Latest news

Access (2013-02-04)

Harpo International has expanded its offer by adding environmental control systems designed to facilitate independent living for people who lack full mobility. Check our range of devices that give you control of your environment. Solutions that will let you interact with computer systems as well as other enviornmental systems. For example, you will be assisted in opening doors, answering telephones, or operating other electronic and electric devices common in home and work environment. For further and more detailed information visit aac.harpo.com.pl.

Events in 2013 (2013-01-20)

We have survived the end of the world and are happy and excited to plan our events for 2013. As usual we looking forward to meeting you.

We would like to welcome you at our booths during:

1. 1st International Conference on Technology for Helping People with Special Needs held at Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on February 18-20, 2013.

2. 28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) held at Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, CA, USA on February 25 to March 2, 2013. Please visit us in booth 605C in Douglas Pavilion.

BrailleBack for Android 4.1 supports BraillePen (2012-12-17)

Many of you may have already heard of the latest accessibility addition from Google. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or higher operating systems are compatible with a new release of BrailleBack. This accessibility app give the BraillePen users Braille input and output. To download and for further information go to BrailleBack

BraillePen12 + Jaws = DENIED (2012-10-25)

Dear Respected Customers

We would like to thank those of you that have decided to trust the BraillePen family of products as their portable solution to assist in accessing mobile devices. We know that many others have been considering it as a possible tool for their everyday communication. We have been asked also if the BraillePen can interface with Jaws. And although BraillePen Slim as an input device will trigger Jaws's audio feedback, the BraillePen 12 will not fully interface with Jaws to be an input and output device. The reason being, there is no BP signed driver for Jaws.

You may be aware of Freedom Scientific's Secure and Compatible Braille Display Initiative and their commitment "to providing [our] JAWS customers with seamless access to refreshable Braille displays." They claim that it is a "low cost program and is easy to participate in". Following our customers' inquiries we decided to participate in this program, even though we believe it is an unfair practice to make other hardware manufacturers pay for what all other companies provide for free and understand that it is for a true benefit of their customers.

We attempted to contact FS using the contact information provided on their Website, http://www.freedomscientific.com/support/Braille-Display-Initiative.asp. However only after several attempts to contact directly one of their top managers, did we receive a negative answer to our request. Not in writing, of course. Only on Skype. We were told that we cannot be part of the program because the BraillePen would not pass the test. Supposedly, the problem is the lack of routing keys in the device. We were also informed that we cannot receive any specifications in writing that list what is required to have a driver signed.

These are the facts. We will let you, our customers, to make your own conclusions. All we can do is apologize for not being able to offer a driver that would work with Jaws. We find the answer to the first question in the Q&A section on the above Website untrue and insulting.

New Website (2012-09-05)

Our new Website is more consistent than before, which makes it even easier to navigate. It is full of useful and interesting information. What is more, you can now find information about all our products by visiting us at int.harpo.com.pl. In addition to product specific contact information you can email us at iss-info@harpo.com.pl with any inquiries and comments.

Enjoy the instructional videos and new photo galleries.