Technology Requirements

The technology requirements in this section are specific to computer-based testing with braille. The hardware and software that are used for braille testing require the use of a supported Windows operating system.

For information about complete requirements for computer-based testing, refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing .

Software for Students

Windows Secure Browser

Students will use the same Windows secure browser that is used for all computer-based testing. Visit the CAASPP and ELPAC Secure Browsers website to download the Windows secure browser. For secure browser installation instructions, refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC Technical Specifications and Configuration Guide for Online Testing .

Screen Readers

Students can use the same screen reader with the Windows secure browser as with other computer applications. When the student is using a screen reader, the test presentation setting must be “Braille” to alert the TDS that a student is testing using a resource to accommodate for visual impairments and not because the student is using an RBD or embossing specifically.

Table 1 provides a list of third-party screen readers that can be used in the TDS.

Table 1. Supported Screen Readers
Screen Reader	Supported Versions	OS Requirements	System Requirements	Additional Details
Fusion	2022 2023 2024	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance) 2016 Server R2	2.0 GHz i7 dual-core processor 16 GB RAM	This software requires additional setup before use with the TDS (refer to the configuration instructions for JAWS). The test presentation setting must be set to braille, whether the student is a braille user or not.
JAWS—Student	2022 2023 2024	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance) 2016 Server R2	2.0 GHz dual-core processor 8 GB RAM	This software requires additional setup before use with the TDS (refer to the configuration instructions). The test presentation setting must be set to braille, whether the student is a braille user or not.
NVDA	2022 2023 2024	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance) Windows Server 2016 R2	1.0 GHz processor 256 MB RAM	The student cannot use NVDA for ELA assessments without having the read-aloud accommodation set, since read-aloud for reading passages cannot be suppressed in this product. The test presentation setting must be set to braille, whether or not student is a braille user.
VoiceOver	N/A	macOS 12.6 macOS 13.6 macOS 14 macOS 15 (upon release and acceptance)	(no requirements)	Requires additional setup before use with the TDS (refer to the configuration instructions). Students cannot use VoiceOver for ELA assessments without having the read-aloud accommodation set, since read-aloud for reading passages cannot be suppressed in this product. The test presentation setting must be set to braille, whether or not student is a braille user.
Windows Narrator	N/A	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	(no requirements)	The student cannot use Windows Narrator for ELA assessments, the ELPAC, or the CSA, as read-aloud for reading passages cannot be suppressed in this product. The test presentation setting must be set to braille, whether or not student is a braille user.

RBDs

A student who needs to use an RBD not mentioned in table 2 should test it with a practice test to ensure there are no issues before its use with an operational assessment. The student using an RBD for the practice test must log on using a supported secure browser.

RBDs not listed here may include unwanted features that a student should not use while testing. A TA or TE may need to monitor a student who uses such an RBD.

Table 2 provides a list of supported RBDs that students can use to read braille content.

Table 2. Supported RBDs
RBD Technology	OS Requirements	Additional Details
Active Braille	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	Device has notepad, scheduler, alarm, calculator, and clock features that cannot be disabled. Device is equipped with an SD card that should be removed before student takes a test. The TA or TE will need to ensure the student does not use features outside of the braille display functionality.
Braille Edge 40 (now discontinued)	Windows 10	Device has notepad, scheduler, alarm, calculator, stopwatch, countdown timer, and clock features that cannot be disabled. Device is equipped with an SD card that should be removed before the student takes a test. The TA or TE will need to ensure the student does not use features outside of the braille display functionality. This product is no longer sold by its manufacturer. However, a student may continue to test with it if it is already available for the student’s use.
BrailleNote Touch 32 Cell	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	Other applications present include a word processor, email, internet, contacts, planner, file manager, calculator, Victor Reader, Play Store, and KNFB Reader. Student can only use device for testing in Braille Terminal mode. Device is equipped with an SD card that should be removed before student takes a test. The TA or TE will need to ensure the student does not use features outside of the braille display functionality.
Brailliant 40 Cell	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	CAI recommends RBDs with at least 40 cells, but students may use displays with fewer cells if preferred. There can be a security concern if the wrong version of this product is used. Students should not use the HumanWare Brailliant BI 14 RBD, which can automatically synchronize notes typed internally with a mail application, potentially violating test security.
Focus 40 Blue 5th Generation	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	Device has Scratchpad with BRF Book Reader, calendar, and clock features that cannot be disabled. Device is equipped with an SD card that should be removed before student takes a test. The TA or TE will need to ensure the student does not use features outside of the braille display functionality.
QBraille XL	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	Students using the QBraille XL in the TDS must be monitored to ensure they are not accessing unwanted internal applications, such as the calculator and notepad.

Software for TAs and TEs

Embossers and Embossing Software

Embossers must be used to emboss any test content that cannot be read by RBDs; this includes content on mathematics and science assessments and some of the content on ELA and ELPAC domain assessments. Different embossing software is required for embossing PRN and BRF file types. The printed file types depend on the content being embossed.

Table 3 provides a list of embossers and embossing software supported for TA and TE computers.

Table 3. Supported Embossers and Embossing Software
Embosser or Software	Supported Versions	OS Requirements	Minimum System Requirements	Additional Details
BrailleBlaster	2.1.5 2.1.4 2.4.3 2.1.2	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	1.0 GHz processor 1 GB RAM (for 32-bit) 2 GB RAM (for 64-bit)	Requires additional setup before use with TDS (refer to the configuration instructions). Used for embossing BRF files (from print requests containing only text or formatted tables).
Duxbury Braille Translator	12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	1.0 GHz processor 1 GB RAM (32-bit) 2 GB RAM (64-bit)	This software requires additional setup before use with the TDS (refer to the configuration instructions). This software is used for embossing BRF files from print requests containing only text or formatted tables.
Tiger Software Suite (Tiger Designer)	6 7 8	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	1.0 GHz i5 dual-core processor 1 GB RAM	Download the Tiger Designer prior to testing, as some PRN files will need to be converted in this program before embossing. Refer to the Converting and Embossing PRN Files in Tiger Designer subsection for more details. Tiger Software Suite is included with all ViewPlus embossers. Its license can be used on up to two devices.
ViewPlus Desktop Embosser (driver for ViewPlus Embossers and Tiger Viewer Software)	N/A	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	N/A	Download and install the embosser driver prior to embossing any files. The Tiger Viewer software is downloaded into the printer driver folder.
ViewPlus embosser	Max Premier Rogue Columbia Columbia 2 PixBlaster	Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows 12 (upon release and acceptance)	N/A	This product requires additional setup before use with the TDS (refer to the configuration instructions). The embosser is used for embossing PRN files from print requests with tactile or spatial components, such as images. A ViewPlus embosser requires that the user download and install the embosser driver prior to embossing. PRN files are formatted for a specific printer driver and may need to be converted for use with the specific embosser (refer to the Sending PRN Files to the Embosser with Tiger Viewer subsection for more details).

If a TA or TE requires the use of a screen reader (JAWS, NVDA) to set up or administer test sessions, the TA or TE is recommended to use the most recent Firefox or Chrome web browser. Web browser issues should be directed to a network or IT coordinator within the LEA.

TOMS Test Settings for Consideration

Table 4 is a list of all test settings in TOMS that should be considered for students with visual impairments prior to the start of summative testing. For a comprehensive explanation of every test setting available in TOMS, please refer to the file specifications in the current test setting spreadsheets linked on the Accessibility Resources web page for the CAASPP and ELPAC. Refer also to the TOMS User Guide for instructions on how to set accessibility resources for students.

Table 4. TOMS Student Test Settings for Students with Visual Impairments
Type	Display Name	Possible Values	Test
Embedded Accommodation	Audio Transcript (Includes Braille Transcript)	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Listening CAST CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Accommodation	Braille	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Accommodation	Speech-to-Text	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Accommodation	Text-to-Speech Reading Passages	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA PT CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Non-Embedded Accommodation	Print-on-Demand NOTE: This accommodation is not required when the braille accommodation has been selected.	Blank (default) Stimuli Items Items and Stimuli	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA
Non-Embedded Accommodation	Read-Aloud Reading Passages	Passages	Smarter Balanced for ELA CAA for ELA CSA
Embedded Designated Support	Color Contrast	Default (Black on White) Reverse Contrast Black on Rose Medium Gray on Light Gray Yellow on Black Yellow on Blue Blue Light Blue Black on Cream Gray Light Gray Green Light Green Light Magenta White on Navy Yellow Light Yellow Red on White White on Red	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Designated Support	Permissive Mode	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Designated Support	Print Size	No zoom applied (default) 1.5× 1.75× 2.5× 3×	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Embedded Designated Support	Streamline	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science ELPAC (all computer-based)
Embedded Designated Support	Text-to-Speech Items and Stimuli	Blank (default) Items (ELA; CSA; ELPAC Listening, Speaking, and Writing) Items and Stimuli (Mathematics; Science; ELPAC Listening, Speaking, and Writing)	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CSA Initial ELPAC (computer-based) Summative ELPAC (computer-based)
Non-Embedded Designated Support	Magnification	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA ELPAC (all)
Non-Embedded Designated Support	Print-on-Demand (Note: This accommodation is not required when the braille accommodation has been selected.)	Blank (default) Stimuli Items Items and Stimuli	ELPAC (all computer-based)
Non-Embedded Designated Support	Read-Aloud Items	Blank (default) Selected	Smarter Balanced for ELA Smarter Balanced for Mathematics CAST CAA for ELA CAA for Mathematics CAA for Science CSA Initial ELPAC (Writing domain only) Summative ELPAC (Writing domain only) Initial Alternate ELPAC Summative Alternate ELPAC