Article from EDUPAGE: NIST UNVEILS DEVICE FOR BLIND TO UNDERSTAND IMAGES Functioning like a sophisticated, novelty-store "bed of nails," a new device developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) allows the blind and visually impaired to "see" images. The device has 3,600 pins, about 10 per square inch, that are raised and lowered to mimic images, allowing users to feel what the image looks like. Officials from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), which will test the device, praised it, saying that it has the potential to empower blind people in ways that were previously unavailable. Other devices function similarly but cost around $40,000, said John Roberts of NIST. Early versions of the new device should cost about $2,000, and the price should drop later, he said. A representative of the NFB said the device could prove especially beneficial for educational purposes because of the wide gap between written and image-based information. United Press International, 24 October 2002 (registration req'd) http//www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/590039p-4591647c.html END OF ARTICLE EASI's Barrier-free E-learning course begins Nov. 4 and runs for 4 weeks all online: http://easi.cc/workshops/bfel.htm