Here’s what he experts have to say.

“The Mountbatten combines the best features of an accessible PDA with an embosser. This makes it a powerful classroom tool, one that can be used to create a braille-rich environment, surrounding the braille reader with as much braille as his or her peers have print.”

Frances-Mary D’Andrea

AccessWorld 2005

This three-year project examined the perceptions of teachers of students with visual impairments regarding the use of the Mountbatten Brailler with young students. In general, the teachers believed that this is a beneficial tool for young braille-reading children. The Mountbatten was considered "cool" and encouraged a more positive attitude toward braille by sighted peers and general classroom teachers. It was considered to have a friendly, modern design and to allow an easy go-between in braille and print. The teachers not only reported the benefits of the Mountbatten, but they proved their commitment to it by ordering additional Mountbatten Braillers for students in their caseloads who were not involved in this project. In British Columbia , approximately 40 students are currently using Mountbatten Braillers as their primary tool for writing. The majority of these children are in the primary grades. Their teachers believe that the Mountbatten can be an important part of the literacy toolbox for young braille-reading children.

M. Cay Holbrook, Anne Wadsworth, and Mike Bartlett

Journal of Vision Impairment and Blindness 2003

Summary of Findings of the Mountbatten Project in British Columbia , Canada . To find out more about this project visit; http://www.setbc.org/projects/braille_lit/default.html

The Mountbatten Project Key Findings

Impact on Literacy Development – Writing

• Increased motivation
• Produce better quality dots
• Speech enabled independent learning
• Multi-sensory feedback reinforced learning
• Braille writing was more “fun”

Impact on Literacy Development – Reading

• Improved braille reading skills
• Immediate audio-tactile feedback
• Increased access to class materials in Braille

Impact on Literacy Development – Inclusion

• Enhanced opportunities for inclusion
• Visual display assisted classroom teacher
• Peer access to braille

Impact on Literacy Development – Technology

• Enhanced technology skills
• Improved attitudes
• Easier transition to note-takers

“Eventually, students will learn to use a PC, an accessible PDA, a refreshable braille display for electronic books, and so forth. The Mountbatten can be there in kindergarten providing immediate braille, and will still be useful as the student gets older, and learns to use more advanced features.”

Frances-Mary D’Andrea

AccessWorld 2005