Technology Desk : Polly, is new and advanced technology for Braille learners. Innovations are blessings for human lives and when innovation helps people who are struggling with their lives, it becomes a boon for them. Thinkerbell Labs, a Startup India company, has come up with new and innovative idea of Polly. It has made a breakthrough in the United States with the official launch of Polly, a revolutionary new device designed to help children with visual impairment learn braille efficiently and easily. In partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Polly has captured the attention of the braille-learning community in the United States. There is a strong demand for accessible and innovative braille learning tools.
APH and Thinkerbell developed a very strong partnership to bring Polly to students in the United States. Although we are two very different companies, we are united by the same goals to make braille available to early learners as soon as possible, to make that learning experience fun and engaging, and to ultimately, positively impact the rates of braille literacy. It has been a pleasure to take this journey with the talented and committed Thinkerbell team, and to work together to make Polly a reality.
Anne Lancaster, Vice-President, APH
At Thinkerbell Labs, we believe that technology has the power to transform lives. Our partnership with APH in creating Polly is a testament to this belief. Together, we are breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive world for education. We are proud to collaborate with APH and look forward to continuing to innovate and make a difference in the lives of people in this community.
Sanskriti Dawle, Co-Founder and CEO – Thinkerbell Labs
As a blind father of two sighted children, there is a huge amount of toys and apps that one can find to enhance literacy for their kids. Just do a quick search on Amazon and you will find a seemingly endless list of options. For blind students learning to read, the availability of gamified technology to enhance their braille literacy skills is incredibly limited. I am a huge fan of the Polly because it makes the learning of the Braille Code fun, and also brings competition into the equation. Students will want to play these games, or experience the exercises to see what comes next, or how they can beat their last high score. It is great for independent learning but also incredibly fun for multiple learners to play together.”
Greg Stilson, Head of Global Technology Innovation – APH
Polly is a variant of the company’s flagship product, Annie. Polly is especially made for the US Market and is a learning ecosystem consisting of the device and the web app Helios. It is a compact and portable braille-learning device that uses innovative technology to guide users through a series of lessons and exercises, making learning braille fun and engaging. Along with Polly comes ‘Helios,’ the web app for teachers and parents, allowing them to track their student’s progress on Polly in real-time. With Polly, visually impaired individuals can learn braille on their own, at their own pace. Polly is available under the Federal Quota to citizens of the United States. Thinkerbell Labs has already made a significant impact in India with its flagship product, Annie. The company’s success in the United States with the launch of Polly is a witness to its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity and its ability to develop solutions that meet the needs of diverse communities. The company’s mission is to impact 20,000+ students this academic year.
