As the world moves farther into the 21st century, it seems a look at the
past is inevitable if for no other reason than to determine if we've made
any progress at all. Each person attending this week's Accessible World Tek
Talk online two part event will be guided by experts as Braille writing
past and present is reviewed by a recognized historian and a current day
technology expert on the latest technology for the blind.
Micheal A. Hudson, Director, Museum of the American Printing House for the
Blind, will begin by presenting a brief history of American braillewriters
when at the end of the 19th century, several competing tactile reading and
writing systems were being taught at American schools for the blind. Each
relied upon a manual writing frame, called a slate, very similar to tools
created by Louis Braille himself. Although simple mechanical writing
devices had been invented, the first successful mechanical braillewriter was
not introduced until 1892. The Hall Braillewriter, based upon contemporary
typewriters, and the other designs it inspired proved the utility and speed
of a mechanical writer to the blind public. Some historians believe that
the mechanical braillewriter cemented the triumph of the braille system over
its competitors. The Hall and its successors, as well as competing European
models, however, were heavy and required frequent repairs. At the Perkins
School for the Blind's Howe Memorial Press, an engineer, David Abraham,
began working on a prototype of a new writer in the 1930s. When finally
introduced twenty years later, the new Perkins Braillewriter smashed all
records for sales, durability, and utility. It has dominated the world
braillewriter market to this day.
(Contact: Micheal A. Hudson, Director
Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind
Tel: 502-899-2365
Email: mhudson@aph.org
During Part Two, Michael McCarty will provide an overview of the Next
Generation, the classic Perkins Brailler, that has been reimagined,
retaining all the attributes that make it the most widely used braillewriter
in the world. The Next Generation, Perkins/APH Brailler, is quieter,
lighter, and more comfortable for brailling. It includes functions that
users have asked for: a built-in eraser, a way to read the page easily
while writing, a shorter keystroke requiring less force, and margin guides
on the front. And there's more...the Perkins/APH Brailler features a sleek
design with tactile elements, environmentally-friendly materials, and an APH
Blue color.
(Contact: : Michael McCarty, Expert Database Coordinator
American Printing House for the Blind
http://www.aph.org
Direct Tel: 502-899-2396
APH Phone: 502-895-2405
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Email: mmccarty@aph.org