Braille notetakers are small, lightweight, portable devices with Braille keys for entering information. Braille notetakers are much like a computer, except that they have a fraction of both the cost and the memory.

Braille notetakers use a speech synthesizer, if someone would like to hear what has been typed, or a Braille display, which can then be read to see what has been typed into the Braille notetaker.

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The Braille notetaker user also has the option of entering the information onto the Braille notetaker, and then can transfer it to a larger computer with more memory. This is why some students may like using a Braille notetaker in the classroom. In addition, this can be used in a reversed manner. If a professor downloads information (ie: handouts) onto the Braille notetaker, the student can read the handouts with the Refreshable Braille Display or speech synthesizer.

In reviewing information, a Braille notetaker can use a speech synthesizer or Refreshable Braille Display.

When printing, the user can opt to print the information onto either a Braille printer or, if there is a program installed on the computer that can change Braille to English, print onto a regular inkjet printer, so what the user has typed can be read by those who read print.

The Braille notetaker can also provide basic organizational tasks, such as a calendar and they can also be used to send/receive email messages. There are also accessories that can be bought for Braille notetakers, depending on what type of Braille notetaker you purchase. Such accessories include a graphing program or internet access.

One major downfall with Braille notetakers is that there can be errors when changing from Braille on the Braille notetaker into the computer. One would need to use voice output to make sure no errors have occurred and to make any needed corrections.

Another option to Braille notetakers are notebooks, which have a standard keyboard with Braille on the keys. This is a lightweight notebook that has the ability to type into the notebooks’s memory and then the user hears what has been typed through speech output. There is no Braille read-back option. This is much like a computer in that spell check is available, along with basic organizational tasks, such as a calendar, calculator and address book. Information can be downloaded through another computer hookup, or through a disk.