Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

Tools That Expand Access to Braille

• American Printing House • Episode 123

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On this episode of Change Makers, learn about a cool product that allows individuals who are blind or low vision to turn their Perkins Brailler into a BlueTooth keyboard. After learning about Paige Connect, hear the latest from Braille Tales and what books are on the way.

On this Episode (In Order of Appearance)

  • Greg Hargraves, Paige Founder
  • Jennifer Wenzel, Technology Product Specialist
  • Sarah Welch, Product Manager
  • Christine Genovely, Braille Tales Programs Coordinator

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Narrator:

Welcome to Changemakers, a podcast from APH. We're talking to people from around the world who are creating positive change in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Here's your host.

Sara Brown:

Hello and welcome to Change Makers. I'm APH's Public Relations Manager, Sara Brown. And on today's episode, we're talking about another cool product that expands access to Braille. After that, we're going to hear the latest with the fan favorite program, Braille Tales. Up first, I have Greg Hargraves, one of the founders of Page here to talk to us. Hello, Greg, and welcome to Change Makers.

Greg Hargraves:

Thanks for having me.

Sara Brown:

And before we get into the questions, would you like to introduce yourself and share what it is that you do at Paige?

Greg Hargraves:

So hi, I'm Greg, and I'm one of the founders of Paige. So I currently lead our team, which means I do a bit of everything. So this mostly involves talking to our users and finding out what they want and then getting our team of engineers to build that. And then once we have a product, people like getting that product out to everyone. So that's when we can work with organizations like APH.

Sara Brown:

And talk about its mission. Can you share what the mission for Paige is?

Greg Hargraves:

Sure. So Paige's mission is really simple. It's affordable Braille for everyone. So we want to lower the barriers to entry for somebody wanting to learn Braille. So this means making our products affordable, but also really user-friendly. So we found a lot of mainstream tech was more affordable and intuitive, and we wanted to see if we could make Braille products more like that. So somebody who's just curious about learning Braille could get started really easily.

Sara Brown:

And speaking of new products, talk about this new one, Paige Connect. Can you share what it is and what it does and how it works?

Greg Hargraves:

Sure. So our first product is Paige Connect, which is an adaptation for your classic braille writer. So you just unscrew the base of your Perkins and replace it with our board, and that transforms it into a Bluetooth keyboard. So that lets you connect it wirelessly to any device for instant braille translation and gamified learning through our website, Paigebraille.com. So our software is completely free, and you can just try it out with your keyboard with your SDF JKL keys for six-key entry if you want to try it out.

Sara Brown:

How do you see Paige Connect reducing the cost of Braille technology?

Greg Hargraves:

So when we first started talking to Braille users, we found everyone was very unique and they were all using different devices, different screen readers. But the one thing we found was universal was that everyone had learned Braille on a Perkins. So we realized that we could connect the Perkins to these devices that everyone was already using. And as you're not buying a whole new device, this means we can deliver Paige Connect really affordably.

Sara Brown:

And talk about how this, how Paige Connect makes Braille more accessible.

Greg Hargraves:

So once you've connected your Perkins up to your phone, tablet or laptop, that lets us do loads of really cool things. So for example, you can translate what you're embossing on your Perkins into print and display that and have it spoken back to you by your screen reader. So any sighted teachers, family, friends you're working with who don't know braille can support you. And you also get that audio feedback to make sure you're brailling correctly. But we can also go one step further and we can kind of interactively teach you Braille, kind of like Duolingo for learning to touch read Braille. So we can have your screen reader tell you which keys to press for a specific letter. So for example, press dot one for an A, and then it will give you instant feedback about whether you've done it correctly. And then it will go on from there. So it will start teaching you words and contractions and getting you to practice reading by touch. And then we display all of your progress in a dashboard so you can see how you're progressing.

Sara Brown:

If there's an individual who is sighted working with an individual who's blind or low vision and you have Paige Connect, how would the individual who is sighted, so they're typing into the phone or the iPad and it'll get sent over to the Brailler and Braille it out?

Greg Hargraves:

So it's the other way around. So normally the student's embossing on their Braille writer and then it will be popping up on the screen next to them. So it's as though they've got a keyboard connected to that device, basically. And then we're displaying that print translation as they're embossing. So if you're a parent and you've got a kid learning Braille and you don't know Braille yourself, you'll be able to see that print translation pop up as they're embossing.

Sara Brown:

That's so cool. Have you heard any feedback out maybe during field testing about this?

Greg Hargraves:

So we've just had a really big field test actually with APH with 18 teachers and then lots of students. So we've just gathered all of the feedback from that, which was really cool. And then also we've had the product out in the UK for about six months now. So it's gone out to about 200 people in the UK as well. So we've already started gathering like loads of feedback and it's been really fun.

Sara Brown:

Now, have you shared how someone can get access to Paige Connect? Is it available for purchase? I know you said it's available already where you are, but what about the U.S.?

Greg Hargraves:

Yeah. So in the US, people will be able to get Paige Connect from APH through Federal Quota, which we're really excited about. So the Paige Connect board just gets posted out to you with a user manual, and it's got some narrated videos as well to walk you through the setup, which is really simple, and then you'll be ready to get going.

Sara Brown:

And before I let you go, is there anything else you would like to share about Paige Connect?

Greg Hargraves:

Sure. So you can find out more about us at Paigebraille.com. And you can find us at Paige Braille on most social media. So please follow us to keep up to date and then spread the word about what we're doing.

Sara Brown:

All right, Greg, thank you so much for coming on Change Makers and talking to me today.

Greg Hargraves:

Thanks so much.

Sara Brown:

Put links in the show notes for anyone looking to learn more about Paige and Paige Connect. And it'll also be on sale from APH in the coming weeks. So stay tuned for that. And be sure to check out APH's social media channels for the latest.

Sara Brown:

Up next, we're continuing the Paige Braille conversation and talking to two APH product managers who worked on this awesome product. I have APH's Sarah Welch and Jennifer Wenzel here. Hello, Sarah. Hello, Jennifer. And welcome to Change Makers.

Sarah Welch and Jennifer Wenzel:

Hello. Thanks for having us. Thanks so much for having us .

Sara Brown:

Great. And before we get going with the questions, would you like to share what it is that you do at APH?

Sarah Welch:

So my name is Sara Welch, and I'm a product manager at APH on the Braille technology team. And this team works on a variety of things from the Braille displays like the Manus Chameleon to things like Polly.

Jennifer Wenzel:

And my name is Jennifer Wenzel, and I am the product specialist on the Braille and technology team. And so my role is to support Sarah in all of the products that she mentioned and whatever else we do.

Sara Brown:

Great. Now, just give an example of the difference between a product manager and a product specialist. Jennifer, you said you support Sarah, but what might the day in the life be or on a project between the both of you all?

Sarah Welch:

So that kind of varies per team and per product. For some teams, you do a lot of the same tasks. But the biggest difference is at the end of the day, the product manager is the one ultimate responsible. So if something happens, then I'm the one that needs to be ultimately fixing it. But I really appreciate Jennifer and definitely try to get her as involved as she is able to.

Jennifer Wenzel:

Well, and I really appreciate Sarah because we on our team, because it's just the two of us also, we do a lot of collaboration and a lot of work, you know, together. And then we're also able to kind of divide up duties. But like Sarah said, at the end of the day, I have it a little easier because I can pass it off on her. But I don't do that necessarily. But she's the one ultimately responsible for the products.

Sara Brown:

All right. And now we're talking about Paige Braille. So can you talk about working on that and what roles did you both play?

Sarah Welch:

Paige Braille is the name of the company or group that's behind Paige Connect. So Paige Connect is a device that we're working on. And it is basically an attachment you put on the bottom of a Perkins style brailler. And it essentially makes it digital. So it acts like a Bluetooth keyboard. So you're getting the output from pressing down on the physical keys to a Bluetooth connected device.

Jennifer Wenzel:

So this was the first product that I have worked on sort of from its beginning stages. And Sara's really supported me and helped me take more of a lead on this product. And so I have worked with setting up meetings with the vendors, but communicating with the vendors who have been wonderful to work with. And then also worked on helping prepare for field testing for this product. So I've worked with Denise Snow, who's our research strategist, to work on formulating good survey questions. And of course, Sarah was a part of that as well.

Sarah Welch:

And so in general, what we're doing, it really can be looked at as we are working on the U.S. localization of the Paige Connect is a good way to put it. So we didn't make the product originally, but we're working on the localization with these fine people.

Sara Brown:

Okay, and now talk about how this project is different from ones you might have worked on in the past.

Jennifer Wenzel:

This company is just starting. So that makes it different than something like the Mantis or Chameleon where we're partnering with HumanWare, which is a more established company. So we're also working on developing a contract with these two gentlemen for their company. And the product is just starting to be sold or recently has started to be sold in other countries. So it's really exciting to be in at sort of the beginning stages of this product with these two gentlemen. young engineers who have worked on this project.

Sarah Welch:

And that is one of the things that's kind of exciting about this team is for most of our Braille technology products, we are working with other people and other groups. And so it's really exciting to be able to learn and work with all of these diverse people.

Sara Brown:

And when you've got your product and you're in the middle of the project, it gets sent out for field testing, correct?

Sarah Welch:

Yes.

Sara Brown:

That is correct. Now talk about the importance of field testing and some of the feedback you've received. Can you share some of it?

Jennifer Wenzel:

Yeah.

Sarah Welch:

And like Jennifer is saying, I mean, sometimes the feedback we get is constructive or negative, and we definitely want that too. I mean, for example, with Polly, a common complaint we got is one person wrote that they were frustrated with the connection to the Wi-Fi and how that process went. And so we took that information and worked to make that a more streamlined product. So it's really about how can we make this function the best for the people that are using it. Another interesting one going off of how we've used feedback from field testers. For Polly, another feedback we got, and based off that, we actually ended up adding in contracted braille lessons. So that was not there originally. And then we also, based on the field testing, recorded all the audio with professional voice actors because originally just had computer generated. So that was some really exciting developments that came out of field testing.

Sara Brown:

That's super cool to hear how that feedback is incorporated into the final product, because I feel like a lot of people might not believe that my thoughts matter or my feedback isn't going to make a difference. And it really does. So that's super cool. My final question I always like to ask is, is there anything else you all would like to share or discuss about Paige Braille or being product specialists and product managers?

Jennifer Wenzel:

For me, I'm really excited to see how this product might make the Perkins Braille right away which is something people have used for a long time. a little more modern, a little more useful maybe in the classroom. I can see it being a good product for students to be able to get information to their teachers, just short paragraphs, things like that that get written in the classroom. I see a lot of potential for the product and it's great to be involved in this process and really helping make something for the field. And I would encourage anybody who is excited about blindness products to be watching APH for opportunities because it's a great place to work and to really be involved in this incredible field.

Sarah Welch:

And one thing we didn't touch on, Jennifer, is the website that accompanies Paige Connect.

Jennifer Wenzel:

You want to talk a little bit about that? an edit area or a text area and you can edit it, enter it contracted or uncontracted. And that, allows you then to have it translated into print. And you can take that translated text, either it can be seen right away on a connected device, or you could copy that and put it into a Word document for a teacher. It may not be, it has no real editing or formatting capabilities, but for quick translation, it's a wonderful tool. So the website is a great tool to accompany it. You can also use the Paige connect with other online things such as BrailleBrain or UEB online, anything that requires six key entry. The Paige will become that digital entry for those sites.

Sara Brown:

Wow, that's cool to know that. And I will be sure to put a link to that website that you mentioned in there too, Jen, in the show notes. So anybody out there listening can learn more. So thank you both so much for coming on and talking to me on Change Makers.

Sarah Welch:

Thanks for having us. you know, dates are always a bit in flux, but we're hoping to have this out late spring. So be looking for announcements.

Sara Brown:

Absolutely. And thank you again so much for having us, Sara. Again, for anyone looking to learn more about Paige Connect, please check the Show Notes.

Sara Brown:

And in continuing the theme of technology and services that allow individuals who are blind or low vision to work seamlessly alongside individuals who are sighted, we're checking in with APH's Braille Tales. I have Braille Tales coordinator Christine Genovely here to share the latest news. Hello, Christine, and welcome to Change Makers. Thank you. Can you just introduce yourself and share what it is that you do at APH?

Christine Genovely:

Yes, happily. My name is Christine Genovely. I am the prison braille coordinator for the American Printing House for the Blind. And what that means is that I run our local Prison Braille program here in Louisville, Kentucky, that has a team of braille transcribers that transcribe textbooks for students all over the nation. But another aspect of what they do is to produce our Braille Tales program.

Sara Brown:

And give an overview of what Braille Tales is and the service it provides.

Christine Genovely:

Yes, absolutely. Braille Tales is a program run through APH that provides free print Braille books to children who are blind and low vision, but also to children whose parents are blind and low vision. These books are in collaboration with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. So what we do is we take the print books that are used in the Imagination Library program, and then we put clear Braille labels over each Paige. So they're accessible for both print readers and Braille readers. This way, a family can read together and can enjoy these books no matter what type of readers make up the family. And it is completely free and they come directly to your front door.

Sara Brown:

Can you talk about how the books are made accessible?

Christine Genovely:

Yes. So these books, like I said, they're print Braille books, which means they are full print books, children's books that are the same ones that are sent out through the Imagination Library. So we take those books and what we do is we will actually emboss all the story onto clear labels. And then we stick each of those labels on the Paige with the corresponding text so that each Paige can be read in print, but also in And we do that for every book. We also include image descriptions in books where applicable as well. So that way, if you're a print reader, you can follow along with the regular text in the book. But then if you are a Braille reader, you have the Braille right there and you have the image descriptions to accompany each Paige.

Sara Brown:

Now talk about the importance of having books that are accessible for everyone.

Christine Genovely:

Accessibility is paramount for the Braille Tales program. On one hand, this program allows you to create those special moments and memories with your family of curling up with a book before bed, having a favorite story, creating a home library that you can get back to where you're learning your Braille alphabet, where you, you know, have these times with your family where you're sharing together. But even aside from that, the access to literacy is so important because it opens up the world to braille readers. It allows them access to you know, to education, to knowledge, and that allows more independence and participation in society. So while these books are for children, they're cute stories, they're, you know, a great thing to have at home so you can share this time with your family, we also think of it as providing that first stepping stone to allow blind and low vision children that access to the world around them.

Sara Brown:

Okay, and what books are currently available?

Christine Genovely:

Yes, so we have a number of great books that are coming up at the later half of this year. We actually have a "Llama Llama" book that is coming out this year. That's always a very, very popular series and we haven't had one in a couple of years. So we do have a "Llama Llama" book coming up. We also have a book called "A Little Emotional" that is absolutely adorable. It's about a little boy who's learning to deal with very big emotions, and we also have a book called "Spend It," which touches a little bit on, you know, financial intelligence and things like that at a very child-friendly level, but just to sort of plant that seed. And we have a variety of other very, you know, known and lesser known titles coming up as well. And can you talk about the age ranges for participants? Yes, there is. So our program is for children birth to six. So you can sign up anytime within that range. And then once the child hits their sixth birthday, that's when they graduate from the program. And how often are books released? They are released every other month starting in January. So January, March, May, July, September, November, and then starts the next year.

Sara Brown:

How does someone sign up to participate?

Christine Genovely:

On our Braille Tales website. If you go to our website, it's aph.org/ braille-tales. Our application for the Braille Tales program and the change of address form are right there on the top of the Page. They're one of the first things that you see. You are also welcome to email me directly at brailletales@aph.org. If you need a paper application or if you just want to do it that way. However you get in touch with me, we will make it work for you.

Sara Brown:

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Christine Genovely:

Yes. We have a very exciting update to the Braille Tales program. In 2025, we actually launched our Puerto Rico supplement to the program. So we now are offering Puerto Rico completely bilingual books. They are bilingual print, and then they are also transcribed in both Spanish and in English, making them accessible on another level, which we are absolutely thrilled about. So we are hoping that that takes off.

Sara Brown:

Thank you so much Christine, for coming on and talking to me on Change Makers.

Christine Genovely:

Thank you. It was wonderful. I appreciate you having me.

Sara Brown:

And I've put links in the show notes for anyone wanting to sign up for Braille Tales, do a change of address form for Braille Tales, or just to send an email to Braille Tales. Well, they'll respond back to you. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Change Makers. Please check the show notes for additional information about everything you just heard. Also, if you have any questions or comments I want to know, send me an email at changemakers@aph.org. And as always, be sure to look for ways you can be a changemaker this week.