Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Braille Display (self.Blind)
submitted by xmachinaxxx
I’m still learning of all the assistive devices available for the blind. I’m thinking I’d like to learn Braille while I still have some usable vision. Some days I really struggle to read things on my iPad screen unless I make it very large which takes forever and becomes frustrating. First, can anyone recommend anything in particular to help me learn Braille? Second could someone kindly explain what a Braille display is and what it’s used for? Is it something you can use for any electronic device? Thank you for your help.
zersiax 2 points 2y ago
So, a braille display is essentially a device that outputs a line of braille characters at a time. It does this by moving dots either up or down as the line changes, showing the new letters on the braille cells.
Generally, a braille display can show anywhere between 12 to 88 characters at once, and there are buttons along the bottom, often referred to as thumb keys, to essentially scroll or pan through the available text, one "lineful" at a time.
What you can use it with depends on the display itself; generally you can use it with a pc or a mac over a USB or, for very old models, serial connection. The more modern displays will also have Bluetooth support which will let them be used wirelessly with both computers and phones (iOS and to a lesser degree Android).
I hope that helps a little :)
Generally, a braille display can show anywhere between 12 to 88 characters at once, and there are buttons along the bottom, often referred to as thumb keys, to essentially scroll or pan through the available text, one "lineful" at a time.
What you can use it with depends on the display itself; generally you can use it with a pc or a mac over a USB or, for very old models, serial connection. The more modern displays will also have Bluetooth support which will let them be used wirelessly with both computers and phones (iOS and to a lesser degree Android).
I hope that helps a little :)
xmachinaxxx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you for your help. I just looked at the price of some and wow! they’re so expensive. I had no idea.
FaerilyRowanwind 3 points 2y ago
Talk with your local commission for the blind. They will be more than happy to train you and if you are in the us will be able to help you get a device
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
Both budget models out there, I.e.. the Orbit and BrailleMe, also have internal notetaking features.
So if you're learning from a course or book, it's a reasonable use of a display.
Some blind people have these just as a pen&paper replacement by their telephones to make notes. Others use displays exclusively for reading. A smaller subset will use the controls on a display to fully operate a computer or phone etc. I work with a number of deafblind and physically disabled people for whom they're a lifeline.
So if you're learning from a course or book, it's a reasonable use of a display.
Some blind people have these just as a pen&paper replacement by their telephones to make notes. Others use displays exclusively for reading. A smaller subset will use the controls on a display to fully operate a computer or phone etc. I work with a number of deafblind and physically disabled people for whom they're a lifeline.
oncenightvaler 1 points 2y ago
Ok, so to learn Braille there's this course online I've heard of from the Hadley school for the blind. https://hadley.edu/learn?topic_id=15&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm_eZ7qKs8AIVAW1vBB1QiQGgEAAYASAAEgLw7fD_BwE
Secondly, a Braille display you can certainly use with any device from cell phones to laptops to desktops. I only use mine with my laptop.
Currently I have the Focus 40 Blue from Freedom Scientific, I used to have the Brailliant 40 from Humanware, I find both work well. I like 40 characters because that's the length of the standard braille line, rather than 80 characters or 20 characters. It would I'm sure be really complicated to do a Braille screen which displayed a full page of text, but in some ways one line at a time is more practical for Braille than for print.
Secondly, a Braille display you can certainly use with any device from cell phones to laptops to desktops. I only use mine with my laptop.
Currently I have the Focus 40 Blue from Freedom Scientific, I used to have the Brailliant 40 from Humanware, I find both work well. I like 40 characters because that's the length of the standard braille line, rather than 80 characters or 20 characters. It would I'm sure be really complicated to do a Braille screen which displayed a full page of text, but in some ways one line at a time is more practical for Braille than for print.
4humans 1 points 2y ago
If you have an iOS device you might want to try using VoiceOver. It basically eliminates the need for a braille display and is more user friendly. There is a learning curve but it’s worth learning.
xmachinaxxx [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I’ve used voiceover but don’t really like it. Maybe I just need to give it another chance.
FaerilyRowanwind 3 points 2y ago
Using a Braille display you would use it along with voice over just so ya know friend. Or some sort of screen readers for a computer.
xmachinaxxx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Ahhh. So it’s used along with voiceover or a screen reader, I understand now. That makes sense. Thank you so much for explaining.
zersiax 2 points 2y ago
This info is incorrect to a point; a braille display is powered by VoiceOver and gives similar output to what VoiceOver speech would give. A braille display doesn't work without a screenreader to direct it.
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