Qatar Computing Research Institute developed a virtual on-screen one-handed braille keyboard for those who are blind and have motor impairments that make two-handed braille typing difficult to perform. This app is free to download from the iOS app store, but is currently not available for Android devices. You are able to use it as your default keyboard, or just switch to it when you want. It divides a braille cell into two columns. You enter the dots for the first column, followed by the dots for the second column. I gave it a try, and once I got used to the gestures that accompany one-handed typing, I found it quite easy to use.
From the Developer
BrailleEasy is a custom keyboard that combines the comfort of one-handed typing with the speed of two-handed Braille-like typing. With the simple adaption of transforming two-handed Brailling into two gestures, users can quickly learn how to use this keyboard. The current version provides support for both English and Arabic keyboards.
If you are not accustomed to Braille typing, or simply wish to practice using this keyboard, we also offer the BrailleEasy-Tutor application with enough lessons to master this new form of typing.
– Comfortable one-handed use of handheld device
– No keys needed
– No fixed hand positions required
– Full compatibility with iOS 8.0 or higher
– Full compatibility with VoiceOver
