This tutorial will show you how to open and use the Braille viewer in Narrator in Windows 11.
Narrator is a screen reader included with Windows 11 that describes what's on your screen. Narrator lets you use your PC without a mouse to complete common tasks if you’re blind or have low vision. It reads and interacts with things on the screen, like text and buttons. Use Narrator to read and write email, browse the internet, and work with documents.
Starting with Windows 11 build 262100.6725 (24H2), Narrator now includes Braille viewer that allows you to see on-screen textual and Braille representation of the output shown on a refreshable Braille display. Contents of this Braille viewer window are updated as you continue to use Narrator. This is a helpful tool for sighted teachers, AT trainers, developers, and testers who do not read Braille or who have limited to no access to a Braille display.
Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) can use Braille viewer to help improve student’s Braille skills or follow along in classroom as the teachers can visually see the textual and Braille representation on the screen while the student reads it on their connected Braille display.
Reference:
Chapter 8: Using Narrator with braille | Microsoft Support
Learn about how to use Narrator with a refreshable braille display
support.microsoft.com
I is required to install and turn on braille support in Narrator before being able to open and use Braille viewer in Narrator.
Here's How:
1 Turn on Narrator (Win+Ctrl+Enter).
2 Press the Narrator key + Alt + B to open Braille viewer.
3 You can change the display size for how many cells you want to show in the Braille viewer. (see screenshot below)
The number of Braille cells shown on the viewer depends on the size of your refreshable Braille display. If an 80-cell display is connected, the viewer shows 80 cells. If no display is connected, the viewer shows 40 cells by default.
4 You can change the position of the Braille viewer window to Above screen, Below screen, or Overlay (default). (see screenshot below)
Overlay allows the Braille viewer window to float so you can drag and drop it to any position on the screen.
5 You can minimize and restore the Braille viewer window as needed while Narrator is on. (see screenshot below)
6 When finished with the Braille viewer, you can close (X) its window without having to turn off Narrator. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- Install or Uninstall Braille Support for Narrator in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Braille Support for Narrator in Windows 11
- Turn On or Off Narrator in Windows 11
- Change Braille Display Input and Output Language and Table Type in Windows 11
- Change How Long Notifications Stay Open on Braille Display in Windows 11
- Change How Text Cursor is Displayed on Braille Display with Narrator in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Blink Cursor on Braille Display with Narrator in Windows 11
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