Problem Statement and Background

The primary medical conditions that necessitate the use of braille are blindness and visual impairments. Because of the significant impacts this causes, children affected by these conditions require a different approach to education, specifically in learning to read and write. A strong academic environment, as well as different teaching methods, are crucial to mitigate the effects these medical conditions have on children. However, the novelty of these teaching methods introduces additional challenges for teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs). Since braille is primarily designed to be read by touch, visibility is not a critical feature of braille text which makes reading braille by sight a particularly challenging task. Interpoint braille, which is common in many educational settings, casts shadows that make the braille more difficult to read by sight even with the ideal lighting conditions in which the photos were captured. Currently, the best ways to improve readability is by holding the braille paper either in close proximity or at awkward angles to create more favorable lighting conditions. The Braille Slider will directly address this problem. Contrasted interpoint braille creates a scenario where the braille is much more pronounced and visually legible. The use of the Braille Slider will improve the visual readability of braille text for individuals like TVIs, which will increase the effectiveness of their teaching and the education of braille reading students, thereby further mitigating the effects of their medical conditions.

For the targeted users, very few assistive devices are available that offer a solution or improvement to the limited visibility of braille text. Certain devices have been used that provide some benefit, but a specific solution is not currently available. Because TVIs are most directly impacted by the problem, they have developed different methods to improve the visual readability of text, sometimes using digital equipment. While these devices are discussed here as methods to improve the visible contrast of braille, it is important to note that none of these devices or programs are intended to provide a direct solution, and they therefore do not fully qualify as existing solutions.

Preventative Methods

Certain devices are currently offered that could be used as preventative solutions to eliminate the need for a contrast enhancer for braille. A few products have the potential to preemptively solve the problem instead of retroactively addressing the needs. While these solutions may not directly align with TVI requests, they do provide alternative methods that accomplish the end goal of improving the visual readability of braille text.

In Table 1, the existing solutions are summarized in ascending order by price.

Table 1. Existing Solutions *

Product	Price	Characteristics
Standard Marker/Highlighter	$	Extremely slow & inefficient Error prone Inexpensive
Digital Magnifier	$$$	Must be in close proximity to target text Requires optimal lighting Not hands-free
Smartphone with Image Processing Apps	$$$-$$$$	Requires additional costly device All shortcomings of Digital Magnifier would be applicable
CCTV with Image Magnification	$$$$	Bulky and impractical for most settings Expensive Portability limitations
Refreshable Braille Display	$$$$-$$$$$	Not applicable for pre-existing Braille Costly Easily lost or broken
Dual Sided Embosser with Inkjet	$$$$-$$$$$	Not applicable for pre-existing Braille Unaffordable Bulky Portability limitations
*Links provided in References Section

Need Statement

While all of these devices have some degree of applicability to the issues addressed by TVIs, none of them provide a viable solution to the problem within the constraints of their intended uses. No solution is currently available that fully addresses the needs of the stakeholders. The lack of viable solutions only serves to emphasize the importance of this need and the applicability of a solution. The problem at hand is the difficulty experienced by sighted individuals when attempting to read printed braille text by sight. The population that is directly affected by the problem is teachers of visually impaired students. The desired outcome is a simple, reliable method to increase the visible contrast of braille text. From these considerations, the working need statement was determined to be:

“A solution to the difficulties caused by the lack of visible contrast in printed braille text for those who read braille by sight that is low-cost, simple, and reliable that leads to more visually legible braille text.”

By developing a solution to this need, the quality of education offered to visually impaired students can be improved, which has the potential to provide them with new opportunities to engage society in a beneficial way. The device also has the potential to assist medical professionals working to support and train the visually impaired in achieving a normal quality of life. Technological innovation is often very limited in its application to assistive technology for the visually impaired because of the strictly regulated and narrow market (1). However, a simple, cost-effective solution to this need has great potential to penetrate the market, and thereby could facilitate greater assistive device advancement for the visually impaired population.

Solution Design

The Braille Slider is a device used to selectively increase contrast of braille dots using a contrasting agent while leaving the physical makeup of the braille unaltered. Using a modular marker design, the Braille slider is pulled by the user over the braille that is to be enhanced, applying a contrasting agent to the uppermost portion of the braille dot. The guard component of the Braille Slider acts as a spacer, raising the marker component approximately 0.00394 inches to keep the contrasting agent from contacting the background of the braille paper. As a result, the Braille Slider modifies braille in a way that enhances the readability of braille for sighted individuals who have difficulty visually reading unaltered braille, such as teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs), while leaving the braille unaltered tactically for those who read braille by touch. Increasing the contrast of the braille is particularly desirable for those in difficult lighting conditions as well as for anyone who needs to read interpoint braille (double-sided braille) where the braille on the backside of the page causes shadows that hinder one’s ability to read the braille in an effective manner.

The Braille Slider is able to accommodate 7 rows of braille in a single pass. The team intentionally created an odd number of rows so that the center row could be focused on by the user for easier inking. As shown in the figure above, the device maintains the removable inkpad portion implemented in the 3-row design. To keep the components together, the team utilized 3 magnets to keep the device from being disconnected during use while still allowing the user to remove the ink pad portion. Furthermore, the team rounded the edges of the spacers so that the device would avoid damaging braille that could be inadvertently contacted by the slider design. Additionally, the team created a rounded handle that is easier for the user to grip compared to early iterations. The spacing of the device was maintained at 0.1 mm from previous iterations.  

As indicated previously, the design implemented magnets into the printed parts. The magnets are 20 mm x 6 mm x 2 mm. The team created the device to be able to easily accommodate the magnets by printing a cutout for the magnets. Using knowledge of polarity, the team oriented the magnets correctly so that the grip portion with the inkpad is attracted to the guard portion of the device. Two magnets are placed on each side of the guard portion. A single magnet is put into the center of the handle portion. Due to the high strength of the magnet, the magnetic field is still strong enough to pull the pieces together, but also weak enough to allow the components to be easily separated for re-inking.

In order to improve portability and decrease the likelihood of accidental inking of clothing or other objects, the team has created a travel case for the Braille Slider. Using 3D modeling, the team created a silhouette of the device and then cut the silhouette out of a cylinder. A cap was also created to seal the case.

Design Testing Progress

The current progress made toward the preliminary design, the Braille Slider, is the formulation and application of specific testing methods for the eventual physical testing of the device and its components. These testing methods can be broken down into a few main categories including device analysis, ink testing, and engagement testing. With this newly designed device, continual testing is necessary to ensure the performance and efficiency of the device meets or exceeds design requirements. This section of testing is almost complete, with a few further iterations remaining to finalize the design. Ink testing includes analysis of the ink storage volume and the drying rate of the ink once applied to paper. Initial versions of these tests have been conducted, but further detailed testing is necessary. Engagement testing will measure the connection between the guard and marker components and ensure that it functions as intended. Force testing of the magnetic latch will be a section of this, as well as dimensional testing to verify all components are within tolerance. These tests have yet to be completed, though significant progress has been made.

Verification Testing Progress

The verification testing of the device will not be conducted until after the construction of the device is complete. Therefore, no progress has yet been made for the verification testing. However, the team intends to first finalize the design to begin our verification testing and ensure that the physical properties of the design meet the previously assigned design constraints. Further testing will then be conducted to assess the readability of the marked braille and examine the efficiency, accuracy, and ink bleeding of marking when performed by multiple users. These tests will hopefully confirm that the device meets all design constraints.

Validation Testing Progress

The validation testing of the device will not be conducted until after the construction of the device is complete. Therefore, no progress has yet been made for the validation testing. However, the team does intend to gather feedback from users including Mr. Michael Papp, Ms. Theresa Lacy, and other TVIs concerning the initial performance and classroom performance of the device. This feedback will more than likely be collected in the form of surveys, free response, and/or interviews.

Anticipated Costs

Our team has created an approximation of all expenses assuming the continued production of the Braille Slider device. Shown below is a table of all costs including business filing fees, equipment fees, estimated material fees. The table has a column that indicates whether the cost is vital for the production of product for each phase of operation. Table 2 displays the estimated costs from starting a company to manufacturing the Braille Slider V0.

Table 2. Cost Estimate of 1-Year R&D Plan from Establishment to MVP

Description	Vital	Quantity	Unit Price ($)	Total ($)
Domain Name Reservation	Ye:2;	2	1.00	2.00
Business Name Reservation Fee	Yes	1	25.00	25.00
Business Filing Fees	Yes	1	150.00	150.00
Business Establishment Fee	Yes	1	100.00	100.00
Logo Development	No	1	500.00	500.00
Federal Trademark Filing	No	1	300.00	300.00
Website Hosting via WordPress (Annually)	Yes	1	300.00	300.00
Inkpad 10 ft {Used for MVP)	Yes	1	14.00	14.00
PLA Filamerrt for Prusa Mark 3	Yes	6	19.00	U4.00
Anycubic Photon Printer	Yes	1	450.00	450.00
Resin for Anycubic Photon	Yes	3	60.00	180.00
Utility Patent Attorney Fees	No	1	20000.00+	20,000.00
Miscellaneous Assembly Costs	Yes	1	n/a	100.00
Total of Vital Estimated Expenses to Produce MPV-Braille Slider Version 0				1435.00
Total Estimated Expense to Produce MVP All Costs Included - Braille Slider Version 0				22,235.oo

 Other than the business filing fees, the only substantial costs to create the Braille Slider Version 0 is the cost of hosting a website and the purchase of the Anycubic Photon printer with resin. The large difference between the vital cost of $1435.00 and the total estimated expense of $22,235.00 is the attorney fees for filing for a patent, developing a logo, and filing for a trademark. The miscellaneous costs cover items such as glue and box-cutters to assemble the device. Without the patent attorney fees, the total cost would come down significantly to $2,235.00.

Using these figures, a single unit would cost approximately $1.99. Accounting for some issues associated with production as well as shipping and electricity costs, a realistic figure of approximately $2.25 per unit is realistic. See Table 3 below for itemized costs per unit.

The cost per unit is slightly lower than the realistic value since the stock of free magnets is limited. While bulk orders may decrease the price slightly, the Braille Slider V0 will also need additional packaging, which will increase the cost per unit. Although this product will not be sold, the price per item is encouraging.

With an MSRP of $9.99, the company has potential to have a return on investment (ROI) in the range of 100%. Since the product is small, shipping fees would be unsubstantial. The team would need to decide whether to provide free shipping or not, but even if the unit costs $3.00 to ship, the profit would be reasonable.

Table 3. Cost Analysis for Braille Slider V0

Component	Raw Material Cost Per Item	Estimated Units Per Raw Material Item	Estimated Component Cost
Tube & Cap	19.00	20	0.95
Slider	60.00	60	1.00
Ink Pad	14.00	200	0.04
Magnets	0.00	1/3 (3 per unit)	0.00
Total Cot Per Unit for Braille Roller V0			$1.99

Significance

The World Health Organization estimates that 253 million people suffer from vision impairments worldwide, 19 million of which are children (2). The CDC reports that over 1 million Americans are legally blind and over 12 million suffer from some form of vision impairment (3). Even more concerning is that the number of affected individuals is expected to increase. Estimates from the CDC predict that the number of people affected by vision impairment or blindness will increase 150% by the year 2050. This large population and rapid growth associated with vision disabilities has resulted in a significant economic impact. In 2013 the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) of the University of Chicago calculated and analyzed the comprehensive costs associated with vision loss and eye disorders, determining the resulting economic burden to have almost reached $139 billion (4).

One subset of this economic burden is related to government provision for disabled children. In the United States, special education opportunities are provided for children with vision related disabilities, either as access to specific educational institutes or medical treatment and therapy through the public-school systems. Regulated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), government funding is available to ensure that these children are provided Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (5). In doing so, the government is offering a standardized education program to provide unique opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For students with vision impairments, the starting point for their education is often learning how to communicate through written text. The use of braille, as a widespread impact of visual impairment, is the central component of the problem identified.

The Braille Slider is a device intended to increase productivity and quality of life for TVIs. Since TVIs are most likely to be the early adopters of the device, their reception of the device would have a profound impact on the success of the product. If adoption of the product by TVIs is strong, then the device will likely spread to other users such as other medical professionals and parents of the children whom the TVIs teach. The Braille Slider offers the TVIs a simple, efficient method for increasing the contrast of braille that will improve reading accuracy. By increasing the maximal distance from which braille is legible, the teacher will no longer need to remove the braille book from the student’s grasp in order to read the braille, leading to a more efficient learning experience.

Parents, as well as individuals with declining vision, will also be customers of this device. The parents of children with visual impairments will be better able to assist their children with reading and other assignments using contrasted braille. Finally, people who have visual difficulties may benefit from the Braille Slider by allowing them to see the braille more easily while trying to learn how to read it tactically. This may help improve their learning of tactile braille.