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More Tips for Braille Display Users of iDevices
First Unlocking Tips
With iOS 9, you can use Touch ID to unlock your device if you're on the lock screen by pressing the Home button. For example if you want to open https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-scanner-app-scan-docs-id/id1495971405. However, if you happen to be using a finger that isn't Touch ID compatible, or a device where Touch ID doesn't work, you may be looking for a faster way to unlock your device. There is a nature. Once your braille display is connected, pressing the spacebar on dots 2-4-6 will unlock your iDevice without scrolling. You'll still need to enter your passcode if you set one, but it can save you time if Touch ID isn't convenient or available.
Inputs and outputs, oh my god!
The ability to quickly switch between reading and writing braille types was introduced in iOS 8. This is useful if you don't want to wrestle with Apple's quirky Braille translator. If you're unfamiliar with Braille translation and its oddities, read this guide. Another use for another input/output type of braille is if you want to read compressed braille but don't have the confidence to write it yet. The three types of Braille that can be switched are contracted, uncontracted 6-point and 8-point. To switch between inputs (what you typed), press the spacebar on dots 2-3-6. VoiceOver and braille displays should report the status of the currently selected setting. To toggle the output (which is what you're reading now), hold down the spacebar and press G (dots 1-2-4-5). To change these options, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille, select Input or Output and configure to your liking .
Speed up!
Braille input is slightly slower than iOS 7 and earlier, especially on older devices. There is currently no way to bring Braille back to iOS 7 responsiveness, but you can often increase the speed at which text is sent from your display to your device via VoiceOver. There are some settings to change that have proven useful on some devices. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Give Feedback. Select None on the hardware keyboard. Also go under the Software keyboard heading and set it to "None" as well. It should speed up text moving from your Braille display to your iDevice, but the downside is that you won't be able to hear what words or letters are being spoken. I rarely use voice on my iDevices, so this doesn't bother me at all, but it might be useful information for some users.
Another setting to change if you find that iOS isn't translating braille input fast enough is to turn on automatic braille translation. This is disabled by default on devices running iOS 8 and above. If you haven't re-enabled this feature after upgrading from iOS 7, you'll need to make sure it's set the way you want it, as many devices have it disabled after the upgrade. Find it by going to Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille > Braille display input. Now, among the various input type options, we have the option above. This is useful for those who can write braille with more confidence, but there are certain quirks when using condensed braille. See the guide linked above if you're not sure.
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