The development of a prototype computer monitor for the blind, utilizing braille characters as opposed to alphanumeric will be pursued during Phase I of this project. By combining current state of the art electronics and utilizing some special hydraulics, a screen could be developed consisting of hydraulically operated miniature pins arranged in a standard braille pattern. The raising and lowering of selected pins would result in braille script that could be read by a blind user. The focus of the research will involve adapting the unique properties of a newly developed fluid into the braille monitor hydraulic system. A braille system prototype consisting of two lines of pins and fifteen characters per line will be developed for this initial investigation.The results of the Phase I research will consist of a working model that will be easily read by a blind user. Phase II would consist of developing a commercially available full screen braille monitor that could be used with almost any computer and with much of todays software. These monitors could be used by the blind for personal use, for business, teaching young and old and for a variety of other purposes. Spinoffs from this research and development could include a new market for special software and additional companies marketing items for the handicapped.
