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Project Summary |
P08 |
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| Project name | An appropriate, low-cost mechanical Braille writer | ||
| Organisation | DTW (Development Technology Workshop) | ||
| Contact |
+44 (0)2476 694717 |
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| Field | DISABILITY: Development of a new technology | Location | Cambodia |
| Description | The
project aims to increase access to communication, community participation,
empowerment, leisure activities, education and employment of blind people
in developing countries through the improvement of a prototype low-cost
mechanical Braille writer. At present 40 million blind people living in
developing countries have not had the chance to learn how to read and
write. The goal is to produce a machine that is suitable for local
manufacture and repair with limited levels of skilled staff and resources,
while reliably producing quality Braille at a target cost of US$85
(current cost of other machines is US$340-700). The existing design will
be modified to address a number of identified problems, and then samples
of two generations of improved machine will be produced for field-testing,
evaluation and further design modifications. The Brailler design will be
then be finalised, further 10 samples built and basic manufacturing,
maintenance and repair manuals compiled. The machines and manuals will be
distributed to selected organisations working in the sector worldwide to
act as a gateway for dissemination of technology. The machines will use
sustainable technology easily replicable in a broad range of countries and
will be promoted as widely as possible for manufacture. Project
collaborators include the University
of Warwick, Sightsavers
International, and organisations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand. |
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| Budget | £49,075 | Proportion from KaR | All |