Revolutionising Coding for Students with a Vision Impairment
On the 14th of July 2023 we visited Bletchley Park, the home of codebreaking, for the Humanware Coding Symposium.
The event showcased the latest technologies and tools designed to support students with a vision impairment in education and make coding accessible to them.
The symposium featured four existing products: the BrailleNote Touch, the Connect 12 magnifier, Mantis, and Code Jumper, as well as a new product that is set to revolutionise the way students with vision impairment access information and learning resources: the Monarch Braille Reader.
These tools have the potential to transform the landscape of education for students with vision impairment.
The BrailleNote Touch: A Revolutionary Braille Tablet
The BrailleNote Touch is one of Humanware’s flagship products that has been designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience for students with vision impairment. This tablet combines the power of a traditional laptop with the convenience of a braille display, providing students with a seamless experience that allows them to read and write braille, take notes, and browse the web. The BrailleNote Touch is equipped with a 32-cell braille display that allows students to access a wealth of information at their fingertips.
The BrailleNote Touch is also equipped with a suite of educational tools that make learning more engaging and interactive. For example, the tablet is pre-loaded with a range of educational apps that cover a wide range of subjects, from maths and science to geography and history. The tablet also comes with a built-in camera that can be used to capture images and documents, which can then be converted into braille using the tablet’s OCR technology.
PK, a year 7 student that CENMAC supports, has had his BrailleNote Touch for only a couple of months. He is already benefiting from the ease of accessing and completing his schoolwork.
The Connect 12 Magnifier: Enhancing Visual Accessibility
The Connect 12 Magnifier is a powerful magnification tool that has been designed to make reading and writing easier for people with a vision impairment. This device features a 12-inch touchscreen display that can be tilted and adjusted to provide the perfect viewing angle for the user.
The magnifier also comes equipped with a range of features that make it easy to read and write, including a built-in OCR scanner that can convert printed text into speech or braille.
One of the key benefits of the Connect 12 Magnifier is its portability. The device is lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. It can also be used easily in conjunction with mainstream classroom resources, this makes it an ideal tool for students who need to access information on the go, whether they are in the classroom or out in the field.
SM, a Year 7 student, has become very proficient at using the Connect 12 with the support of CENMAC. In lessons, she can move the stand up and down to line up the camera with the whiteboard and zooms into the board to see it live. She can also take a picture of the board, if the class is moving at a speed that is too fast for her. She also uses the device to turn text into PDFs which she can read using the screen reader and can highlight, create a textbox, or use the in-built pens to annotate and write notes.
Code Jumper: A Revolutionary Tool for Teaching Coding to Students with Vision Impairment
One of the biggest challenges facing students with a vision impairment wanting to learn to code is the visual nature of programming languages. Traditional programming languages use visual cues such as colours and shapes to represent different functions, making them difficult for students with a vision impairment to use. This is where Code Jumper comes in.
Code Jumper is a great tool that has been designed to make coding accessible to students with a vision impairment. It is a physical coding tool which uses pods to represent individual lines of code. Each pod has a unique shape and can be programmed to perform different functions, such as playing sounds or pausing the code. The pods are connected in a daisy chain, creating a physical representation of the code that students can manipulate and use to learn to code.
Code Jumper is designed to be used by students aged 7 to 11, making it an ideal tool for introducing coding concepts to younger students. The tool is also highly customisable, allowing teachers to create coding challenges that are tailored to the needs and abilities of their students.
The Monarch: A Game-Changer for Braille Readers
The Monarch is a Braille Reader with 10 lines of 32 cells, which was introduced at the Symposium. The device is a brand-new tool for braille readers, as it provides access to not just one line of text at a time, but a whole page of text.
The Monarch gives users access to 3D diagrams, which can be scrolled, zoomed in on, and explored in great detail. This feature is particularly useful for students, as it allows them to interact with complex diagrams and better understand complex concepts.
The Monarch is set to be released in about a years’ time, and it is currently undergoing beta testing. The device is expected to retail for between £10,000 and £15,000 per unit, making it a significant investment for those who rely on braille technology to access information.
The Importance of Braille Technology in Education
The Symposium highlighted the importance of braille technology in education. With the advent of new devices like the Connect Sets and the Monarch, students with VI can now access the same information as their sighted peers, without having to rely on specialised software or apps.
This is a significant step forward for inclusive education, as it means that vision impaired students can learn and grow alongside their sighted peers. The Connect Sets and the Monarch are set to level the playing field for vision impaired students, allowing them to achieve their full potential.
Braille Technology and Social Inclusion
Finally, the Humanware Coding Symposium highlighted the importance of technology in promoting social inclusion for students with VI. With the rise of digital technology, it is more important than ever for individuals with a vision impairment to have access to the same information as their sighted peers.
These tools can revolutionise the way anyone with a vision impairment access information, making it easier for them to participate in society and feel included. These devices represent a significant step forward in the quest for social inclusion and equal access to information for all.
The Humanware Coding Symposium provided valuable insights into the future of technology for people with a vision impairment. The Connect Sets and the Monarch are two devices that are set to change the way people with a vision impairment access information and STEM, making it easier for them to study, learn and work.
As technology continues to evolve, it would be incredible if we could continue to prioritise inclusivity and accessibility, so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Author: David Howard, CENMAC Advisory TEacher
