Using Braille displays in Mac OS X v10.6
Summary
Learn which popular third-party Braille displays are supported by Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, and how to configure them to use VoiceOver.
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard includes support for both USB and Bluetooth-enabled Braille displays. Some popular third-party Braille displays supported by Mac OS X v10.6 may use either Bluetooth or USB as the primary connection method.
Products Affected
VoiceOver
Using USB Braille displays
Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later is recommended for use of devices using USB connections (use Software Update to check for the latest updates). If your Braille display connects via a USB cable, it should configure itself automatically once connected to your Mac.
The display should appear in VoiceOver Utility after choosing Braille and clicking the Displays tab.
Using Bluetooth Braille displays
- If your Braille display uses Bluetooth, make sure the display is powered on. Also make sure that Bluetooth is on by clicking the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar, or opening Bluetooth preferences in System Preferences.
- Open VoiceOver Utility, which should discover any Bluetooth-enabled Braille displays near your Mac. It may be necessary to click the "+" sign to begin setting up a Bluetooth Braille display.
- Some Braille displays offer Bluetooth as an option; if it is not available on your Braille display, consider using a USB connection to your Mac instead.
- Select your Braille display from the list and click the Select button. A pairing request dialog appears.
- Enter the device's passcode. If no number appears in the dialog (as shown above) try codes of 0000 or 1234. Consult the resources that came with your Braille display to learn which passcode to use.
- After successfully completing the pairing, the Braille display should automatically be configured and available in VoiceOver Utility.
Note: If you follow these steps to configure your supported Braille display but cannot set up the device, consider setting the display to "Braille Terminal Mode" and repeat the steps above.
Additional Information
Braille displays that work with in Mac OS X v10.6
All devices listed below are USB-only unless otherwise denoted.
Alva/Optelec
- Alva BC 640 USB & Bluetooth
- Alva BC 680 USB & Bluetooth
- Alva 544 Satellite
- Alva 544 Satellite Traveller
- Alva 570 Satellite Pro
- Alva 584 Satellite Pro
- Optelec Voyager 44
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
- Refreshabraille 18 USB & Bluetooth
Baum
- Conny/VarioConnect 12 Bluetooth
- PocketVario 24 USB & Bluetooth
- SuperVario 32 USB & Bluetooth
- SuperVario 40 USB & Bluetooth
- SuperVario 64 USB & Bluetooth
- SuperVario 80 USB & Bluetooth
- VarioConnect 24 USB & Bluetooth
- VarioConnect 32 USB & Bluetooth
- VarioConnect 40 USB & Bluetooth
- VarioPro 64
- VarioPro 80
Eurobraille
- Esys 12 USB & Bluetooth
- Esys 40 USB & Bluetooth
Freedom Scientific
- Focus 40
- Focus 80
- PAC Mate 20
- PAC Mate 40
- PAC Mate BX420 (display only)
- PAC Mate BX440 (display only)
- PAC Mate QX420 (display only)
- PAC Mate QX440 (display only)
GW-Micro/HIMS
(Note: You must have a Bluetooth module to use the BrailleSense device via Bluetooth.)
- BrailleSense USB & Bluetooth
- BrailleSense Plus USB & Bluetooth
- SyncBraille 20
- SyncBraille 32
HandyTech
- Braille Star 40 USB & Bluetooth
- Braille Star 80
- Braille Wave USB & Bluetooth
- Braillino Bluetooth
- Easy Braille USB & Bluetooth
Humanware
- BrailleConnect 12 USB & Bluetooth
- BrailleConnect 24 USB & Bluetooth
- BrailleConnect 32 USB & Bluetooth
- BrailleConnect 40 USB & Bluetooth
- Brailliant 24 USB & Bluetooth
- Brailliant 32 USB & Bluetooth
- Brailliant 40 USB & Bluetooth
- Brailliant 64 USB & Bluetooth
- Brailliant 80 USB & Bluetooth
- BrailleNote mPower BT 18 Bluetooth
- BrailleNote mPower BT 32 Bluetooth
- BrailleNote PK Bluetooth
Nippon Telesoft
- Seika Version 3
Papenmeier
- Braillex Trio USB & Bluetooth
Mac OS X 10.5 information
To learn about using a USB braille display with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, and see which third-party braille displays are supported in Leopard, click here. Mac OS X v10.5.3 (or later) is strongly recommend.
If you're running a version of Mac OS X earlier than 10.5.3, please download and install the Braille Display Update 1.0 to use a GW Micro BrailleSense, SyncBraille 20, SyncBraille 32, HandyTech Easy Braille, Braille Star 40, Braille Star 80, HIMS BrailleSense, SyncBraille 20, SyncBraille 32, Nippon Telesoft Seika Version 3 or Papenmeir Braillex Trio braille display.
Twitter
Facebook