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Supporting Braille Technologies for the Braille Interface of OAKS Online


Supporting Braille TechnologiesIn 2012-13 the Braille interface of OAKS Online will only be available through supported Windows 7 machines. Students will access the Braille interface of OAKS Online using the 2012-13 OAKS Secure Browser. In addition, students will use a combination of the supporting Braille technologies described on this page to take the OAKS assessments. ODE followed the structured Oregon procurement process to identify the vendors who will provide these supporting Braille technologies.

JAWS Screen Reader (Versions 12 or 13) (Freedom Scientific, Inc.)
Technical Support:
JAWS Dictionary (must be installed for Braille Interface administrations of the OAKS Math tests)

Tiger Max Embosser (ViewPlus Technologies, Inc.)
Product Specifications:
  • Printing speed: 60 Braille characters per second
  • Emboss printing resolution: 20 DPI
  • Adjustable embossed Braille dots
  • Paper width: 4” to 14”
  • Paper handling: Tractor feed paper, Braille paper, computer paper, oversized paper, labels, plastic, card stock
  • Compatible with Windows XP and higher
  • USB and Network compatible
  • Zonet ZPW4000 wireless NUSB Print Server (Adapter for Network)
Technical Support:

ALVA USB 640 40 cell Braille display (Vision Cue, LLC)
Product Specifications:
  • 40 cells
  • Compatible with JAWS Screen Reader
  • Compatible with Windows XP and higher, as well as Mac operating systems (note: only Windows machines are currently supported for testing)
  • USB compatible
Technical Support:

Focus 40 Blue 40 cell Braille display (Freedom Scientific, Inc)
Product Specifications:
  • 40 cells
  • Compatible with JAWS Screen Reader
  • Compatible with Windows XP and higher, as well as Mac operating systems (note: only Windows machines are currently supported for testing)
  • USB compatible
Technical Support:

Duxbury Braille Transcription Software (Duxbury Systems, Inc.)
Product Specifications:
  • Requires 50 megabytes of hard drive space after installation is complete
  • Compatible with Windows XP and higher
Technical Support:
Testing Set-Up Support
Please contact Mary Fran Anderson with questions about set-up, settings, and use of the specialized equipment as it relates to the Braille OAKS Interface.
Contact: Mary Fran Anderson, BVIS Technology Specialist
Phone: (503) 614-1287
E-Mail: manderson@nwresd.k12.or.us eMail


While these Braille technologies are required for accessing the Braille interface of OAKS Online, students may also use these as well as other technologies as part of instruction.

Funding: In partnership with the Vision Workgroup of Oregon’s eight Regional Special Education Programs, ODE will use funding support from the Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund (BVI) to provide each Oregon student who uses Braille with access to the supporting Braille technologies that will be used with the new Braille interface of OAKS Online.

Distribution: ODE will distribute Braille software (JAWS and Duxbury) to all regions via the September Regional Management Team (RMT) meeting. ODE will distribute the Braille equipment (Tiger Embossers and ALVA refreshable Braille displays) to Teachers for the Visually Impaired during the TVI Braille Interface Trainings scheduled September 19 - 21. This equipment will be distributed to individual TVIs based on student enrollment and TVI assignments. All equipment will be bar-coded by the Oregon Textbook Media Center (OTMC) before distribution to districts. Should a new student enroll in your district after this initial distribution, your district may request additional equipment through OTMC (Attn: Bob Disher , Phone: 503-540-2940 or 503-540-2941; Fax: 503-385-4716; E-mail: contact.otmc@wesd.org eMail).



Related Pages
  • Oregon Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund  External Link  
    The Blind and Visually Impaired Student fund (BVIS) was created by the Oregon legislature when it closed the Oregon School for the Blind (OSB) September 1, 2009. It provides services for those former OSB students and continues the mission to service students who are visually impaired in the state.

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