Non-Profit Organization Unveils Revolutionary $10 Braille Keyboard to Bridge Accessibility Gap

Uman Sharma, the visionary founder of the non-profit organization Jdable, has successfully developed a functional Braille keyboard prototype with a production cost of less than ten US dollars. This breakthrough is specifically designed to address the prohibitive costs of existing commercial assistive technologies. At the time the project commenced, comparable Braille devices on the market were priced at upwards of $7,000, making them inaccessible to a vast majority of the visually impaired population.

The initiative began three years ago while Sharma was an eleventh-grade student at Princeton Day School, driven by a desire to dismantle the financial barriers surrounding essential accessibility tools. Officially registered as a non-profit in 2022, Jdable has since grown into a robust operation, enlisting the help of more than fifty student volunteers dedicated to the mission of creating affordable hardware. Since 2024, Ankih Namireddy has played a critical role in the organization by overseeing financial management. The project's significant potential has also earned the backing of industry giants, receiving development grants from both Google and Microsoft.

The core innovation of the device lies in the strategic deconstruction of standard keyboards and the integration of custom Braille keys. These specialized components are manufactured using 3D printing technology with PETG and TPU materials, which ensures the device is both durable and highly customizable. By utilizing these methods, Sharma managed to keep the manufacturing cost under the $10 mark per unit. He describes the project as an effort to build an "infrastructure for dignity," arguing that accessibility should be a standard part of daily life rather than a rare luxury. His inspiration for the project was sparked after seeing an advertisement for an expensive Braille keyboard and subsequently visiting a school for the blind in India, where the urgent need for low-cost solutions became clear.

Throughout the development phase, Sharma collaborated with experts in Braille technology to ensure the keyboard was intuitive and efficient for users. The resulting prototype offers a typing experience that is significantly faster and more effective than traditional text-to-speech systems, which can often be cumbersome. Jdable’s work directly challenges the market barriers that currently limit assistive technology for millions of blind individuals worldwide. The effectiveness of the keyboard has been validated through workshops at prestigious institutions, including the National Association for the Blind in Delhi and the Silver Lining School for the Blind. To date, the organization has already donated more than twenty keyboards and is preparing for a global distribution phase intended to reach over 250 students.

Beyond the production of keyboards, Jdable is expanding its scope to provide comprehensive educational support for the visually impaired. The organization’s growing portfolio now includes tactile learning kits, which feature 3D-printed geometric shapes, maps, and globes equipped with Braille labels. Furthermore, the team is currently exploring advanced engineering projects, including the development of autonomous wheelchairs and "smart" canes. These initiatives reflect Jdable's broader commitment to utilizing affordable technology to foster independence and improve the quality of life for people with visual disabilities.