Archive for September 2008

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LayoutKitchen Button That Activates Multiple Keys

LayoutKitchen Button That Activates Multiple Keys

Many of Mac OS X’s standard keyboard shortcuts, such as “New Folder” (Shift + Command + N), “Save As” (Shift + Command + S), and “Paste and Match Style” (Option + Shift + Command + V), require pressing multiple keys simultaneously. While this isn’t very difficult to do with KeyStrokes or SwitchXS, it would be much easier if you could save yourself two or three clicks by triggering complex commands like these with one button. Fortunately, LayoutKitchen makes this possible … and it couldn’t be easier!

iPod Nano Talking Menus - Demonstration

iPod Nano Talking Menus - Demonstration

David Niemeijer of AssistiveWare has put together some videos demonstrating the “Spoken Menus” facility in the new iPod Nano 4G in both French and British English.

Mainstreaming Assistive Technologies In Education

Mainstreaming Assistive Technologies In Education

Most of the students with disabilities in an educational setting will have some type of print-related disability; having programs that support reading and writing available on all computers limits the stigma for students who need the help and makes these tools available to other students too. Access should be available to everybody.

Speech-to-Text: Dictation software for Mac OS X

Speech-to-Text: Dictation software for Mac OS X

An overview of the types of speech-to-text software that are available for Mac OS X. Speech-to-text software, sometimes known as dictation software, lets you talk to the computer and have the computer react appropriately.

Weekend Roundup: Apple.com, GarageBand, and old advertisements

Weekend Roundup: Apple.com, GarageBand, and old advertisements

A round-up of bits and pieces we haven’t had time for, including Apple’s own accessibility website being updated, new guides for VoiceOver users mastering GarageBand, and some old Apple advertisements featuring American sign language.

VoIP Phone Calls for AAC Users

VoIP Phone Calls for AAC Users

Have you ever wanted to make phone calls on the net using a synthetic computer generated voice? If you’re an AAC user, then this is a great way to communicate with people remotely. This article will show you how to set up Wiretap Anywhere to send your speech voice to Skype’s internet phone system.

Control Your Computer Based On Proximity And Location

Control Your Computer Based On Proximity And Location

Ever realised that you can set up your computer so it will do different things depending on whether you are close with your Bluetooth phone, and on what wireless networks are available.

BBAutoComplete - Typing Enhancer

BBAutoComplete - Typing Enhancer

BBAutoComplete adds word auto-completion to scriptable applications. You type the start of a word, press a key, and BBAutoComplete types the letters to complete the word. If BBAutoComplete guessed wrong, you can keep pressing the key to cycle through other possible completions.

Tilt, Turn, Shake - iPhone Games Using Alternate Inputs

Tilt, Turn, Shake - iPhone Games Using Alternate Inputs

The iPhone and iPod touch come with very accurate accelerometers - the programs which are running can know when the device is being moved, and how much/how far/which direction it’s being moved. Game developers have taken advantage of this capability to develop some games which just rely on the device being moved or shaken!

Accessible iTunes, Accessible iPod - Apple's September Special Event

Accessible iTunes, Accessible iPod - Apple’s September Special Event

Apple put on a September Special Event yesterday, announcing iTunes 8, the iPod Nano 4G and other smaller upgrades to software and to the iPod Touch. These announcements, especially that of iTunes version 8 now with full accessibility for Windows and OS X Mac, are fantastastic for users with a disability and reaffirm Apple’s commitment to accessibility.