odt2braille is an open-source extension for LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org Writer that allows the software to produce Braille documents. It converts standard office documents into Braille format files that can be printed on Braille embossers or exported to other Braille file types. The extension provides formatting and layout for both print and Braille output in a single file. It uses existing open-source libraries for Braille formatting and embosser communication. odt2braille enables authors to seamlessly create accessible documents for both sighted and visually impaired users.

1. odt2braille – Creating Braille with LibreOffice
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
LibreOffice can produce Braille System Design
odt2braille is an open-source Braille transcription The odt2braille architecture is a mixture of own code
extension to LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org and components from other open-source projects.
Writer. Both are free and open-source office suites for • The conversion of an ODT file starts with a pre-
word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, processing step that transforms the original
graphics, math and databases. odt2braille turns Writer content and stylesheets to an alternative
into a complete Braille authoring environment. In representation that is suitable as an input for the
addition to the rich lay-out for traditional ink-printing Braille formatter.
(for sighted users), the document can now have basic • The formatter produces a Braille file in Portable
formatting for Braille output. Both print and Braille lay- Embosser Format (PEF),
out data is saved in a single file, so synchronisation • which can then be verified through a Braille
issues between several versions of the same preview,
document are avoided. • and subsequently converted to other file formats, or
printed on a Braille embosser.
The Braille formatting is powered by Liblouisxml, an
open-source library intended to provide complete
Braille transcription services for XML documents. For
the embosser communication and file conversion,
odt2braille relies on the Braille Utils API.
Figure 1. OpenOffice.org, extended with odt2braille
and odt2daisy.
Added Features
odt2braille enables authors to print documents to a
Braille embosser (Interpoint, Index, Braillo) and to
export documents as Braille files (BRF, BRA, PEF).
Additional embossers will be added later. All new
functions are available from the File menu. The Braille Figure 3. odt2braille architecture
conversion is a seamless and intuitive process. The
output is predictable and highly configurable through Availability
user preferences. In addition, the Extended with odt2braille and odt2daisy and
document can be transcribed AccessODF, LibreOffice and OpenOffice.org Writer
according to existing formatting become ideal environments for authoring accessible
guidelines (such as BANA's and high-standard documents.
EBAE), requiring a minimum of odt2braille is licensed under the GNU Lesser General
user interaction. Most European Public License (LGPL) 3 or later. It is currently only
languages, as well as some well- available for Microsoft Windows but will be ported to
known math codes are Mac OS X and Linux. More information can be found
supported. odt2braille can even on the website: http://odt2braille.sf.net/.
handle multilingual documents. Acknowledgments
Also, the extension provides a
keyboard input mode for directly This work has been carried out as part of the ÆGIS project
Figure 2. Writer’s (Open Accessibility Everywhere: Groundwork, Infrastructure,
inserting Braille characters. Standards), which is funded by the European Commission.
extended File menu
www.aegis-project.eu