Perkins+Brailler

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[|APH Perkins Brailler]

The Perkins Brailler is a braille writing device used by students who are refered to, (in the blind culture), as braille readers, meaning their vision is not sufficient for reading print materials and have been taught to use braille as a form of non-visual communication. In contrast to students refered to, (in the blind culture), as text readers who have low vision and have been taught to use visual communication. Text readers may also use assistive technology in the form of [|MaximEyes Video Magnifier], [|bold line notebook paper], [|20-20 Pens], [|RollBuster], and many other aids, but can usually read large print, use hand-writing, and more traditional keyboards for visual communication. To fully understand why the Perkins Brailler, or any other [|braille writing device], is needed it is important to understand what braille is:

"Braille is a series of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or whose eyesight is not sufficient for reading printed material. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which languages such as English or Spanish may be written and read. Braille symbols are formed within units of space known as braille cells. A full braille cell consists of six raised dots arranged in two parallel rows each having three dots. The dot positions are identified by numbers from one through six. Sixty-four combinations are possible using one or more of these six dots. A single cell can be used to represent an alphabet letter, number, punctuation mark, or even a whole word." (American Foundation for the Blind, para 1&2)

Braille can be written is several ways. Similar to the written language use of paper and pencil is the slate and stylus. "This consists of a slate or template with evenly spaced depressions for the dots of braille cells, and a stylus for creating the individual braille dots. With paper placed in the slate, tactile dots are made by pushing the pointed end of the stylus into the paper over the depressions. The paper bulges on its reverse side forming "dots." Because of their portability, the slate and stylus are especially helpful for taking notes during lectures and for labeling such things as file folders. " (Amercian Foundation for the Blind, para 9) Similar to typewriters, braille can also be written by machines, braillewriters. "Unlike a typewriter which has more than fifty keys, the braillewriter has only six keys and a space bar. These keys are numbered to correspond with the six dots of a braille cell. In that most braille symbols contain more than a single dot, all or any of the braillewriter keys can be pushed at the same time." (American Foundation for the Blind, para 10) And according to the [|American Printing House for the Blind], the Perkins Brailler is the most widely used braillewriter in the world.

Perkins Brailler diagram:



Perkins Brailler:

American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Perkins Brailler or the [|Next Generation]: Fifty seven years after the original Perkins Brailler was introduced by Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, Perkins Products partnered with The American Printing House for the Blind and Product Development Technologies ([|PDT]) to improve this device for the individuals of all ages in over 170 countries that depend upon it. Its name is the Next Generation. (Dexinger, 2008)

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=sources:=

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), What is Braille?, retrieved on October 12, 2009, from American Foundation for the Blind website: [] Dextinger (2008). Perkins School for the Blind and Product Development Technologies Improve an Icon, retrieved on October 12, 2009, from Dexinger website: [] Images: Perkins Brailler Diagram: [] Perkins Brailler: [] APH Perkins Brailler: []

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