Alternate braille display designs: A review

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Thomas, Anupama^* | Rufus, Elizabeth

Affiliations: School of Electronics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, TN, India

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Anupama Thomas, School of Electronics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, TN, India. Tel.: +91 9597932480; E-mail:anupamathomas@vit.ac.in

Abstract: In researching various means to reduce the cost of displaying braille, the alternate methods of braille display have emerged. Alternate methods of braille display mainly explore the display of short text messages. These alternate methods need to be looked at in terms of factors such as cost-effectiveness, user efficiency etc. This paper for the first time summarizes and compares recent trends in braille display where there is a deviation from the standard presentation of braille. Various aspects of alternate braille designs in terms of relative cost, convenience and reading speed are reviewed. The standard braille display designs with different actuators are first outlined. The alternate modes of displaying braille are then presented. A review of the results of preliminary testing with users indicates that braille presented in these alternate modes can be perceived comfortably.

Keywords: Braille, braille display design

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-160451

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 123-132, 2016