Available Braille Entry Methods

UEBOnline is a series of Training Programs and Competency Exams which rely on the student learning Unified English Braille (UEB) through a series of lessons. As part of each lesson, UEBOnline asks you to complete one or more exercises or exams by reading print and entering the braille cells corresponding to that print.

Computer keyboards are designed for entry of print as they show print characters. Entering Braille isn’t something that is naturally available on a standard computer keyboard so UEBOnline uses three different methods for entering braille cells when required.

As part of the registration process, or by using your My Account link if you already have an account you are able to select the Braille Entry Method using the drop down available on the Registration or My Account page. An overview of the 3 methods available is listed below with references to more detailed information on each.

6-Key Computer Keyboard

This is the default braille entry method and is the most commonly available. It is also the main method that has been used in UEBOnline since the program was first launched.

It relies on the use of 6 keys on the standard Qwerty keyboard connected to your computer to enter braille. These 6 keys are the s d f j k and l keys. Each key represents a dot in the cell. A cell is formed by simultaneously pressing one or more of these keys. For example to produce a cell with 6 dots, you need to press all 6 keys simultaneously.

While most keyboards are capable of doing this, it is possible that some keyboards do not allow the simultaneous pressing of the 6 keys. For this reason, when using this method you are asked to complete a keyboard test first to ensure that your hardware is capable of this simultaneous key pressing.

For more details on this method refer to Using the Keyboard for more details on this method and Keyboard Check for details on the Keyboard Test required to be completed.

Latch Mode on Computer Keyboard

Keyboard Latch Mode is designed to be used for entering Braille cells in the training program exercises and competency exams when you are unable to use the standard 6 key entry mode on your computer keyboard as described above.

This may be because your keyboard does not support the simultaneous pressing of 6 keys required to generate a braille cell due to technical limitations or you are physically unable to press 6 keys down at the same time.

If you cannot use the 6 key entry mode and think Keyboard Latch Mode is suitable then you can find out more information at Using Keyboard Latch Mode.

External Braille Keyboard

If you have access to a Refreshable Braille display such as a Focus or Brailiant and it has a braille keyboard feature (at least 6 keys, one for each dot and a space bar) then you can use that for inputing the 6 dot braille cells.

This method is considered an advanced entry method as it relies on the use of the braille displays which are generally not a standard part of a computer setup and the braille display must be closely integrated with a screen reader such as JAWS or NVDA to operate correctly.

Note: Before selecting this method we suggest that you are familiar with setting up screen readers and braille displays and have used your braille display with other computer programs before you attempt to use it in UEBOnline.

More information on how the external braille display should be setup and configured within some common screen readers is provided on the page Using an External Braille Keyboard.