upon the game being played. If a player achieves a superton (150 points or more in a round) the machine proclaims, "WOW, GOOD DARTS!" Since voice controls the action of the game, any dart thrown while the machine is talking is ignored, and that player loses a throw. A roll-out carpet with a board fixed at the eight foot mark, serving as the throwing line, is attached to the bottom of the machine. The player cannot step on or over the line while throwing. For individuals in wheelchairs, their torsos must be behind the line. If a person needs help with balance, the back of a chair or a walking aid is acceptable. The name, Audio English Mark Darts, is a kind of misnomer, because although the machine talks, players are not aiming at an audio stimulus. Use of the carpet and toe board makes the technique kinesthetic. The technique players most frequently use is standing with their toes touching each end of the board. This gives them a better idea of being parallel to the target and aids in aiming. Players also need to throw the darts at a higher speed than most sighted dart throwers because of an inability to control the are of a throw. Individuals who play this game improve through practice and acquire the ability to hit segments of the target with accuracy. Modes of Play Count-Up The Audio English Mark Dart machine is programmed with four modes of play: Count-up, 301, 501, and Practice. Count-up is the quickest and easiest game to learn and play. Each player has eight rounds to accumulate as high a score as possible. Each round consists of three darts. At the end of each round, it is the obligation of the player completing the turn to press the Player Change button and remove his or her darts. When the button is not pressed, the next player's throws will not register. If a tossed dart does not strike and register a score, it is still counted as a throw (i.e., if the dart hits the wall). At the end of eight rounds, the person with the highest score wins. To break a tie, as many rounds as necessary are added to determine the winner. Game of 301 In 301 the object is to reduce one's starting score of 301 down to zero. This game lasts nine rounds. If no player reaches zero, the low score wins the game. In the case of a tie, additional rounds are used to achieve a low score or zero. If the game is still tied after 15 rounds, the machine is reset for one round of Count-up, with highest score winning the game. If a player's score breaks zero, the score will revert to what it was at the start of that round, and no remaining throws can be taken (i.e., a player has a score of 5, but the throw lands on the 10. That player's score will return to 5, and it will be the next player's turn). Players have to pay attention to their scores in case no one zeros out. For example, if a player is at a score of 2 with one or more throws remaining, he may elect to pass by pushing the Player Change button. Game of 501 The game of 501 is designed for teams consisting of two or more players. Each team member takes a turn throwing at a mutual score trying to zero out. For example, John and Betty are team one partners, and Tom and Jo are a team two pair. Both teams start with a score of 501 points. John throws his round and gets a score of 100 points, leaving team one with 401 points. Tom gets 51 points, leaving team two with 450 points. Betty, John's partner, throws her round trying to lower the score of 401 that John left after his turn. Jo throws her round at the score of 450 that Tom left. If a score of zero is not attained, the team with the lowest score wins after 14 rounds. In the event of a tie, the same format is used to break a tie as in the game of 301, with the exception of the count-up phase, where the total of all team members is used. Practice Practice mode does not keep track, visually or audibly, of rounds, number of players, or of total scores; it only announces the score when a thrown dart hits the scoring area. Leagues Develop On June 15, 1989, the first audio dart league for individuals who are blind came into existence, and such leagues are making an impact in many cities throughout the United States. The format for starting a dart league for individuals who are blind is the same used by dart leagues for individuals with sight. Leagues can be conducted in bars, private clubs, or any establishment where there is a talking dart machine. In league play each team includes four players and matches consisting of six games. A rotation system is used so that each player plays one game against each member of the other team. In game one, players one and two compete against the other team's one and two players. In game two, players three and four against the opponents three and four, and so forth until everyone has played with all the other team members. The Twin Cities Blind Audio Dart League has players with and without sight on their teams; players who are sighted or have low vision must wear blindfolds. It generally takes two hours to complete a match. In league play the game is 301. Each singular player shoots on her own score attempting to reach zero. However, if a person's score is higher than the combined scores of her opponents (i.e., if team A has scores of 10 and 50 and team B has scores of 20 and 20), the player with the score of 10 cannot zero out while her teammate's score is higher than the combined total of team B's; if he or she does--team A loses the game. If no one zeroes out, the team with the lowest combined score after nine rounds wins. Statistics within the league are kept to determine individuals' standings. Two points are given for a zero out, I point for a low score, and 1 point for a ton (100 or more points in a single round). A point is scored by the winning team for each game won toward its league standing up to 6 points per match. Leagues last anywhere from 14 to 18 weeks, depending upon the number of teams in the league and the number of locations with audio dart machines. Each player pays $2 each week of the competition, so that at the end cash prizes can be awarded to the best teams and individuals. In 1989, the first National Championships in Audio English Mark Darts were held in Chicago in conjunction with the Bullshooters National Championships. There have been National Championships held every year either in Minnesota or Delaware since. There are Audio English Mark Dart boards throughout the U.S., including California, Arizona, Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Minnesota. Most of them are in private homes, but some are in schools for the blind, private clubs, and pubs. The Audio English Mark Dart Machine offers individuals with VI the opportunity to participate in the game of darts. The machine is easy to operate and will give many individuals with VI a chance to socialize with friends, have fun, be competitive, and enjoy an integrated setting. For information on obtaining the Audio English Dart Machine, please contact Challenge Publications, Ltd., PO Box 508, Macomb, IL 61455; chall...@macomb.com. James V. Mastro is currently Assistant Professor of Education and Adapted Developmental Physical Education at Bemidji State University. He received his doctorate from Texas Woman's University and was the Director of Special Projects for the Braille Sports Foundation for several years. He is a five-time national champion in Audio English Mark Darts. COPYRIGHT 1998 Challenge Publications Limited Now, here's the info on the newer board. Audio Dart Master Fully accessible talking dart board This is the first dartboard built for people with visual impairments since Audio English Mark Darts twenty years ago. It can be used in homes or by dart leagues. Who uses a talking dart board? Blind and visually impaired people who wish to play an active game. People who like to play darts, but don't know the rules or scoring. Schools for the blind and visually impaired. Dart Leagues who may have some members with visual disabilities. People who would like a game that is more fun than a circle of cork on the wall. Features: Speaks every action and everything displayed in a human voice. Help key explains every option and game. Contains a spoken instruction manual and rules for every game. Full displays for hearing impaired users. Games and options to make playing fun for beginners and experts. Easy 4-key menu interface for all options. Back off (un-throw) dart feature corrects mistakes. Optional spoken name for each player. (Keeps 20 name for future use.) League options. Ten level volume. Calls 'inside' and 'outside' hits. 25 or 50 point double bull's eye. Optional 'clock position' called for each dart. External speaker jack for loud speakers or communication aids. Virtually self-explaining Games and Game Options: 301/501/701/901 (double in, double out, league) Count up (double in) Cricket (Quick / Classic cricket / Cut-throat, double in) Around The Clock Five Dart Golf (9 hole / 18 hole) Baseball Training Mode Pricing: Audio Dart Master (model 1) $499.00 Dartboard Stand $40.00 Allows the dartboard to be uses without putting screws in the wall. Can also be used free standing. Includes a solid toe strip on a roll-out mat. Disasembles for easy storage or transportation. Audio Customization $200.00 Put a message of your choice on the dartboard when the power is turned on. Also include spoken names for up to eight people. (The standard board supports 20 names of your choice spoken in a robot voice.) 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