Google has announced that it has launched the TalkBack virtual braille keyboard for visually impaired Android users to type without the need for an external braille keyboard.
In a blog post published on 9th April 2020, Brian Kemler, Product Manager, Android Accessibility said:
“As part of our mission to make the world’s information universally accessible, we hope this keyboard can broadly expand braille literacy and exposure among blind and low vision people.”
This new virtual keyboard helps users with seeing issues quickly type on their Android devices instead of waiting until they have connected an external tool. With this, they won’t have to carry external devices everywhere they go.
It was designed with the cooperation of braille developers and users. Therefore, it will be familiar to anyone who has typed using braille before. According to the post, the keyboard uses a standard 6-key layout. Each of the keys represents one of 6 braille dots which, when tapped, make any letter or symbol.
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For example, to type an “A” you would press dot 1 and to type a “B,” dots 1 and 2 together. In addition, the keyboard can be used anywhere one would normally type. It also allows users to delete letters and words, add lines, and submit text.
To turn on the braille keyboard, turn on TalkBack in the Accessibility section within Settings. Here is how to do it:
- Go to Settings
- Then tap on Additional settings
- Next, select Accessibility
- Tap on TalkBack and toggle its Accessibility on
The feature does some of the following to enhance its use for visually impaired users:
— Observe users’ actions
— Retrieve window content
— Turn on Explore by Touch
— Observe text that you type
— Control display magnification
— Fingerprint gestures
When turned on, it also gives navigation instructions. For example, to navigate between items, users are to swipe left or right. They also need to double-tap to activate an item while scrolling requires using two fingers.
Google mentions that TalkBack braille keyboard is available on Android devices running version 5.0 or later. It works across all apps on your Android device and supports braille grade 1 and grade 2. For now, it is available in English.
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