Communication for Blind People

About the charity

Talking computers for the blind

We are the providers of modern Braille, free software so that computers can talk to blind people. We call our talking software Thunder. It’s a ‘screen reader’ and reads everything on a screen, a web page, an email you receive or write, and most Office documents.

A talking computer enables those who can’t see to read and write, to enjoy all the benefits of the web, emailing, audio books, learning and leisure alongside their families and friends. Up to now, this technology has been available but at a high cost to each individual, between £500 and £800. We give our talking software ‘Thunder’ away free from our website to blind people anywhere in the world.  Most blind people remain poor and there is no other way of including all of them in the digital 21st century - this is why over 200,000 blind people have downloaded Thunder in the last 4 years!

There are over 350,000 registered blind and partially sighted people in the UK and this number is increasing because blindness is an ailment of an ageing society. Worldwide there are an estimated 20m blind. Our project is the vision of Margaret and Roger Wilson-Hinds, both blind, who know the problems that blind people encounter embracing the digital world. You can learn more about their vision for blind people by viewing the video on this page.

We’ve also produced a version of Thunder for those blind people with other learning difficulties. Thunder has been translated into five European languages for distribution by blind organisations in other countries. Another five languages are planned and will be available in 2011.

The challenge

Learning to use talking software is not easy as blind people cannot use a mouse but instead have to learn a series of key strokes to navigate. To help support the blind user we offer a range of free learning tools including podcasts, a telephone helpline, training manuals and video support. Our video tutorials, available on YouTube, provide instructions so that a sighted family member, or carer, can provide technical support.. We also give free learning sessions at local blind charities and during 2010 will be providing 50 sessions throughout the UK. Louis Braille, born 200 years ago last year and the inventor of Braille, might well have been proud and excited to support our 21st century digital solution to the literacy needs of blind people.  Our constant challenge is to keep our talking software up-to-date and relevant so that it can go on speaking to blind people now and in the future.