This wooden frame was used to bind braille books, which would be placed on the based and strapped down to apply the binding. Wooden triangular stand with three red leather hooks across bar at top of standWar Voluntary Aid Societyassociation for the blind, braille equipment

RNIB sold a number of devices around the world, including games, clocks, brailling equipment and handicraft items. These are listed in this catalogue and some are found in this collection. 62 page booklet with black and white illustrationsroyal national institute for the blind, braille equipment, games, recreation equipment

The Taylor Slate was developed by Rev. William Taylor in England in the mid 19th century it was in common use until the early 1970's and enabled blind or vision impaired students to do maths calculations by arranging metal pegs in the slate. The main part of the slate is a metal sheet with 432, 8 sided holes which small metal pegs are inserted. The pegs have different shapes on their ends. These are used to represent different numbers and symbols depending on the way the pegs are placed in the slate and which combinations of pegs are used.39 sliver rectangular cubed pegs braille equipment, education

This small Braille teaching cube attached to a keyring can be used to make the shapes of Braille characters. The surface of cube is studded with large black rivets and when the three main parts of it are rotated, the shapes of a single braille character can be seen and felt. The cube features raised dots in 3 independently revolving sections. These can be turned to form different Braille letters for teaching purposes. 1 bright yellow Braille keyring cube with black dots on itbraille equipment, education aids and devices

Black box containing a Matrix Braille writing machine, with a 24mm-wide paper spool attached to the feeding mechanism. Corner of box is hinged and lifts up to reveal keyboard. Top half of box lifts to reveal Braille writer which is bolted to a wooden base that can be lifted out. The base is secured with a metal latch. Machine has black Bakelite keys with rubber pads beneath make this a "silent" machine; wooden case has black leather-like covering, hinged lid, metal clasps, and leather handle on the side. "Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 1183, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front,Black vinyl-covered case containing black metal writer and paper spool"Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 1183, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front.braille equipment, royal national institute for the blind

Versabraille system is a self-contained braille information system for use with audio cassettes for reading and writing braille. The controls include an eject button, variable audio speed and volume sliders, braille control keys for writing, editing, and audio record/playback, a 20-character braille display with text advance bar, text backup key, text access keys for chapters, pages, paragraphs or words, a place indicator, an "add new chapter" key, and a pair of buttons with unknown function. The unit takes ordinary audio cassette tapes. On the back is a 24-contact IB/P connector, a pair of connectors of unknown function, and a power connector for the included 120V power adapter. Light brown coloured plastic square object with brown covering box and transformer with cord Versa Braille system Tele Sensory Systemsbraille equipment, equipment

American Printing House pocket brailler consisting of a rectangle shaped structure made out of a brown coloured plastic with 7 keys and 3 buttons and a mustard coloured vinyl cover with attached handle and a power cord. Braille letters are achieved by punching the various keys. Serial number: Louisville 1354.Brown coloured plastic rectangular Brailler with covering vinyl bag with handle.braille equipment, assistive devices

Wanting to improve upon the limitations of existing Braillers, the Perkins School for the Blind resolved to develop a new machine that would produce uniformity in embossing, was lightweight and was easy to use. By the 1940's, David Abrahams (a teacher at the school) had developed his prototype, but manufacturing restrictions created by World War 2 halted proceedings. In the waiting period, students at the school used the prototype and Abrahams perfected his device. During the post-war era, Howe Press agreed to take on production of the Perkins Brailler and it became of the most popular and commonly used Braillers around the world since it's commercial release in 1951. Also included is a booklet of photocopied instructions with honeycomb binding.Metal Braille writer with nine grey keys, carriage return key and paper rollers on either side, with grey vinyl cover, and photocopied instruction booklet.'Perkins Brailler' embossed on front of machine and in silver on cover. Sticker on top of machine reads "This equipment remains the property of Braille and Talking Book Library 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141 Phone: (03) 267 6022." Metal plate attached to front below keys "Designed by David Abraham, Manufactured and Distributed by Howe Memorial Press, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass. U.S.A." Stamped on base of front: G0345braille equipment, perkins school for the blind

Two sighted women sit in an outside porch at the Braille Library in South Yarra, transcribing the books in front of them into Braille, using a stylus and frame. This image shows sighted volunteer Braille transcribers. At this time all Braille was manually transcribed using a hand frame and metal stylus. These volunteers worked at Australia's first Braille Library created by the Victorian Association of Braille Writers.Black and white image of two Braille writersbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

A boy sits in the board room at the RVIB building in St Kilda Road, holding a Taylor's mathematical slate. Developed by Rev. William Taylor in the mid-late 19th century, this English invention provided a device that allowed pegs to represent a variety of numbers upon an array, rather than using raised numbers. Various models were produced around the world before it's eventual demise around the early 1970's.B/W image of a boy holding a metal grid in his laproyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

This brown painted metal case was used to carry and store a Braille Writer. It has metal caps on the corners and is lined with green felt. The handle on the front is leather. Two steel catches on the front hold it closed. Brown painted metal case with green felt lining and leather handle Marked on hinges 'U.K Patent No. 427897 and others'.braille equipment, assistive devices

The Braillin doll was developed to help facilitate the learning of Braille in the classroom and to increase awareness of sighted peers about Braille as a literacy tool. Through the retractable, oversized dots on the shirt, children can learn the characters of the alphabet in braille. Soft doll with Braille dots on chest.education aids and devices, braille equipment

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and a single line of Braille could be written.2 metal Braille frames for single line usagebraille equipment, assistive devices

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two side hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and four lines of Braille could be written.1 plastic Braille frame with 4 lines of 28 cells with side hingebraille equipment, equipment

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, a postcard sized frame fits over a notebook of the same size, and allows the user to fill the page without re-positioning the slate.1 metal Braille frame and 1 vinyl covered metal ring binder with braille pagesbraille equipment, equipment

The Braille Lite harnessed the advantages of a computer to write in Braille and provides responses either in Braille or synthetic voice. Weighing around a kilogram, it was considered a lightweight notebook that also could be connected to other computers and stored Braille in it's inbuilt hardware. 1 beige rectangle with 7 raised buttons, a long space bar and refreshable braille display in black, held in a black plastic carrying case + printed instruction bookBraille Lite (R) Sticker attached over 'Blaze Engineering'.braille equipment, stephen jolley

Black and white photograph showing a young child, approximately six years old, using a Perkins Brailler. Possibly taken at the RVIB's Burwood School, where the Perkins Brailler was introduced in 1963.1 black and white photograph of boy using a Perkinsrvib burwood school, braille equipment

Created to meet the growing need for Braille users to access computers, and the creation of talking terminals, Clarke and Smith released the Brailink in 1982. Fitting the unit into a briefcase style for portability, it allowed Braille users to read the screen via the refreshable Braille display located above the QWERTY keyboard as well as record data on to either of the cassette recorders for use with other computers.CPU with keyboard, Braille display and two miniature cassette recorders inside a vinyl caseCS Brailinkbraille equipment, clarke and smith

The Eureka A4 was a Melbourne invention, designed to capitalise on the growth of IBM PCs. It attached to the PC and allowed blind and vision impaired people to utilise screen orientated programs. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind supported the project and in this image, David Blyth and the managing director of Robotron Milan Hudecek, pose for a publicity shot at the launch of the Eureka A4 Notetaker in July 1997. Black and white photograph of two men at the Eureka A4 computer standDavid Blyth, Director of Community Services at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, carrying a Eureka A4, while Milan Hudecek, Managing Director of Robotron Pty Ltd looks on.royal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment, david blyth, milan hudecek

In 1934, the Victorian Association of Braille Writers annual report advised that it had acquired a Crabb-Hulme Braille Printing Press. Two years in development, the Press was designed by Miss Minnie Crabb (the librarian) and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, and provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers.Steel and cast iron printing press with two wheels on left hand side and two foot levers to operate a wheel on the right hand side.victorian association of braille writers, braille equipment, minnie crabb

Designed by Nimoka (Nippon Moujin Youga Kaihatsu), it was produced between 1979-2005. A heavy Braille writer for its size, the Apollo provides a standard typewriter style albeit with the oblong keys sitting to the left hand side of the brailler. The design easily fits within a small musical instrument style case, and consists of a rectangular shaped structure made out of metal base with black coloured keys and a grey coloured soft plastic cover. Underneath a battery compartment (which powers a bell) is kept closed with a capped screw.Black and green metal object with covering boxApollo Brailler Mark-II (Serial number) 834400braille equipment, assistive devices

Designed by Raymond Lavender, American Printing House for the Blind, it was produced between 1962-1982. A modernized Braille writer, the Lavender allowed the paper to exit through the cover in a way similar to a typewriter. The keys are rectangular and the design is compact with no protruding parts. The cover, which is an integral part of the design, snaps on the case. The case and cover are made of Cycolac, a high impact resistant plastic. After the writer was in use for some time, it was discovered that the plastic material tended to warp and production was discontinued. (Information from the American Printing House for the Blind website). Lavender Braille Writer consisting of an oblong shaped structure made out of a beige coloured metal base with cream coloured keys and a beige coloured hard plastic cover. Braille letters are achieved by punching the various keys. A metallic handle is included.Beige coloured plastic rectangle object with cream buttons and silver returns lever with covering boxbraille equipment, assistive devices

A portable note taker that allow the operator to input either Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille and have the information read back to you. It holds up to 640K of RAM or 600 Braille pages.Cardboard box containing a cream coloured plastic rectangle device with 7 black keys, 1 carry bag, 1 adapter, 1 computer cable, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Blaze demo programs disk, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Resource disk, 2 cassette tapes "Braille'n'Speak manual" by Olga Espinola, 1 print book "Quick Reference: Braille'n'Speak command list", 2 Braille books "Braille'n'Speak Quick Reference" and "A user's guide to Braille'n'Speak" both by Olga Espinola.braille equipment, assistive devices

Edward Pyke and Jean Maurice Glauser invented this machine with the intention of enabling the easy and quiet production of Interpoint Braille. Although widely agreed to be one of the best Braille machines of its time, production of the machines was stopped during the Second World War because of rationing and high material costs. The machine has a keyboard arrangement at one end, the other end folds out to form a platform which is held up by a metal strut with rubber capping. An upward writing model, the paper feeds from the rear and passes under the space bar. The machine has no paper feed rollers. The only movement is that of the carriage that moves from left to right.Painted metal machine with metal keys that move a carriage across inserted sheets of paperRoyal National Institute for the Blind 228 Great Portland St London W1 Pyke-Glauser Braille Writer PG 48braille equipment, royal national institute for the blind

The American Foundation for the Blind developed this new model in their experimental shop in 1932 and contracted with the typewriter manufacturer to produce the machines and continued production until 1947. It's sleek silver look was a change of look from the previously manufactured Hall Braille Writer, and improvements included a carriage return, the ability to add spaces between lines and a back space key. It was found in the Braille and Talking Book Library in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia and was used by either staff or volunteers at Vision Australia Library.Stainless steel braille writer in the shape of a typewriter. The braille writer consists of a heavy moulded machine with 6 black plastic keys.On front of writer: "American Foundation for the Blind Inc. New York." "Manufactured for the Foundation by L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc." On back: "Licenced by Underwood Elliot Fisher company/ Serial no. 5-2422.braille equipment, assistive devices

The Stainsby Braillewriter was utilised by Braille tutors and volunteers as well the blind and visually impaired. Stored in a brown cardboard lockable case and this complete kit consists of a metal Braille writing machine; a long slim rectangular device with carriage and six silver keys and a bell, a metal board to attach Braille writer, a metal hinged Braille paper clamp and an instructional booklet. Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their portable brailler writer around 1903. An "improved" version, featuring aluminum parts and a paper clamp allowing accurate interpointing or interlining, was announced in "Outlook for the Blind" as early as 1927 and available generally by 1933 in the RNIB catalog. By 1978, RNIB sold the Improved Stainsby in a number of formats, including a large version available with interlining and inter-pointing board, and a small version with a folding board. Both large and small models came in ordinary and reverse keyed versions. Silver Brailler, rectangular with six silver keys and a bell, with paper board and clip, in cardboard suitcaseM8839 M88 (Brailler) M 8839 (Board) On the outside of the suitcase an address label reads "Braille Library, 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra". braille equipment, assistive devices

The Tellatouch was developed in the American Foundation research laboratory and resulted from one of the first AFB research projects, a major effort in the mid-1940s to help deaf-blind people. The device helped end social isolation for hundreds of deaf-blind children and adults. The Tellatouch provides a means of communication between a sighted (or blind) person and a deaf-blind person who can read braille. The keyboard has three rows of ten keys each and a standard braille keyboard on the fourth row. At the rear of the machine is a round metal plate with the braille cell in the center. The deaf-blind person rests a finger on the braille cell. Pins rise to form the equivalent of the letter key that is struck. The body of the device covered in beige vinyl, with a hinged lid at the front which lifts up to reveal the keyboard. The lid is secured with a metal latch at the front.Beige vinyl machine with leather carry strapbraille equipment, assistive devices

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Braille Writers were attached to the board.1 wooden back board with metal hand frame and stylus156 carved into wooden framebraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

This portable braille writer was made for the Royal Institute for the Blind, England. It embosses a roll of paper tape. A folding arm, which extends 29 centimetres beyond the width of the braille writer, holds the tape. The braille writer has six conventional keys and a spacing key. The bottom of the wooden carrying case serves as a base and is lined with green felt. It was manufactured by J.M. Glauser and Sons, who produced several braille writers in the period 1930-1950.Metal portable braille writer in a wooden box "JMG No. 17" is stamped on top of the machine.braille equipment, assistive devices

Oscar Picht invented this braille writer in Bromberg, Germany, where he was the Director of the Provincial School for the Blind. Seven keys facilitate the typing of Braille. All in a wooden box with a metal handle on the front and a hook and eye on either. The box looks handmade and was the property of Alfred W Phillips of Ascot Vale in 1934.Steel Brailler, black with gold decorative lines in a wooden box Picht - the makers' name is painted on the front. Alfred W Phillips 1934 Ascotvale - is written above the paper on lid From P M Govett Hartwell - is written on the upper right side of lidassistive devices, braille equipment