Directions for thePerkins Brailler From Future Aids, The Braille Superstore.
The Perkins Brailler is by far the most efficient device for producing Braille "by hand" (i.e., not generated by computer). The Perkins Brailler has nine keys: the six keys corresponding to the six dots, a space bar, a backspace key, and a paper advance/line feed key. In addition, it has a thumb-lever to move the typing head back to the beginning of a line. Dots are made by pressing one or more keys simultaneously, following this pattern:
1. Dot 1: index finger of left hand
2. Dot 2: middle finger of left hand
3. Dot 3: ring finger of left hand
4. Dot 4: index finger of right hand
5. Dot 5: middle finger of right hand
6. Dot 6: ring finger of right hand
The space bar, in between the six keys, is pressed with either the left or the right-hand thumb.
The backspace key is on the far right.
The paper advance key is on the far left.
To load paper, follow these instructions:
1. With the keys of the Brailler, i.e. the front of the Brailler, facing you.
2. Turn the feed knob (on either side of the Brailler) as far as it will go, turning the top of the feed knob away from you.
3. Open the print head by pulling either of the paper bail levers (on top of the Brailler) all the way toward you.
4. Set the bottom edge of the paper on top of the back cover of the Brailler and slide it into the Brailler as far as it will go.
5. Push either of the paper bail levers all the way away from you. This will clamp the paper into the Brailler.
6. Turn the feed knob as far as it will go, turning the top of the feed knob toward you.
7. Press the paper advance key once to set the paper.
8. The paper is now loaded. To remove the paper, either roll the paper all the way out of the Brailler using the feed knob, or advance it all the way to the bottom of the page using the paper advance key. Then pull the paper bail toward you and remove the paper.
Once you have removed the paper, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reinsert it and have the dots line up. Therefore, before you remove your paper from the Brailler, it is a good idea to proofread your work. Erasures can be made by rolling the paper out slightly and pushing the dots back into the paper, using the metal top of the back cover plate of the Brailler for support.
Braillers have the advantages of being fast, making clean dots, and being easy to use. Cells do not have to be inverted as they are with the slate, and it is easy to read your Braille as it comes out of the Brailler.
Blind in Mind: The Braille Superstore
(A Division of MarvelSoft Enterprises, Inc.)
88 Captain Morgans Blvd.
Nanaimo, BC, V9R 6R1
Canada