Filed under: Software Update, Leopard
Apple updates Braille support in Leopard
Today, Apple released the Braille Display Update 1.0 for VoiceOver in Leopard. VoiceOver, part of the Universal Access family of accessibility tech, allows blind or visually impaired users to hear what's on the screen. Via the new update, when you connect a compatible Braille display, "VoiceOver automatically detects it and sends it information about what is displayed on the screen." This update adds new support for certain Braille displays, including the HandyTech Braille Star 8, GW Micro BrailleSense, and more.This update is available for users of Mac OS X Leopard by using Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple support downloads site. If you're currently using a Braille screenreader under Leopard -- or you were waiting for support for your screenreader via this update -- drop us a comment to let us know if the update makes a difference for you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marc said 6:05AM on 2-06-2008
I absolutely *love* that you're promoting a feature whose users could never use your sight. Perfect. It's like a bumper sticker I saw on a car in Lansing, MI: Illiterate? Write now for free help.
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Rob Rix said 6:49AM on 2-06-2008
@Marc: How so? TUAW is doing pretty well accessibility-wise, and (at least semi-) machine-readable formats like HTML and CSS are available to the accessibility framework and screenreaders to be translated into Braille... which is the point of this post.
What's the problem?
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Lars said 7:48AM on 2-06-2008
I love the typo "sight" when you ment "site". Anyhow - my dad (who has the Papenmeier Braillex Trio mentioned in the update!) uses very advanced software that breaks down pages even crappy sites into readable chunks, let alone a well-designed site like TUAW.
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Lars said 7:51AM on 2-06-2008
Also - sighted people (like myself) actually sometimes talk to blind people and tell them about stuff they've read online!
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Flying Blind said 1:20PM on 2-06-2008
That's funny, cause I'm a blind user of this site, and find that it works for me. Using the VoiceOVer software in Mac OS X just fine.
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andrew said 2:17PM on 2-06-2008
my software update shows there's nothing to update!
not to mention, is 10.5.2 EVER going to be released?
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Joe Clark said 4:08PM on 2-06-2008
They are Braille displays, not screen readers (two words). VoiceOver is the screen reader.
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