Over 20 years ago, Rashid Aliyev was a university student with a knack for invention. His perspective on blindness shifted profoundly when he met a young man who had lost his sight. This individual sought Rashid’s help to read Braille books and continue his education. However, Rashid's initial research revealed that available Braille reading devices were prohibitively expensive, causing his friend to abandon his academic dreams. 

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Years later, Rashid delved into Electro-Active Polymer (EAP) research. He realized that this technology could create an affordable tactile display, igniting a passion for solving the accessibility gap for the blind and visually impaired (BVI). Despite developing a working prototype, Rashid discovered that globally, only 10% of BVI individuals could read Braille. This staggering statistic highlighted the urgent need for accessible Braille education tools.​ The turning point came in 2016 on a train journey from Kyiv. Rashid struck up a conversation with a fellow passenger who had recently lost his sight. The man’s struggle to learn Braille with existing, costly tools resonated deeply with Rashid. This encounter crystallized Rashid’s mission: to create an affordable, interactive device for learning Braille.

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Inspired and determined, Rashid conducted extensive market research and engaged with local BVI communities in Ukraine. He assembled a dedicated team and began developing BrailleTeach. This journey, marked by relentless innovation, personal sacrifices, and countless iterations, culminated in the creation of a revolutionary tool to empower the BVI community.​ Rashid Aliyev founded BrailleTeach to bridge the accessibility gap and transform Braille education, ensuring that no one is deprived of learning due to high costs or lack of resources.​​