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A hub for imaginative new ideas, inventive tools, and professional expertise,
National Braille Press developed the Center for Braille Innovation (CBI) in 2008 to break down barriers to information access for blind people by using braille and tactile-based technology. With technology changing daily, blind people need a variety of accessible and affordable braille tools to read, learn, and communicate.
Literacy in the Digital Age
Students need to be able to take notes in class, work on papers, and refer to course materials to succeed in school. As they progress, in order to have a professional job, adults must be able read email, obtain information from the Internet, develop a PowerPoint presentation, or perhaps a legal brief.
Those who learn braille and develop fluency with technology have a significant advantage, are more employable, and are able to shift blindness from a problem to an inconvenience.
CBI: Bridging the Technology Gap
NBP's President, Brian Mac Donald, launched the Center for Braille Innovation to ensure that National Braille Press can provide braille information faster, more efficiently, in a variety of formats, and with new technologies that allow blind people to keep pace with the world around them.
Affordability is the Key
Blindness is a low-incident population so market forces result in companies commanding higher prices for products accessible to blind people in order to get their desired return on investment. National Braille Press is committed to expanding our efforts to ensure that blind people have affordable tools that are necessary to thrive in school and work environments
The Center for Braille Innovation is taking on this challenge of making products affordable for everyone, and the first product is a refreshable braille PDA/notetaker.
Team CBI
Initially Mac Donald recruited a core team of engineers and researchers, blind and sighted, with experience from IBM, Motorola, and private firms. Team CBI is headed by Deane Blazie, who is well known for inventing a successful line of braille computer products for blind people: Braille 'n Speak, Braille Lite, and Braille Lite 40. Complete list of Team CBI members.
Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation
The Touch of Genius Prize was established to recognize an individual or group of individuals who contribute to innovation in the field of tactile literacy for blind people. The Prize can be granted for a new educational method; a new tactile literacy product; or a new technological advance. The $20,000 prize is provided through support from The Gibney Family Foundation and National Braille Press.
The Touch of Genius Prize, as part of the Center for Braille Innovation, helps inspire innovation in technology and education and acts as a potential vehicle for exploring partnerships with those who are on the forefront of tactile innovations.
Learn more about the Touch of Genius Prize.
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