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News coverage, announcements, and reporting pulled from trusted accessibility, blindness, and disability sources.
Orbit Research has released a new firmware update, version B0.xx.00.69rxx, for the Orbit Reader 20 braille display. Users upgrading from version B0.xx.00.69r36 or earlier should review additional instructions before installing, with the update available through Orbit Research's Support menu.
Source: Braillists Foundation
Orbit Research has released firmware version A1.xx.00.09r62 for the Orbit Reader 20 Plus, bringing new features and improvements. Users on older firmware versions should check specific update instructions before installing.
Source: Braillists Foundation
Orbit Research has announced that BARD support is coming to both the Orbit Speak Plus and the Orbit Player starting July 15. The update lets users browse and download titles from the NLS BARD library directly over Wi-Fi, with braille titles read aloud through text-to-speech.
Source: Braillists Foundation
Developer Harri Pasanen has refreshed MBraille Desktop for Windows, making the free notetaking and typing app fully self-voicing after NVDA and JAWS struggled to navigate it. Users are advised to suspend their screen readers while running the updated software.
Source: Braillists Foundation
The American Printing House for the Blind has released BrailleBlaster 3.2.2, a free update to its braille transcription software featuring improvements to table handling and fixes for the backspace and delete keys. The update is available now as a free download from the BrailleBlaster website.
Source: Braillists Foundation
Developer André Polykanine has released SharpLouis, a .NET wrapper for the LibLouis Braille translation library, giving C# developers an easier way to add Braille translation to desktop software. The tool, now at version 2.0, bundles LibLouis directly so developers don't need to manage a separate installation.
Source: Braillists Foundation
BBC's In Touch program examines the future of braille as it adapts alongside modern assistive technology, featuring young braillists from St Vincent's School in Liverpool and three experienced braille users. The episode is available now on the BBC website.
Source: Braillists Foundation
The New Horizons radio programme from Blind Citizens Australia has returned with a series covering the 2026 conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities. The coverage gives listeners insight into discussions shaping accessible information for blind and low vision communities.
Source: Braillists Foundation
Richard Turner has published the recording and full transcript from the July 2026 Orbit Research Zoom meeting on his website. Both files join his growing archive of past Orbit Research meeting recordings, giving the blind and low vision community easy access to company updates and discussions.
Source: Braillists Foundation
NV Access's weekly blog update opens with news of the passing of community figure Rui Fontes, followed by the release of NVDA 2026.2 Beta 7 and introductions of a new Access Point System and Accessibility Repair Tool. Voice of the Blind breaks down what was announced in this week's roundup.
Source: NV Access
Paul Healy receives the 2026 R.B. Irwin Award for his dedication to employment opportunities for the blind community.
Source: National Industries for the Blind
LG Electronics presents AI and IoT solutions to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Source: PR Newswire