Johns Hopkins students create groundbreaking braille printer for visually impaired workers

In Maryland, a group of engineering students from Johns Hopkins University developed a unique printer designed to print braille labels for beer cans. The project was initiated during their last semester as part of an innovative capstone effort aimed at benefiting the visually impaired community. Their work primarily focused on meeting the needs of Blind Industries & Services of Maryland, the state's largest employer of blind and low-vision workers. The team spent months designing a machine capable of automating the printing of braille onto various materials, including plastic beer labels, which commercial printers typically cannot handle. The students, consisting of Catherine Pollard and her teammates Sophia, Gabriella, and Crystal, wanted to create a solution that would not only assist in making braille more accessible but also empower visually impaired individuals by allowing them to operate the printer independently. To that end, they incorporated an automated process which enhances usability for individuals without sight. The team collaborated closely with Mike Gosse, president of BISM, for insight into what was needed. Their efforts culminated in a braille beer label printer that aligns with the organization’s goals for an upcoming braille beer event, marking a significant milestone in making such labels available to a broader population. Once completed, the machine was capable of printing labels in a timely fashion, significantly reducing the need for manual labor in creating over a thousand labels associated with BISM’s next fundraising event planned for 2026. In Tennessee, another group of students from Colorado School of Mines embarked on a meaningful capstone project named HapWare, aimed at enhancing interactions for individuals who are visually impaired and neurodivergent. This innovative product develops a haptic feedback system that conveys facial expressions through a combination of glasses and a wristband. Users, equipped with these devices, receive patterns of vibrations that relay social cues often missed due to inability to perceive visual signals. This technology represents a shift towards creating more equitable social experiences for people with disabilities. The team feels optimistic about the potential impacts of their project, believing it will change the way visually impaired individuals engage with their environments. Collectively, these initiatives showcase a growing trend among engineering students to use their skills to create meaningful solutions for individuals with disabilities. By engaging directly with organizations that represent the blind community, these students are setting examples of how innovation can drive positive social change. Their projects not only focus on improving technology but also emphasize enhancing the quality of life for those with visual impairments. The ability to interact with their social surroundings without barriers and the option to produce materials independently positions these projects as vital contributions to creating an inclusive society.