Using an External Braille Keyboard

The first step in choosing to use an external braille keyboard for entering the braille cells in UEBOnline training program exercises and competency exams is to make sure that you have correctly set up your braille display.

You must refer to the documentation of your screen reader and braille display for getting it connected to your computer and then configured for Braille input.

When using the Braille display you must ensure that the Braille Input method in your screen reader is set to what is called ‘Computer Braille’ generally.

In JAWS, under the Braille item in the Settings Center, select the General section and go to the Translation options area. In the Input dropdown set the chosen input to Computer Braille.

In NVDA, under Braille in the Settings, ensure that the Input Table option is set to English North American Braille Computer Code.

When you then enter a text box in an exercise or competency exam, you will then enter the 6 dots and space using the 6 dot keys and space on your refreshable braille display.

Note: Most braille displays will also have a method of entering a backspace and an enter. On the Orbit Writer we used for testing, the backspace is the Dot 7 key and the enter is the Dot 8 key. These keys may be similar on your braille display.

If you are using an External Braille Keyboard with a screen reader you will more than likely be using UEBOnline in Non Visual Mode. When in the braille entry text box in Non Visual Mode, we have a series of keyboard commands which can be used to do things such as read the current word or line, spell the current word and other useful commands to help you to complete the exercise or exam. These options are described in Screen Reader Help. These commands are still available by using the keys on your computer keyboard whilst you are also using your external braille keyboard. Importantly however, you must press the shift key on the computer keyboard in conjunction with keyboard key to read the help.

For example, to spell the current work being brailled you would normally press the 3 key on the computer keyboard. When using an External Braille Keyboard you must press SHIFT key then the 3 key on the computer keyboard to perform the same function.