Abstract: A single-unit portable Braille device is provided that can include a housing and a touch-sensitive surface provided on the housing and configured to implement a virtual Braille keyboard including a plurality of virtual keys each associated with a key location on the touch-sensitive surface. The virtual Braille keyboard is configured for entry of input Braille data from a user contacting the touch-sensitive surface at one or more of the key locations. The portable Braille device also includes a refreshable Braille display provided on the housing and configured for outputting output Braille data for tactile reading by the user, and a processing unit in the housing and configured to receive the input Braille data from the touch-sensitive surface and to transmit the output Braille data to the refreshable Braille display. In some implementations, the portable Braille device includes a visual display located under the touch-sensitive surface.