A Braille Press Project: Improving the literacy of the world’s visually impaired

Abstract – Valparaiso University engineering students have completed a service learning project to design and manufacture an upgraded braille printing press for Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc., a charitable organization that provides free-of-charge, Christian print material to visually impaired individuals around the world. There are approximately 314 million blind and visually impaired individuals around the world and the need for braille print material is significant. Braille presses are used by Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc., volunteers at work centers where the braille print material is produced. Moreover, the braille press is a critical component of the production process. The project provided multiple engineering students the opportunity to design, manufacture, and implement an actual product that will benefit visually impaired individuals around the world.