INTRODUCTION Building technology for accessibility is never a one-time process. Every deployment teaches something new. Every learner interacts differently. Every classroom presents new challenges. At Porto Limited, we believe assistive technology should continuously evolve alongside the people who use it. Following extensive testing with teachers, visually impaired learners, and inclusive schools across Tanzania, we are excited to introduce IREN Device Version 1.1. Rather than redesigning the product completely, Version 1.1 focuses on refining the learning experience through practical improvements that increase usability, reliability, and independence. WHY VERSION 1.1? During pilot deployments, we closely observed how learners navigated lessons, how teachers managed classroom activities, and how devices performed during everyday educational use. The feedback highlighted several opportunities for improvement: MAIN: Design and arrangements 1. More intuitive tactile navigation. 2. Improved button accessibility. 3. Better speaker positioning for clearer audio. 4. More durable enclosure design. 5. Improved internal hardware organization. 6. Enhanced user interaction during learning sessions. Version 1.1 addresses these insights while maintaining affordability and simplicity. KEY IMPROVEMENTS A. Improved physical design The enclosure has been redesigned to provide a cleaner layout, better ergonomics, and improved durability for everyday classroom use. The smoother body design also improves handling for younger learners. B. Enhanced tactile navigation The tactile button arrangement has been refined to make navigation easier without requiring visual assistance. Button spacing and positioning have been optimized based on user testing with blind learners. C. Improved braille integration Braille labels have been made more consistent and easier to distinguish through touch, improving independent device navigation. D. Better audio experience Speaker placement has been optimized to improve sound projection within classrooms while maintaining audio clarity for individual learning. E. Improved accessibility Navigation controls are now more intuitive, allowing learners to move through lessons with fewer interactions. This reduces cognitive load while increasing confidence during independent learning. F. Classroom durability Version 1.1 has been engineered with daily educational use in mind. The stronger enclosure and improved internal organization increase reliability while reducing maintenance requirements. G. Designed around real learners One of the most important principles behind IREN is that users participate directly in product development. Every improvement introduced in Version 1.1 originates from classroom observations, educator recommendations, and learner feedback collected throughout our pilot programs. Instead of assuming what learners need, we allow the learning experience itself to guide product evolution. Our users are the co-designers of their own solution, and we allowed and let it happen. OUR RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY At Porto , innovation is measured by educational impact rather than technological complexity. Every hardware iteration is evaluated against one central question: Does this help a blind learner learn more independently, confidently, and effectively? If the answer is yes, then the innovation is worthwhile. IREN v1.1 represents another important milestone toward our vision of making high-quality, accessible, and affordable education available to every blind and visually impaired learner across Africa.