A black braille display with rows of white keys and a braille cell area, with two hands resting on it.

Orbit Reader 20

by American Printing House for the Blind

$799.00, see price history

Price is what the vendor listed when last checked. Confirm it with the vendor before buying.

Setup with instructions The device works on its own for reading files and taking notes, but the main benefit comes from linking it to a screen reader on a computer or phone. That means pairing and settings changes that a family member or the user can handle with the manual or a tutorial. It also takes some practice to learn the modes and keys, so it fits guided setup better than a plug-and-go product.

What it is

Summary

AI-generated from vendor-published content · October 1, 2026

The Orbit Reader 20 is a small refreshable braille device with 20 eight-dot cells that does three jobs. On its own, it reads books and files from an SD card (BRF, BRL, or text) and works as a note-taker using its Perkins-style 8-key braille keyboard. Connected to a computer, phone, or tablet by USB or Bluetooth, it becomes a braille display for a screen reader, so you can read and send messages, check email, and browse the web. It works with common screen readers on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chrome, and weighs under a pound. Twenty cells show only a short line of braille at a time, so you pan through longer text with the navigation keys.

Getting it

Try before you buy

Devices like this are often available to borrow through your state's AT Act program — typically free or low-cost — so you can try it before buying or pursuing funding.

Find your state's lending program →

Where to get it

MaxiAids Visit
$799.00
LS&S Visit
$799.00
Independent Living Aids Visit
$799.00
American Printing House for the Blind Visit
Contact vendor for pricing

These are the vendors WhatCanHelp tracks for this product — it may also be available from other retailers or a local supplier, and prices vary.

How to fund this

These are common places to ask about paying for equipment like this. Each one decides its own eligibility and what it covers, so start by asking them.

All funding programs, state by state →

Details

Quick Facts Catalog facts · auto-generated
Type
Addresses
Platform
Age range
Complexity
Setup with instructions
Price
$799.00
Funding
  • AT Act lending
  • Out of pocket
  • School district
  • Vocational rehab

What setup looks like

  • Out of the box
    1. Charge the unit over USB, then power it on and try the note-taker mode with the braille keyboard.
    2. For book-reader mode, put an SD card holding BRF, BRL, or text files in the slot and open a file.
  • With a guide
    1. Pair the device by Bluetooth or plug in a USB cable, then turn on braille output in your screen reader (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, BrailleBack, or ChromeVox).
    2. Learn the cursor and panning keys and how to switch between modes. Allow about 30-60 minutes to get comfortable.

Sources & fine print

Vendor facts (name, price, platforms, vendor link) sourced from MaxiAids — view on vendor site (opens in a new tab); last checked November 4, 2026.

Classification & description AI-generated from vendor-published content on October 1, 2026 · confidence: high. Vendor specs may lag; verify before relying on details in a clinical or funding artifact.

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