Family Support Division
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

Refreshable Braille Displays

The software in this category imports documents from word processors and other sources and translate them into a braille format for printing on a braille embosser. Rarely, if ever, would someone buy a braille printer without buying translation software.

AccessAbility, Inc.

320 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94118
voice phone: (415) 751-6455
toll-free: (888) 322-7200
fax: (415) 751-5262
e-mail: info@4access.com
Web site: http://www.4access.com

  • The RBT 40: A 40-cell display that works with a variety of screen readers. It connects to the computer via the parallel or serial ports and operates on either electrical current or via rechargeable batteries.

Alva Access Group, Inc.

5801 Christie Ave., Suite 475
Emeryville, CA 94608
voice phone: (510) 923-6280
tty: (510) 923-6286
e-mail: info@aagi.com
Web site: http://www.aagi.com

This company manufactures a variety of braille displays including:

  • The Alva Satellite Series: Features twin satellite key pads, double
    touch cursors, three status cells, and activation of speech feedback from the braille display. The ALVA Satellite is available in two models: The ALVA Satellite 544, and the ALVASatellite 570.
  • Alva Braille Terminal: A 43- or 83-cell display, depending on model. Connects to the computer via serial or parallel ports.
  • The Braille Terminal Portable: Includes either a 23- or 43-cell display and comes with batteries.
  • The Alva Delphi Multimedia 440: A battery-operated unit with a 40-cell display.
  • The Alva Delphi Multimedia 480: A desktop unit with an 80-cell display

Please note that HumanWare http://www.humanware.com is the distributor for some of the Alva products mentioned here.

American Thermoform Corp.

2311 Travers Ave.
City of Commerce, CA 90040
voice phone: (323) 723-9021

  • The KTS Brailloterm: A 40- or 80-cell desktop braille display.

Blazie Engineering

109 E. Garrettsville Rd.
Forest Hill, MD 21050
voice phone: (410) 893-9333
fax: (410) 836-5040
Web site: http://www.blazie.com

  • Power Braille: A 40-cell display that includes ScreenPower Braille, a screen reader that supports various synthesizers and the PowerBraille display.

Dolphin Computer Access

100 S. Ellsworth Ave. Fourth floor
San Mateo, CA 94401
voice phone: (650) 348-7401
fax: (650) 348-7403
e-mail: sales@dolphinusa.com
Web site: http://www.dolphinusa.com

  • Cipher: A braille display that works with Windows 9x and NT.

HumanWare

6245 King Rd.
Loomis, CA 95650
voice phone: (916) 652-7253
or (800) 722-3393
Web site: http://www.humanware.com

This company is the distributor for the Braille Window 40 for use with Windows. It offers a 45-cell display.

  • The Braille Window Desktop: Similar to the portable unit mentioned above, It includes an 85-cell display.

Sighted Electronics

464 Tappen Rd.
North Vale, NJ 07647
voice phone: (201) 767-3977
e-mail: sighted@idt.net
Web site: http://www.sighted.com

  • The Braillex 2D: Boasts an 80-cell display and a vertical strip that shows attributes and screen information.
  • The Braillex 2D-lite: A 40-cell display similar to the 2D.
  • Braillex Tiny: A 40-cell eight-dot display that includes rechargeable batteries.

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