Microsoft and Apple co-work on HID Human Interface Standard for Braille Display
Both Microsoft and Apple and Google are actively developing technology products for people with disabilities to help people with disabilities to better participate in technology.
Currently, Microsoft is teaming with Apple to introduce a new technology standard for the blind community that aims to make the operating system use Braille displays better. USB-IF has announced the introduction of the HID human interface standard for Braille displays, a standard that Microsoft and Apple have quietly collaborated on.
The purpose of the HID human interface standard is to let different developers’ operating systems use braille displays in the blind community on different hardware component devices.
After Microsoft and Apple launch the standard, developers who develop software for the blind community will be more relaxed in the future development process.
Because developers no longer need to create custom software or drivers for specific operating systems or screen readers, these development processes in the past have been cumbersome.
By Sebastien.delorme [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons
Microsoft Windows assistant program product manager said:
“Braille is the key to literacy, education, employment and success for blind people all over the world,” said Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind. “An HID standard that allows the seamless integration of refreshable braille displays across devices will make it easier for braille readers to use this critical tool at home, at school, on the job or on the go. The National Federation of the Blind is proud to be a partner in collaboration across technology companies to make braille a game changing priority in the twenty-first century”
Apple’s director of policy and initiative said:
Technology should be available to everyone and all Apple products should be available to everyone. We are proud to introduce this new USB standard.
Because we believe this can improve the experience of all people with disabilities who rely on Braille displays using Apple products or any other device.
