Thursday 24th March 2016:
Revolutionary technology from Orbit Research enables TBG’s objective of achieving affordable braille for all
WILMINGTON, DE — March 23, 2016 — An affordable braille display has long been the dream of blind people and educators across the world. The Orbit Reader 20, announced today by Orbit Research and the Transforming Braille Group finally makes this a reality. It is the world’s most affordable, full-feature Refreshable Braille Display, priced at a fraction of the cost of similar devices. Based on revolutionary braille technology from Orbit Research, the Orbit Reader 20 provides signage-quality braille in a compact hand-held device with 20 eight-dot braille cells.
The Orbit Reader 20 is a unique 3-in-1 device and serves as a self-contained book reader, a note taker and as a braille display by connecting to a computer or smartphone via USB or Bluetooth. As a braille display, the device works with all platforms including Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android, to provide access to all the features of these platforms using popular screen reader programs. It enables access to all applications, such as email, web-browsing, text messaging, creating and editing documents, etc. Though feature-rich, the device is extremely simple to use and allows switching between the different functions seamlessly.
In addition to the braille cells, the Orbit Reader 20 also includes a high-quality, 8-key keyboard, a cursor pad and rocker keys for navigation and panning, and an SD-card slot for loading books and files for reading and editing in a standalone mode. It is fluid and dust resistant and its construction is optimized for durability in extreme environmental conditions.
“The Orbit Reader 20 represents the next step in our continuing mission to bring affordable products to the blind and visually impaired community. It is tremendously exciting and humbling to be able to bring to the market a product that has the potential to catalyze literacy for millions of blind people across the world” said Dr. Gina Spagnoli, Orbit Research’s Founder.
TBG President, Kevin Carey said: “The Orbit Reader 20 and its disruptive braille technology alters the refreshable braille landscape forever. It achieves TBG’s objective of providing an affordable solution for accessing e-books and other digital content via braille.”
The Orbit Reader 20 is available for pre-order now and will ship in late 2016.
About Orbit Research:
Orbit Research develops and manufactures innovative and affordable products that enable an independent lifestyle for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded with the mission to fulfill the urgent need for affordable assistive technology products, the company has introduced breakthrough products like the Orion Talking Scientific Calculators and the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier that define the state-of-the-art in features, functionality, convenience and cost. For more information, visit www.orbitresearch.com.
About the Transforming Braille Group:
The Transforming Braille Group LLC is a global consortium of organizations of and for the blind.
Contact details:
Carla Morris
Orbit Research LLC
Tel: 1-888-606-7248
Email: information@orbitresearch.com
www.orbitresearch.com