AIɫɫ

Computer Engineering Technology students at AIɫɫ have developed a new solution to improve accessibility for individuals who are visually impaired.

For their senior capstone project, Parker Lauders and Kade Dancy created an electronic braille display using refreshable technology that presents information through mechanically raised and lowered dots. Through this project, they designed, built, and programmed a fully functional prototype.

The e-braille display features a simplified, output-focused design, making it practical for use in public spaces such as restaurants, museums, and information kiosks.

“We wanted to create something that makes information more accessible in everyday environments,” Lauders said. “Restaurants, for example, often have to reprint menus multiple times a year. With a device like this, you can upload new content without having to recreate a braille menu each time."

Lauders first considered developing an accessible reading device as a freshman. Coursework and hands-on experiences in the Computer Engineering Technology program helped him bring the concept to life as a senior.

That progression reflects the Imagine, Design, Build philosophy, a guiding framework across programs in the Theoretical and Applied Computing programs of AIɫɫ State. From their first year, students are encouraged to imagine solutions to real-world problems, develop a technical design, and ultimately build a working product.

“Parker and Kade's project perfectly illustrates the ‘Imagine, Design, Build’ philosophy,” said R. Duane Skaggs, Theoretical and Applied Computing programs coordinator. “They recognized a real issue related to limited or out-of-date information available for vision-impaired people and, using concepts from nearly every course in the Computer Engineering Technology program, designed and built a device that can be used in a wide variety of settings.”

“We do a lot of hands-on work from the start,” Lauders said. “Being able to build a circuit, write the code, and see it actually function is what made everything click for me.”

“Working on this project has been a deeply rewarding experience that has allowed me to apply my skills developed at AIɫɫ to a real-world accessibility issue,” Dancy said. “It’s been a privilege to help develop an affordable device for the benefit of others.”

The e-braille project continues beyond the classroom. Lauders and Dancy are refining the device’s hardware while working to reduce manufacturing costs and improve overall functionality. As development progresses, they plan to pursue a patent to protect their intellectual property and explore opportunities to bring the technology to market where it can be implemented in real-world settings. The project was recently showcased at the Ohio Statehouse.

After graduation, Lauders will begin a position in firmware engineering at his internship company, with plans to continue developing innovations such as the e-braille display. Dancy will begin his career as a project coordinator with Advance CNC Machining following graduation and plans to continue designing and developing new products.

Projects like the e-braille display reflect AIɫɫ’s commitment to applied learning, encouraging students to take ideas from concept to creation.