Last month, we began our countdown of the 25 most popular websites serving the blind and visually impaired.
We analyzed data from Alexa Internet’s online website rankings to present our list. The ranks given are the overall site rank amongst the entire Internet. If you missed the first two installments, they’re linked on the bottom of this post.
15. Braille through Remote Learning
http://www.brl.org
Rank: 675,270
This site is an online instructional program that provides courses in reading and transcribing. Their courses include Introduction to Braille, A Transcribers Course, and a Specialized Codes Course. A large Braille reference desk is also included. In addition to the United States, a large following exists in India.
14. Future Aids, the Braille Superstore
http://www.braillebookstore.com
Rank: 659,932
Continuing our Braille theme, this Canadian-based site offers a wide variety of Braille books for children and adults. In addition, they offer a selection of low-cost, low-tech items such as talking clocks, Braille games, and Braille accessories. It is most popular in Canada, but also derives much of its following from the United Kingdom and the U.S.
13. GW Micro
http://www.gwmicro.com
Rank: 595,315
GW Micro first entered the market primarily as a software publisher of its screen readers, but has more recently expanded into other areas. Products today include Braille PDAs, a DAISY book player, magnifying aids, and Braille displays. The highest rank for GW Micro actually comes from Poland, made evident by some of the Polish scripts posted on its Script Central resource. Turkey, India, the U.S., and France round out the top five.
12. American Council of the Blind
http://www.acb.orgRank: 580,828
The American Council of the Blind is one of the two major advocacy organizations in the United States. The ACB has member affiliates and divisions across the country and is known for services such as their jobs bank and ACB Radio. Not surprisingly, their primary reach is in the United States.
11. CNIB
http://www.cnib.ca
Rank: 462,771
Canadian residents won’t be surprised by the high rank for the nation’s largest blindness organization. According to the site, “CNIB is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to research, public education and vision health for all Canadians. CNIB provides the services and support necessary for people to enjoy a good quality of life while living with vision loss.” It’s ranked in the top 25,000 websites for Canada, one of the highest rankings by any country for a website on our countdown.
We’re down to the top ten. What is the most visited blindness organization in the world? The answer may surprise you. Plus, which school for the blind is big enough to make it into the top five? We’ll learn the answers to these questions and more, next time.
Previously:The 25 Most Popular Websites for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Part 1
The 25 Most Popular Websites for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Part 2 Category: Articles
sharing these with librarians I knew before I retired... so many people do not know how many great services libraries offer for the blind and visually impaired... hopefully your links with makes those services more accessible to the libraries as well...
roosterloop Tuesday, 15-Dec-2009 4:29 PM ET:
Very interesting, and informative. Thanks much for posting.
You must be logged in to post comments.
Or Forgot username or password?
Register for free
J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.
