News

Would you like to give feedback on our future braille device with your students?

20/09/2023

Our beta units of the Monarch, a cutting-edge dynamic tactile braille device, are now available.

Hands of a student touching the tactile graphic of a Monarch

Gilles Pepin was recently honored for his remarkable leadership in designing technologies

13/07/2023

Gilles Pepin was recently honored for his remarkable leadership in designing technologies in partnership with the NFB and pursuing our joint mission to support blind people in living the lives they want. The recognition came during the 2023 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Convention, where Gilles, Chairman and Founder of HumanWare, was presented with the esteemed Kenneth Jernigan Award.

Group photo captured at the 2023 NFB National Convention, featuring Gilles Pepin proudly holding his well-deserved award joined by Dr. Marc Maurer, past NFB President, Mary Ellen Jernigan, the wife of the late Kenneth Jernigan, and Mark Riccobono, the current President of the NFB.

HumanWare braille displays are now part of Microsoft’s Designed for Surface program

01/03/2023

HumanWare is pleased to announce that its braille displays have been certified through Microsoft’s Designed for Surface (DFS) program, ensuring a consistent experience with Microsoft’s Surface.

HumanWare braille displays are now part of Microsoft’s Designed for Surface program

Remembering a pioneer in assistive technology

24/05/2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of HumanWare's co-founders, Jim Halliday, on May 14, 2022. Jim began his career in the 70s and was a pioneer in the field of assistive technology. In 1988, he had the opportunity to start a distribution company that he named HumanWare and served as its president until he retired in 2007. Thanks to Jim's legacy, the HumanWare brand and reputation are well established in the U.S. and the company culture he created by putting people at the center of technology is still present and respected more than three decades after its inception.

Remembering a pioneer in assistive technology

A fresh outlook on the revolution of braille - An interview with Andrew Flatres, Braille Product Manager at HumanWare

20/01/2022

With twenty years of experience in the assistive technology field in training, managing, advocating, and using braille as a sighted user, Andrew Flatres has seen it all: The braille revolution, its challenges, and its positive impact.

A fresh outlook on the revolution of braille - An interview with Andrew Flatres, Braille Product Manager at HumanWare

Gilles Pepin to serve as Executive Chairman of HumanWare and Bruce Miles appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer

06/12/2021

We are happy to announce that Mr. Gilles Pepin, currently Chief Executive Officer, will now serve as Executive Chairman of HumanWare and has transitioned the Chief Executive Officer role to Mr. Bruce Miles since September 1, 2021.

Gilles Pepin to serve as Executive Chairman of HumanWare and Bruce Miles appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer

Gilles Pepin receives the American Printing House for the Blind Horizon Award

14/10/2021

Gilles Pepin, founder, and Executive Chairman of Humanware accepted the American Printing House for the Blind ‘Horizon Award’ for his lifetime of service in developing braille products. His innovative work pushed the field to develop better products, leading to the creation of high-quality and efficient tools. Thank you, Gilles! Listen to Gilles' interview on the APH Change Makers podcast at 6:30 min.

Gilles Pepin receives the American Printing House for the Blind Horizon Award

Tecnovisão and HumanWare enter into a distribution partnership in Brazil

23/04/2021

HumanWare, is proud to announce the creation of a new Brazil distribution partnership with Tecnovisão. This partnership will allow HumanWare to share its innovative blindness and low vision solutions with a larger number of customers in Brazil. With this agreement, Tecnovisão becomes an authorized and certified distributor of HumanWare products throughout Brazil and will deploy its best sales, support, marketing, and web resources to help people learn about and adopt HumanWare's solutions.

Bruce Miles, President of HumanWare commented on the news: " Tecnovisão is a forward-looking company, an industry leader with considerable presence and experience in the Brazilian market. We are confident that this partnership will benefit each customer by giving them access to better local support and superior service. "

To learn more about this partnership, check out Tecnovisão's video announcement (available in Portuguese only). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEkeFvSZfjQ&t=899s

Tecnovisão and HumanWare enter into a distribution partnership in Brazil

Radio France signs a partnership agreement with HumanWare to make its podcasts accessible to blind and visually impaired people

31/03/2021

Radio France, the leading producer of podcasts in France, and HumanWare announced the signing of a partnership agreement. This agreement will help make Radio France's programs accessible to all audiences, an objective at the heart of its public service mission. Moreover, the partnership will allow HumanWare to offer Radio France podcasts in its VictorReader range of audio players and is part of the new distribution policy proposed by Radio France to all its partners. Users will be able to access, free of charge, the same catalog of podcasts that Radio France offers on its on-demand listening platforms.

(Please note: the article on the Radio France website is available in French only)

Radio France signs a partnership agreement with HumanWare to make its podcasts accessible to blind and visually impaired people

Enabling Technologies and HumanWare unite to offer the largest range of braille devices

13/02/2018

Enabling Technologies and HumanWare are pleased to announce today a new strategic partnership that will increase Enabling Technologies’ embosser distribution and expand HumanWare’s product portfolio offer into print braille.

Enabling Technologies and HumanWare unite to offer the largest range of braille devices

Dominic Gagliano Honored at ATIA Conference

05/02/2018

HumanWare held a special event to mark the retirement of Dominic Gagliano last week at the ATIA Conference in Orlando. During this special evening, Gilles Pepin and Bruce Miles, respectively CEO and president of HumanWare, gave Dominic a special commemorative album including messages and photos from colleagues, partners and friends who had the pleasure to work with him during his career at HumanWare.

Dominic receiving a commemorative book from Gilles Pepin and Bruce Miles, respectively CEO and president of HumanWare

HumanWare is shipping the VictorReader Trek,
delivering orientation & entertainment in one mobile package

01/11/2017

November 1st, 2017— HumanWare is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the VictorReader Trek. Combining the cutting-edge GPS technology of the Trekker Breeze with the innovative media reading & playback capabilities of the VictorReader Stream, this multiuse handheld device is designed to make mobility easy and enjoyable for people who are blind or visually impaired.

explore 8

Retirement of Dominic Gagliano

06/10/2017

After exactly 28 years of working with people who are blind or visually impaired, Dominic Gagliano has officially retired from HumanWare. Admired for his dedication to our mission of “enabling people with vison loss to fully participate in society”, his caring attitude with his customers and his vast knowledge of our industry, Dominic leaves HumanWare with a numerous list of accomplishments. It has been a real honor and a great pleasure for us to work with Dominic over the past 28 years.

explore 8

HumanWare releases explore 8, the largest
screen handheld electronic magnifier in the smallest package

21/08/2017

HumanWare is thrilled to announce the launch of the latest addition to its groundbreaking explore line, including the explore 3 and explore 5: the powerful and portable explore 8 handheld magnifier.

explore 8
 

American Printing House and HumanWare team up to create
a new intelligent magnifier

15/08/2017

HumanWare is proud to announce a new partnership with The American Printing House to provide a new powerful tool for visually impaired students combining a high-performance digital magnifier with the versatility of an Android tablet, the MATT Connect (Magnifier And Tablet Together).

Matt Connect

Appointment of Bruce Miles as President of HumanWare

06/07/2017

Gilles Pepin, CEO of HumanWare, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Miles as President of HumanWare, effective July 1st, 2017.

Bruce Miles

Bookshare security changes notice and impact on Apex users

9/06/2017

If you are a bookshare member you may have received a message from Bookshare informing you of some coming security changes which will affect their website and customer experiences.

Bookshare security changes notice and impact on Apex users

Supercharge Your BrailleNote Touch Today
with Version 2.0. Math Braille to Print, KNFB Reader,
Braille Display Mode, and So Much More!

31/10/2016

Version 2.0 brings many features and enhancements which have been requested by BrailleNote users and demonstrates the kind of innovation that this tool can produce.

Supercharge Your BrailleNote Touch Today with Version 2.0. Math Braille to Print, KNFB Reader, Braille Display Mode, and So Much More!

HumanWare introduces the latest version of Romeo
and Juliet braille embossers

21/06/2016

Montreal, June 21, 2016 — HumanWare is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the Romeo 60 and Juliet 120 Braille embossers from Enabling Technologies.

The embossers which defined reliability and have produced quality braille over the past 20 years make their triumphant return today. Romeo and Juliet are now shipping with a completely updated and modern platform that packs in wireless printing over Wi-Fi, a built-in braille translator, and the ability to emboss high quality tactile graphics, all at an affordable price.

HumanWare introduces the latest version of Romeo and Juliet braille embossers

The BrailleNote Touch is Shipping Today!
– First Google Certified accessibility device

26/05/2016

May 26, 2016 – HumanWare is thrilled to announce that the BrailleNote Touch is shipping starting today! We have received such an incredible amount of responses filled with excitement and anticipation for the BrailleNote Touch. We would like to thank those who placed pre-orders to receive one of the first BrailleNote Touch units.

HumanWare introduces the BrailleNote Touch, the first Android All in One braille tablet providing Play Store access

HumanWare introduces the BrailleNote Touch,
the first Android All in One braille tablet
providing Play Store access

24/03/2016

Montreal, March 24 2016 — HumanWare is pleased to introduce the revolutionary BrailleNote Touch at the 2016 CSUN conference in San Diego.

HumanWare introduces the BrailleNote Touch, the first Android All in One braille tablet providing Play Store access

HumanWare Becomes the Exclusive North American Master
Distributor of Enabling Technologies Braille Products

22/12/2015

HumanWare is pleased to announce a new partnership with Enabling Technologies. Beginning January 1st, 2016, Humanware will become the exclusive North American distributor for all Enabling Technologies products.

HumanWare Becomes the Exclusive North American Master Distributor of Enabling Technologies Braille Products

HumanWare unveils Prodigi Connect 12
- An integrated digital magnifier for
the connected classroom

27/08/2015

HumanWare is pleased to announce the arrival of the newest member of the award-winning Prodigi family. The Prodigi™ Connect 12 is a highly portable digital magnifier and 12-inch tablet that features an open Android platform with access to more than a million apps and native synchronization to Google's suite of tools.

HumanWare unveils Prodigi Connect 12 - An integrated digital magnifier for the connected classroom

HumanWare Launches the Trekker Breeze+

27/05/2015

The new improved Breeze+ is the most accurate, intuitive, and effective navigation aid designed for travelers who are visually impaired.

 HumanWare Launches the Trekker Breeze+

KeySoft 9.5 is Available For Download: Internet radio,
UEB Math to Print, Exam Mode, Quick Notes, KeyMaps 2015

20/05/2015

Today HumanWare is excited to announce KeySoft 9.5’s availability as a free download for all BrailleNote and VoiceNote Apex users. Whether you are a student, teacher, professional, or a leisure user of the BrailleNote Apex, KeySoft 9.5 has a feature or enhancement for you.

KeySoft 9.5 is Available For Download: Internet radio, UEB Math to Print, Exam Mode, Quick Notes, KeyMaps 2015

Try the new Prodigi Tablet at CSUN!

02/03/2015

Visit the HumanWare booth (505) to test-drive the new Prodigi Tablet, the most complete and lightest handheld magnifier on the market.

HumanWare at ATIA 2015: visit us at booth 101

26/01/2015

Test-drive our innovative products, including the BrailleNote® Apex, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business and for personal use; Victor Reader®, the world's leading family of digital audiobook players; the unique Prodigi™ family of desktop and portable vision and reading systems, and Trekker® Breeze, the all-in-one handheld talking GPS.

HumanWare at ATIA 2015: visit us at booth 101

Read what the experts are saying about Prodigi

18/12/2014

The December issue of AFB AccessWorld Magazine features a great
review of the Prodigi TM Duo electronic magnifier. This new brand recognition positions Prodigi as a highly efficient product that can improve quality of life for people living with low vision conditions.

Read what the experts are saying about Prodig

Another award for Prodigi!

28/11/2014

HumanWare is pleased to announce that the Prodigi 2-in-1 digital magnifier recently won an award at the 32nd annual awards of excellence by Tech & Learning Magazine (read the publication press release) .

Another award for Prodigi!

Prodigi 1.2 is now available
New spoken menus and audio feedback

22/09/2014

HumanWare is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Prodigi TM version 1.2, a free software update to the groundbreaking personal vision assistant. Among other great enhancements, Prodigi now reads the menu items out loud.

Prodigi 1.2 is now available - New spoken menus and audio feedback!

Victor Reader Stream version 4.4 update NOW AVAILABLE:
Enjoy online podcasts, wireless access to the NLS BARD

22/09/2014

The Victor Reader Stream version 4.4 update brings even more exciting new wireless features including online podcasts and wireless access to the NLS BARD service. Enjoy the ability to search and browse thousands of podcasts, subscribe with a single key press and have new episodes automatically downloaded wirelessly to the Stream.

Victor Reader Stream version 4.4 update NOW AVAILABLE: Enjoy online podcasts, wireless access to the NLS BARD

Prodigi 1.1: Prodigi makes reading as easy as 1-2-3!

05/06/2014

HumanWare is pleased to announce Prodigi TM version 1.1.0, a free software update to the groundbreaking personal vision assistant that makes it even simpler to get started magnifying and reading.

Prodigi 1.1: Prodigi makes reading as easy as 1-2-3!

Making your purchases just got even easier!
No Payments + No Interest for 6 Months*

27/05/2014

HumanWare is pleased to offer you the new Bill Me Later option, a PayPal service that lets you buy now and pay later. Think of it as a secure, instant, and reusable credit line without the plastic.

Making your purchases just got even easier! No Payments + No Interest for 6 Months*

KeySoft 9.4.1 and KeyMaps:
Providing Informed Travel for All

19/03/2014

HumanWare brings another exciting enhancement to the long history of KeySoft. This update introduces KeyMaps, a new application exclusive to BrailleNote Apex users. KeyMaps is a fully accessible virtual navigation application to be included on all BrailleNote Apex devices.

KeySoft 9.4.1 and KeyMaps: Providing Informed Travel for All

New archived webinar

Low Vision Devices and Medicare--Joint ACB/AFB
Teleseminar Sponsored by HumanWare - March 12, 2104

17/03/2014

Listen to this teleseminar jointly hosted by ACB and AFB to learn about recent activities in the U.S. Congress to promote Medicare coverage of low vision devices.

New archived webinar - Low Vision Devices and Medicare--Joint ACB/AFB Teleseminar Sponsored by HumanWare - March 12, 2104

Join us at the 29 th CSUN conference

13/03/2014

HumanWare, the global leader in assistive technologies for people who are blind or have low vision, is pleased to announce its participation at the 29 th Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference CSUN 2014 in San Diego.

 Join us at the 29th CSUN conference

Stream 4.3 Now Available: access to over 36,000
web radio stations + wireless rich media content

04/02/2014

With the new Stream, you can now access over 36,000 radio stations around the world. And finding the stations you want is easy with useful functions like searching by the station's name, browsing by genre, and easily saving stations to your favorites list. You can get started even faster by trying HumanWare's suggested playlists by region!

Stream 4.3 Now Available: access to over 36,000 web radio stations + wireless rich media content

The world's most advanced desktop electronic
magnifier for under $2,000

13/01/2014

For a significantly lower price than traditional CCTVs, the new Prodigi Desktop delivers features that people with low vision want and need: unique Diamond Edge Text technology for crisp, clear reading at any magnification. and simple to use Touch and Tap controls that put everything at your fingertips without having to use an X/Y table.

The world's most advanced desktop electronic magnifier for under $2,000