INEXPENSIVE BRAILLER: Writing Braille Using IMPAD - Courant ...

A Braille cell is produced by pressing down any combination of the six keys that
correspond to the desired Braille cell‟s filled dots. This process of simultaneously pressing down
the keys is usually called chording.
Braille writers can be manual and electronic. In a manual Braille writer, dots are
embossed on the paper mechanically as a direct result of the user‟s pressure on the keys. On the
other hand, in an electronic Braille writer, the keys require only light pressure to send an
electrical signal that causes the machine to emboss a dot.
In addition to special Braille writer devices, a blind user can use the regular QWERTY
keyboard to type with six-dots. If the keyboard is capable of accepting simultaneous signals from
two up to six keys, then the user can be chording using s, d, f and j, k, l keys on the keyboard.
This requires software such as Duxbury's Perky Duck or Pokadot to combine the input from the
keys into the correct numerical code corresponding to the Braille cell [1].
Mechanical braillers are heavy machines and can be difficult for children and tiring for
anyone. Due to their mechanism they are too noisy to be used in certain circumstances.
Electronic braillers are generally faster and easier to use compared to mechanical ones. Both
versions are reasonably expensive and they can be easily damaged by the age group of school
children.
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