A BrailleNote Apex and an iOS Device, a Winning Combination!
All of Apple's iOS devices, (iPod touch, iPhone and iPad,) have built in braille access when using the
VoiceOver screen reader. Utilizing this braille access allows a user to receive braille output on a supported
braille display, and if the display has input keys, one can actually control the iOS device without ever touching
the device's touch screen.
HumanWare's BrailleNote Apex provides a proven suite of KeySoft applications, perfect for note taking in
meetings or class, instant email or web connectivity, and braille access to thousands of eBooks. As a stand
alone digital braille assistant, the BrailleNote Apex's applications have been providing user's efficient
information management for over 10 years. Combine this success with the accessibility of an iOS device, and
the result is a winning combination.
The “Braille Terminal” application allows the BrailleNote Apex to function as a standard braille display, capable
of connecting to an iOS device via its bluetooth connection.
Once the two tools are paired, the Apex can be used to produce braille output, along with providing control
over the iOS device without using the touch screen. Users have the capability to:
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Navigate all applications on the Home screen
Select items
Enter text into any editable applications such as text messages, emails, note files, etc, using the Apex's
ergonomic braille input keys. Text can be entered in contracted or uncontracted braille.
Read in braille all accessible applications, including reading books from the iBooks application.
In short, anything that could be accomplished with VoiceOver via the touch screen can be
accomplished using the Apex's input keyboard.
The following pages provide step by step instructions to combine a BrailleNote Apex with an iOS device.
Enabling the Apex's Terminal application
Before the Apex can be used in conjunction with an iOS device it must be placed in the “Braille Terminal” mode.
This mode puts the Apex into a state to receive information from connected devices with braille support.
To enter the braille terminal mode:
1.
From the Main Menu, press t to open the Braille Terminal.
2.
You will be prompted “Braille terminal port?”.
Press b to select Bluetooth, then press Enter.
3.
If bluetooth was not enabled, the Apex will say "Starting Bluetooth," followed by a beep. If bluetooth was
already enabled, the Apex will simply make a beep sound and "braille terminal," will be displayed on the
screen.
4.
If using an Apex with a QWERTY keyboard, press function key together with b to enter braille keyboard
mode. This mode allows you to control the iOS device using the home row keys of "asdf and jkl;," to execute
standard braille keystrokes.
The Apex is now ready to work with the iOS device!
Finding the Apex with the iOS device
Now that the Apex is in the Braille Terminal mode, the iOS device needs to find and pair with it. Follow the
steps below to utilize the Apex as a Braille Terminal for an iOS device
1. Tap on the settings application from
the Home screen.
2. Tap on "General."
3. Towards the bottom of the screen
tap Accessibility.
4. Tap on VoiceOver. Make sure it is
enabled.
5. Double Tap on Braille.
6. If bluetooth is not enabled Double tap
"Yes," to enable it.
7. Double Tap the Apex when
displayed in the list.
8. Quickly enter in the passcode of 0000
and double tap the "Pair," button in the
upper right corner.
9. The Apex will now show as paired in the list of braille devices and the iOS device can now be
controlled by the Apex's input keyboard. The Apex's braille display will represent in braille
everything that is spoken by the VoiceOver screen reader. Note that if the iOS device is locked,
pressing the Home button on the iOS device will unlock the device and the Apex will
automatically reconnect to it as a braille device.
BrailleNote Apex iOS command List
The below list describes all commands for the Apex to effectively control an iOS device.
Navigation commands
Space with Dot 1 or Outer Left Thumb Key (F1)
Space with Dot 4 or Outer Right Thumb Key (F4)
Space with Dot 2 or Inner Left Thumb Key (F2)
Space with Dot 5 or Inner Left Thumb Key (F3)
Braille display Routing cursor or space with dots 3-6
Inner Left Thumb Key (F2) + Inner Right Thumb Key (F3)
Inner Left Thumb Key (F2) + Inner Right Thumb Key (F3) twice
Space with Dots 1-2-3
Space with Dots 4-5-6
Space with Dots 2-4-6
Bypass command (Space with Dots 4-5-6-8), space with O
Inner Right Thumb Key (F3) + Outer Right Thumb Key (F4)
Move to previous item
Move to next item
Pan Braille to the left
Pan Braille to the right
Double-tap the selected item
Activates the Home button
Activates task switcher
Move to the first element
Move to the last element
Scroll left one page
Scroll right one page
Activates the Return key
Space with B
Activates a Back button if present
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Reading Commands
Space with Dots R
Space with W
Space with Dots 1-4-5-6
Space with Dots 3-4-5-6
Space with P
Read page starting at selected item
Read page starting at the top
Scroll down one page
Scroll up one page
Pause or continue speech
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Information Commands
Space with S
Space with K
Space with B
Space with Dots 3-4
Go to the Status bar
Start VoiceOver help
Quit VoiceOver help
Speak page number or rows being
displayed
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Rotor Commands
Space with Dot 3
Space with Dot 6
Space with Dots 2-3
Space with Dots 5-6
Move to previous item using rotor setting
Move to next item using rotor setting
Select previous rotor setting
Select next rotor setting
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Edit commands
Space with Dots 2-5-6
Bypass key (space with dots 4-5-6-8)Space with Dots 2-3-5
Space with X
Space with C
Space with V
Outer Left Thumb Key (F1) Inner Left Thumb Key (F2)
Space with D
Bypass key (space with dots 4-5-6-8) then space with Z
Space with Dots 2-3-4-6
Space with Dots 2-3-5-6
Select text
Unselect text
Cut
Copy
Paste
Activates the Delete key
Activates the Delete key
Undo
Redo
Select all
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Miscellaneous commands
Space with Dots 3-4-5
Space with Dots 1-2-6
Space with M
Outer Left Thumb Key (F1) + Outer Right Thumb Key (F4)
Space with G
Status Routing cursors (Applies to displays with status cells)
Space with T
Space with Dots 1-2-5-6
Space with N
Activates the Volume Up button
Activates the Volume Down button
Toggle speech on and off
Toggle Screen Curtain on and off
Toggle contracted and uncontracted Braille
Toggle expanded status description
Activates the Tab key
Activates the Shift with Tab keys
Toggle announcement history
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