Developing A Self-Learning Braille Kit For Visually Impaired People

Abstract

Braille is a pattern of written language for visually impaired people. In this system, alphabets are represented by raised dots which are sensed by fingertips. In Bangladesh, there are only few special schools to teach visually impaired people. The number is very insufficient considering its large population and this creates a large impediment to eradicate the illiteracy of the visually impaired people who are living in Bangladesh. Realizing the social responsibility towards visually impaired people, a self-learning braille device is developed and presented in this paper, which can help visually impaired people to learn brail alphabet without the assistance of visual people. The device has two modes of operation. The first mode is given the name as learning mode, where the device itself generate braille pattern by switching six solenoid actuator and pronounce resembling alphabet to the speaker. User can touch braille generated by rising limb of solenoid actuator with hearing the alphabet which helps them to memorize the braille alphabet. The second mode is the practice mode. In this mode, user can select a printed braille card and assume the alphabet written on it sensing by his finger tip. After that he can place the card to the braille reader section of the device and the device pronounced the sound of that alphabet. By this way user can verify his leaning. We think this device can play an important role to increase the literacy rate of visually impaired people of Bangladesh.