Ian Thorpe runs his fingers over the braille note attached to the latest repair job to arrive on his doorstep in Sheffield. Reading from the tactile note, he says: "The paper won't wind in and the keys are jammed. Good luck." Thorpe, 60, is the only certified UK repairer of Perkins braille typewriters, the world's most widely used braille machines.
Despite advances in digital technology, the 6kg analogue machines are still a vital tool for blind users and are especially crucial for teaching blind children to read and write. But they need to work, so Thorpe's talk of retirement has prompted alarm among his customers, including schools and local authorities.
Rachel Ward, of North East Wales Sensory Support Service, says: "We'd be completely stuck without Alan." She has driven from Flintshire to pick up 10 Perkins braillers refurbished by Thorpe. She has also delivered two machines with braille notes attached explaining what needs fixing.
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