edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
NBP’s Braille All-Stars
National Braille Press (NBP) raised more than $330,000 for Braille Literacy at its annual gala with the help of their Braille All-Stars. The gala was held on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at Fenway Park in Boston. The Braille All-Stars, many of whom are blind and low-vision, are braille users whose lives have been positively impacted by the use of the raised dot system, which they read with their fingers.
The 2023 Braille All-Stars are:
- Edward Bell, Ruston, La.
- Chris Devin, Quincy, Mass.
- Judith Dixon, Washington, D.C.
- Larry Haile, Cambridge, Mass.
- Lisamaria Martinez, Union City, Calif.
- Paul Parravano, Arlington, Mass.
- Gina Quintanilla, Burlington, Mass.
- Paul Schroeder, Silver Spring, Md.
- Janet Ulwick-Sacca, Gloucester, Mass.
Future Braille All-Stars are the next generation of braille advocates:
- Sanibel Davis, 8, Andover, Mass.
- Matthew de Brigard, 14, Gloucester, Mass.
- David Ducasse, 9, Malden, Mass.
ScripTalk Mobile App Now Available on Blindshell Classic 2 Phones
The popular ScripTalk Mobile App is now available inside the BlindShell Classic 2 and all future versions of the phone. This addition will allow the BlindShell phone to read ScripTalk Talking Labels available at no cost at thousands of participating pharmacies throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The small ScripTalk Talking Label is placed onto the prescription medication by a pharmacist, typically on the bottom of the bottle. By holding the tag up to the back of a BlindShell phone, the patient can now hear all the label information out loud through the app. A ScripTalk Station Reader is also available free on loan for patients who prefer not to use an app. For more information, visit https://www.envisionamerica.com/post/the-scriptalk-mobile-app-is-now-available-on-blindshell-classic-2-phones.
New from National Braille Press
Now available from National Braille Press is “Getting Started with Google Suite 2023.” It’s available in braille, BRF, and Word. The Mystic Access team guides you through downloading, installing, navigating, and using Gmail, Chrome, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Calendar on a PC, with helpful notes about Mac and mobile devices as well. For a preview, check out the table of contents at https://shop.nbp.org/products/getting-started-with-google-suite.
Also available are the iOS 16 Reference Card and the Algebra I SparkChart.
New in the children’s section is “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez,” by Andrea Beaty. It’s available in contracted braille (UEB) for ages 3 to 7.
For more information, call toll-free, 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org.