Mountbatten Learning System
The Mountbatten Learning System (MBLS) has been designed for children who need braille. It is a fun and inclusive introduction to braille literacy and provides a solid foundation for a life-time of learning. It is suitable for the very first stages of Braille instruction through to high school and beyond. 
Specifications:
Braille Writing
- Electronic Braille writer/ Embosser
- Correcting and Erasing, Variety of paper types can be used
- Ergonomically designed keyboard
- Page formatting
- Writing to memory
- Graphics mode
- One-handed mode.
Braille Translation
- Translation from Braille to print
- translation from print to Braille
- Braille Exception Tables.
Learning Tools
- Digitised speech
- Assignable function keys
- Synthetic speech
- Note-taker (including editing), file transfer to and from PC.
- Connections
- Mimic text display, PC keyboard, headphones, text printer, PC connectivity, network facility and USB.
General functions
Portable, battery and Mains, memory size (kilobytes), 400, Memory size (Braille pages) 600.
Other
- Clock
- Countdown timer
- Stopwatch
- Date and time
Standard photocopy paper recommended ( 80 gsm or 20 lbs), can also emboss regular braille paper.
Available in foreign languages and braille codes.
Testimonial
The Mountbatten Brailler is a great machine which I believe is sadly under-used in New Zealand. For a number of years now In Wellington we have applied to Enable (Health Budget therefore, not Education) well before the learner turns five so that "Braille scribbling" is well under way before formal schooling begins. Much early learning of Braille writing becomes incidental and accidental because of the instant feedback provided by the speech.
There are a number of resources available to help us, as teachers, make the most use of the Mountbatten.
Graham Cook, Itinerant Teacher For The Visually Impaired in British Columbia has produced a series of 10 Units, each containing a set of lessons. The lessons have been specifically designed for beginning Braille users. Have a look I think he has done a great job!
He has also developed an accompanying manual titled MB Pro – The Second Generation Mountbatten Brailler - A Visual Guide.
For those of you who have students already using a Mountbatten have you thought of loading the Manual onto your laptop? Then if you want to find something quickly you can just use the search function - so much quicker than flicking through the print copy. It is an Adobe pdf file so the search function is at the top - very easy!
- Diane Glynan – Resource Teacher Vision
Please email us for further information.
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