Morse Code for Accessibility & Assistive Technology

Morse Code in Accessibility

Morse code has found an important modern application in assistive technology, providing a text input method for people with severe motor disabilities.

Switch-Based Input

For individuals who can only control one or two switches (buttons), Morse code provides a complete text input system:

• Single switch: Differentiate dots and dashes by press duration (short press = dot, long press = dash)
• Two switches: One for dot, one for dash

This is one of the few input methods that gives full text entry capability with just 1–2 physical inputs.

Google Morse Code Keyboard

In 2018, Google released a Morse code keyboard for Android (Gboard):

• Two large buttons for dot and dash on screen
• Works with external switches via Android's Switch Access
• Includes word prediction and auto-complete
• Developed in collaboration with Tania Finlayson, who has used Morse code to communicate for over 20 years due to cerebral palsy

iOS Accessibility

Apple's iOS supports Morse code input through:

• Switch Control (1 or 2 external switches)
• Head tracking combined with Morse input
• Integration with assistive communication apps

Advantages for Accessibility

1. Minimal physical input: Only requires distinguishing between two states (short/long)
2. Learnable: Despite initial complexity, many users achieve useful typing speeds
3. Universal: Works with any switch or sensor that can detect two different inputs
4. Complete: Every letter, number, and punctuation mark can be typed

Eye-Tracking + Morse

Some cutting-edge systems combine eye tracking with Morse code:

• Blink detection: Short blink = dot, long blink = dash
• Gaze direction: Look left = dot, look right = dash
• These systems give communication capability to people with almost no voluntary movement.