Whether you’re just dipping your fingers into Braille study for the very first time, or you’ve been reading dots for decades, this show has something for you. We’ll chat about everything from simple, low tech tools to the latest high tech devices, explore great places to find Braille books and materials, and even take a trip through history to remember the gadgets and devices we loved—or maybe forgot about. So come along for the journey, and check out at Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now. There's something here for everyone!
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Whether you’re just dipping your fingers into Braille study for the very first time, or you’ve been reading dots for decades, this show has something for you. We’ll chat about everything from simple, low tech tools to the latest high tech devices, explore great places to find Braille books and materials, and even take a trip through history to remember the gadgets and devices we loved—or maybe forgot about. So come along for the journey, and check out at Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now. There's something here for everyone!
Inside Apple’s Braille Access and the Future of Braille Literacy
At Your Fingertips - Braille Then and Now
17 minutes
3 weeks ago
Inside Apple’s Braille Access and the Future of Braille Literacy
Discover what’s new in Braille accessibility with Apple’s latest updates. From iOS 26’s “Braille Access” mode to creative uses of BRF files and multi-line displays like the Monarch, this episode of At Your Fingertips explores how technology continues to shape modern Braille literacy and why it still matters in 2025.
This episode dives deep into Apple’s new Braille Access feature in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, revealing how it allows users to create BRF (Braille Ready Format) files, take notes, perform calculations, and seamlessly switch between apps using a Braille display. Host Chris Cooke explains practical use cases—from writing Braille music to sharing specialized code—and highlights how iCloud storage makes Braille more portable than ever.
Listeners are also introduced to Seeing Hands (seeinghands.org), a nonprofit distributing Braille books and dictionaries for young readers and developing Sudoku puzzles for multi-line Braille displays like the Monarch.
The show closes with reflections on the ongoing “Braille debate” discussed recently on Double Tap: whether Braille remains essential in a world of screen readers and AI. Chris Cooke offers a compassionate perspective, acknowledging both lifelong Braille users and those who struggle with tactile reading, while celebrating literacy, technology, and inclusion.
Relevant Links
Article from APH on Braille's relevance in the 21st century workplace
https://aphconnectcenter.org/careerconnect/professionals-with-vision-or-career-changes/employment-skills/is-braille-relevant-in-the-21st-century-workplace/
David Woodbridge's Demo of Braille Access on iOS 26
https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/the-incredible-braille-access-function-in-ios-and-mac-26-that-turns-your-braille-display-with-a-keyboard-in-to-a-braille-note-taker/
David Woodbridge's Demo of using Braille Access on Mac OS 26
https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/using-braille-access-via-voiceover-on-the-mac-continuation-of-last-podcast-re-braille-access-on-ios-with-voiceover/
Keyword List
Braille Access iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, Apple Braille features, BRF files, Braille music, Monarch Braille display, Seeing Hands organization, Braille books for children, multi-line Braille display, Braille literacy, assistive technology for blind users, Double Tap Braille debate, Apple accessibility, Braille education tools, iCloud Braille notes, Braille dictionary, Braille Sudoku, Braille then and now
At Your Fingertips - Braille Then and Now
Whether you’re just dipping your fingers into Braille study for the very first time, or you’ve been reading dots for decades, this show has something for you. We’ll chat about everything from simple, low tech tools to the latest high tech devices, explore great places to find Braille books and materials, and even take a trip through history to remember the gadgets and devices we loved—or maybe forgot about. So come along for the journey, and check out at Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now. There's something here for everyone!
