,design+ ! ,canute )! bl commun;y
,date3 #g? ( ,m>*1 #bjaf
,au?or3 ,$ ,rog]s1
,director ( ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology
,,cic
,3tact3
,address3 ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology ,,cic1
,bri/ol ,hackspace _/ ;,g#ad1
,,bv ,/udios1 #cg ,philip ,/reet1
,bri/ol1 ,,bs#c #d;,,ea1
,unit$ ,k+dom
,tel3 "6#ddgijhefibad
,email3
ed.rogers(at)bristolbraille.co.uk
                ,ab/ract
,too (t5 bl us]s f9d !mvs z passive
recipi5ts ( assi/ive te*nology : !y get
ll *oice ov]2 ei 2c x is s exp5sive t x
is only available by a prescriptive h&-\
s*eme1 or 2c ! device 0 design$ ) m9imal
9put f ! wid] bl commun;y4
,? pap] w expla9 h[ ! ,brailli/s,0 model
up-5ds ? 5titl$ p[].s;s by 5t]+ 9to a
"pn]%ip ) te*nology companies f ! e>ly
/ages4 ,x w describe h[ ! ,canute     #a
"- a radically af=dable1 multi-l9e ,brl
;e-read] "- 0 co-develop$ by a bl
commun;y gr\p call$ ! ,brailli/s &a
company ( si<t$ 5g9e]s call$ ,bri/ol
,brl ,te*nology4 ,x w >gue ! case = grt]
use ( ? ^8no?+ ab u )\t u^0 model 9 !
assi/ive te*nology 9du/ry to r$uce !
p]cvd 4t.e 2t ^? :o us$ ,brl & ^? :o
develop$ ! te*nology >.d x4
----------------------------------------
               ,backgr.d
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology#a  _h be5
develop+ refre%able ,brl 3cepts s9ce xs
9corpora;n z n-=-pr(it social 5t]prise 9
#bjaa1 alw )! aim ( help+ to r"ese !
decl9e 9 ,brl lit]acy#b  4 ,late 9 #bjab
we 2gan "w on \r f/ multi-l9e 3cept2
,canute1 : w co/ less ?an a ,p]k9s ,brlr
or an i,pad4 ,canute demon/rates ! co/ (
electronic ,brl c 2 r$uc$ to
approximately @s#a p] cell1 ) up to #af
l9es ( ,brl4 ,? is 9t5d$ to put digital
,brl )9 ! budgets ( bl p all >.d ! _w1
/>t+ )! #he.0 ( bl p 9 ,brita9 :o >e
unable to af=d exi/+ ,brl 4plays#4c   #b
,by e>ly #bjad ! core ,canute te*nology
_h be5 develop$ to ! /age ": x 0 cle> t
! idea _h promise4 ,9 #bjad ! company
3si/$ ( half a doz5 si<t$ 5g9e]s "w+
"p-"t1 ) _m volunte]+ _! lab\r4 ,x
op]ates \ (a %>$ commun;y "w%op call$ !
,bri/ol ,hackspace & _h1 at ! "t1 no m
?an @l#aj1#jjj 9 back+4 ,! team "!=e
recognis$ t ! sev]e limita;ns ( m"oy1 "t
&a lack ( direct p]sonal exp]i;e ) bl;s
made !m 9capable ( prop]ly exploit+ ?
excit+ new me*anism4 ,z a result a meet+
2t a doz5 ,brl 5?usia/s f ! local >ea &!
company 0 >rang$#4d
,at ! f/ meet+ ! company expla9$ xs aim
( help+ to r"ese ! decl9e 9 ,brl lit]acy
& ask$ ^? assembl$ _! view on ,brl z a
m$ium4 ,a common refra9 0 a p]cvd 4t.e
2t ^? :o us$ ,brl & ^? :o develop$ !
te*nology >.d x2 a s5se t !y 7 2+
,8gift$,0 solu;ns r ?an 2+ 3sult$ or
pres5t$ ) g5u9e op;ns4
,! meet+ _h be5 3v5$ )! fairly simple
goal "<=! company"> ( f9d+ ,brl us]s
will+ to volunte] _! "t to te/ &      #c
fe$back on ! ,canute4 ,h["e x qkly 2came
cle> t "! 0 an opportun;y = "s?+ f> m
significant2 a g5u9e "pn]%ip 2t 5g9e]s &
,brl us]s4 ,! =m] _h ! b>e m9imum
res\rces nec to develop prototypes1 b
n"o (! exp]i;e or m>ket rese>*
----------------------------------------
requir$ to turn ? 9to a viable product4
,! latt] possess$ a weal? ( p]sonal &
pr(es.nal exp]i;e ) bl;s & ,brl1 ( xs
/r5g?s relative to o!r m$iums1 (! uses
to : x cd 2 put t 7 2+ *ronically
"u-explor$ ) curr5t te*nology1 b felt
4emp[]$ & unable to %ape ,brl te*nology4
,ov] ! next c\ple ( meet+s ? gr\p ( ,brl
us]s decid$ to ann\nce !mvs z a sep>ate
& 9dep5d5t commun;y advocacy gr\p call$
! ,bri/ol ,brailli/s1#e  ) an aim t cd 2
express$ )! say+1 ^8,no?+ ab u )\t
u^0#4f  ,af ,si<t ,village #bjad1 :5 !
,brailli/s 7 repres5t$ by memb]s (!
,canute team1#g    #h  _! numb]s swell$
to ov] ei<ty4 ,by mid-#bjae !y _h 2come
simply ! ,brailli/s1 ) gr\ps 9 ,bri/ol1
,dubl9 & ,read+ & an "e 9creas+       #d
memb]%ip4 ,at ! />t ( #bjaf ! ,brailli/s
/&s at ov] two hundr$1 is pois$ to op5
new gr\ps >.d ! ,,uk 9 ,%effield1
,london1 ,birm+ham & ,worce/] & is 9 !
process ( regi/]+ z a *>;y#4i
,? gr[? has be5 fuell$ by bo? ! promise
( play+ an active role 9 promot+ !
m$ium1 ! *.e to %ape ! te*nologies t
relate to x & by an ass];n ( equal;y 9
^! develop;t "pn]%ips ) companies l
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology4 ,^! "pn]%ips >e
only "o aspect ( h[ ! ,brailli/s aim to
promote ! m$ium1 b x is ! ma9 aspect t ?
pap] w focus on4
,mean:ile develop;t (! ,canute _h 5t]$ a
f> m rapid phase#4aj  ,! commit;t to
regul> design & te/+ meet+s )!
,brailli/s1 : kept ! team focus$ & held
x to acc.t )! p :o wd 2 us+ ! te*nology1
gave ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology ! impetus &
drive x ne$$4 ,? comb9$ ) grt] fund9g#aa
 "<z a result (! m compell+ case &
9creas$ cr$ibil;y ! "pn]%ip gave !
project"> propell$ ! ,canute f a two
cell prototype e>ly 9 #bjad to a      #e
#aab cell prototype by mid-#bjae4ab  ,!
next design is due 9 ,april #bjaf & w h
ei #bef or #eab cells1 comply+ 5tirely
)! late/ plans set )& by ! ,brailli/s4
----------------------------------------
          ,h[ x "ws 9 practice
#a">,! core te*nology = 4play+ digital
,brl is develop$ by ! 5g9e]+ team :o h
be5 brief$ on ! us]'s ne$s by "o or a
numb] (! ,brailli/s4 ,^! brief+s c 2
9=mal "- s* z by att5d+ ,brailli/s
meet+s "- or =mal "- s* z bl aw>e;s
ses.ns giv5 by pr(es.nal accessibil;y
advis]s f )9 ! ,brailli/s4 ,^! brief+s w
!n help %ape ! te*nological specifica;n4
,= example3 ,few 9 ! ,canute team 7 aw>e
(! range ( =ms bl;s takes &! range (
exp]i;e ) ,brl us]s w h4 ,"o 3sequ;e ( ?
is t :ile ! v exp]i;ed ,brl us] may
pref] s(t] dots "<i4;e4 depress+ easily
on 3tact">1 ^! c 2 tr\ble"s = le>n]s1 ^?
:o g bl lat] 9 life or us]s ) diabetes4
,? k l$ to ! team focus+ on h>d dots "<:
_c 2 depress$ at all & >e (t5 comp>$ to
signage ,brl">4                       #f
#b">,! core te*nology is pres5t$ to !
,brailli/s 9 a ,8nak$,0 =m2 i4;e4 )\t
]gonomic or us] 9t]face features4 ,? is
to *eck t ! ,brl xf is ( suffici5t
qual;y4 ,a debate !n 5sures ab ! be/ use
! te*nology cd 2 put to1 giv5 ! commonly
"u/ood aim ( help+ to r"ese ! decl9e 9
,brl lit]acy4 ,9 ? debate ! 5g9e]s w
frankly describe ! limita;ns (!
te*nology ) reg>ds to ea* propos$
use-case "<;e4;g4 ebook read] =
9dividuals1 multi-us] textbook read] =
s*ools1 @&;c">4
,= example3 ,e>ly ,canute prototypes
"<mk#a?#f"> _h ! dots tempor>ily raise
alm a c5timetre abv ! surface :ile !
5tire page refre%$ "<l9e by l9e refre% 0
n at t po9t possible">4 ,? 0 a result (a
nec simplifica;n (! me*anics1 )\t : x wd
h be5 impossible to complete ! e>ly
prototypes4 ,advice rcvd previ\sly _h
9si/$ t ? wd 2 unacceptable to a us] =
read+ m ?an a few l9es4 ,h["e once
expla9$ to ! ,brailli/s !y n>r[$ d[n !
uses : cd / 2 mean+;lly te/$ 9 !      #g
field "<prim>ily ebook read] = us]s try+
to improve _! ,brl skills"> & design$ a
te/ programme : accommodat$ ?4 ,! late/
,canute
----------------------------------------
"<! ,mk#h"> no l;g] has ? limita;n1 b ?
compromise at ! "t 0 important = all[+
progress to 3t9ue4
#c">,! previ\s two /eps may h to 2
repeat$ a numb] ( "ts 2f a 3s5sus is
rea*$ "<especially if ! c\rse (! project
is alt]$ by hi!rto unrealis$ me*anical
issues 9 ! design">4 ,b once x is ! team
w 3t9ue to return to ! ,brailli/s z !y
develop ! ma*9e1 ?us *eck+ xs progress
t[>ds ! agre$ specifica;n4
,= example3 ,! ,canute ,mk#e "<#ab cells
by #d l9es ( ,brl"> 0 a significant
improve;t 9 ! ov]all reliabil;y (! ,brl
patt]ns r5d]$1 b 9 do+ s _h unwitt+ly
compromis$ ! qual;y (! dots1 : _h 2come
irregul> 9 _! pr(ile4 ,meet+ !
,brailli/s =a bi-mon?ly cat*-up flagg$ ?
issue1 result+ 9 a delay 9 mov+ on to !
next prototype 9 fav\r ( an revis$    #h
,mk#e4
#d">,once ! ma*9e has be5 demon/rat$ to
meet ? basic specifica;n ! ,brailli/s w
run a te/+ programme am;g/ xs memb]s1 :5
prototype units >e loan$ to bl p = use 9
_! [n homes1 or assi/ ! runn+ (a te/+
programme ) xs 3tacts else": 9 ! bl
commun;y4 ,dur+ ? programme ! ,brailli/s
directly 9volv$ 9 te/+ w meet regul>ly
to fe$back to bo? ! re/ (! memb]s &!
5g9e]+ team4 ,? fe$back =ms ! basis =a
revis$ & improv$ ma*9e4 ,? 3t9ues until
! ma*9e is deem$ ready = m>ket#4ac
,= example3 ,dur+ ! c\rse (! ,mk#f te/+
programme ! us] 9t]face "<i4;e4 m5u
/ructure1 face-buttons & me?ods = load+
ebooks onto x"> 0 compreh5sively
r$esign$ by ! ,brailli/s4 ,! revis$
lay\t 0 pres5t$ to ! 5g9e]+ team at ! 5d
(! programme1 :o h s9ce imple;t$ x fully
9 bo? h>dw>e & s(tw>e4
,by ^! means a small n-=-pr(it company1
asset-lock$ to ! bl commun;y1#ad
prim>ily /aff$ by ! si<t$1 c use;lly
s]ve ! ne$s ( ,brl us]s >.d ! _w4     #i
,& ^? ,brl us]s c h a ma*9e : 0 design$
)& by !m
----------------------------------------
r ?an = !m4 ,"! >e a numb] ( reasons :y
? "picul> model has "w$ s well = bo?
"pies ov] ! pa/ few ye>s4 ,^! reasons al
expla9 :y ! model des]ves to 2 m widely
3sid]$ )9 ! assi/ive te*nology 9du/ry4
    ,2+ l$ by #c1#jjj ye>s ( exp]i;e
,"! is curr5tly a prolif]a;n (
5trepr5eurial te*nology />t-ups1
9cubators & accel]ator programmes#4ae
,^! pres5t opportunities = bl accessible
te*nology z !y >e 3/antly se>*+ "s?+ to
^8solve^0 & new m>kets to 4rupt4 ,! bl
commun;y wd d well to 2 ru?.s 9 corn]+
xs %>e ( ? gr[? 9 9nova;n2 n j by 5gag+
& 5c\rag+ bl 5trepr5eurs1 b al by
exploit+ ! l>g] pool ( si<t$
5trepr5eurs4 ,! =m] "- p]h be/ repres5t$
by ,,nv ,access#af
#a">,si<t$ 5trepr5eurs commonly h ll to
no exp]i;e ( bl;s1 let al"o ( "s?+ m
specific l ,brl4 ,m* ( _! "t is liable
to 2 wa/$ attempt+ to lead !         #aj
solu;n 2c t is ! role t an 5trepr5eur
may feel !y %d play4 ,? is h>dly ! fault
( 9dividuals 9volv$2 x is a natural
result ( \r society's curr5t 5?usiasm =
/ories ( miracul\s ov]-ni<t success &!
4ruptive pot5tial ( />t-ups#4ag
#b">,"! is a dang] ( ? "pn]%ip appe>+
unequal1 especially if "o "py is "u !
impres.n t x is do+ *>itable "w =! o!r
"py1 : is !n expect$ to %[ gratitude =!
results4 ,? c (t5 2 p]cvd to 2 ! case =
assi/ive te*nology = bl p & has !
pot5tial to lead ll fur!r ?an mutual
res5t;t4
,by approa*+ ? 5trepr5eurial space z a
collective l ! ,brailli/s1 : has
e/abli%$ 9 adv.e bo? xs aims & xs
means1#ah  ^? problems c 2 avoid$2
----------------------------------------
,address+ #a">,r ?an lead+ ! solu;n1 !
5trepr5eur may 2 m use;lly 5gag$ l5d+ _!
tal5ts & 5]gies to a solu;n "w$ \
al;gside ^? :o h liv$ 9 t _w#4ai    #bj
,9de$1 :ile ! 5trepr5eur may well h
s"eal ye>s or decades ( exp]i;e      #aa
produc+ v>i\s assi/ive te*nology
products ! ,brailli/s h1 z an example1
>.d #c1#jjj ye>s ( collective exp]i;e )
,brl#4ba  ,b ? c only 2 realis$ if ! bl
us]s >e pro-active ) _! assi/.e1 ?us
reassur+ ! 5trepr5eur t _! "pn]s realise
! risks 2+ tak5 by ! company 9 develop+
a new product4
,address+ #b">,to avoid a
b5efactor_/cli5t rela;n%ip ! ,brailli/s
e/abli%$ a modus op]&i to =malise ^!
rela;n%ips4 ,x =m$ ov] ! c\rse ( two
ye>s ( debate & practice1 revolv+
especially >.d ! ,canute project4 ,to
dcl 9dep5d;e f ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology1
"!=e to dcl t xf m ?an a focus gr\p1 0
only ! />t4 ,! mo/ important aspect has
be5 ! e/abli%;t (! pr9ciple ( 3/ructive
5gage;t2 9 o!r ^ws1 ! assump;n ( 9flu;e
& responsibil;y r ?an ! assump;n (
4emp[];t & 5title;t4 ,"!=e :5 !
,brailli/s seek \ new "pn]%ips )
5trepr5eurs !y 9si/ f ! />t ^! "pn]%ips
>e symbiotic r ?an *>itable#4bb
,my [n exp]i;e is illu/rative4 ,=    #ab
_m ye>s "- 9de$ s9ce #bjjh1 2f />t+
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology 9 #bjaa "- ,i 0
a si<t$ p]son attempt+ to solve a bl
p]son's ,8problem,0 "<lack ( af=dable
digital ,brl">4 ,progress 0 pa9;lly sl[
until we f.d$ ! ,brailli/s#4bc  ,i h no
d\bt x wd h rema9$ sl[1 b ev5 _h x n1 x
wd 2 hi<ly unlikely to h progress$ 9 !
"r direc;n4 ,no less importantly !
exp]i;e has be5 grtly morale boo/+4 ,!
5?usiasm ) : ! ,canute ,mk#e 0 rcvd by !
,brailli/s 2came ! prim>y motivator =!
team :5 2g9n+ "w on ! hi<ly ambiti\s
,mk#f1 :ile ! demon/ra;ns (! ,canute's
progress 7 al crucial 9 b9d+ tgr ! e>ly
,brailli/s4
,! rela;n%ip is n simply a matt] (
humil;y on ! "p (! 5trepr5eur &!
assump;n ( responsibil;y on ! "p (!
,brailli/s2 x is a wei<t lift$ z bo?
"pies
----------------------------------------
c take on ! roles !y >e be/ suit$ to1
boo/$ by a %>$ 5?usiasm4
   ,! ,9t]na;nal ,mak] ,move;t       #ac
,? meld+ ( small companies &! commun;y
is especially important = assi/ive
te*nology = bl p 2c (! 4p>ate &
relatively ni*e nature (! m>ket1 n to
m5;n ! uniquely *all5g+ 5g9e]+ 3sid]a;ns
9nate to ,brl & o!r tactile m$iums#4bd
,":as ,8ma9/ream,0 te*nological adv.es c
2 f9.ed on ! hope ( hundr$s ( ?\s&s (
sales1 ? is n alw possible 9 ! assi/ive
te*nology m>ket4 ,ev5 :5 hundr$s ( ?\s&s
( sales >e feasible1 !y >e likely to
require f> m 9t5sive "<& "!=e exp5sive">
ef=ts on ! "p (! 4tributors to secure4
,? is 9evitable giv5 t bl p >e n only 9
a m9or;y1 b divid$ by ! degrees &
"picul>ities ( _! visual impair;ts4 ,9 !
case ( ,brl only a small m9or;y (a small
m9or;y c b5efit f x z a prim>y m$ium1 &
!y >e (t5 socially isolat$1 "!=e ev5 m
difficult to rea*#4be    #bf
,at ! same "t ! 5g9e]+ *all5ge 2h _m
aspects ( bl accessible te*nology1 mo/
"picul>ly ,brl1 requires wd-be 9novators
to take grt] risks ) :at (t5 turn \ to 2
te*nological dead-5ds#4bg  ,!        #ad
,canute is ! f\r? 3cept ,bri/ol ,brl
,te*nology has s]i\sly pursu$ & x has _h
to g "? at lea/ ?ree major r$esigns1
completely replac+ ! c5tral me*anisms4
,ma9/ream electro-me*anical develop;t
has g"o 9 l>gely non-tactile direc;ns
ov] ! pa/ decades1 lead+ to ! situa;n
refre%able ,brl n[ f9ds xf in2 rely+ on
#dj ye> old piezo-electrical te*nology
to drive a s+le ,brl l9e matrix (
p9s#4bh
,s ! pot5tial f9ancial rew>ds may 2
significantly l[] :5 develop+ bl
accessible te*nology1 :ile ! risks c 2
grtly hi<]4 ,! 9du/ry cd 3t9ue to wait =
ma9/ream te*nological develop;t to solve
xs problems "<z a by-product (
----------------------------------------
cat]+ to "s m* l>g] m>ket">4 ,or x cd
p]h advocate = philan?ropi/s to take t
l[-rew>d hi<-risk bet on xs 2half#4bi
,! ,brailli/s rela;n%ip ) ,bri/ol ,brl
,te*nology demon/rates a ?ird op;n : is
especially well suit$ to ! develop;t (
bl accessible te*nology & cd 2 m     #ae
widely appli$ ?an x curr5tly is4 ,x c 2
se5 z an ext5.n (! 9t]na;nal ^8mak]
move;t^01#cj  be/ express$ by
^8hackspaces^01#ca  ^8hack] spaces^0#cb
1 ^8fab-labs^0 & ^8mak] spaces^04 ,9 ^!
commun;y "w%ops memb]s pay small mon?ly
fees to h full access to ! k9d ( tools1
ma*9es & compon5t /ocks : wd only
normally 2 available to l>ge e/abli%$
rese>* & develop;t companies#4cc  ,?
pool+ ( res\rces requires a c]ta9 mutual
respect =& tru/ 9 fell[ memb]s1 !
results ( : c 2 a f> m effici5t use (
ma*9es & space &a f> m rapid it]a;n (
3cepts & designs1 produc$ by p f all
mann] ( backgr.ds & means#4cd
,x foll[s t ! co-op]a;n 9h]5t to !
,brailli/s model1 z x applies to !
,canute project1 pools ! tal5ts1
res\rces & exp]i;es ( hundr$s ( bl ,brl
us]s ) n only ! 5g9e]+ team1 b )! comb9$
res\rces (! ,bri/ol ,hackspace1 : xf has
ov] a hundr$ memb]s4 ,9de$ "! >e memb]s
(! ,brailli/s >e ke5 to g fur!r &
9ve/igate "pn]+ ) bl-accessible      #af
mak] spaces1#ce
,no s+le "py 9 ? >range;t wd 2 capable (
mak+ mean+;l *ange 9 ! ,brl m>ket on xs
[n4 ,collectively !y c make dramatic
*anges4 ,tak+ ? approa* ! risks >e f>
l[]2 a company c 2 flexible 9 xs
processes z ! facilities & res\rces
provid$ by ! communal "w%op &!
,brailli/s meet+ gr\ps exempts x f _m
exp5sive 9itial commit;ts1 s* z tool+1
ext5sive m>ket rese>* & v>i\s
adm9i/rative ov]heads4 ,= m* ! same
reasons ! l[] pot5tial rew>d is less
significant2 n only does x n h hi<
rese>* & develop;t co/s to (fset1 x al
has a ready-made e>ly adopt] net"w on :
x c rely4
----------------------------------------
        ,3nect+ )! wid] commun;y
,9 ord] to kick />t ? new ,brailli/s
organisa;n1 : x 0 hop$ wd repres5t ,brl
us]s,0 9t]e/s by pro-active 5gage;t1
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology _h to put xf 9
an app>5tly vuln]able posi;n4
#a">,x committ$ to recruit+          #ag
9dividuals to ! ,brailli/s mail+ li/s r
?an xs [n1#cf  ev5 :5 an 9dividual's
3fess$ 9t]e/ 0 5tirely 9 ! ,canute4 ,alm
all ^! p *ose to jo9 & 5gage )!
,brailli/s z a result4 ,9 o!r ^ws
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology 3c5trat$ on
build+ up an 9dep5d5t commun;y )a broad]
range ( 3c]ns ?an xs [n product1 n on
accumulat+ a cu/om] base4 ,9 do+ s x 0
bank+ on ! 3t9u$ frli;s ( ? commun;y
t[>ds ! ,canute project4
#b">,x 0 completely c&id ) att5dees (
meet+s ab ! te*nology 2h ! ,canute1 ev5
?\< ^! att5dees 7 n vett$4 ,9/ead x 0
expla9$ at ! 2g9n+ ( ea* meet+ t !
proce$+s may 9clude "s 3fid5tial 9=ma;n
n to 2 %>$1 t ! "s prototypes may well 2
unf9i%$ or brok51 t ! m>ket /rategy may
/ h flaws1 b t ? level ( c&id;s 0 nec =
mean+;l co-develop;t4
#c">,x has 3t9u$ to sponsor ! ,brailli/s
= two ye>s by cov]+ lab\r1 travel &
meet+ co/s1 despite v 9secure ,canute
project f9.es4
,? vuln]abil;y has translat$ 9to a   #ah
/r5g?"- ev5 2f ! ,canute has g"o to
m>ket ! divid5ds ( ? approa* h be5 grt4
,! ,brailli/s memb]s 3tra/$ x )!
excessive secrecy & clos$ (f nature ( _m
o!r projects : h1 ov] ! ye>s1 attempt$ &
fail$ to r$uce ! price ( digital ,brl1
leav+ ll explana;n & _m da%$
expecta;ns#4cg    #ch  ,z a 3sequ;e !y h
be5 will+ to reciprocate by putt+ f> m
tru/ 9 ,canute & go+ to grt l5g?s to
9troduce ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology 9to
relat$ net"ws ( us]s & pr(es.nals#4ci
----------------------------------------
,by ^! means ! ,canute project has f.d
frs 9 ! ,na;nal ,c\ncil (! ,bl ( ,irel&1
,*ild,vi.n1 ,new ,college ,worce/] &
else":#4dj  ,:ile x wd no d\bt h be5
possible to h made ^! 3nexions )\t !
,brailli/s1 x wd h be5 f> m difficult &!
rela;n%ips wd h be5 less accommodat+ &
less op54 ,by plac+ xs tru/ 9 !
,brailli/s ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology ga9s
m 9timate access to ! wid] bl commun;y
?an x cd h by o!r means4 ,? widespread
pro-active back+ eases ! r\te to     #ai
m>ket =1 s l;g z ! ,brailli/s 3t9ues to
exp&1 ! numb] ( ,brl us]s ) "s sort (
/ake 9 ,canute's success 3t9ues to
9crease4 ,at ! same "t ! expan.n (!
,brailli/s br+s grt] 3tact ) organisa;ns
:o >e ke5 to field te/ units 9
3trollable 5viron;ts4
,x is h>d =a small1 \tsid] company to
make in-roads 9to :at (t5 appe>s to 2 a
clos$ m>ket1 or ev5 to "k ": to look =
^? in-roads4 ,b by ally+ xf closely )!
,brailli/s or a simil> commun;y gr\p1 by
focus+ xs public;y ef=ts on promot+ ?
gr\p 9/ead ( xs [n n>r[ 9t]e/s1 x c ga9
access to self-3ta9$ m>kets on : x c
build e>ly m>ket p5etra;n4
             ,cl>;y & focus
,"o 3sequ;e (! ,brailli/s lead+ role 9
def9+ ! ,canute's design & e>ly /age
m>ket posi;n+ has be5 ! cl>;y ( xs focus
on $uca;n & lit]>y 3sump;n4
,2f "pn]+ )! ,brailli/s ! ,canute team
_h tak5 ! 3v5;nal approa* ( seek+ \ !
advice ( exp]ts 9 ! field & /udy+ m>ket
rese>* d"o by organisa;ns s* z !     #bj
,royal ,na;nal ,9/itute ( ,bl ,p#4da  ,b
2c ? rese>* & ^! 9t]ac;ns took ! =m (
^8,canute is a promis+ te*nology2 :at %d
we d ) x8^0 ! answ]s t5d$ to 2 al>m+ly
unreali/ic 9 _! expecta;ns & scope4 ,!
refre% spe$ %d 2 no m ?an ;,x1 x w ne$
to rea* ;,y _m p 9 ! f/ ?ree ye>s to
make a diff];e1 "ey"o expects x to "w )
;,z1 &( c\rse x w
----------------------------------------
h to mat* or surpass ! feature-set (
"ey?+ f ,a to ;,w4 ,! palette ( op;ns !
,canute cd *oose to adopt 0 too broad &!
design suff]$ z a result4
,b by h&+ ov] "pial [n]%ip ov] ! project
to ! ,brailli/s _! memb]s felt compell$
to seek ! mo/ viable compromise r ?an
make dem&s4 ,"o ( _! e>lie/ recomm5da;ns
0 to avoid ! t]m ^8refre%able ,brl
4play^0 9 fav\r ( ^8,brl ;e-read]^0 & to
pit* ,canute 9itially at s*ools &! p>5ts
( bl *n4 ,"! w]e1 !y posit$1 s"eal
compell+ $uca;nal use cases : maximis$ !
advantages ( af=dable1 multi-l9e digital
,brl4 ,^! 9clud$2                    #ba
,re9=c+ =matt+ skills by 4play+ brl page
lay\t ) p>agraphs1 bullet$ li/s1 head+s
& page numb]s4
,9t]pret+ tabulat$ data s* z tables1
cal5d>s & spread%eets4
,develop+ ma?s skills by %[+ >i?metic
"w+1 "ts tables1 simultane\s equa;ns &
matrices4
,read+ musical >range;ts 3ta9+ multiple
voices#4db
,? meant s"eal *anges 9 practice2
#a">,:ile ! ,canute _h alw be5 9t5d$ to
2 us$ 9 s*ools1 ! exact way t ? wd 2
5sur$ _h n"e be5 broa*$4 ,! ,brailli/s
memb]%ip _h ext5sive exp]i;e ( $uca;n 9
bo? special & ma9/ream s*ools2 z pupils
!mvs1 z ,qualifi$ ,tea*]s (! ,visually
,impair$ "<si<t$ & bl">1 z s*ool
te*nicians1 z libr>ians & z p>5ts "<ag1
si<t$ & bl">#4dc  ,!y 7 able to walk !
,canute team "? ! process ( us+ ,brl 9 !
classroom1 co-design+ ! us] 9t]face 9 !
process4
#b">,all plans = s(tw>e develop;t (!
,canute's 9t]op]abil;y ) scre5       #bb
read]s & mobile ph"os 7 put on hold4
,9/ead ef=ts 7 3c5trat$ 9to mak+ a
simple1 ,op5 ,s\rc$ us] 9t]face = read+
books1 writt5 9 ,py?on4 ,? cd !n 2
----------------------------------------
modifi$ ) ease by ! ,canute team1 /aff 9
s*ools "<^? )a backgr.d 9 basic
programm+"> or any (! _m bl & si<t$ ,,x
pr(es.nals am;g/ ! ,brailli/s#4dd  ,? cd
happ5 dur+ ! te/+ programme xf & wd
naturally develop ! us] exp]i;e 9to >eas
t >e 3ducive to ! specific circum/.es !
,canute 0 9itially aim$ at4 ,? organic
process removes m* (! /ra9 f ! 5g9e]s &
5sures t ! f9al product is n j made )!
,brailli/s,0 advice 9 m9d1 b actively
creat$ by !m 9 situ4
#c"> ,! company c rely on ! ,brailli/s
to support !m 9 runn+ te/ programmes )
bl *n2 bo? ) _! 3tacts &) p]sonal ef=ts4
,9de$ ! programme to 2 run ) ,new
,college ,worce/] 9 ,april came ab z a
direct result (! ,brailli/s ?r[+ xs
wei<t 2h ! deci.n to 9itially focus on
$uca;n1 foll[+ fe$back f a previ\s   #bc
prototype4
,! *oice to focus on $uca;n has help$
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology expla9 t !
,canute wd n 2 9 direct competi;n )
exi/+ s+le l9e 4plays1 ?us giv+ !
company brea?+ room to gr[ 9to ! m>ket
)\t go+ head-to-head ) e/abli%$ play]s4
,b f> m importantly x plac$ ! v limit$
res\rces ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology 0 able
to br+ to be> 9 precisely ! mo/
effective >ea = 9creas+ access to
,brl1#de  9 a mann] : ! ,brailli/s 7
able to pro-actively support4
,? posi;n+ cd n h be5 made s cle>ly by
,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology al"o4 ,l _m o!r
companies ) 5g9e]+ tal5t & 9v5tive
ideas1 x 0 too small to d ?or\< m>ket
rese>*4 ,9de$ xs /rategy "- : reli$ on
mov+ fa/ & fluidly "? it]a;ns (
prototypes1 runn+ on fumes z fund+ =
,brl projects is p]petually h>d to
f9d#df  "- made x impossible to wait =
ext5sive rese>* ev5 if x 7 af=dable4 ,!
,brailli/s "pn]%ip (f]s a r\< & ready
alt]native to ! tradi;nal model (    #bd
develop;t2 to place product develop;t 9
! h&s ( well-9=m$ memb]s (! commun;y1 )
:om y >e able to 2 completely c&id 9
3fid;e1 & to tru/ 9 _! judge;t 9 ! k t
!y too w 2 held acc.table =! f9al /ate
(! product4 ,? c 2 3sid]$ ^8frugal
5g9e]+^01 a t]m : 2gan z a
----------------------------------------
/udy ( ,9dian 5g9e]+ practices 9 ord] to
apply !m to >eas ( ,we/]n 9du/ry#4dg
,x is an example ( h[ a small company1
l>gely si<t$ 9 xs make-up1 cd only
mean+;lly f9d ! correct role x %d play 9
mak+ assi/ive te*nology = bl p ?anks to
9t]-dep5d;e )! ,brailli/s4 ,x is al an
example ( h[ ! ,brailli/s "- or any gr\p
l !m "- c take 3trol (! direc;n ( travel
= _! [n te*nologies4
                ,3clu.n
,! ,brailli/s 0 =m$ by memb]s (! bl
commun;y :o 7 49cl9$ to rema9 passive
recipi5ts ( ,brl te*nology : !y did n
2lieve !y _h 5 *oice 9 or 9flu;e ov]1
ev5 :5 x cd 2 af=d$4 ,! model ( "pn]+ )
te*nology companies t !y h adopt$    #be
"- : is j "o aspect (! ,brailli/s mis.n
"- up-5ds ! p]cep;n ( 5titl$ p[].s;s by
2+ mutually b9d+2 ! companies commit to
2+ c&id )! ,brailli/s & to imple;t+ _!
fe$back1 :ile ! ,brailli/s commit to
tackl+ ! difficult compromises 9h]5t 9
design r ?an simply lobby+ = improve;ts4
,! 3sequ;es ( ? equal;y 2t te*nology
produc] & us] >e prof.d4 ,bri/ol ,brl
,te*nology does n simply 3sult !
,brailli/s :5 x is 3v5i5t to d s2 x
submits xs plans & aims to ! ,brailli/s
= criticism & approval4 ,moreov] x
=mulates ^? plans "- :e!r !y >e designs
=a us] 9t]face or ! 9t5d$ r\te to m>ket
"- 9 op5 3sulta;n )! ,brailli/s4 ,9
return ! ,brailli/s take jo9t
responsibil;y =! product 2+ develop$4 ,!
f9al result is a product (! meet+ ( two
diff]5t communities1 ! ^8mak] move;t^0
&! bl commun;y1 :o may o!rwise 2 unaw>e
( ea* o!rs require;ts1 3v5;ns &
limita;ns1 ev5 z ! "o /rives to develop
te*nology =! o!r4
,? model1 : builds on _wwide tr5ds   #bf
l ! mak] move;t1 made x possible =
----------------------------------------
ord9>y memb]s (! bl commun;y to team up
)a few 5g9e]s atta*$ to a local commun;y
"w%op 9 ord] to effect radical *ange4
,prior to ! =ma;n (! ,brailli/s _m ( xs
memb]s reg>d$ !mvs z unable to ass]t
3trol ov] ! ,brl te*nology on : !y ei
reli$ or 7 unable to af=d4 ,prior to xs
"pn]%ip )! newly =m$ ,brailli/s ,bri/ol
,brl ,te*nology _h _h no hope ( meet+ !
aim x _h set xf 9 #bjaa1 t ( help+ to
r"ese ! decl9e 9 ,brl lit]acy4
,:ile ! ,canute has yet to g to m>ket &!
,brailli/s is / a "y organisa;n x has
alr 2come app>5t to all 9volv$ ) ,canute
t ? model ( co-develop;t )! bl commun;y
is hugely effective4 ,x is to 2
recomm5d$ to any organisa;n or commun;y
look+ make a radical *ange4




                                     #bg
              ,,footnotes
#a ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology website1
  access$ #d? ( ,m>* #bjaf1
  http://bristolbraille.co.uk
#b ^8,f/ ,g5]al ,meet+ ( ,bri/ol ,brl
  ,te*nology "- ,m9utes^01 #aa? (
  ,janu>y #bjaa1 ,bri/ol brl ,te*nology
  http://discuss.bristolbraille.co.uk/n-
  ews/news_archive#anchor-news-11-01-20-
  11-minutes
#c ^8,brl ,profil+ ,report^01 ,amy
  ,phillips & ,lucy ,beesley1 ,royal
  ,na;nal ,9/itute ( ,bl ,p1 report1
  #bjaa
#d ^8,april #bjad ,update^01 #bi? (
  ,april #bjad1 ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology1
  http://discuss.bristolbraille.co.uk/n-
  ews/april-2014-update
#e ,brailli/s website1 access$ #d? (
  ,m>* #bjaf1 http://braillists.org
#f ^8,no?+ ab u )\t u^01 ,decemb] #bjjd1
  ,,un ,*ronicle ,vol#4da ,no#4d
#g ,radio 9t]view ) ,$ ,rog]s 9 ,si<t
  ,village #bjad1 ,,vip ,advisor1
  http://audioboo.fm/boos/2330314-   #bh
  -vipadvisor-multi-line-braille-displa-
  ys-for-less-than-300-introducing-bris-
  tol-braille-who-think-its-possible
#h ,radio 9t]view ) ,$ ,rog]s 9 ,si<t
  ,village #bjad1 ,leeanne ,coyle1
  ,9si<t ,radio1 ,royal ,na;nal ,9/itute
  ( ,bl ,p
#i ,brailli/s website1 access$ #a/ (
  ,m>* #bjaf1 http://braillists.org
#aj ^8,demo ( #d l9e ,canute prototype
  well rcvd by ,brailli/s^01 #crd (
  ,octob] #bjad1 ,bri/ol ,brl
  ,te*nology1
  http://bristolbraille.co.uk/articles/-
  canute_public_media_release.pdf
#aa ,z ( ,febru>y #bjaf ! ,canute
  project has be5 fund$ by i,net
  ,microelectronics1 ! ,s*ool = ,social
  ,5trepr5eurs1 ! ,product ,develop;t
  ,c5tre1 ! ,5g9e]+ ,9nova;n ,net"w1
  ,blat*+ton ,c\rt ,tru/1 ! ,manufactur+
  ,advisory ,s]vice1 ,! ,wor%ip;l
  ,company ( ,9=ma;n ,te*nologi/s1
  ,9nova;n #d ,gr[?1 ! ,nom9et ,tru/1 !
  ,company ( ,m]*ant ,v5tur]s &!     #bi
  ,paul ,hamlyn ,f.da;n
#ab ^8,f/ look at ! ,canute ,mk#f 9
  ,/a;n]s,0 ,hall^01 #ai? ( ,may #bjae1
  ,&re ,l\i1 ,p]iscope
#ac ^8,canute ,mk#f releas$ = te/+^01
  #bg? ( ,may #bjae1 ,bri/ol ,brl
  ,te*nology1
  http://discuss.bristolbraille.co.uk/n-
  ews/canute-mk6-released-for-testing
#ad ^8,commun;y ,9t]e/ ,companies3
  ,*apt] #f3 ! asset lock^01 ,octob]
  #bjad1 ,de"p;t = ,busi;s ,9nova;n @&
  ,skills1 ,,h'm ,govt4
#ae ^8,9sid]s look at ! />t-up _w^01
  access$ #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,/>tupl&1
  http://mystartupland.com/
#af ,,nv ,access website1 access$ #d? (
  ,m>* #bjaf1 http://www.nvaccess.org/
  "- is an >ea : ! ,brailli/s >e 9t]e/$
  9 gett+ 9volv$ 9 ! future4 ,h["e "h we
  w 4cuss only ! obvi\s problems t
  pres5t !mvs :5 attempt+ ! latt]2
#ag ^8,h]o my?s &! exp5dable
  5trepr5eur^01 #cj? ( ,novemb] #bjae1
  ,vikram ,babu1                     #cj
  https://medium.com/message/hero-myths-
  -and-the-expendable-entrepreneur-89b2-
  532e82e7
#ah ^8,brailli/s ,mis.n ,/ate;t^01 #be?
  ( ,febru>y #bjaf1 ,$ ,rog]s & o!rs1
  ,brailli/s
#ai ^8,lead+ 9 ,social ,5t]prise^01 ,may
  #bjad1 ,&reas ,he9ecke1 ,magdal5a
  ,kloibh(] & ,anna ,krzem9ska1 ,_w
  ,economic ,=um
#bj ^8,idea to laun*^01 access$ #a/ (
  ,m>* #bjaf1 ,&rew ,gre5blatt1 ,social
  ,gd ,guides
#ba ^8,takl+ ,h]opr5eur%ip^01 #bcrd (
  ,febru>y #bjaf1 ,daniela
  ,papi-,?ornton1 ,/an=d ,social
  ,9nova;n ,review1
  http://ssir.org/articles/entry/tackli-
  ng_heropreneurship
#bb ,brailli/s com;t bo>ds1 access$ #a/
  ( ,m>* #bjaf1
  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!for-
  um/braillists
#bc ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology "- news
  >*ive1 access$ #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1   #ca
  http://discuss.bristolbraille.co.uk/n-
  ews/news_archive
#bd ^8,refre%able ,brl n[ & 9 ! ye>s
  ahead^01 ,dean ,blazie1 ,na;nal
  ,f$]a;n =! ,bl
#be ^8,future ,si<t ,loss3 ,! economic
  impact ( "pial si<t & bl;s 9 ! ,,uk
  adult popula;n^01 ,july #bjji1 ,access
  ,economics ,pty ,limit$1 ,royal
  ,na;nal ,9/itute ( ,bl ,p
#bf ,fact%eet #bhb3 ,visual impair;t &
  bl;s^01 ,augu/ #bjad1 ,_w ,heal?
  ,organisa;n1
  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsh-
  eets/fs282/en/
#bg ^8,brl devices & te*niques to all[
  m$ia access^01 ,m>* #aiib1 ,daniel
  ,h9ton1 ,*>les ,3nolly1 ,sci;e
  ,applica;ns ,9t]na;nal ,corpora;n
#bh ^8,democratiz+ ,brl3 ,a _w view^01
  ,novemb] #bjab1 ,kev9 ,c>ey1 ,brl
  ,monitor
#bi ^8,! ,future ( ,brl^01 #bf? (
  ,janu>y #bjab1 ;,n ,kri%naswamy1
  ,vidya ,vrik%ah                    #cb
#cj ^8,hackspaces get clos] to home^01
  #aj? ( ,augu/ #bjaj1 ,jamillah ,"kles1
  ,,bbc ,news1
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology--
  10993421
#ca ,li/ ( ,,uk hackspaces1 access$ #a/
  ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,,uk ,hackspace ,f.da;n1
  http://www.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/main-
  _page
#cb ,li/ ( hack] spaces _wwide1 access$
  #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,hack] spaces1
  https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/,list_o-
  f_,hackerspaces
#cc ^8,hackspace pr9ciples^01 access$
  #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,bri/ol ,hackspace1
  http://bristol.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/-
  doku.php?id=new_people_read_this
#cd ^8,:at is a ,hack]8^01 #ai? ( ,july
  #bjae1 ,]ic ,raymond1
  http://catb.org/^esr/faqs/hacker-howt-
  o.html#what_is
#ce ^8,replicat+ l[ co/ bl-accessible
  mak] space^01 #bnd ( ,july #bjad1
  ,abh9av ,dey & ,t$ ,moallem1
  http://fab10.s3.amazonaws.com/d-   #cc
  ocuments/91%20-%20replicable%20low%20-
  cost%20blind%20accessible%20makerspac-
  e.pdf fur!r deep5+ ! idea (!
  ,brailli/s z an ext5.n (! mak] move;t4
#cf ,brailli/s newslr sign-up1 access$
  #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,brailli/s1
  http://braillists.org/newsletter/sign-
  up
#cg ^8,brl ;e-books3 ,:y c't y buy a
  budget ;e-read]8^01 #i? ( ,may #bjad1
  ,johny ,cassidy1 ,,bbc ,news1
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology--
  27243376
#ch ,9 ,t\*1 #ba/ ( ,octob] #bjad1 ,dave
  ,williams1 ,,bbc ,radio #d
#ci ^8,si<t ,village1 ,man*e/]^01 #ai? (
  ,septemb] #bjae1 ,/eph ,tyszka1
  ,brailli/s1
  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!top-
  ic/braillists/v0lqmlc6xts
#dj ^8,notes on visit to ,brl ,produc;n
  ,c5tre1 ,*ild,vi.n1 ,irel&^01 #f? (
  ,octob] #bjae1 ,/eph ,tyskza1
  ,brailli/s1
  https://groups.google.com/forum-   #cd
  /#!topic/braillists/iguvzsb4lxk
#da ^8,use ( ,brl 4plays^01 #a/ ( ,june
  #bjaa1 ,hea!r ,cry] & ,s>ah ,home1
  ,royal ,na;nal ,9/itute ( ,bl ,p
#db ^8,h[ to make a ,brl ;e-read]^01 due
  = publica;n at ,,csun on ! #bcrd (
  ,m>* #bjaf1 ,dave ,williams & ,$
  ,rog]s1 ,bri/ol ,brl ,te*nology1
  http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/20-
  16/sessions/index.php/public/presenta-
  tions/view/90
#dc ^8,support = ,,qtvi,'s & rehab
  (fic]s^01 ?read op5$ #d? ( ,decemb]
  #bjae1 access$ #a/ ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ?read
  />t$ by ,paul ,sullivan1 ,brailli/s1
  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!top-
  ic/braillists/je663pzptro
#dd ,canute ,mk#h repository = us]
  9t]face1 emulator & ,,api1 access$ #a/
  ( ,m>* #bjaf1 ,matt ,v5n1 ,kasp>
  ,bumke & o!rs1 ,bri/ol ,brl
  ,te*nology1
  http://github.com/bristol-braille/can-
  ute-ui
#de ^8,h[ _m *n 9 ,am]ica >e n       #ce
  tau<t to read8^01 access$ #a/ ( ,m>*
  #bjaf1 ,na;nal ,f$]a;n =! ,bl1
  https://nfb.org/braille-initiative
#df ^8,a ye> 9 ,brl^01 #ca/ ( ,decemb]
  #bjad1 ,$ ,rog]s1 ,bri/ol ,brl
  ,te*nology1
  http://discuss.bristolbraille.co.uk/n-
  ews/a-year-in-braille
#dg ^8,jugaad ,9nova;n^01 #bjab1 ,navi
  ,radj\1 ,jaideep ,prabhu1 & ,sim"o
  ,ahuja1 ,jossey-,bass1
  http://jugaadinnovation.com/












                                     #cf