The way the BNS allows control characters to be input is to allow the use of the space key as a shift key, much like the insert key in the speakup review functi8ons. The arithmetic is encouraging: you get '2 to the 6th' combinations on the normal six keys, and another '2 to the 6th' with the simultaneous press (touch?) of the space key. I personally love braille, and believe that all blind people should use it, but the reality is that most blind people do not, and will not, and so you need to think carefully about whose needs you intend to meet. On the other hand, with a suitable software tutorial package for newbies, a touch screen with speech feedback is an excellent way to actually teach braille. What we need to find is a "push screen" rather than a "touch screen". One where the switch action has a substantial amount of "reluctance". I have seen control pads like that on kitchen appliances, they act like sluggish or slightly insensitive touch pads. You can feel them and examine their surface by finger without activating them. Chuck. My Web site is http://www.mhonline.net/~chuckh "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759.
