Connect a Bluetooth braille display with the VoiceOver Utility
Before you can use a supported Bluetooth braille display with VoiceOver, you must connect the display to your computer.
Note: VO represents the VoiceOver modifier.
- Open VoiceOver Utility (press VO-F8 when VoiceOver is on).
- Click the Braille category, click Displays, then click the Add button.
- VoiceOver lists displays that are within range of your Mac and that appear to match a VoiceOver braille display driver. If your display isn't shown, make sure you set it to be discoverable. Check the documentation that came with your braille display.
- You can only connect one Bluetooth braille display at a time.
- In the list of devices, click Connect for your Bluetooth braille display.
- A common default pass code is used to connect your display.
- If unsuccessful, click the Option button that appears, then provide the pass code that came with your braille display.
- Click Select.
If your display is successfully connected, VoiceOver detects your display whenever it's turned on and within range; if it’s your primary braille display, you can then use it. It remains connected until you remove it from the list of devices.
The Braille settings in the VoiceOver Utility
Use the Displays pane of the Braille category in VoiceOver Utility to view a list of the refreshable braille displays connected to your Mac, you can assign VoiceOver commands to keys on the braille displays.
To accept input only from the primary display and prevent input from each braille display that's connected to your Mac, choose "Primary braille display."
For some Bluetooth braille displays, after you turn off the braille display and move it out of range of your Mac, wait for at least 30 seconds to make sure your Mac indicates the braille display is no longer connected. Your Mac tries to maintain the connection during this interval in case the braille display was accidentally turned off or moved out of range.
When you turn on a connected Bluetooth braille display and move it in range of your Mac, your Mac should detect it in about 5 seconds.
The Verbosity settings in the VoiceOver Utility
Use the Braille pane of the Verbosity category in VoiceOver Utility to specify verbosity levels when using a refreshable braille display.
Verbosity
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Braille Verbosity | Choose the default verbosity level of High, Medium, or Low for items on the screen. |
| Additional options button | Display a list of controls for which you can individually set a verbosity level. To set a control's verbosity level, select the control in the list, click its Verbosity pop-up menu, then choose a level (Default, Low, Medium, or High). |
To customize or reorder the information VoiceOver provides (for example, to hear Status first), choose Custom from the controls Verbosity pop-up menu, then follow the onscreen instructions.
To use the Verbosity rotor to change the default verbosity level while working, press VO + V.
Assign VoiceOver commands to your braille display keys
VoiceOver detects whether your braille display provides input keys and assigns common VoiceOver commands to the keys.
For example, VoiceOver might assign the Down command to the D3 key; when you press that key on your braille display, the VoiceOver cursor moves down one line on the screen.
With your braille display connected to your Mac and with VoiceOver on, open VoiceOver Utility by pressing VO-F8.
Click the Braille category, click Displays, select the braille display you want to assign commands for, then click Assign Commands.
To change the command assigned to keys:
- Navigate to the keys
- Click the pop-up menu
- Choose a command
- Click the Add button to add a row
- Press Command + B
- Within 5 seconds press the braille keys you want to add. Note: A sound effect counts down the seconds. Click the pop-up menu, then choose a command to assign to the keys.
Click the link to go back to the Mac Lesson List.
Mac VoiceOver Lesson List