Braille Writer Pro and Braille Writer Student for Mac OS X
Braille Writer Pro
Braille Writer Pro is the first and only word processor for Grade 1 (uncontracted) and Grade 2 (contracted) Braille for Apple’s Mac Platform (Mac App Store Link) The software comes complete with Braille to English translation capability. You can also use this program to type and save UEBC but the translation functionality will not work. If you want to use UEBC, we recommend Braille Writer Student.
Features
– Handles both Grade 1 and Grade 2 (contracted and uncontracted) Braille
– Translates Braille to English
– Reads / Writes .DXB files
– Supports emailing and printing files with and without translation
– Dictionary that supports both Braille and English
Braille Writer Pro was designed to be helpful for sighted people working to learn Braille.
Braille Writer Pro and Student use a standard Apple Keyboard. Please note the keys are configured in the menu item Window | Configuration. If your keyboard does not normally support all 6 keys being pressed at once, you can configure one of the keys to be a shift key (example shift, z,x,b,n,m for the 6 dots).
To learn the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 Braille see our previous post on Braille Pad Pro for the iPad.
You can load, edit, save, email, and print files. Braille Writer Pro natively supports files in the popular .DXB format. Files can be opened in Braille Writer Pro directly from web links or from your email. There are many resources on the web that have complete Braille books that you can download for free directly into the app. This is a great idea for people working on learning Braille as you can read through the books and check the translation if you get stuck.
An in-app dictionary is included with Pro that allows you to look up the Braille letters, numbers, symbols, and contractions by English or by Braille. This is NOT a dictionary of every word in English converted to Braille, rather it is a complete listing of the symbols and combinations of symbols you may find in a Grade 2 Braille document. The dictionary shows multiple meanings where applicable.
The app can convert the Braille to English and, optionally, identify the contractions used. Translation from Grade 2 Braille to English is not an easy task and this functionality in the app is about 98% correct and still evolving. If you find an error in a translation, PLEASE email it to us using the feedback button on the translation page so we can correct and update the program.
If you find Braille Writer Pro useful, please drop us a line and a review on the app store. Also check out Braille Pad Pro and Braille Pad Student on the iOS App Store.
