Introduction
If you recall on the last post, we discussed the braille display, a device that can enhance productivity when using it in conjunction with a screen reader. On this post, we will show you how to connect said braille display to the computer or mobile device to get that experience. So, sit back, relax, (But don’t fall asleep,) and let’s learn how to do this!
Before We Begin
Please remember, in order to even use the braille display in conjunction with a screen reader, you must keep the following things in mind:
- A screen reader is required to even get the display to interface with the computer or mobile device.
- Install any software drivers on your computer that come with the braille display prior to connecting it.
- You must follow the instructions on how to enter the terminal mode (the feature on the display itself that allows you to use it with the screen reader) for a successful connection, whether you decide to connect it through bluetooth or USB. Each display is different in the setup process.
- If your bluetooth braille display requires a passcode, try either “0000,” or “1234” to connect it. These two codes are the most common.
- If Bluetooth pairing is not successful, try turning bluetooth off on both devices and turning it on again. If that does not work, restart both devices to start fresh. If that still does not work, give us a shout and we will help you get things going!
Most braille displays now a days have different ways to set them up to connect to a device. That is, pressing certain commands on it and checking some settings. It is recommended you read their documentation before attempting to carry out the connection process, or sending your friend two hour long audio messages consisting of asking how to connect the display, then going into a conversation that has nothing to do with the question in the first place. It is assumed on this post that you are able to put the display in the correct mode to start the connection. We are only covering the computer/smartphone side. It is also assumed the drivers are properly installed on the computer. Windoes is the one that requires these drivers. Mac computers come with these built-in.
Windows
You can connect a display through USB or bluetooth. The process can either be straightforward, or a little more of a convoluted, diabolical, and college educated plan for world domination, depending on if you choose the USB or Bluetooth side. No worries, we will cover both ways here!
USB Connection
This method is the easiest way to get up and running with a braille display. Essentially, you just connect the braille display to the computer using the USB cable that comes with it, and restart the screen reader. The screen reader should then detect the braille display is connected and will start showing what was said by it last in braille. Narrator only can use USB to display the braille output. Hopefully bluetooth can be supported in the future.
Narrator and Braille
Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, can provide braille output. To do this, when Narrator is active, Press “Control Windows N” to go to its settings. Locate, “Download and Install Braille.” Press this button, and it will download this component. This can take a while, and upon testing, it does not give you progress indicators. We recommend you be close to the computer when doing this, and not minimize the window. Once the installation is complete, find “Turn on Braille.” and check that. From here, find, “Add Braille display.” Select the name of your display, and make sure USB connection is the selected connection type. Keep in mind, this functionality is still in the works, and you may find glitches when working with Narrator and Braille.
Bluetooth Connection
This right here, is a little more advanced. However, after a little practice, it will become second nature. Also, after pairing the display for the first time, you will NOT need to do it again, unless you have the computer forget the device. On your Windows computer, type “Bluetooth” into the start menu. It should come up with the very first search result. ensure Bluetooth is turned on, and if it is not, click on the toggle switch, or tab until you hear, “Bluetooth Toggle Button,” And press that by using Space until you hear, “Pressed.” Once this is done, under devices, look for the name of your Braille display. Most of the time, the name of the display is the model name, followed by the last few digits of its serial number. You can find this number on the back of the display. The name can look like this. “Braille Display Name(12345)” Once you find this, press “Enter” to highlight it. Then “Tab” one more time to the “Pair” button. Press “enter” on this, and wait a few seconds for the computer to establish the connection. Remember, INSTALL THE DRIVERS THAT COME WITH THE BRAILLE DISPLAY FIRST! If you do not, you will get a “Not supported” message from Windows. If pairing was successful, restart the screen reader.
Restarting The Screen Readers
After doing one of the processes listed above, you must restart the screen readers for the display to begin working. For JAWS for Windows, Press “Insert” with “f4” and press “Enter.” Then, from the Run dialog box, which is accessed by pressing “Windows” with “R,” Type “JFW” and press enter. It should come back up with both braille and speech. For NVDA, simply press the shortcut key, “Alt Control N,” which should have been set up when installing the screen reader for the first time. NVDA automatically restarts. If the shortcut key was not assigned, Press “Insert Q,” and find, “Restart.” Press “Enter” there, and NVDA restarts and should bring in the braille output.
Mac Computers.
For Mac computers, the process for both USB and bluetooth connection is much easier in my opinion. They also have a feature that Windows screen readers should implement to make life easier for multiple students to follow along in a classroom. Remember, no driver installation is required for the Mac.
USB Connection.
This is as easy as you can get when connecting a braille display this way! With VoiceOver on, simply connect the USB cable to the braille display and computer. Within a few seconds, you will hear a beep, and you should get braille! Simple as that! Nothing else! You can stop reading this article now, if you came for USB. Thank you, good night! If you want to connect via bluetooth, then keep reading on.
Bluetooth
This method is somewhat easier as well, and it also does not require VoiceOver to be restarted. Ensure bluetooth is turned on prior to doing this. Once you turn on bluetooth, press “VO 8” (“Control Option 8” to go to the VoiceOver utility. From here, find the “Braille” category and locate “Add” under the “Displays” option. Press the “Pair” button on the display you are trying to connect. You should then hear a beep to indicate successful pairing, and you should also see braille pop up.
Mirroring A Braille Display.
If you have multiple braille displays, and you wish to connect them all to a mac, you can do this quite easily! This is a feature that ONLY works on Mac computers. I wish other devices had this capability. The first thing you should do is pair a braille display via Bluetooth, and once you do this, under the “Display” section in the “Braille” category, find your connected device. From here, in the “Information” section, check the “Primary Braille Display” checkbox. After this, if you do not wish to have other people use their braille display’s keyboard, select “Primary” under the, “Allow Input from…” menu. Once you do this, connect the other displays, and you have yourself a bit of a projector, but in braille! The cell lengths do not matter here. One person can have a fourteen cell, and another can have an eighty cell display. No need to worry about the computer crashing because of the different lengths or models.
Smartphones
Did you know you can use a braille display in conjunction with a smartphone or tablet? This gives you the power of mobile technology in your pocket, especially if you have a fourteen cell braille display, because of how tiny it is. You can only connect braille displays via bluetooth when using your phone, though. No driver installation is required for this to work, unless you are using Android, in which case, another app must be installed prior to connecting a display. It is assumed you know the basic touchscreen Gestures in order to perform the following procedures on smartphones.
iOS devices
This procedure also applies to the Apple Watch, if you have Watch OS 7 and above, running on an Apple Watch Series 3 or higher. Locate the “Settings” app and find “Accessibility.” If you have iOS 13 and above, this is where VoiceOver is located. If you have iOS 12 and below, it is located under “General,” then “Accessibility.” Once you have found the VoiceOver Settings, locate “Braille.” Under the “Choose A Braille Display” heading, locate your display name and “Double Tap” with one finger to select it. Wait a few seconds, and if the display is paired successfully, you will hear a beep, followed by the braille display showing the contents of the phone’s screen. You can now drive your devices using the braille display’s keyboard and read what is on the screen!
Android
Make sure TalkBack is turned on prior to doing this procedure. On Android devices, you must install BrailleBack, the service that will allow you to use braille displays with Android and the TalkBack screen reader. You can get the app here. Once installed, locate “Accessibility” in your Android device’s “Settings” app. Locate “BrailleBack,” and turn it on. After this, back out to the main “Settings” app, and locate the “Bluetooth” settings. It can either be found by itself, or, you may need to go into “Wi-fi and networks,” depending on your device. Once you have found “Bluetooth,” select the braille display you wish to pair. “Double Tap” on the name, and you should hear a chime indicating successful pairing.
Chromebooks
Yes, the beloved popular chromebook that is now especially used in many school systems, also has braille support. Simply connect the display to the USB port and it should automatically start Chrome Vox. If you connect it when Chrome Vox is active, Braille automatically shows up.
Epilogue
Now that you have connected a braille display to your computer or smartphone, you can now use its keyboard to drive the computer. There are so many commands you can use to control the computer, similar to a regular computer keyboard and mouse. The more you use this method of working, you will find that turning the screen reader’s voice off, and using braille only will increase your productivity, and make it even better! Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask us, and we will help you out! Happy Braille Reading!