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Help! Google docs on iPad issues with braille display (self.Blind)
submitted by 4humans
I’m hoping someone has some insight. A student of mine has always used the Focus 40 with google docs on his iPad. Late last year it became glitchy.
What is typed on the braille display is read aloud correctly but it is not what shows up in docs. Letters are either omitted or inserted, or different words inserted. Additionally the braille display will only display the first line of the document not the current line. It will flash to the current line when typing but switches back to the first line after.
This is extremely frustrating for the student because he’s typing things right, he hears that he’s typed it right but he cannot check it on the display and then he submits assignments full of errors and nonsense.
The thing is it works fine on an iPhone. Both the iPhone and iPad are running 14.4.2. He just got a new iPad and the issue still happens. We also tried a different brand of braille (braillant) display and the issue continues. So I’ve ruled out the software and the hardware so what’s left? is there some setting that might cause this? Anyone have any ideas? Our tech guy has no idea.
What is typed on the braille display is read aloud correctly but it is not what shows up in docs. Letters are either omitted or inserted, or different words inserted. Additionally the braille display will only display the first line of the document not the current line. It will flash to the current line when typing but switches back to the first line after.
This is extremely frustrating for the student because he’s typing things right, he hears that he’s typed it right but he cannot check it on the display and then he submits assignments full of errors and nonsense.
The thing is it works fine on an iPhone. Both the iPhone and iPad are running 14.4.2. He just got a new iPad and the issue still happens. We also tried a different brand of braille (braillant) display and the issue continues. So I’ve ruled out the software and the hardware so what’s left? is there some setting that might cause this? Anyone have any ideas? Our tech guy has no idea.
Prefect316 2 points 2y ago
I 'experienced this same issue a while back and I'm sorry to say, my solution was to switch from using an iPad to a cheap laptop for important work. In my searching for solutions, it appears this is an Apple issue. I would write to their accessibility team. I did, and apparently nothing came of it, but if enough people raise alarm, something should be done at some point.
I'll update if I hear of anything. My heart goes out to your student. I've been there! Lol
I'll update if I hear of anything. My heart goes out to your student. I've been there! Lol
4humans [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I considered it to be an Apple issue as well but it works perfectly with pages, safari and notes so I thought it must be a Google docs issue limited to the iPad..? The school uses Google otherwise I’d just have him use pages or word.
Prefect316 1 points 2y ago
I hope you don't mind but I queried a few email lists with this problem. Sharing the most helpful response here in the hopes that someone with the same problem stumbles upon it.
" This has to do with how the braille translation buffer works. The only way I know of to completely get rid of this problem for iOS, iPadOS, and Android is to set the braille display input to computer braille. When using computer braille, it works exactly the same as print (QWERTY) typing; one symbol per character.
The absolute worst is using contracted braille. UEB is better than older braille contraction systems such as BANA which has over 300 exceptions to its contraction rules.
IOS / iPadOS uses the same braille entry buffer whether one is using grade 1 (6 dot), or grade 2 (contracted) braille. Therefore, if the author insists on using either form of braille input, it is necessary to press space, or wait a couple seconds, for the buffer to clear. Moving the editing to any other location in the document before the buffer has been cleared will cause the sort of editing issues which are described in the email I am replying to."
" This has to do with how the braille translation buffer works. The only way I know of to completely get rid of this problem for iOS, iPadOS, and Android is to set the braille display input to computer braille. When using computer braille, it works exactly the same as print (QWERTY) typing; one symbol per character.
The absolute worst is using contracted braille. UEB is better than older braille contraction systems such as BANA which has over 300 exceptions to its contraction rules.
IOS / iPadOS uses the same braille entry buffer whether one is using grade 1 (6 dot), or grade 2 (contracted) braille. Therefore, if the author insists on using either form of braille input, it is necessary to press space, or wait a couple seconds, for the buffer to clear. Moving the editing to any other location in the document before the buffer has been cleared will cause the sort of editing issues which are described in the email I am replying to."
4humans [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks I’ll try this.
Existing_julyajo 1 points 2y ago
Did this work?
Prefect316 1 points 2y ago
Let us know if it works or not. Best of luck.
Existing_julyajo 1 points 2y ago
Thank you for posting this. I got on my computer this morning to research this exact problem for a student of mine. Have you found a different platform to use other than Google that allows shared documents and works well with the display?
BenandGracie 1 points 2y ago
You could try getting a cheap bluetooth keyboard, and use that along side the Braille display. Other than that, I don't know of a fix.
4humans [OP] 1 points 2y ago
He can’t use a traditional keyboard due to hand/finger mobility which was why the braille display was such a great tool.
BenandGracie 1 points 2y ago
Sorry, I don't know of any other fix.
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