Refreshable Braille Displays allow people who are deaf or blind to use mobile phones, tablets, computers and other smart devices.

 

Type of accessory: Braille Displays

How do you use these accessories?

Pair these accessories to your mobile phone or tablet via Bluetooth. The refreshable braille display will show the text of each app as you browse them and you will be able to enter text on text fields using the 8-key braille keyboard.

Use this accessory to access the SMS or internet functions of your phone to contact the National Relay Service for assistance to complete a phone call.

Video showing the use of a Refreshable Braille Display with an Apple tablet

These accessories connect to phones via:

Audio Jack:    No

Bluetooth:      Yes

Wi-Fi:               No

Micro USB:     No

Other:             No

Is there any other piece of equipment required for this accessory to work properly with a phone?

No, these accessories do not require any additional equipment to connect or work properly with a smart phone or tablet.

Compatibility:

Most Refreshable Braille Displays are compatible with Android, Apple and Microsoft devices. Each Braille Display will be compatible with a different operating system.

Popular Refreshable Braille Displays available in Australia:

1. HumanWare Brailliant BI 40X Braille Display

Features:

• 40 Braille cells
• Designed for extensive reading
• Eight-key braille keyboard
• Six command keys
• Four thumb keys
• Two spacebars
• Curser router keys
• USB 2.0. and Bluetooth V2.1
• Lasts up to 20 hours with Bluetooth
• Automatic shut-off

Compatibility: Windows 10, Android 4.4+, all iOS, and Mac OSX10.8 or later.

Available at: Vision Australia and Humanware. You can also find a Humanware distributor near you.

More information on:

HumanWare Brailliant BI 40X Web Page

HumanWare Brailliant Support Web Page

2. HumanWare Brailliant BI 20X Braille Display

Features:

• 20 Braille cells
• Rugged design built for the user on the go
• Weights 900g
• Ergonomic traditional 8-dot braille input keys
• Comfortable typing experience with a note taker style spacebar
• HumanWare signature thumb keys
• Built-in intelligence allows for increased productivity anywhere
• Pair up to 5 Bluetooth devices at once Plus one USB connection

Compatibility: Windows 10, Android 4.4+, all iOS, and Mac OSX10.8 or later.

Available at: Vision Australia and Humanware. You can also find a Humanware supplier near you.

More information on:

HumanWare Brailliant BI 20X Web Page

HumanWare Brailliant Support Web Page

3. Focus 14 Blue Generation 5 Braille Display

Features:

• 14 Braille cells
• 8-dot Braille keyboard
• Smooth, paper-like feel
• Convenient thumb key and panning buttons
• Our exclusive NAV Rockers let you rapidly scroll by line, sentence, paragraph, or pan through a document
• Menu button for quick access to settings
• Adjustable key repeat for rapid scrolling and panning
• Select your personal Braille firmness with VariBraille
• Time and Date display
• Out-of-the box compatibility with Apple® iOS 11 or later and Android devices

Compatibility: Is compatible with iOS 11 or later and Android devices with Google BrailleBack

Available at: Quantum and Vision Australia.

More information on:

Focus 14 Freedom Scientific Web Page

Focus 14 Blue - 5th Generation Braille Display Website

4. Focus 40 Blue Generation 5 Braille Display

Features:

• 40 Braille cells
• 8-dot Braille keyboard
• Smooth, paper-like feel
• Convenient thumb key and panning buttons
• Our exclusive NAV Rockers let you rapidly scroll by line, sentence, paragraph, or pan through a document
• Menu button for quick access to settings
• Adjustable key repeat for rapid scrolling and panning
• Select your personal Braille firmness with VariBraille
• Time and date display

Compatibility: Is compatible with iOS 11 or later and Android devices with Google BrailleBack

Available at: Quantum and Vision Australia

More information on:

Focus 40 Freedom Scientific Web Page

Focus 40 Blue - 5th Generation Braille Display Website

Is there any training available for these accessories?

Training and demonstrations might be available directly from retailers.

Please contact HumanWare Australia, Quantum and Vision Australia for demonstrations and training on their products. Ablelink  can also provide training on learning how to use Braille devices.

More information

Connecting Braille Displays to iPhone and iPads:

How to pair an iPad or iPhone to a Braille Display Video (Youtube)

Connecting Braille Displays to Android Devices

Connecting Android devices to a Braille Display

ACC529 Refreshable Braille Displays- Version 3