Princeton Day School Student Creates Affordable Braille Keyboard

Umang Sharma's $10 Braille keyboard aims to improve accessibility for the visually impaired.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Umang Sharma, a Princeton Day School senior, created a patented Braille keyboard that costs less than $10 to make, a fraction of the $7,000 price tag of commercial models. Sharma founded the non-profit JDable to distribute the affordable keyboards and other assistive technology products like Braille maps and globes.

Why it matters

Braille keyboards and other assistive devices can be prohibitively expensive, limiting accessibility for the visually impaired. Sharma's affordable solution aims to make this technology more widely available and improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The details

After being outraged by the high cost of commercial Braille keyboards, Sharma set out to create a more affordable alternative. He started by taking apart a standard keyboard, watching YouTube tutorials, and testing various prototypes for over a year. Sharma's final design uses a standard keyboard base with 3D-printed Braille keycaps, allowing him to manufacture each unit for under $10.

  • Sharma created his first prototype in 2023.
  • Sharma's Braille keyboard design was patented in 2025.
  • JDable has distributed over 100 Braille keyboards as of 2026.

The players

Umang Sharma

A Princeton Day School senior who created an affordable Braille keyboard and founded the non-profit JDable to distribute assistive technology.

JDable

A non-profit organization founded by Umang Sharma to improve the lives of people with disabilities by providing affordable assistive technology products.

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What they’re saying

“My journey in technology began with a deep interest in robotics and AI, which has evolved into creating solutions that make technology accessible to everyone, especially those with special needs.”

— Umang Sharma (Umang Sharma's personal website)

“Instead of building an entirely custom electronic device, I start with a standard keyboard base, often discarded or donated, and I focus my engineering on the accessibility layer that matters most, which is tactile, readable, durable Braille keycaps.”

— Umang Sharma (Disability Scoop)

What’s next

Sharma plans to study computing and engineering in college, where he hopes to continue developing assistive technology solutions.

The takeaway

Umang Sharma's affordable Braille keyboard demonstrates how innovative, mission-driven solutions can improve accessibility and make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities.