Connect: New Switch Interface for iPad

Updated information on Connect (previously called Keynote), set to be released this Fall!
Adapted form a post seen on Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
 
Ablenet is set to release Keynote in September of this year.  From what I can tell (and I could be wrong), it seems like Keynote is a switch interface, sound amplification system and protective case in one, very similar to the iAdapter with the added feature of a switch interface.  The switch interface in Keynote will enable users to control functions of the iPad that allow Voice Over controls, such as switching between screens on the iPad, and navigating to and opening apps.  Keynote's switch interface will also enable users to operate apps that support Voice Over controls by using a single switch.  This is a step above where our current switch interface options are (e.g., Blue2, Therapy Box).  Pretty cool, can't wait to try it out for myself!

Switch Adapted Wii Controller

Gimp Gear is bringing video games to kids (and adults) with special needs through their switch adapted, NintendoWii controller.  Check out more here, including demonstration videos!  This controller is mounted to a hat and controls the Wii through head movements.  For users who have some use of their arms, you can also holster this controller to the arm to activate games through large arms movements.  The Gimp Gear Switch adapted Wii controller is available for purchase through EnableMart.

Switch Access in a Glove by Ablenet!

 

A friend shared this link with me on Facebook (Thanks Sam!) and I though it was pretty cool! The Freehand Glove acts as a switch when special points on the fingers are touched together. Although I can't see this immediate product being all that helpful for little ones who use switches, I think the base technology is pretty amazing and could lend itself to some pretty creative applications in the field of accessibility switches. The Freehand won't be available until April but you can read more about it on Ablenet's site.

 

What do you guys think?

 

AbleNet Hook:Switch Access for iPod

I coildn't wait to share this!  Check out this new switch interface for iPod, Hook:)

Switch Accessible Apps from Inclusive Technology

Great News!  Inclusive Technology, the folks who brought us one of the best free, switch activity websites on the web, Help Kidz Learn, is now offering 5 Apps for download in the Apple App Store!  Even Better News!  4 of the 5 have switch access!  You heard me, there are finally some cause-effect, play-based apps with switch accessibility on the iPad!  I haven’t had a chance to check these out yet but I wanted to share them because I couldn’t’ contain my excitement! I will give each a closer look and follow-up in a later post, but for now, here are the fab 5 for your reviewing pleasure.  Let us know what you think!


Purchase these Apps in the App Store  through the links below to 
Support SNEAK OTB at the same time :)

Hidden Grid

Peeping Musicians

Aunty Maggie's Recipe 

Five Sharks Swimming

Smarty Pants

Great Links for Switch Activities

Use your iPad as a Switch!

The iPad is a great tool for kids with special needs, but it falls short when it comes to switch accessibility.  Fortunately, there are many great websites that offer a nice variety of switch accessible games and activities! 

Here are a few of my favorite places to go for information on switches.  Most of these are free!
Some require an internet connection to play live, others can be downloaded via an internet connection and played offline later.  There is some duplication in links among the sites (sorry!) but each resource provided below has at least one new site to mention. You can use the Attainment Switch App, Blue 2,or other external switches with a computer to access these activities.  Have a web resource for switch activities?  Post it in the comments below! :)

Switch Gaming
Switch Gaming and OneSwitch.org present a wealth of info on a wide range of switch accessibility topics, including questions on switch interfacing, game reviews for switch accessible games,  a single switch game library, and links to other switch game sites.  This site also has information on equipment for making other gaming systems (e.g., Playstation, Wii) accessible via switches and other adaptations.  It is updated frequently so you can check back often for new resources!

Spectronics
Spectronics offers a short list and description of some of their favorite switch sites.  The links include single and dual switch activities, as well as news activities and books that can be accessed via switches.  This post has not been updated recently but the Spectronics Blog itself is updated often and a good source of information relevant to switch accessibility. 

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
This site has some links to online switch activities for single switch, single switch scanning, and two-switch use.  The link above is an original post and they have also updated the post this year to include more resources.  This site is updated frequently and also has a lot of other great resources for special education and assertive technology.

VICurriculim.org This site Includes many links for switch accessible, computer games that can be played online or downloaded. The listing iIncludes free activities for single switch use and switch scanning. Cause-Effect and educationally based games are included. It is not updated frequently but is still a great list.

Free PDF Booklet on Building Switch Skills

Do you have a child or work with a child who uses a switch (or would benefit from using a switch) to access toys, computers, and more?  Are you stuck on how to help this child move forward with switch use?  Check out this free booklet on Switch Skills Progression at The Spectronics Blog!
"This booklet collates over ten years of best practice research and classroom observations from around the globe. Detailing every stage of switch skills acquisition from cause-and-effect through to competent scanning, this document will help you plan meaningful and motivating routes to success for your switch users accessing communication, learning and leisure."-The Spectronics Blog.

I downloaded this doc totally free in PDF form and I could even read it in iBooks on my iPad!  Spectronics is following up with another free resource on Touch Skills Progression (i.e., training children to access the various touchscreen commands used on touch devices like iPad) in early January, 2012! 

Tips for Successful Switch Skill-Building

You put your incredibly bright little guy with CP in front of Help Kidz Learn  with a fabulous Jelly Bean switch and you have nothing but hope that he will know just what to do.  To your dismay, your well-thought plan turns into a scene out of the Flintstones rather quickly-Bam! Bam! Bam!  Many of us have seen this happen-the repeated bashing of a switch despite much support to help our kids get the full picture of the what and why of switches.  Could the problem lie in the teaching methods?

Here is an insightful article with some dialogue examples of how to use switch accessible computer activities (at the cause-effect level) to build switch skill progression in kids with special needs.  We all want our kids to achieve initial success with switches at an early stage and we certainly don’t want them to linger at the cause-effect stage for eternity!  This article is very helpful in painting a picture of how we, as guiding hands and minds, can frame these experiences a bit differently to reach new levels of success with our kids. 

Original Post at The Spectronics Blog: 

One, two, three… NO! | The Spectronics Blog

Free Webinar Trainings on Teaching Kids Switches

Spectronics is offering free webinars on a variety of topics for the new year, including a few on teaching switch use!  Check out the link below:
FREE Online Training | The Spectronics Blog

The first two topics are:

Jan 18th 2011: Getting the most from your switches AWAY from the computer
Ideas for using switches away from the computer. Examples will be shown which match the key milestones and small steps from Ian’s Switch Progression Road Map.
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/showReg?udc=l3iycnibki6x

Feb 15th 2012: Communication Devices in an Inclusive Classroom
This webinar looks the use of single and multiple message communication devices and how they can be used as an integral part of the school day.
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/showReg?udc=h0sos2oupxnl

These webinars are FREE and also recorded, so you don't need to be signed on at the time to take advantage of them.  Follow the links above to register!  Thanks Spectronics!

Use Your iPad as a Switch

I nearly fell over when I saw this App in the App Store the other day!  Attainment Company makes an App called Attainment Switch ($4.99)  that turns your iPad into a switch to access switch accessible activities on a Mac or PC (software games or web-based).  It's easy to set up and has a simple interface that you can even add symbols to (from your computer or iPad Photo library).  I had to install a free helper program on my computer (click here to download the helper software for Mac or PC)) so that the Attainment Switch App and the computer could communicate with each other.  I was up and running within 5 minutes or less! 

So then I went to one of my favorite switch games website, Help Kidz Learn and started to get really bummed out. :(  Many of the games on the site don't work with my new switch App!  I investigated this from numerous angles, and even had my software engineer hubby on the ob, and I know for sure that it isn't a malfunction of the switch.  It seems that certain switch games are "written" (software programming language) differently and aren't able to respond to the message my Attainment Switch is sending out.  This didn't discourage me too much though-I wrote an email to the Help Kidz Learn folks and hope they can sort this out.  I think I will contact Attainment Company about the problem as well and follow up with their responses in a later post. 

But for now, here is a list of the activities on Help Kidz Learn that DO WORK with the Attainment Switch (and I had a blast using it!). 


Early Steps
Big Bang Colours

Games
Christmas Presents
Blockout

Stories
Five Little Firefighters
Five Sharks Swimming

Creative
Card Maker Lite
Mosaic Painter
Build a Sandcastle

Find Out
Talking Clock 

 

Has anyone use the Attainment Switch App?  What other sites/games work with it?

 

Blue2 Switch for iDevices

Speaking of accessing the iPad with motor challenges, here's a great review of the Ablenet Blue2 switch for iPad, iPhone, and iTouch at Spech-Language Pathology Sharing.

 The review also highlights the current limitations of switch access on iDevices, namely the currently limited availability of switch enabled Apps.  Hopefully developers here our cries loud and clear:  "More Switch Accessible Apps!  More Switch Accessible Apps!"