Finding money to purchase technology can often be a daunting task, and funding arrangements vary greatly from country to country, and sometimes even between states in the same country. The following guide contains some suggestions and ideas on how to go about raising funds.

Charitable organisation such as Lions International, Rotary, Apex, Zonta and similar groups remain one of the best supporters of individuals who need to raise money to buy a Mountbatten Brailler for their child. Each organisation has differing requirements and hence different approaches are often needed, but our first recommendation is simply to phone groups that are in your local community and talk to them.

Funding can also be obtained from charitable foundations, and government funded bodies such as Departments of Education, however, most of these require written applications. It is important to enquire what information is required, get copies of application forms, and if possible speak to others who have been through the same funding channels.

The following information may provide some or all of the material you may need to justify the purchase of a Mountbatten Brailler. There is no copyright on any information on this page and may be copied and used as needed.

Which Braille Writer Is Best For My Child?

Technology in all walks of life is evolving. We have come to expect that technology will be continually updated and improved to reflect our changing education system and general environment. The Mountbatten Braille Writer is the natural successor to the Perkins.

Why Is the Mountbatten Better For My Student?

• Easy to use keyboard. Ergonomically designed, and enables students to start brailling earlier and to braille for longer periods.
• Modern writing features, like correction, word wrap, easy formatting, and memory. Students can start to learn about ‘text equivalency” as part of their early braille literacy experience. For example, compare how to center a heading using the Mountbatten and the Perkins.
• Speech Output. Clear recorded speech assists with confidence building, and immediate feedback on all operations. Synthetic speech in Advanced models enables students to begin using computer generated speech and learning how to control it (change volume, speed, pitch, punctuation etc). Speech output also enables students to play and study independently and learning the joy of knowledge discovered, rather than instructed.
• Different modes for early braille learning by combining braille keyboarding, speech and braille output.
• Makes braille more accessible. View braille as text on Mimic screen or on printer.
• Peer Support. Modern sleek design creates interest amongst peers, leading to greater understanding and acceptance.
• Paper. Regular lightweight paper is cheaper and easier to store and carry. It’s also the same paper the rest of the class uses.
• SkillBuilding. Introduces students to a wide range of computer concepts within the process of learning braille. Things like keyboarding, saving information in memory, working with files, control of speech output and many more. They learn these skills adventitiously, by virtue of using a modern braille writing tool.
• Easy transition to other technologies/products such as braille note-takers and computers.
• Print to Braille - Braille to Print. Simple easy translation between braille and print. Greatly reduces the isolation of the braille student.
• Directly connect a PC keyboard to enable peers to write braille messages. Makes braille interesting and fun for the whole class.
• Braille embosser for PC or braille note-taker. Produce braille from files, CD, Web page or email.
• Battery operated and portable.
• Training and support available – Training CD, Switched on Braille, Monty, Web resources.
• Friends for Life. The Mountbatten remains a vital tool throughout all levels of education and beyond. It is a tool that can stay with a student from their first tentative steps on the road to literacy right through to full academic and functional literacy. Beginning with early braille instruction it meets the students’ changing needs ultimately becoming their personal resource for hard copy braille.

Why is The Mountbatten Better for Teachers!

• Sharing Resources. Files, work sheets, class exercises can all be shared digitally.
• A Braille Embosser is always on hand for those last minute braille documents.
• One Device - Many Needs. Suitable for a much wider range of abilities, age groups and multi-disabled students.
• Technology Skills. Offers a simple and guided development of skills. Start with the Learn Mode and gradually move into the Advanced Mode.
• Improved Student Technology Skills. Significant reduction in the teaching overhead required when the student moves onto other technology options such as braille note-takers and computers.
• Attitudes. VI Teachers often have to battle to get braille accepted and understood. The MB promotes a positive image of braille as an exciting communication medium.
• The MB enhances braille education. It is a modern tool for today’s world and the foundation for a life of literacy.

Who Else Uses The Mountbatten Around the World?

• There are over 5,000 in use in 45 countries. Contact info@quantumtechnology.com.au for contacts in your area. It is being used in developing countries as well as wealthy western countries.
• It has been adapted to 14 braille languages.
• Provides tangible evidence of a vision and a future for braille writing that is appropriate to the needs of our time.

Roadblocks!

Justifying the Cost

• Value. Compare functions and features not just the dollars.
• Value over time. The Mountbatten will be useful from kindergarten through to tertiary education and into adulthood.
• Increased Independence means less external resources needed plus improved self-esteem. Compare the cost of the Mountbatten to the cost of a single braille book (often US$20,000 each).
• Intangible Value. Promoting inclusion, changing the public’s attitudes to braille, encouraging a wider use of braille. What is the dollar value?
• Cost of not changing. At what point do blind children deserve better braille writing options? We need to look forward, not back!

Conclusions

• It’s time we provided our braille students with more braille writing options.
• The MB was born and has evolved within modern education systems. It is a tool for the times.
• Children who start kindergarten in 2005 will graduate in 2017.
• What will their world look like? Make sure they have the tools and skills appropriate to the times. It is a big world they will be competing in.

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

John F. Kennedy