BOFFINS from Hereford have developed a device that is set to revolutionise the way blind people learn.

The Talking Tactile Technologies learning aid has literally reduced many blind people to crying tears of joy - and is now set to sell all over the world.

It comes after four years of work by a research team at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

A team of four based in the city has developed the device from an original concept developed in the United States.

Orders for the teaching aid that can be used in the classroom as well as by individuals have already come in from within the UK, Ireland, Germany and Holland.

"This is a great breakthrough and will revolutionise the way in which people who are blind or partially sighted can learn," said Lesley Wells, who led the project.

"We have shown this to blind people and they have been amazed by its potential and, in some cases, reduced to tears of joy at its potential."

The technology enables blind people to receive audible information at the press of a finger when following a map or diagram on a screen.

"Someone could be following a map and, by simply pressing on a dot that represents a city for example, they can get detailed information. It can offer up to 10 layers of information from basic to very detailed and complex.

"This technology is in advance of anything similar that exists anywhere in the world," said Lesley Wells.

She said the application could be used to help people with other learning difficulties as well as sight problems.

"This has not been developed to make money but nevertheless it has huge commercial potential.

"It has the opportunity to repay the huge investment made by the College here in Hereford.

"This technology links into a basic PC and can be used both by teachers and individual learners. Young children and older students studying at degree level can use it.

"We are very excited that the team in Hereford has developed something that is a world leader."

Amanda Bond is a 38-year-old tutor at the college. She arrived in the UK from New Zealand 15 years ago and two years after that started to lose her sight, becoming totally blind in 1999.

"This is amazing. When I first started using it I cried because it is so wonderful," said Amanda.

"What would take two people hours in the classroom someone can do on their own in seconds using T3. It is also so cost effective offering huge benefits for relative peanuts."

Amanda said it was easy to use and could be adapted to any language or teaching situation.

"I can see this having great use by fully sighted people. For example, it would have huge potential in a tourist information centre.

"Someone could press on a theatre and be told what was showing, what time the performance was taking, how much the tickets cost and much more."

The Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford has more than 200 students.

s Knowledge - at the touch of a finger. 060804-2