SET-BC

Quick Links

New Projects

My SET-BC Login

SET Events

B.C. students among first to use new BrailleNote refreshable Braille notetaker

	B.C. students among first to use new BrailleNote refreshable Braille notetaker This September, two intermediate grade students received a BrailleNote refreshable Braille notetaker and support through SET-BC services. The two BC students are among the first students worldwide to use the new BrailleNote refreshable Braille notetaker. On Oct. 5, 2000 the students and their vision teachers participated in a training session provided by Manon Dube of Optelec Canada. This training session introduced the students and their teachers to the many features of the BrailleNote.
Since the underlying operating system of the BrailleNote is Windows CE, the students have improved access to popular Windows applications like Microsoft Word. They also have instant access to files in either Braille or Microsoft Word format and can translate files to and from Braille quickly and easily. The BrailleNote was announced in March and began shipping in August. SET-BC, through its partnership with Optelec Canada, was aware of this product prior to public announcement and was able to obtain a prototype for evaluation in May.
	Manon Dube of Optelec Canada described the BrailleNote as a palm pilot for persons who are blind. However, many features make this device more than just a simple personal digital assistant. The BrailleNote enables the student to: Read documents in Grade 1 or 2 Braille Send or receive e-mail Send and read MS Word e-mail attachments Use the BrailleNote as a synthesizer for the PC screen reader Take notes Schedule appointments Set an alarm Exchange files up to 120mb Hold lengthy text files for reading purposes Perform scientific calculations
SET-BC would like to thank the students and the B.C. vision teachers who evaluated the BrailleNote prototype in May and June. Their positive evaluations of the BrailleNote resulted in this current field testing project. As the field testing of the BrailleNote continues, SET-BC will share more information about the BrailleNote from the students and their vision teachers.