Now, Google has a special Braille keyboard for Android
In a bid to simplify smartphone typing for those who are blind or are suffering from some kind of visual impairment, Google has launched a new Braille keyboard. The tool comes as part of the Android OS and opens a way to type without any external hardware attachment or peripheral device. Here's all you need to know about it.
Problem with the current system of typing
Typically, people with visual impairment have to use a Braille keyboard, a bulky piece of hardware, to type something on their phone or computer. The device works seamlessly but is far from ideal when it comes to responsiveness; it is next to impossible for people to keep moving around while having a chunky typing device attached to their phone/laptop.
This is where Google's 'Braille' keyboard comes in
To tackle the problems associated with the conventional Braille keyboards, Google has now unveiled the all-new TalkBack Braille keyboard for Android. The tool, the company explains, is a virtual keyboard that has been developed as part of a collaboration with Braille users and developers to let visually-impaired people type directly using their phones; no new hardware needs to be attached.
6-key layout for people familiar with Braille
Brian Kemler, Google's Product Manager for Android Accessibility, says the keyboard should come as a natural upgrade for people familiar with Braille. "It uses a standard 6-key layout and each key represents one of 6 Braille dots which, when tapped, make any letter or symbol. To type an "A" you would press dot 1 and to type a "B," dots 1 and 2 together."
It can be enabled seamlessly, used on text field
The Braille keyboard, Kemler adds, works on all Android text fields - from Docs to Gmail to text messages - and also offers the way to delete letters, words, add lines, and submit text. It can be enabled/disabled just as quickly as switching between international keyboards but you'd first have to enable Talkback, via Accessibility Settings, to set it up.
Roll-out for phones with Android 5.0 and later
Google's new keyboard currently supports Braille grade 1 and 2 in English, and is being rolled out for phones with Android 5.0 or newer. Meanwhile, there is no word from Google on the iOS version of the keyboard yet.
