That morning, the HumanWare team had the privilege of visiting Jacques-Ouellette school in Longueuil, a specialized school where students who are blind or have low vision learn, explore, and imagine without limits.
This visit held a special meaning for our team: three of our colleagues present that day are themselves former students at the school. A heartfelt homecoming, filled with gratitude, and a powerful reminder that anything is possible.
We brought along a few assistive technologies. The StellarTrek gave students a chance to explore how a talking GPS can help navigate a route or read a sign. With the Victor Reader, some listened to audiobooks and podcasts with ease. The BrailleNote Touch Plus, our intelligent braille notetaker, sparked curiosity for writing, research, and even coding. The Monarch tablet, with its multiline braille and tactile display, offered a new way to explore braille text and tactile graphics. The Reveal 16 helped one student zoom in on the fine print of a hockey card, while the Prodigi software was used to read a poem in large print on a tablet. Finally, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, equipped with a voice assistant, opened the door to conversations about everyday uses, from visual assistance to listening to music.
But it was the students who truly set the tone for the visit
We met a future sports broadcaster, passionate about hockey, who dreams of making games more accessible. Another student wants to become an automation engineer, imagining a future where accessibility features are built into everyday devices. And then there was the young visionary already dreaming of building a virtual world powered by quantum physics, no less.
One girl dream of becoming a free play teacher. Another would choose a magical power: to bring peace to the world. One student told us she wants to become a lawyer, while two sensitive and caring twin sisters hope to become social workers.
There was also the young woman who had completed all her studies at Jacques-Ouellette and, with remarkable maturity, told us how lucky she feels to have been part of this school, now ready to take the next step and start college. And of course, it’s hard to forget the dance magnet, this young man whose infectious energy left a lasting impression on everyone.
These encounters remind us that assistive technology is not an end. Whether it’s a braille display, a screen reader, a GPS for blind users, or a low vision device, these accessibility products take on their full meaning when placed in the hands of young minds, curious, ambitious, and full of light.
That day, our hearts were deeply touched by the radiant confidence and boundless joy that the students exuded. Their pride in attending an inclusive, nurturing school, and their trust in a caring, dedicated staff who believe in them, shone through in their smiles, their questions, and their dreams.
Want to explore the products that sparked these moments?
- StellarTrek – A talking GPS for navigation and reading signs in the environment
- Victor Reader – A simple, intuitive player for audiobooks and podcasts
- BrailleNote Touch Plus – A smart braille notetaker for writing, research, and coding
- Monarch – A multiline braille tablet with tactile graphics support
- Prodigi for Windows – Advanced low vision software
- Reveal 16 – Digital desktop magnifier
- Ray-Ban Meta – Smart glasses with a voice assistant for everyday us
