KY Office for the Blind	Advanced Search

Review of the new "Braille Shaker"
By Wayne D. Thompson
(first appeared in the January 1990 issue of KDFB's newsletter, "Surprise")

Assistive Technology Services recently received one of the new Braille
Shakers just released by Blind Faith Technology, Inc. We have done
extensive testing of this device and found it to be quite extraordinary and
certain to revolutionize braille printing.

The device is shaped much like an ordinary salt shaker. The top is
removable and can be connected to the serial port of your computer. To
produce braille documents, simply dump the document you want printed to the
serial port of your computer with the Braille Shaker top connected. Then
fill the Braille Shaker jar about three-fourths full of braille dots. An
ample supply of dots is furnished with each device and additional 50 gallon
drums of dots can be ordered. Next, screw the top back onto the Braille
Shaker. Turn the Braille Shaker upside down over a piece of paper and start
shaking. The Braille Shaker will automatically place the dots on the page
in the correct patterns. Your shaking method is not critical although we
got best results while trying not to breathe as the dots fell. Be sure to
avoid printing with the Braille Shaker near furnace ducts, open windows and
doors, and of course, ceiling fans.

Each dot is coated with a special adhesive that activates upon contact
with any surface. Many pages of braille can be produced in a short time
although wrist fatigue may affect overall output. Our testing did reveal
that spilled dots can be a problem. To avoid speckled clothing, the company
supplies a dot-proof raincoat and shoes that must be worn by the operator.
Also, a spilled Braille Shaker will result in sticky floors and carpets.
(We had to abandon our shoes during one accident.)

We found the Braille Shaker to be an excellent device for producing
braille. It's also delicious sprinkled over popcorn; a fact not mentioned
in the user's manual. The optional Braille Scraper allows the recovery and
reuse of dots from old printouts. Special non-stick gloves are furnished to
allow transfer of the dots back to the 50 gallon drum.

Although the Braille Shaker itself is inexpensive at $.89, the braille
dots cost $10,000 per 50 gallon drum. Jumbo Braille is $12,000 per drum.
Blind Faith Technology, Inc. periodically holds training seminars on shaking
techniques and safe dot handling. They have an 800 number available to call
for an emergency clean-up crew should a major spillage occur. All these
factors combine to make, in our opinion, an excellent product and service to
those wanting to be on the cutting edge of braille printing technology.

(Later update - ATS staff memo, September 1992)
I'm sorry to report that production of the much publicized
Braille Shaker has hit a manufacturing snag. It seems that
an unknown quantity of braille dots stored in a silo at the
manufacturing plant have been leaking into a local stream
and are being eagerly consumed by the native fish population.
This would normally be of little concern except that the
area is now flocking with nature enthusiasts hoping to see
what they think is the very rare "speckled salmon".
Wayne T.

  (Return to "Successful Applications of Assistive Technology")

Kentucky Office for the Blind
P.O. Box 757    209 St. Clair Street    Frankfort, Kentucky    40602-0757     USA
Phone (Toll Free): 800-321-6668  or  877-592-5463   Phone: 502-564-4754
   Fax: 502-564-2951     TDD: 502-564-2929
Website Administrator -- blind@ky.gov
Home | Administration | Consumer Services | Employer Services | What's New | Search
Disclaimer Statement | Privacy Notice | Individuals with Disabilities | Comments

This page was last updated on December 30, 2002