Switch Access to iPods/iPads Expands

Several companies have announced new ways for those with physical or multiple disabilities to access the iPod and iPad.  Here is the list of what is currently on the market.

Control the iOS Device with Switch(es)

• iPortal Accessibility allows users with certain brands of power wheelchairs to use their driving mechanism (joystick, switches) to control all aspects of an iPhone 

Control Music on iOS with Switch(es)

• iScan MP3 single switch access to iOS devices (except the shuffle, the picture is deceiving on the website it DOES work with current model devices) with adjustable scan speed
• Ablenet Hook auditory scanning of music with one or two switches designed to be adjustable in terms of cognitive load

Control an App with Switch(es)

• RJ Cooper iOS Super Switch and Switch Interface
• Ablenet Blue 2

Use the iOS Device as a Switch(es) to Control Other Things

• Switchamajig turns your iPad into an adaptive remote control for adapted toys
• Attainment

Coming in September 2012 - All Accessible iPad from Ablenet

(below is directly from the Ablenet website.)

Keynote™

Enabling the iPad for everyone.

Product will be available September 2012
AbleNet’s Keynote access solution unlocks the power of the iPad mobile device for users with significant physical disabilities. Keynote provides cutting edge accessibility, brilliant sound and exceptional design to create a one of a kind solution for the iPad.

• HiFi stereo amplified sound output
• Wireless and wired switch access with scanning capabilities to control the iPad and apps supporting VoiceOver controls
• Sleek outer casing protects against moisture and impact
• Integrated battery, charging and iPad syncing
• Updatable firmware to add new features as they are available
• MSRP $349.00

Switch Interface Round Up

 Access to Software on a Computer

• ATEC Switch Interface by Marblesoft
• Access to most accessible software
• Settings include proprietary Crick/Clicker settings
• Change settings on interface box
• Mouse Emulation
• $69.95 

• Hitch by Ablenet
• Access to most accessible software
  
• Mouse emulation
• 5 switch ports
  
• USB connection
  
• $99
  

•  Multi Switch by Inclusive
• Access to most accessible software
• Change settings using provided software
• Automatically adjusts to most commercial switch software
• Six switch ports
• Switch testing through interface box
• USB Connection
• $155

• Cordless Switch interface by RJ Cooper
• off-the-shelf wireless presentation controller adapted with 2 switch ports
• sends only mouse button "clicks"
• $99

• Switch Hopper and Switch Hopper by RJ Cooper
• Frog shaped interface with 3 switch ports, or interface with built in button
• sends mouse clicks or install software to change mouse button settings (affects all connected mice)
• $99/$119

• Switch Interface Pro 6.0 by Don Johnston
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
• Mouse emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• 6 switch ports
•  $94.99

• USB Switch Interface Plus by Quizworks
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• "no repeat key" and "repeat key" settings
• 5 switch ports
• $99

• Wireless Switch Interface by Quizworks
• RF up to 100 feet 
• Uses 9volt battery
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings on interface box
• 5 switch ports
•  $230

• Crick USB Switch Box
• Works with most accessible software
• Created to work with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
• use software to change settings
• website to assist with finding settings
• 5 switch ports
• USB Connection
•  $159

• Stealth Switch 5
• Must be programmed to work with chosen software using software, settings then saved in interface so it can be moved without resetting
• Use as a mouse emulator
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $79

• Intelliswitch by Madentec
• Works with most accessible software
• Works with Discover Pro
• Change settings using software
• Wireless or wired, RF wireless up to 20 feet, wired uses USB
• Heavier and bigger than most other interfaces
• $299

• Swifty by Orin
• Thumb drive size interface
• 1 switch port
• Connect the Swifty Beam for wireless access to up to 3 switches
• Mouse Emulator with Swifty Beam
• $79.95

Mouse Emulators on a Computer

• ATEC Switch Interface by Marblesoft
• Access to most accessible software
• Settings include proprietary Crick settings
  
• Mouse Emulation
• USB connection
• $69.95 

• Mi-5 by TASH/Ablenet
• Mouse emulation only
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $113 

• Hitch by Ablenet
• Access to most accessible software
• Mouse emulation
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $99

• Switch Interface Pro 6.0 by Don Johnston
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
  
• Mouse emulator
  
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
  
• 6 switch ports
•  $94.99

• USB Switch Interface Plus by Quizworks
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• "no repeat key" and "repeat key" settings
• 5 switch ports
• $99

• Wireless Switch Interface by Quizworks
• RF up to 100 feet 
• Uses 9volt battery
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings on interface box
• 5 switch ports
•  $230

•  X-Keys USB by Pi Engineering
• Mouse emulator or custom controls
• Use software to control settings
• Includes software development kit
• USB connection
• 12 switch ports
• $129.95

• Swifty by Orin
• Thumb drive size interface
• 1 switch port
• Connect the Swifty Beam for wireless access to up to 3 switches
• Mouse Emulator with Swifty Beam
  
• $79.95

For iOS (iPod, iPad, iPhone)

• APPlicator Switch Interface by Inclusive/Pretorian
• Bluetooth (wireless) interface (no PIN #, 65 foot range)
• Works with both RJ Cooper and Ablenet settings
• Controls music as well
•  Four switch ports
• $165

• Hook by Ablenet
• gives access to music only
• use a computer to adjust settings
• $149.99

• Switchamajig
• turns iPad into a switch to control attached, adapted items
• $279 

• Blue2 by Ablenet
• works with Ablenet and Blue2 compatible apps only
• built in switches or connect other to 1 or 2 switch ports
• also works with a computer with included dongle
• $149

• The Shield by Tecla
• Connect switches and or controllers to iOS devices
• Use with Tecla app
  
• Controls the entire device and certain apps
• starts at $289 (add accessories and training if needed)

• iScan MP3
• works with 30 pin iOS devices
• access to music only
•  $299.95

• Bluetooth Switch Interface by RJ Cooper
• Works with compatible apps
• 2 switch ports
• lithium-ion battery
• $99

For Android

• Click-to-Phone by Broadened Horizons
• Switch access to phone features, media and other features of Android
• Wireless
• Price includes training
• $399-1099 

• The Shield by Tecla
• Connect switches and or controllers to Android devices
• Use with Tecla app
• Controls the entire Android device and certain apps
• starts at $289 (add accessories and training if needed)

Misc

• PageBot by Orin for Kindle
• Works with Kindle Keyboard, DX and Kindle 2
• Activate switch to turn to next page or previous page
• Includes mount for Kindle and PageBot
• $279.95-299.95

New Hitch Switch Interface

Ablenet has announced its new switch interface, Hitch, which will be ready to ship in July. Hitch needs no software to be installed (fantastic for those of us who do not have administrator privileges on school computers), can control one to five switches and can be used as a switch driven mouse emulator set to up arrow, down arrow, right arrow, left arrow and enter.

Bonus: Hitch can be set up to make switch hits act as certain function keys (F3, F5, F7, F8) which in secret code means you can use the Hitch to run Clicker5 (which uses F7 and F8 for switches). Until now you had to use a proprietary Crick Switch Interface to use switches with Clicker5 (which was annoying). Yee-Haw!

Hitch will retail at $99.00 (Sixty bucks cheaper than the Crick Switch Box).

Making the Grade

Today I was feeling very grateful for a creative solution. You all know of my struggles with having only one computer online, which also happens to be the one computer attached to the LCD projector. In addition that one computer online does not allow me in anyway to install 99.9% of all software. Oh, and that computer does not have a printer and will not allow me to install a printer. However here is a work around that is going well for us.

1) Using the converter for U3 flashdrives we have been able to run Classroom Suite Player from a flashdrive on the internet enabled/LCD connected computer. (Read how to do this here.)

2) Using a "no software needed" switch interface (we like the Don Johnston Switch Interface Pro), the LCD projector and a Jelly Beamer students who are switch users, have low vision or both can do all sorts of academics using Classroom Suite (most of which I am able to download for free from the Intellitools Exchange)

3) Using the free program Cute PDF Writer (which does not install to the registry and therefore is part of the .1% of software I CAN install) we print completed work to a PDF and I e-mail it to myself for data collection and alternative assessment (and I can e-mail it to parents as well.)

This post is less about the actual solution we are using and more about creative problem solving. Sometimes it is difficult to see it, but most of the time there is a way to make things work.