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BRLTTY

BRLTTY

Accessibility & assistive technology resourcesScreen ReadersText-to-Speech & Speech-to-TextAdaptive Input Devices
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Verified working Oct 7, 2026

Braille display access for Linux and Unix text consoles.

BRLTTY is a system daemon that lets blind users read and navigate Linux/Unix text consoles through a refreshable braille display. It supports screen review, virtual terminals, cursor routing, braille translation options, cut-and-paste, and some basic speech output for console-based work.

Why it stands out

  • Designed for pre-login and low-level console access, not just graphical desktop sessions.
  • Handles Linux virtual terminals and console modes beyond standard 80x25 layouts.
  • Includes braille-specific command workflows such as cursor routing and rectangular cut-and-paste.
  • Modular driver approach makes it extensible for additional braille displays and speech synthesizers.
  • BrlAPI gives other assistive applications a way to send braille output without managing device details directly.

Good to know

  • Focused on Linux/Unix text-mode console access rather than general graphical desktop screen reading.
  • Speech support is described as basic, so users needing full speech-first workflows may need another screen reader.
  • Effective use depends on compatible braille display hardware and console-oriented workflows.

Photos

Illustration for BRLTTY