This is one of many brands of Braille note takers.  While they are frequently used in schools, they do not teach the computer skills that are now critically important. They are also expensive.

For much the same price, you can get a “real” computer and a braille display.  The display is an accessory that connects to a standard computer (laptop or desktop).  It can also be used as a stand-alone note taking device if you wish.

Job Access With Speech (JAWS) is a commercial screen reader that works compatibly with Windows to empower visually impaired people to do mainstream jobs.

JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC. You will be able to navigate the Internet, write a document, read an email and create presentations from your office, remote desktop, or from home.

NVDA is a free, open source, globally accessible screen reader for the blind and vision impaired.  It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and works in many languages.

It is produced by NV Access, a registered charity and software development company.

It can be carried on a thumbdrive and loaded onto any computer without licensing restrictions.

Sue Buckley and her husband founded Club Vibes, an organization that empowers young people who are visually impaired.

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This program is also available as a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNadgGildCA

Campbell Rutherford and her mother, Liza, talk about teaching a visually impaired child, from elementary school through high school, and how important it has been to have a good grounding in the computer technology that all students learn. Campbell is a gifted student preparing herself for a career in science, with a strong avocation as a pianist.

As a parent, Liza’s goal for Campbell has always been to be a strong and independent young woman who will get a good job doing something she loves, and have a happy life.   Liza has been home-schooling her daughter since 5th grade, working to make sure she has the skills and information she needs to be a successful college student.

They speak about the challenges in getting textbooks and other resources for home-schooling a visually impaired child and working with the school system on the Individual Education Plan (IEP).

They realized some years ago that Campbell needed more computer skill than she was learning based on the curriculum they had been following.  In this conversation they talk about how they came to that conclusion, and what they decided to do about it.  The right devices and the right level of accessibility are important.