The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) serves as Maryland’s branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print-disabled.
Updated as of February 19, 2024
About the Braille eReader
Due to its association with NLS, LBPD can loan a 20-cell refreshable braille display at no cost to any LBPD patron. While it is technically a loaner device, you are in charge of it, and you do not need to return it over holiday breaks, the summer, or upon graduation.
What does the braille eReader do?
The NLS braille eReader allows individuals to directly download both BARD and NFB-Newsline resources to the device.
- materials for download by NLS patrons. Please check out the Bridges Resource Library’s NLS and BARD entry for more details.
- Bridges Resource Library’s Get Your News On Your Own Terms with NFB Newsline® (It’s Free) entry for more details.
Braille eReaders users may also pair the device to a computer or iOS device and, in combination with screen reading software (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), use it as both a refreshable braille display and as a braille keyboard.
However, the NLS braille eReader is a READING device; it is not a full notetaker.
What can I expect?
The NLS eReader is a 20-cell refreshable braille display. You will receive it at no cost. While it is technically a loaner device, you are in charge of it.
There are two versions of the NLS eReader: Humanware and Zoomax. Each has a 20-cell display, but there are some differences. Please check out A Tale Of Two Ereaders: The Good News Launched By NLS, an article from the American Foundation for the Blind that provides a high-quality, in-depth review of the two NLS eReaders.
Requesting a braille eReader
If you are already a patron of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, all you need to do is reach out to the LBPD Reference Desk by calling 410-230-2443 or via email at reference.desk@maryland.gov.
LBPD will then send a 20-cell refreshable braille display at no cost to you. While it is technically a loaner device, you are in charge of it.
If you are not yet an LBPD patron and are eligible to be one, please join now!
Using the Braille eReader
The Library of Congress has some great how-to resources on its YouTube channel. Please consider checking them out.
- BARD Mobile ‘How-To Series’ (15 videos)
- NLS eReader HumanWare How-To Series (20 videos)
- NLS eReader Zoomax How-To Series (16 videos)
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.