The Braille Bar

The Braille Bar is a component of Biblos' graphical interface designed to support braille reading, proofreading, and teaching in a simple and effective way. This bar appears as a horizontal strip positioned at the bottom of the document window, just above the status bar. Its primary function is to display, in real time, the braille translation of the line of text where the cursor is located.

The Braille Bar provides an accurate graphical representation of the braille cells corresponding to the current line of text. The display complies with the braille transcription defined for the open document and reproduces exactly the same sequence of cells that a blind user can read on a physical braille display or that will be embossed on paper using a braille printer.

The braille cells are arranged horizontally and drawn using stylized visual symbols, making it easier for sighted users to read and understand the correspondence between text and braille code. This feature is especially useful in educational settings, where teachers and students can visually compare text and braille, as well as in professional contexts where transcription accuracy is essential.

The Braille Bar is a dynamic and interactive tool. As the user moves through the document with the cursor, the bar updates automatically, displaying the braille translation of the corresponding line. The braille cells are highlighted using different colors based on the cursor's position, providing an immediate visual link between the original character and the resulting braille cell.

Interaction is also possible via the mouse: by clicking on a braille cell, the text cursor can be moved to the related character. This behavior is designed to support visual analysis and precise verification of the correspondence between text and braille code.

The Braille Bar can be turned on or off at any time. To change its visibility, open the main “View” menu, then select or deselect the “Braille Bar” option. When enabled, the bar appears between the document area and the status bar, remaining visible throughout the working session.

Right-clicking on the Braille Bar opens a context menu that offers several useful options for customizing and managing the display. From this menu, you can copy the entire braille content currently shown in the bar to the clipboard, allowing you to paste it into other documents or work tools. Additionally, the same menu includes a submenu for selecting the size of the displayed braille cells, with several options available to adapt the visual appearance to personal preferences or visual needs.

The only requirement for the correct display of cells in the Braille Bar is the selection of the braille group or table to be used for text translation. This configuration is done just once by accessing the “Tools/Braille/Braille Display…” window, where you can choose the braille transcription group or table from the available options. This choice directly affects the appearance and content of the cells shown in the bar, as well as on braille displays.

Enabling the Braille Bar does not affect the document's functionality but enhances its accessibility and analysis. In educational environments, it provides immediate support for braille training; in editorial and professional settings, it is a valuable control tool to ensure transcription accuracy.