Speaker: Chantelle Griffiths

The New Braille Features in iOS and iPad OS 26, Part 2: Braille Access (Extra 84)

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

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The New Braille Features in iOS and iPad OS 26, Part 1 (Extra 83)

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

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Unveiling Canute Scientific from Bristol Braille Technology (Episode 76)

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

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Irrelevant or Irreplaceable: Is the Perkins Brailler Really so Old-Fashioned? (Episode 74)

The “old-fashioned Perkins” is a term we hear (and perhaps use) a lot. Whilst it is true that it was invented over fifty years ago, the evolution in braille writing in the period leading up to the first Perkins Brailler being sold was immense, with dozens of braille writers coming to market. Some of them survived; some of them have been almost completely forgotten; but all of them have a story to tell.

In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Alan Thorpe, Perkins repair expert and owner of the largest known private collection of heritage braille equipment in the world. We will explore how ideas around braille writing evolved over time, from stylus to Stainsby and beyond, and discover afresh why the Perkins Brailler is considered by many to be a timeless treasure.

Visit Eyecan, Alan’s company’s website

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A History of Tactile Literacy: In Conversation with Tilly Guthrie (Episode 73)

Victorian Britain was a heavily visual era. Sighted people gained access to the Penny Post, and the ability to communicate with friends across the nation with relative ease in an alphabet which was already well-established. On the other hand, for the blind community, many different tactile alphabets were invented simultaneously to address their exclusion from this culture, and blind education was completely decentralised.

Tilly Guthrie is a PhD researcher in the history of tactile literacy, specialising in the period between the invention of Braille in the 1820s and its eventual adoption in Britain at the end of the nineteenth century. In this conversation with Braillists Chairman, Dave Williams, she describes some of the tactile alphabets in use at that time and shows how their concurrence affected blind people’s access to culture and community and how blindness was perceived by the sighted.

More Information

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World Braille Day 2025: HumanWare (Episode 72)

Most of us by now have heard of the BrailleNote, Brailliant and Mantis, three of the leading braille products manufactured by HumanWare. Last year, they also launched Monarch, their brand new Dynamic Tactile Device, allowing multi-line braille and tactile graphics to be rendered on the same refreshable surface.

In this episode, we catch up with Braille Product Manager Andrew Flatres.

Links of Interest

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World Braille Day 2025: Aspire Consultancy (Episode 71)

Many listeners to this podcast will already be familiar with the Orbit Reader, which has been available in the UK since around 2018. Orbit Research have since expanded their product portfolio to include a range of other braille input and output devices. However, RNIB recently took the decision to discontinue Orbit products, leaving many customers anxious and disappointed.

One company which has stepped into the breach is Aspire Consultancy, and in this episode, we’re joined by its proprietor, Graham Longley.

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Using the Canute 360 with Duxbury (Extra 82)

You might be familiar with many functions of the Canute 360 from Bristol Braille Technology, but did you know it can work seamlessly with the widely popular Duxbury Braille Translator? When connected to a Windows machine, the Canute can output Braille text in real-time using Duxbury’s six-key Braille entry, or display any translated text loaded into the application.

This added functionality can significantly enhance the usability of the Canute 360, particularly for those who need to quickly navigate content in a multi-line environment. If you already have Duxbury and the Canute 360, you’re set to go!

Join Bristol Braille Technology’s Ed Rogers and Sight and Sound Technology’s Stuart Lawler to learn not only how to set up this integration but also explore a variety of use cases. Don’t miss this opportunity to maximize your Canute 360 experience!

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Looking Back at the Tactile Reading and Graphics Conference (Episode 65)

The Third Tactile Reading and Graphics Conference took place at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 June 2025. The event brought together over 400 participants from around the world to discuss braille, tactile graphics and much more.

The host organisations were Bartiméus, Koninklijke/Royal Dutch Visio and Dedicon.

In a special event on Tuesday 17 June 2025, we brought together an eclectic panel of attendees to relive the Conference and share their key takeaways.

The conference app was provided by Yellenge.

Live audio description was provided by Condatsine.

The conference was opened by Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, founder of Stichting Lezen & Schrijven.

Other noteable mentions

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Games Galore: Braille and Tactile Games for All the Family (Extra 81)

You’re invited to pull up a chair at the Braillists’ Christmas party, where a friendly cast of characters discuss the games they play after Christmas dinner.

Card games, board games, dice games and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. We discuss where to buy specially adapted games and how to adapt your own.

And because it’s Christmas, the whole cast is in the same room!

Grab a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine and celebrate Christmas with us.

Items discussed:

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