A Special Gift for Jake Mohan

Jake Mohan is a typical ten-year-old boy, constantly in motion with his friends at school and at home.  Except there is one difference between him and his buddies…he is totally blind. When he was seven years old, The Somers Lions Club gave him a special gift that changed his life:  The Humanware® BrailleNote Apex BT32 computer system. This computer allows him to read homework, correspondence, articles on the web, and books using his fingertips on a dynamic touch display.  The Apex has a Braille typewriter keyboard that he uses to type in text.  Along with the computer, he was given a Braille Printer that facilitates producing hardcopy of assignments, resource materials and his own creations.  The Apex has become Jake’s “best friend” which he often takes to school to keep him academically on track. Happily, he is doing very well in school!

In addition, the Somers Lions also provided earphones for the Apex.  The unit, with a built-in microphone and ample storage, is capable of recording audio in the classroom.  This allows Jake to review material that was previously presented in class, and has software that converts conventional text to Braille for printing or reading aloud using the Apex.  What an amazing, daunting system to give a seven-year-old; however, he has grown with it and has a system that will carry him through high school years and beyond.