Making eBooks accessible to blind Braille readers

Abstract

This paper presents the design and preliminary prototype of the TactoBook, a novel reading assistive device for the blind that is able to reproduce electronic books (eBooks) in portable electronic tactile displays. The TactoBook consists of a computer-based system that translates fast and automatically any eBook into Braille. The Braille version of the eBook is then stored in a USB memory drive which is later inserted and reproduced in a compact, lightweight and highly-portable tactile display. Braille readers can access published information immediately and store multiple eBooks in the same device without carrying the burdensome tactile print versions.