Software and Microcontroller Implementation for a Braille Teaching Device

Abstract

<p>Despite all the technological advancements, the accessibility of Braille has declined in recent years. Less than 10% of the United States population is capable of reading Braille and less than 10% of children are currently learning it. The Braille Teaching Device aims to create a practical and affordable solution that allows a person to learn with an assistant or on their own. Development of a computer application that integrates numerous computer hardware and software components into a single package is necessary for efficiency and accessibility. Written in C#, the program interacts with an Arduino microcontroller, MATLAB and a Braille Teaching Device to help teach a person how to read Braille. The microcontroller must also be programmed to communicate between the software and hardware; determining which letters are to be displayed on the device and allowing an external form of GUI navigation. The program provides several ways of teaching Braille, allowing a person to continuously challenge themselves while learning. Working with a partner, a person can choose words from a pre-defined database or use their own words if they desire. Alternatively, a person can be tested using a random selection of words. Should a person desire to independently learn, the program allows interaction with Speech Recognition software that takes in a vocal response and determines if the correct word is identified. The program also records statistics for each test, allowing the reader to track and identify their progress over time.</p>