Please work through the topics below in the order they are provided, unless you feel confident that you know the subject.
Select individual arrows beside the topic heading or 'Open all'. This action will show one long page of content. The arrows and titles work like a toggle to open and close sections. When you have finished a topic you may find it easier if you close that section before you move onto the next one.
In this topic we will concentrate on access to high-tech electronic communication devices. We will review:
The types of access method for electronic devices
Direct Access (touch), which is usually the most efficient
Ways to make direct access easier for children with physical impairments
Using devices with built in alternative access methods as well as additional input methods
Pointing at symbols with a Tablet
"This is Oliver, he is 3 years old. Oliver has suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech which means he understands words spoken to him and knows the words he wants to say in his mind, but is unable to say them with his mouth. This video was taken on 4/2/15
and is his first attempt at using an electronic AAC (alternative and augmentativecommunication) device. He is using the Speak For Yourself app on the iPad for his AAC device."
Direct Access to Devices
Direct Access (usually
through touch) is the most efficient way to access a communication aid but is also the most physically demanding. Many children with physical disabilities find it difficult to stick out a finger and accurately point to a small symbol.
There are lots of things we can do to help with this, such as providing the AAC user with a glove, a stylus, or putting a plastic or metal guard around the symbols. These all work by reducing the number of mistaken symbol presses. A glove usually has
the end cut from one finger, so other parts of the hand can rest or touch the screen without making a selection. A stylus and keyguard work in much the same way.
One access method supported by iOS devices, but not by Android at the time of writing, is the ‘Use Final Touch Location’ feature. This enables children to drag their finger on the
screen, which stabilises their movement, until they reach the symbol they wish to select. Lifting the finger then selects the symbol.
Hold Delays for Inattentive Children
The hold delay has also been found to help children with attention difficulties, or for those who might press the same button several times for the effect of the audio. This is known as ‘perseverating’ and is common amongst autistic children. One remedy
for this is to set a hold delay to around 0.2 seconds so only very purposeful presses will be accepted by the device and converted into speech. Android Touch and Hold Delay settings
Head pointers are unusual in that there is no physical connection between the child and the access method, i.e. the child is not touching the computer or an input accessory at any point. A head pointer uses a camera tracks the movement of the child’s
head which in turn moves the pointer around on the screen.
Here is very short video illustrating the use of headpointing with Spanish symbols and text to speech.
More will be discussed about eyegaze with high tech devices as an input method in Level 2
Activity - Access Methods
Indirect Access - other ways to access a device
We can consider pointer control for those children who really struggle with direct access. Usually this is recommended for children with cerebral palsy who may find targeting the symbols difficult, or for children with muscular dystrophy for whom the
range of movement across a screen can be very fatiguing.
Pointer control, as a term, relates to using a standard
mouse to access a computer. Many children with physical impairments will use specialist joysticks, trackballs, and glide pads to access their computers and/or electronic AAC device. Most children will use their hands to operate these mouse alternatives,
while others may use their feet or even their mouths. Mouse alternatives always require some intentional movement from the child (such as moving a finger or an arm) but the accuracy and range required for each type does vary.
As with direct access, there are lots of accessibility options built into the devices to help ignore accidental button presses, or to assist with getting the mouse pointer onto the desired symbol. These are constantly changing and being updated, think about how you will stay up to date with these.