BLK: Revolutionizing Braille Learning
Rethinking Braille Literacy
Braille literacy is at a pivotal moment, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity to transform lives. According to recent data, only 12% of blind students learn braille, despite statistics showing that 90% of employed blind individuals are braille readers. This gap highlights the urgent need to revitalize braille education, empowering more people with skills that enhance their employment opportunities and personal autonomy.
It takes a student approximately one year to learn the basics of braille literacy with constant supervision, using methods that do not leverage the technological advancements available to those without visual limitations. Students with visual disabilities do not have access to the “Smart Learning Methodologies” available to other students.
The Current State of Braille Education
The challenges in teaching braille are multiple and significant. There are fewer qualified teachers to instruct students in braille literacy each year, while 60% of blind students drop out of school. The unemployment rate among blind adults is around 70%, a statistic directly linked to literacy. Though 85% of blind students attend public schools, the braille literacy rate among visually impaired students is only 10%. This situation is particularly critical considering that braille literacy is truly an issue of equality, directly affecting a person’s health, life expectancy, well-being, and socioeconomic status. These factors are important predictors of the future quality of life for people with visual disabilities.
The BLK Solution
BLK emerges as a device to assist in the initial teaching of braille that creates a guided experience with different mechanics to explore, discover, play, and learn braille. The system consists of an integrated voice assistant that can function without an internet connection, although it benefits from having one, and interaction modules that provide functionality and the ability to evolve to meet user needs.
The main component of the kit is the voice assistant, designed using industry-available components to reduce development cycles and avoid the overhead costs of a custom hardware solution. The interaction devices connect through a very simple interface with magnetic connectors that ensure proper connection and do not suffer physical deterioration from accidental disconnections.
The assistant incorporates a microphone array with digital signal processing that enables the implementation of noise cancellation algorithms and other strategies to improve audio capture. The software integrates digital audio processing, wake word recognition, speech-to-text conversion, natural language understanding, and text-to-speech synthesis. All components are remotely updatable and can operate with or without an internet connection.
The current system includes three main modules: an RFID-NFC card reader, a braille display, and a Perkins keyboard. The braille display has six illuminated holes with high-intensity yellow LEDs to assist people with residual vision, and it detects the presence of magnetic beads that complete the braille characters. The Perkins keyboard provides auditory and physical feedback, and can connect to both the assistant and a computer via USB.
A connected assistant with multiple interaction modules opens the door to creating new educational methods and services that expand access opportunities, accelerate learning, integration, and autonomy processes with continuous and responsible monitoring and evaluation. This platform allows for the management of educational environments at the administrative, academic, teaching-learning, and communication levels.
A Comprehensive Learning Management System
Backing the BLK system with an LMS (Learning Management System) platform multiplies its educational potential. This platform allows educators to manage educational environments at three levels: administrative and academic, teaching-learning, and communication. Teachers can closely monitor each group or student, create content with a playful approach, and continuously evaluate progress. The system incorporates gamification features, assessment, and communication tools that enable cooperation and group work. Through this platform, tutors can manage aspects such as enrollment, reports, and certificates, while maintaining detailed tracking of individual progress. The set of teaching materials simplifies the creation of educational content, lessons, and activities, enabling a personalized and adaptive learning experience.
Join the Future of Braille Literacy
In the current context, where 75,000 people lose all or part of their vision each year in the United States alone, BLK represents an opportunity to make braille learning more accessible and effective. If you are interested in learning more about how BLK can transform braille education in your institution, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
