Teaching a Learner to use the BrailleSense 6

Introduction

A braille notetaker is a portable device with a refreshable braille display which is built in. It performs many of the functions of a laptop: access to emails, text documents, calendar functions, calculator, as well as access to applications used in schools such as Google Classroom and Microsoft OneDrive, but with the added capability of translating text into uncontracted or contracted braille in real time (Hong, 2012).

Introducing a Braille Notetaker

QTVIs often ask when a braille notetaker should be introduced. The paper by Bickford and Falco (2012) raise salient points for both sides of the argument for early introduction of such a device. There are specific advantages to teaching early literacy skills using paper and a Perkins brailler, specifically spatial relationships and how to orientate a page. In addition, fluent, two-handed reading technique can only be developed when the learner has access to multiple lines of braille at once. However, on an electronic notetaker the braille remains crisp, and the use of audio can provide additional motivation. The finger strength needed to press the keys of the Perkins brailler was seen as a disadvantage however the keys of the notetaker were also deemed too sensitive and in the early stages it was even easier to make mistakes on the notetaker.

BrailleSense 6

Over the coming year this webpage will be expanded with lessons and some resources to help Qualified Teachers of Visual Impairment (QTVIs) to teach learners with visual impairment how to use a braille notetaker, specifically the BrailleSense 6, available from Sight and Sound Technology. Other braille notetaker devices are also available and all carry out similar functions, however key commands will vary between devices.

• Please also see Secondary school learners giving feedback on the braille notetakers that they use.

References

Bickford, J. O. & Falco, R. A. (2012) Technology for early braille literacy: Comparison of traditional braille instruction and instruction with an electronic notetaker. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 106 (10), 679-693.

Hong, S. (2012) An alternative option to dedicated braille notetakers for people with visual impairments: Universal technology for better access. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 106(10), 650-655.

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Lesson 1: Familiarisation of the Layout

When the learner first receives the BrailleSense 6, the temptation to switch it on and get it to work is high. It is, however, important to teach the layout of the device so that the learner knows the function of the keys and where to find the appropriate port.

In the video below, the layout of the BrailleSense 6 is described, starting with the top view, then front, right and left side. Diagrams showing the top, front, left and right side views have also been provided and are linked below. These diagrams can be copied onto A4 capsule (swell) paper and put through a PIAF machine. Labels in contracted braille have been added to the diagrams using the RNIB Braille Font which is free to download. Any braille font that you may have on your computer should also work.

A Word document containing a list of the key features of the BrailleSense 6 have also been provided and can be made into braille flashcards. Some suggestions for how these resources are used are given below. The activities not only help the learner to understand the device, they can also help to develop an understanding of tactile diagrams and the relationship between the two-dimensional view of three-dimensional objects.

Activities

• Use the flashcards to label the tactile diagram.
• Match key features on the device with the same feature on the tactile diagram.
• Teacher "incorrectly" labels the tactile diagram and the learner has to move the labels to correctly identify the parts.

Downloads

• Lesson 1 Flashcard word list (docx)
• Diagram - Top view (docx)
• Diagram - Side views (docx)

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Lesson 2: Personalising the BrailleSense 6

If you are opening your BrailleSense 6 straight from the box, once the device is charged and switched on it will take you through a set-up guide. This lesson will not take you through that guide, but it will show you how to change some of the settings particularly for:

• braille
• voice
• general settings

Depending on the age of the learner, the QTVI may want to make changes to the settings before the learner uses the device for the first time. Changing the settings can be a good way for the QTVI to become familiar with the device, moving in an out of menus and settings etc.

Alternatively, the QTVI could set the device up in part, and let the learner change some of the settings.

This lesson will show you how to personalise the device through the Global Options menu within Settings. The tables below will also give the shortcut keys that will allow you to access some of the settings without going through the Global Options menu within settings. They have been provided as an aide memoire for staff, not as a resource for learners. There is often more than one way to access commands or to do a task. Some learners will enjoy learning different ways and others may just need to know one reliable method to carry out the task. Teachers will know their learners best and can decide how much information to share at once. Keystrokes and shortcuts are best learned and practised in a learning context rather a list to be memorised.

 

Key Commands in this Lesson

To open the Global Settings Menu: o + space bar

Move down through the menu: dot 4 + space bar

Move up through the menu: dot 1 + space bar

Toggle through options within a menu: space bar

Select an option: enter

Quick Keys for Braille

Function	Initial letter navigation after opening Global options menu	Quick Keys
Turn braille display on/off	b	Backspace + F3
Change the appearance of the cursor	c	Up scroll + F4
Turn eight dot mode on/off	e	Down scroll + F1
View/input the grade of braille (uncontracted, contracted, computer braille)	g	Space + g

Quick Keys for Voice

Function	Initial letter navigation after opening Global options menu	Quick Keys
Turn voice on/off	v	Backspace + F2
Voice volume down/up	l	Backspace + F1/Backspace + F4
Voice rate decrease/increase	r	Space + F1/Space + F4
Pitch decrease/increase	t	Enter + F1/Enter + F4
Change punctuation level (punctuation, symbols, all, off)	p	Enter + F3
Turn scroll voice on/off	s	Up scroll + F3

Quick Keys for General Settings

Function	Initial letter navigation after opening Global options menu	Quick Keys
Turn on/off LCD screen	l	Keys 4,5,6 + enter
Show/hide passwords	p	Down scroll + F3
Power Button Operation (screen off, deep sleep)	p	Backspace + Enter + p (keys 1,2,3,4)
Sleep mode (on/off)	s	Control + alt + s
Bluetooth (on/off)	b	Backspace + number sign (keys 3,4,5,6)
Wireless LAN (on/off)	w	Backspace + TH sign (keys 1,4,5,6)

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Lesson 3: Exploring the Main Menus

Now that you have your BrailleSense 6 set up, it is a good idea to explore the main menus. On this page, a link to an Excel spreadsheet has been provided, showing the main menu headings and their subheadings. It has been set out in a way that is familiar to the sighted user of a PC, however on a BrailleSense 6, menus are more similar to one list, with everything appearing in column A of the spreadsheet. It has been set out the way that it has to make it easier for the sighted instructor to find things quickly and to keep the lesson moving along. Please note that the Excel spreadsheet does not provide an exhaustive list. The commands used in Word and email will be covered on specific lessons on these topics.

• BrailleSense 6 menus and subheadings (Excel file to download)

Learning Intentions

1. I can move up and down through menus and submenus using two different methods.
2. I can move up a level by using F4.
3. I can navigate to the top of menus by using first letter navigation.
4. I can use the F1 key to take me to the top of the File Manager menu.

Key Commands

Command	Keystroke
Move down through a menu	Key 4 and spacebar OR down-scroll key
Move up through a menu	Key 1 and space bar OR up-scroll key
Move up a level in the menu	F4
Move to the top of the File Manager menu	F1

Key Points to Remember

• If the BrailleSense 6 does not speak when you use the scroll keys, you need to turn on the scroll voice. To do this:
  • Open the Global Options menu (space with "o" [keys 1,3,5])
  • Press "s" [keys 2,3,4]
  • Press space bar to toggle "scroll voice on"
  • Press enter.
• Using first letter navigation to move between the main menus only works when you are at the main level menu.
• Using first letter navigation takes you into the first item in the submenu, not to the top of that menu.

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For Fun! Exploring the games on the BS 6

Sense Brain Game

Once in the Extras menu, you can:

• Use the down scroll key or key 4 and space until you reach "Sense brain game" then press enter.
• Press "a"[key 1]

There are six items in the submenu, four of these items are games. Scroll through the submenu in the usual ways or use first letter navigation:

• Memory game (m)
• Reverse game (r)
• Chase a criminal (t)
• Multiplication table (m)
• View ranking (a)
• Exit (z)

Points to remember

• This can be a braille reading game only, a listening game only simply by turning the voice on/off to encourage access through the braille display. Turn off the braille display and leaving the voice on makes it a listening game. Alternatively you can keep both the braille display and the voice on.
• Each of the four games has 5 stages of difficulty. Move through the stages by using the scroll keys or space with key 1 to move and space with key 4 to move down. Press "enter" to choose the stage.
• At the early stages of the memory and reverse game where only numbers are used, there is no need to braille the number sign as it appears in the braille display already.
• If you don't want to add your name to the rankings then you can come out of it by pressing F4.

Sense Dice Game

From the Extras menu, you can:

• Use the down scroll key or key 4 and space until you reach "Sense dice game" then press enter.
• Press "i" [key 2 and 4]

This is not really a game, but rather a way of turning your BrailleSense 6 into dice. You can have up to 4 dice. Choose the number you need by scrolling up and down through the menu in the usual way when prompted and pressing "enter" when the number of dice you want is announced. You can press the enter key or shake the whole unit as if it were real dice. A sound effect and the number is announced. Press the space bar or the enter key to roll the dice again.

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Lesson 4: Documents

This series of lessons will focus on documents in the Word Processor and how to work within them. The BrailleSense 6 has two different ways of recording text: in the Word Processor or in the Notepad.

If the document is going to be shared with someone who is sighted (e.g. a teacher or another pupil) or it will be printed, or it will contain any formatting, then the Word Processor should be used.

If the document is for personal notes or is going to be embossed and does not contain formatting then use the Notepad.

Lesson 4a – Part 1 Create, Open, Save and Close a Document

Learning Intentions:

• I can open a blank word document from anywhere within the BrailleSense 6.
• I can save a Word document to "My Documents" on the device.
• I can close the word processor using the keystroke space + z (keys 1,3,5,6).

Key Commands:

Function	Keys
Open word processor from main menu	"w" [keys 2,4,5,6]
Save	"s" [keys 2,3,4] + enter
Close the word processor	"z" [keys 1,3,4,5] + space

 

Lesson 4a – Part 2 Opening documents/Folder hierarchy

Learning Intentions:

• I can open an existing document from the file manager.
• I can open an existing document from the word processor.
• I can explore different folders on the BrailleSense 6.

Key Commands:

Function	Keys
Open word processor from anywhere else	F1 + "w" [keys 2,4,5,6]
Open an existing document from within Word	"o" [keys 1,3,5] + enter
Navigate to file list	F3 + space
Move to the top of the folder structure	Backspace
Save As	"s" [keys 2,3,4] + space

 

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© Elizabeth McCann, 2026