Annie: The Device Helping Blind Children Read and Write

Discover how Thinkerbell Labs’ Annie, the world’s first self-learning Braille device, is revolutionising Braille literacy for blind children. Learn how gamified, voice-guided technology bridges the gap where Braille teachers are scarce.

Braille literacy has been declining worldwide due to a lack of qualified teachers. In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Sanskriti Dawle and Dilip Ramesh, co-founders of Thinkerbell Labs, creators of the Annie device. Annie empowers blind children to independently learn to read, write, and type Braille using a playful, gamified approach.
We explore the origins of Annie, its impact on education in India, partnerships expanding access across the US and UK, and the future of Braille learning—both for children and adults. The conversation also delves into cost-effectiveness, societal perceptions of blind education, and how AI and refreshable Braille displays like the upcoming Tactera could transform literacy and content access.

Relevant Links
Thinkerbell Labs: https://www.thinkerbelllabs.com
American Printing House for the Blind: https://www.aph.org