TechnoTalk. From the editor s desk. Christmas Apps

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N e w s l e t t e r VOLUME 19 - ISSUE 5 - NOVEMBER 2010 From the editor s desk Welcome to the last edition of TechnoTalk for 2010.

1 N e w s l e t t e r VOLUME 19 - ISSUE 5 - NOVEMBER 2010 From the editor s desk Welcome to the last edition of TechnoTalk for We hope you have enjoyed reading throughout the year and that you have a safe and happy festive season. TASC has been getting a lot of questions and interest in the Apple iproducts range of devices and associated apps, especially for speech generation. These are great devices that can be used for many purposes and the list of apps is constantly growing. Keeping in mind there might be a lot of requests to Santa at this time of year, we thought it would be helpful to summarise some of the information we have been gathering. As always with any assistive technology, we need to determine the needs of the user to help identify the most appropriate technology options. As these devices serve many functions, what might work for a fun and engaging leisure or learning activity may not always be the most appropriate option for a dedicated speech generating device or alternative to handwriting. Christmas Apps There are a huge range of free and low cost Christmas apps available in the App store just search Christmas or Xmas and away you go! Some of the apps listed are: - games - stories - advent calendars - Christmas cards and wallpapers - Christmas carols - gift ideas and shopping lists - mistletoe - Christmas trees and lights - learning activities such as Christmas alphabet and numbers, etc. So get downloading and have a very Merry Christmas! We have highlighted the speech apps that we recommend, including benefits and limitations. We have also highlighted the access and mounting considerations and options. Hopefully, this will help in your decision making process. We always welcome any feedback or questions on articles, and please let us know if there is anything you would like to learn more about in Happy Reading and Merry Christmas to you all, Liza Christmas Apps...1 Communication Apps A review...2 Access Options for iproducts...7 Merry Christmas...10 We welcome any feedback, good or bad, that you may have on our service. Please feel free to contact us by phone on , tasc@tscnsw.org.au or by writing to The Spastic Centre PO Box 184 Brookvale NSW 2100 TechnoTalk Newsletter is free and available from

2 Communication Apps A review by Angela Vass s, ipods and iphones amongst other iproducts have been stealing the headlines lately when it comes to speech generating devices and it can be hard to keep track of what appears to be a continuous development of new communication apps for these products. It is definitely the hot topic at the moment and we wanted to share some reviews of the stand out apps we feel have the potential to be of benefit to people with complex communication needs. The communication apps reviewed in this article are just a snapshot of a large and increasing number of those available. However, we have reviewed our recommendations for the best apps available at present within two categories: 1. Symbol-Based and Customisable Apps 2. Text-to-Speech Apps When considering whether one of the iproducts and communication apps are suitable as a speech generating device for an individual, it is important to do a thorough assessment. At TASC we use the SETT framework as a guide to gather information about the: Student / Self (the user requiring a speech generating device) Environment (where the device will be used, who is available to support the device) Tasks (what the user wants / needs to be able to do including options for interfacing speech technology with computer access and/or environmental control, if required). Tools (the range of options to support the user s goals, including current technology and potential new technology options) (Zabala, 2010). Feature Matching: Before we look at the pros and cons of certain apps there are a few fundamental concepts that support which app you might decide upon. Before choosing an app we need to consider the principle of Feature Matching. This process not only involves decisions about which app best matches the user s needs but also making sure the hardware of the iproducts are the best match as well. There are a number of limitations and considerations in relation to physical access to the iproducts and these will be discussed further in the section on access. Feature Matching involves determining the features that a user requires in a communication device which is then used to predict which device best suits their needs. In order to do this, the capabilities of user need to be considered in several areas: - Communication (receptive and expressive) - Physical - Sensory For example, it is a good idea to consider each area to identify the individual s abilities and areas of difficulty: Once you have collected this information you can then use Feature Matching to help you match the user s needs to the technology that best meets these needs. 2

Communication Physical Sensory Skills * Receptive skills within normal limits * Speaks in sentences, but is difficult to understand * Uses an alphabet board to assist speech * Good spelling skills *

Word prediction Ability to store regularly used phrases Direct access using a touch screen or stylus Device needs to be mounted and secure Standard target/font size.

3 Communication Physical Sensory Skills * Receptive skills within normal limits * Speaks in sentences, but is difficult to understand * Uses an alphabet board to assist speech * Good spelling skills * Can only use right hand, left hand no longer functional * Powered wheelchair user * No vision difficulties * No hearing difficulties required in software and hardware Access to a spelling keyboard Word prediction Ability to store regularly used phrases Direct access using a touch screen or stylus Device needs to be mounted and secure Standard target/font size. Would benefit from external speakers depending on environment. Therefore from this list you will be well placed to start matching the features you require with the devices and apps available. If you re not quite sure about which devices or apps would be the most suitable, it is best to have a chat to your local speech pathologist or assistive technology specialists to obtain support. Symbol Based Customisable Apps: Tap Speak Tap Speak Sequenced Can record a single message Can store a number of single messages to be used at a later time You record a message using your speech Can change the colour of the button/switch Has option of audio feedback when the switch is pressed Can record a sequence of single messages You record the messages using your speech You can change the colour, add a symbol or import photos for each part of the sequence You can purchase access to 4500 PCS Boardmaker symbols through an in-app purchase Can store a number of single messages to be used at a later time Can alter the length of time needed to activate the switch Available on only No symbols available Only plays one message at time Navigation through the stored sequences would require assistance 3

TapToTalk Free to download sample, then need to purchase TapToTalk Designer for $99.

Message/Text window limiting sentence construction or symbol combinations, eg.

and can import your own photos Comes with a 7,000 word vocabulary organised into a large number of categories Message/Text window available for sentence construction or symbol combinations eg.

4 TapToTalk Free to download sample, then need to purchase TapToTalk Designer for $99.95 USD per year (subscription) Has 2,000 symbols available as well as ability to import your own Computerised speech in the free sample Record own speech in the TapToTalk Designer, Nintendo DS No Message/Text window limiting sentence construction or symbol combinations, eg. I want + drink Limited to 8 choices per page and portrait mode only on the iphone and ipod Touch No Boardmaker PCS available Yearly subscription fee Proloquo2Go Highly cutsomisable Uses SymbolStix and can import your own photos Comes with a 7,000 word vocabulary organised into a large number of categories Message/Text window available for sentence construction or symbol combinations eg. I want + drink Has the choice of two adult voices and two child voices (male and female) Can change the size of the cells if a person has vision or access issues Keyboard available for text-tospeech option Landscape and portrait options No computer based editing software Programming can be fiddly due to not being able to create individual user profiles easily No Boardmaker PCS available Limited word prediction with the text-to-speech Soundingboard Choice of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 cell layouts Use recorded speech Can make and store numerous boards Has a library of symbols available as well as ability to import your own photos Available on iphone, ipod Touch Not able to link boards and cells together Stored boards are available in list view under the board name An external microphone is required when recording messages on the ipod Touch No Boardmaker PCS available 4

Text-to-Speech based Apps: Talk Keyboard with message window Portrait view only Over 20 accented voices available Can t change

store regularly used phrases Can change text font size up to 28pt Can control voice volume and speed Limited word prediction with

5 Text-to-Speech based Apps: Talk Keyboard with message window Portrait view only Over 20 accented voices available Can t change size of text Only one voice available (female), quite robotic Limited word prediction with the text-to-speech No customisation of the voice rate, tone or pitch SpeakIt! Keyboard with message window Choice of four voices (two adult male and two adult female) Portrait or landscape view Ability to store regularly used phrases Can change text font size up to 28pt Can control voice volume and speed Limited word prediction with the text-to-speech TalkAssist Keyboard with message window Choice of one voice (male) Portrait or landscape view Ability to store regularly used phrases Only one male voice available Limited word prediction with the text-to-speech 5

AssistiveChat Keyboard with message window Word prediction available Choice of three voices (adult male, adult female and male child) Portrait or landscape view Ability to store regularly used

landscape view on the iphone and ipod Touch Can t change size of text Locabulary Uses the GPS system of the iphone to track where you are and then loads vocabulary you might require in this location

6 AssistiveChat Keyboard with message window Word prediction available Choice of three voices (adult male, adult female and male child) Portrait or landscape view Ability to store regularly used phrases Can control voice volume and speed Has the option to speak each word as it is entered into the message window Six word prediction cells available on portrait view, only two available on landscape view on the iphone and ipod Touch Can t change size of text Locabulary Uses the GPS system of the iphone to track where you are and then loads vocabulary you might require in this location Pre stored vocab is in list view and links easily to make quick sentences (only in portrait view) Keyboard with message window Choice of male and female voice Portrait or landscape view for the keyboard option Ability to store regularly used phrases Can choose between two font sizes Available on iphone, ipod Touch Limited word prediction with the text-to-speech Location features won t work on the ipod Touch and have also experienced difficulty with the GPS component on iphone Can t add to the prestored vocabulary lists A Note on Speakers iproducts come with an inbuilt internal speaker, however, it has been noted on numerous occasions that the devices can struggle to produce enough volume in a noisy environment for the voice output to be heard. The solution is to look at getting some external speakers. Be careful though, portable speakers require their own battery supply and the cheaper options can be no louder than the internal speaker. There is a list of speakers on the Proloquo2Go website: /speakers, however, be sure to check the level of after sales support and if they are available in Australia. Links and Resources: Obviously there are a huge number of apps available and we are just reviewing a selection. If you are interested in other apps please have a look at this fabulous blog from Spectronics which is regularly updated! blog/new-technologies/2010/09/iphoneipadapps-for-aac-updated/ References: Zabala, J. (2010). Sharing the SETT Framework. Available online at 6

Access Options for iproducts by Rachelle Baldock and Justin Ware The iproducts have a capacitive screen that is activated by the electrical energy of skin contact rather than the force of touch alone.

This method of access can be challenging for people who do not have isolated and/or accurate finger control.

Screen size One very obvious difference between the iphone, ipod touch and the is screen size. The has a 9.7 inch display compared with the 3.5 inch display on the iphone and ipod touch.

7 Access Options for iproducts by Rachelle Baldock and Justin Ware The iproducts have a capacitive screen that is activated by the electrical energy of skin contact rather than the force of touch alone. A person swipes the display to move through pages or screens, touches targets to select and enters text via an onscreen keyboard. This method of access can be challenging for people who do not have isolated and/or accurate finger control. TASC has been exploring options that will optimise or enable use for people who have additional access needs. Here is a summary of what we have discovered to date. Screen size One very obvious difference between the iphone, ipod touch and the is screen size. The has a 9.7 inch display compared with the 3.5 inch display on the iphone and ipod touch. Many people find the more accessible due to the larger target sizes. The onscreen keyboard in landscape mode is also slightly larger than the one displayed in portrait mode. Screen zoom Target size when browsing the Internet on the iproducts can be significantly increased using the built-in screen zoom feature. This involves dragging two fingers apart on the screen (usually thumb and index finger) to zoom in and together to zoom out. Additionally, the has a Zoom feature that can be activated in the Accessibility folder of General Settings and can be used with all apps and menus. Double tapping the screen with three fingers turns the Zoom on and off. Access Apps such as ShapeWriter Several Apps exist that can make it easier to type using the onscreen keyboard. One example is ShapeWriter. This App enables text entry by maintaining contact on the screen and dragging the finger from letter to letter rather than touching and lifting off after each letter selection. This in essence causes a shape pattern to be created when typing - hence the name. A person can stabilise their finger on the screen which may significantly improve control and accuracy. Picture sourced from: Stylus A range of stylus options are now available that can be held like a pencil and used to touch targets on the screen. The stylus needs to be a special type compatible with the iproducts, such as the Pogo. The first Pogo stylus TASC bought had an angled tip and many of our clients had difficulty placing the angled surface flush on the screen to select targets. Since then more stylus options have become available with rounded tips. We have also made our own stylus using a metal dowel (used for its electrical conductivity properties) and conductive foam for the tip. Picture sourced from: 7

Keyguard Perspex keyguards similar to the guard used on keyboards can be customised to enhance access to individual Apps.

The guards are attached to the using hook-and-loop fasteners and cost $90 - $110.

A plastic hand pointer will not work on the iproducts as it will not conduct electrical energy.

The foil is wrapped around the front of the pointer to conduct a current from the hand/finger to the conductive foam that is attached to the tip of the pointer.

8 Keyguard Perspex keyguards similar to the guard used on keyboards can be customised to enhance access to individual Apps. Yooralla in Victoria make custom keyguards and have recently made a 16 and 36 cell clear Perspex guard for the to use with Proloquo2Go. The guards are attached to the using hook-and-loop fasteners and cost $90 - $110. Hand Pointers For those that have upper limb movement but difficulty with isolated finger control a hand pointer is often used to enable them to access a keyboard or other type of touch display. A plastic hand pointer will not work on the iproducts as it will not conduct electrical energy. At TASC we have solved this problem and developed an assessment prototype using aluminium foil and conductive foam. The foil is wrapped around the front of the pointer to conduct a current from the hand/finger to the conductive foam that is attached to the tip of the pointer. Another Headpointers option is to attach an iproduct compatible stylus to the end of a headpointer or mouthstick to provide a method of touch access for those that have more control using head movements. We have attached our home made stylus to the end of one of our Zyteq head pointers and had great success in using the. Additionally, instructions for how to adapt a headpointer or mouthstick to use with an iproduct can be found at Picture sourced from: TASC stylus taped to end of head pointer. External keyboard Many people may find an external keyboard easier and more accurate to use compared with the onscreen keyboard display and it is possible to use an external Bluetooth keyboard to enter text on the iproducts. A keyguard could also be used to increase accuracy. The Apple Wireless keyboard and Apple keyboard dock are two examples that we have found to be compatible. As always it is important to check compatibility with your device before purchase. Apple keyboard dock picture sourced from: 8

Mouse There is no mouse access available to the, and therefore also no alternate mouse access e.g. trackball, joystick and head mouse. All navigation is by touch.

The interface is Bluetooth and therefore wireless.

Some developers of communication Apps are already starting to include switch access and no doubt this list will expand rapidly.

In addition, RJ Cooper has developed an integrated option called The Cordless SuperSwitch. Both interfaces can be used for cause and effect as well as automatic and step scanning access. See www.

com/ Vision In addition to the options above, which can assist with physical access, the also offers built-in accessibility features for people with visual difficulties.

9 Mouse There is no mouse access available to the, and therefore also no alternate mouse access e.g. trackball, joystick and head mouse. All navigation is by touch. Switch scanning RJ Cooper, an assistive technology developer and supplier in the US, has just developed an interface that will enable switch access to the. The interface is Bluetooth and therefore wireless. This interface will not make the fully switch accessible, rather it enables switch access to those Apps that have been developed to be switch accessible. Some developers of communication Apps are already starting to include switch access and no doubt this list will expand rapidly. Keep in touch with TASC if you would like more information regarding switch accessible Apps. Switches External switches appropriate for the users needs can be attached to the switch interface. In addition, RJ Cooper has developed an integrated option called The Cordless SuperSwitch. Both interfaces can be used for cause and effect as well as automatic and step scanning access. See and for more information. Picture sourced from Vision In addition to the options above, which can assist with physical access, the also offers built-in accessibility features for people with visual difficulties. These include: VoiceOver (screen reading); Zoom feature (screen magnification as described previously), Large Text and White on Black (changes display to a higher contrast) just to name a few. For more information about accessibility features for vision difficulties see Vision Australia evaluation report available from Product%20evaluation%20form%20Apple%20.doc. Mounting As with all assistive technology, especially that which is portable, mounting and positioning is very important to ensure that the device is stable, secure and in the right position for the user to access when required. 9

Recently, a large number of options have become available for mounting the and iphone on beds, wheelchairs and desks. If you would like further information on these options, please contact TASC.

If you require any further information on any of the access options discussed, please contact TASC. References: Buchanen, R. (January, 2010.).

10 Recently, a large number of options have become available for mounting the and iphone on beds, wheelchairs and desks. If you would like further information on these options, please contact TASC. TASC is constantly on the look-out for new ways that the iproducts can be utilised and accessed by people with disabilities. If you require any further information on any of the access options discussed, please contact TASC. References: Buchanen, R. (January, 2010.). : Accessibility and the : First Impressions, Retrieved November 3rd, 2010 from Buchanen, R. (May, 2010.).: Assistive Technology/ Disability Round- Up, Retrieved November 3rd, 2010 from Left to right are: Debbie Davis, Natalie Carden, Kerrie Potgieter, Alana Bain, Justin Ware, Liz Nade, Rachelle Baldock, Anna Bech, Angela Vass, Liza MacLean and Britta Huttel The Spastic Centre 321 Mona Vale Road Terrey Hills NSW 2084 T: F: E: infot@tscnsw.org.au W:

TechnoTalk The TASC Newsletter

TechnoTalk The TASC Newsletter Volume 17 Issue 1 March 2008 Editorial Welcome to our first edition of TechnoTalk for 2008. The TASC team have had a very interesting start to the new year with an unplanned