Microsoft, Apple and USB Forum are working on USB standard for braille displays

The USB Implementers Forum, together with Microsoft, Apple and others, has announced a human interface device standard for braille displays. The standard should simplify its use with multiple operating systems and hardware.

The USB HID standard for braille displays provides plug & play support for these types of devices, so blind and partially sighted people can use their display device regardless of which computer, tablet or smartphone it is paired with. According to Microsoft, the standard is widely supported by the tech industry, NGOs and manufacturers of products that need to improve accessibility.

Not only should the standard improve the implementation of Braille displays, but it will also reduce costs and bring new devices to market more quickly. Among other things, companies no longer have to create special software and drivers for different operating systems. Microsoft expects to support the standard in 2019.

Microsoft, Apple and Google, among others, are members of the USB-IF HID Working Group. In addition, there is support from assistive technology manufacturers such as Help Tech GmbH, Baum, HumanWare, Orbit, Bristol Braille, Dolphin Computer Access, Freedom Scientific and NV Access.

Braille displays are devices that can form the combinations of dots of the script for the blind and partially sighted on a line so that they can be read with fingers. A software screen reader translates the information from a screen into Braille. Braille displays often cost several thousand euros.