Development of an Affordable Braille Learning Tool within the AITECH Project

On April 8, 2026, a project meeting was held at the Department of Polytechnics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, focused on the development of an innovative didactic tool for learning Braille.

The activity is part of the project “Artificial Intelligence for Future Technical Education and Industrial Competitiveness (AITECH), IP-UNIST-48”, contributing to its goals of inclusive education, technological innovation, and knowledge transfer.

Senior Teaching Assistant Dražen Kustura initiated the development of a low-cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) Braille learning device designed to be affordable and accessible, including in developing countries where such assistive tools are often prohibitively expensive. The concept aims to combine accessibility, simplicity of production, and educational value, making it a scalable solution for broader application.

As part of the validation and further development of the idea, Ivan Bogdanović from the University Office for Students with Disabilities joined the initiative, bringing valuable expertise and insight into the needs of students with visual impairments. This collaboration represents an important step toward ensuring that the developed solution is both practical and user-oriented.

The University Counseling Service for Students with Disabilities plays a key role in supporting students in overcoming academic barriers related to their disabilities. It provides administrative, advisory, and informational support, as well as opportunities for networking and community building among students with disabilities.

This activity highlights the project’s commitment to inclusive and socially responsible innovation, with a focus on developing accessible educational tools that can have a meaningful impact across diverse contexts.

Funding acknowledgement:

This activity is part of the project “Artificial Intelligence for Future Technical Education and Industrial Competitiveness (AITECH), IP-UNIST-48”, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026 (NPOO).

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.