How to use the TalkBack Braille keyboard for Android?

How to use the TalkBack Braille keyboard for Android?

Braille Keyboard for Android: A New Era of Accessibility

For those who are visually impaired or blind, navigating the digital world can present unique challenges. However, with the advent of advanced technology, accessibility has improved significantly. One such innovation is the Braille Keyboard for Android, a revolutionary Braille app for Android designed to make smartphones and tablets more accessible to individuals who rely on Braille. This app offers a seamless integration of Braille input with the Android operating system, providing a more intuitive and efficient way to interact with digital content. Add an Android Braille keyboard to your Android phone or tablet.

With the TalkBack braille keyboard for Android, you can use 6 fingers on your screen to enter 6-dot braille. Use the TalkBack braille keyboard for Android in place of the standard Samsung keyboard or the standard keyboard. Send messages or email in braille, and the receiver can use the braille keyboard to read your message or email.

**IMPORTANT** To use the TalkBack braille keyboard for Android, you must have TalkBack installed and enabled on your Android phone or tablet. (How to use TalkBack Screen Reader on Android?) Plus, be sure the Magnification app is turned off. (Use Magnification for Android)

If you have received a message or email in braille, you can download a braille to text app from Google Play store – Braille Recognition App

How to setup the TalkBack Braille Keyboard for Android?

  • Open Settings, Scroll down and touch on Accessibility
Talkback braille keyboard for the blind using Android
  • Touch to open TalkBack
Talkback braille keyboard for the blind using Android
  • Touch to open Settings
Talkback braille keyboard for the blind using Android
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and Touch to open Braille keyboard
    • Touch on Typing languages to select a language for typing
    • Touch on Preferred language to select a preferred language
    • Touch on Review all gestures for documentation about what gestures you can use. (See below for details)
    • Touch on Layout to select how you want to hold the Android device
      • Hold device with screen away from you
      • Place device flat on a table
    • Include all pressed dots – Move the slider to the right to turn this on
    • Reverse dots – if you want them in reverse order
Talkback braille keyboard for the blind using Android

How to use the screen away holding mode

Provided by Google documentation:

Screen-away mode lets you type with your device screen faced away from you.

To open the screen-away tutorial:

Hold your phone so the screen faces away from you.
Three-finger swipe up on your screen.
In the list of braille keyboard options, select Open tutorial.
To use screen-away mode:

Turn your phone so the screen faces away from you.
Rotate the phone horizontally to landscape position.
Your left hand holds the top of the phone. Your right hand holds the bottom of the phone, where the USB port is.
Use your pinky and thumb to support the phone. On the screen, hover your 3 middle fingers.
Hover your left index finger in the position of dot 1.
Try these letters:
A: With your left index finger, tap dot 1.
B: With your left index and middle finger, tap dots 1 and 2.
C: With your left index and right index finger, tap dots 1 and 4.
D: With your left index, right index and right middle finger, tap dots 1, 4, and 5.

Tabletop mode

In tabletop mode, you can type on flat surfaces. When your device detects a flat surface, it transitions out of screen-away mode and into tabletop mode. This mode might be useful if you’re familiar with or prefer to type with a Perkins Braillewriter.

  1. Put your device on a flat surface until it says, “Tabletop mode.”
    • Place your device so the charging port is on the left.
  2. From left to right, dots are placed as 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6. Put your hands near the device so your 3 middle fingers hover on the screen.
  3. Hover your left index finger over dot 1.
  4. Try these letters:
    • A: With your left index finger, tap dot 1.
    • B: With your left index and middle finger, tap dots 1 and 2.
    • C: With your left index and right index finger, tap dots 1 and 4.
    • D: With your left index, right index and right middle finger, tap dots 1, 4, and 5.

List of Braille keyboard gestures

Basic controls

ActionGesture
Add spaceSwipe right with one finger
BackspaceSwipe left with one finger
Delete wordSwipe left with two fingers
New lineSwipe right with two fingers
Move backward by selected granularitySwipe up with one finger
Move forward by selected granularitySwipe down with one finger
Hide keyboardSwipe down with two fingers
Switch to next keyboardSwipe down with three fingers
Submit textSwipe up with two fingers
Help and other optionsSwipe up with three fingers

Cursor movement

ActionFirst gestureSecond gesture
Previous characterHold dot 3, then swipe up with another fingerHold dot 6, then swipe up with another finger
Next characterHold dot 3, then swipe down with another fingerHold dot 6, then swipe down with another finger
Previous wordHold dot 2, then swipe up with another fingerHold dot 5, then swipe up with another finger
Next wordHold dot 2, then swipe down with another fingerHold dot 5, then swipe down with another finger
Previous lineHold dot 1, then swipe up with another fingerHold dot 4, then swipe up with another finger
Next lineHold dot 1, then swipe down with another fingerHold dot 4, then swipe down with another finger
Move to beginning of textHold dots 1 and 2, then swipe up with another fingerHold dots 4 and 5, then swipe up with another finger
Move to end of textHold dots 1 and 2, then swipe down with another fingerHold dots 4 and 5, then swipe down with another finger
Previous granularitySwipe left with three fingers 
Next granularitySwipe right with three fingers 

Text selection

ActionFirst gestureSecond gesture
Select previous characterHold dot 3, then swipe up with two fingersHold dot 6, then swipe up with two fingers
Select next characterHold dot 3, then swipe down with two fingersHold dot 6, then swipe down with two fingers
Select previous wordHold dot 2, then swipe up with two fingersHold dot 5, then swipe up with two fingers
Select next wordHold dot 2, then swipe down with two fingersHold dot 5, then swipe down with two fingers
Select allHold dot 1, then swipe left with three fingersHold dot 4, then swipe left with three fingers
CopyHold dot 1, then swipe down with three fingersHold dot 4, then swipe down with three fingers
CutHold dot 1, then swipe up with three fingersHold dot 4, then swipe up with three fingers
PasteHold dot 1, then swipe right with three fingersHold dot 4, then swipe right with three fingers

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for using TalkBack braille keyboard for Android:

Getting Started:

  • What devices support TalkBack braille keyboard?

TalkBack braille keyboard is available on most Android devices running Android 5.0 or later. However, it’s important to note that not all devices have physical braille keyboards. To use TalkBack braille keyboard, you’ll need a braille display that connects to your Android device via Bluetooth or USB.

Braille Keyboard for Android

TalkBack braille keyboard on Android device

  • How do I enable TalkBack braille keyboard?

To enable TalkBack braille keyboard, go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Braille keyboard. From there, you can turn on TalkBack braille keyboard and select your braille table.

  • What are the different braille tables?

There are many different braille tables, each with its own set of symbols and rules. The most common braille tables are Unified English Braille (UEB), Grade 1 Braille, and American Braille. You can choose the braille table that you’re most comfortable with.

Using TalkBack Braille Keyboard:

  • How do I type with TalkBack braille keyboard?

TalkBack braille keyboard uses a six-key layout. To type a letter, press the dots that correspond to the letter on your braille display. For example, to type the letter “a”, you would press dots 1 and 2.

  • How do I use punctuation and symbols?

To use punctuation and symbols, press the spacebar followed by the dots that correspond to the symbol you want to type. For example, to type a period, you would press the spacebar followed by dots 4 and 6.

  • How do I edit my text?

You can use the navigation keys on your braille display to move around your text and make edits. For example, you can use the up and down arrows to move the cursor, and the backspace key to delete characters.

  • How do I switch between typing modes?

TalkBack braille keyboard has different typing modes, such as word mode, character mode, and input mode. You can switch between typing modes by pressing the spacebar followed by the appropriate modifier key.

Troubleshooting:

  • My braille display isn’t connecting to my Android device.

Make sure that your braille display is turned on and Bluetooth is enabled on your Android device. You may also need to pair your braille display with your Android device.

  • I’m having trouble typing with TalkBack braille keyboard.

Make sure that you’re using the correct braille table and that you’re familiar with the layout of the keyboard. You can also try adjusting the typing sensitivity in the TalkBack braille keyboard settings.

  • TalkBack braille keyboard isn’t working with some apps.

TalkBack braille keyboard may not work with all apps. This is because some apps don’t support braille input.

Description

Accessibility Page Links

Android’s sound amplifier for the hard of hearing or hearing impairedSound Amplifier for the Hard of Hearing – Android
Use the voice access module to speak commands to AndroidVoice Access Spoken Commands – Android
Magnify the text and images on the screen for users with low vision and visually impairedScreen Magnification for Low Vision – Android
TalkBack screen reader to tell you about your actions for the blind and visually impairedTalkBack Screen Reader for Android
TalkBack braille keyboard for your Android deviceTalkback Braille Keyboard for Android
Change the font and image size displayed on all screens for the partially blind and visually impairedChange Font and Image Size for Partially blind – Android
Google’s Live Transcribe and Notification app is very useful speech-to-text toolGoogle Live Transcribe and Notification for Android