Selection Three methods of selection n Pressing the

Selection Three methods of selection n Pressing the mouse button Switch Dwell (wait time) Feedback of selection may be auditory (beep) or visual (flash on screen) Selected by “pressing for action” or “releasing for action”

Keyboard Actions Send text n Word processing Send graphics n Insert pictures or symbols Cursor keys and control key combinations n n e. g. , bg Hello there bg (start and end of line) e. g. , b. P is a print signal Sticky keys n Control + letter (e. g. , control + c = copy)

Acceleration Features Prediction n n Most frequently or recently used words Reduces number of selections while increasing the speed of writing Abbreviation Expansion n Short abbreviation stands for longer word Smart Punctuation n Automatically adds spaces after punctuation marks and capitalizes the first letter Scrolling word lists n Lists of words beginning with each letter

Computer/Program Control These features improve speed and increase of use n n n Automatic startup Save/load user settings Open set automatically with application Open application Switch applications Control over application

Speech/Sound Actions Two types of speech n n 1 - digitized (recorded speech or sound) 2 - synthetic (computer generated) Most programs have speech control to change voice, pitch, volume, etc. of speech

Selection Sets Selection set editor n Program for creating and changing settings Instant editing n Changed automatically without editor program Editor accessible by user n Special access to program to edit sets Import text file to selection set n Load file and creates word-bank selection Selection sets supplied and available n Ready-made selection sets

Problems with Selection (mouse or pointing device) Difficulty hitting small items on the screen Accidentally selects items next to the intended selection Can move the mouse, but can not operate the mouse buttons Difficulty seeing the mouse pointer on the screen Writing is slow

Solutions to These Problems Practice Slow mouse speed Increase spacing between items on the screen Use another switch Use dwell select Increase the size, shape, or color of the mouse pointer Onscreen highlights Use acceleration tools, use frequency of use layout

Learning to Use On-Screen Keyboards Make it simple and fun Start with large targets and gradually fade to smaller targets Sample Programs for Learning n n Living Books Kid Pix (drawing programs)

Programs Using On-Screen Keyboards Most are suitable for the computer-literate Many are expensive n EZ Keys for Windows ($1, 000) Each specialize in specific areas n (e. g. , graphics, speech, writing, classroom)

Other Programs Wivik n Program designed for independent access without focus on speech output EZ Keys n Designed for users with communication impairment because of speech output Discover n Windows and Macintosh compatible

Programs for the Classroom Advantages of Programs designed for classroom use include: n n Low cost Text and graphics Restrict access to certain users Ready-made selection sets Programs for Classroom Use: n 1 - Clicker Inexpensive, compatible with all computer systems, designed for classroom use n 2 - Windows Switch and Point Inexpensive, effective, flexible