BrailleSense

BrailleSense

BrailleSense

BrailleSense: An affordable, innovative refreshable braille display empowering visually impaired individuals worldwide.

Fairfax, VA, USA

USA

Not registered as any organization

—

Access to quality education remains out of reach for millions of learners around the world, especially those with visual impairments. Over 250 million children globally have no access to formal education, and even for those who do, disability-adapted infrastructure and assistive learning tools are scarce. For the roughly 39 million blind individuals worldwide, braille literacy is essential, but tragically, fewer than 10% have access to modern braille devices. The primary barrier is cost: braille displays often cost between $2,000 to $10,000, far beyond what most families, especially in low-income or underdeveloped regions, can afford. The result is a massive literacy gap, limited access to learning materials, and diminished long-term opportunities for education and employment. Furthermore, the educational systems in many parts of the world are not designed with inclusivity in mind, exacerbating these challenges. We believe that closing this gap is not only a matter of technology–it’s a matter of justice. Every learner deserves the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive, regardless of ability or background. BrailleSense was created to directly confront this inequity by providing a radically affordable, portable, and powerful learning tool that can scale globally.

BrailleSense is a portable, refreshable braille display designed to bring literacy and digital connectivity to visually impaired learners around the world. It combines low-cost hardware with modern connectivity features to create a product that is affordable, durable, and intuitive to use. The device allows users to read digital content through tactile braille, connect to smartphones or computers via Bluetooth, and access educational materials from online and offline sources. What makes BrailleSense different is that it was designed in collaboration with visually impaired users themselves–students, teachers, and professionals–who helped shape its layout, functions, and form factor. We built BrailleSense to work reliably in various environments, including areas with limited electricity or internet. It supports both local content storage and wireless sync, enabling learning in classrooms, homes, or remote settings. The interface is minimal and approachable, yet powerful enough to support complex educational tasks. With BrailleSense, visually impaired learners are no longer left behind in the digital classroom: they are active, independent participants in their own education. This solution not only improves access to education but fosters lifelong learning and confidence.

BrailleSense was created for visually impaired learners, particularly those in low-resource, rural, or conflict-affected areas where access to assistive technology is limited or non-existent. Many of these students are excluded from educational opportunities simply because the tools they need are out of reach. We’ve spoken with learners and families who want more than anything to pursue education, but find themselves stuck due to the overwhelming cost of braille devices. Our goal is to change that reality. BrailleSense is affordable enough to be distributed widely in public schools, NGOs, and community learning centers. It is light and portable, allowing children to take it home and use it across learning settings. The impact is immediate: students are able to follow along in class, complete assignments independently, and access the same digital resources as their peers. In the long term, we believe BrailleSense will help reduce the stark educational inequities faced by the blind and visually impaired. It opens the door to academic success, self-reliance, and eventually employment. By giving these learners a seat at the table, BrailleSense does more than teach braille–it gives voice and visibility to a group that has been too often overlooked.