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Accessibility For Lion

By Ricky Buchanan on July 21, 2011

OS X LionToday Mac OS X 10.7, named Lion, became available to users. You can download Lion for just US$29 and Lion will run on most Intel-based Mac computers.

To check whether your computer will run Lion click on the Apple shaped icon at the top left of your screen, then choosing “About This Mac” from the menu. The information you need is in the line labelled “Processors”, and your Mac must have an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor to run Lion.

Remember to check the compatibility of ALL essential hardware and software before you decide to upgrade to Lion. Some programs and devices may not be compatible yet.

Lion is the first version of OS X which can be downloaded by users from the Mac App Store, which should save you a trip to the store or a shipping charge if your internet connection is good enough to cope. The download is about four gigabytes which could take several hours even on a fairly fast broadband connection. But if you can’t afford the time or money it would cost for you to download the upgrade, you can download Lion at Apple retail stores. Later this August, Lion will also be made available on a USB thumb drive through the Apple Stores.

So what’s new in Lion from an accessibility perspective? Apple’s web page listing new features in OS X Lion seems to list a lot of things which have actually been available to Snow Leopard users for a while now, but I’ll try to let you know which is which.

Note: I haven’t upgraded to Lion yet so I’m going by what’s on Apple’s web pages and documentation writing this article. I’d appreciate comments and feedback, especially if I’ve got things wrong!

OS X More Like iOS
This isn’t specifically listed on Apple’s page but it’s been observed my many people: OS X Lion on your Mac now behaves more like iOS does on the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. The two are far from identical but OS X now has more features that iOS has including: more multi-touch gestures, full screen apps, the app store, and ‘suspend’ for apps.

I think having the two systems becoming more similar is an overall win for accessibility because many of us use a Mac and an iPhone or iPad and the more similar they are the easier it is to learn and remember how to use them.

More Multi-Touch Gestures
Some multi-touch gestures, such as 2-finger scrolling, have been available for a while to Snow Leopard users with a laptop, Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse. New gestures mimicing iOS gestures include tap-to-zoom (as in iOS’s Safari) and swipe-to-navigate (like how you turn pages in iBooks). OS X also has some new gestures not found in iOS including ways to switch between apps using just gestures.

The support page OS X Lion: About Multi-Touch Gestures lists the gestures with descriptions and pictures, or if you’ve already upgraded to Lion you can open the Trackpad and Mouse panes of System Preferences to see videos of each gesture.

Multi-touch gestures can be great for some people with limited movement but awful for others, depending on each person’s specific limitations. At the moment it looks like all of these functions can be triggered via the keyboard as well as via multi-touch so they can be also be customised to be triggered via on-screen keyboard, switch, etc. – that’s something that I’m sure accessibility teams will keep an eye on in the future!

Mac App Store
I believe that the Mac App store is definitely a win for accessibility – it makes it easy to search for access-related programs and takes the fiddlyness out of buying them. Not all Mac programs can be found via the Mac App store though which makes it significantly less useful than the iTunes App Store for iOS, but this should change over time
Versions and Auto Save
Auto Save is just what it sounds like – there’s no need to remember to “press save”, the Mac will do it for you. And Versions, a bit like Time Machine, will automatically save old versions of your documents and help you compare the old and new versions.

These will be an especial help to those with memory or attention problems, as well as saving all of us when our memory or attention spans fail.

VoiceOver and Braille Languages
OS X now comes with voices in many languages for VoiceOver users and braille tables for a wide variety of languages too. Previously OS X only shipped with text-to-speech voices in English and other languages had to be purchased at additional cost – it’s great to see this accessibility more widely available.
High Resolution Cursor
Previous OS X users who increased the cursor magnification, such as myself, will have been frustrated at how pixelated and “blocky” the cursor looked when its size was enlarged. Lion’s cursor finally fixes this problem!
Picture-In-Picture Zoom
Getting “lost” at high levels of zoom has always been a problem – it’s not always easy to keep track of which bit of the zoomed screen you’re viewing. The screen zoom feature in Lion offers a picture-in-picture view, allowing you to see the zoomed area in a separate window while keeping the rest of the screen at its native size. Choose to have the window follow the cursor, or keep the window in one place to show only areas you navigate.
Improved Auto-Correction
Another area where OS X and iOS are converging, auto-correction in Lion displays suggested spellings below the word. Press Return to accept the change or click the X to keep the current spelling.

There are lots more new features – you can check out Apple’s What’s New In OS X Lion page yourself.

A smoother cursor is a small thing but I think it’s the accessibility feature I’m looking forward to the most – that blocky cursor really has driven me crazy! The Picture-In-Picture zoom also has exciting potential because it’s something I could use a lot. What are you most looking forward to in OS X Lion?

- Ricky Buchanan

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase the products that I've linked to I'll get a commission - a small percentage of the sale price. It won't cost you anything and it will help to support me and ATMac.

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Time-Independent Games

By Ricky Buchanan on May 17, 2011

Drop7Most “standard” computer games get harder because they get faster, relying on the player’s reflexes and coordination keeping up. For example, in Tetris the blocks appear and drop faster and faster as your level increases:

Tetris

Tetris, like most single player games, devolves into twitch gameplay as the levels increase.

Untimed games or time-independent games are those where you aren’t penalised if you play a game very slowly, have bad reflexes, or don’t posses the hand-eye coordination to time your movements accurately. Games like this are “turn-based” where any game actions only occur in response to the player’s actions, and don’t have any other timers or time-related limitations. One of my favourite time-independent games, Drop7, is another block-dropping game but each block only “falls” once you tell the game where to put it. Drop7 increases the difficulty by changing the mix of blocks which are dropped and by adding a layer of hidden (grey) blocks at the bottom of the screen after a number of moves:

Drop7

Drop7 increases the game's difficulty level by changing the pieces available.

Time independent games share all of these things:

  • Game pieces aren’t animated in a way that changes where you need to hit them, so taking extra time to initiate a move doesn’t cause your target to shift.
  • There is no timer limiting the amount of time you can take to play each move or the time taken for the overall game.
  • Being fast or slow doesn’t change the number of points awarded for each move or for an overall game.
  • The app doesn’t “reset”, losing your position in the game, if the device is turned off.

If you aren’t sure if a game fits all these requirements, a good way to check yourself is to open the game and choose exactly where you’ll tap the screen to make a move … then put the device down for 5 minutes before coming back and tapping the screen exactly where you had previously decided. If there’s no disadvantage (or advantage) to your 5-minute pause that’s time-independent. If you could do the same pausing routine at any point during the game then the whole game is time-independent.

Why would you want to know if a game is time-dependent or not? There are a large number of disabilities that affect timing, most of which come under these general categories:

  • Conditions that affect perception (eg vision impairment, conditions affecting how the brain interprets perceptions, sensitivity to animated movement) which may slow down how fast you understand what the game’s state is.
  • Conditions that affect thinking or memory (eg brain injury, intellectual impairment, memory impairment) which may slow down your decision about which move to make.
  • Conditions that affect movement or reactions in the limbs used to control the iPad (eg cerebral palsy, quadriplegia) which may slow down your ability to make the move you’ve decided to make.

An extra effect of time-independent games is that collaborative gameplay becomes possible. This could be a parent playing with a child, two friends playing together, a therapist playing with a client, or a partner-assisted play scenario where the player indicates their desires by their own methods and the partner physically touches the game devices for them.

Mahjong

Computer implementations of board games are almost always untimed, so they're excellent for collaborative or partner-assisted gameplay.

A surprisingly small number of games actually fit the requirements for being fully time-independent, so for this list I’m broadening the definition a little. If the game does have some time-dependent elements but these can be adjusted by the player or aren’t essential to regular play then I’ll make a note of this in the list:

These others are games that people have suggested may be time-independent, but which I haven’t tested myself:

What’s your favourite time-independent game?

- Ricky Buchanan

Tetris image sourced from WikiMedia Commons: Tetris for Emacs, by Markus Knittigand licensed under GPL.

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Getting An iPad/iPhone/iTouch For Communication

By Ricky Buchanan on April 8, 2011

An iPadI frequently get emails from people who ask for an iPad, iPhone, or an iPod Touch for their family member who has a communication disorder. Having to say “no” to these worthy families really sucks and I haven’t had any decent list to point them at until now. So here’s a comprehensive list of groups that I know of who are currently accepting applications as of April 2011. Please read the notes at the bottom of the list, and use your common sense when contacting anybody or giving them your details.

This list is for groups specifically distributing iPads, iPhones and iPod touches for communication purposes.

Also please remember, iPads and iPhones and iTouches are great but they are not the right solution for everybody. If you are not already working with a speech pathologist (SLP) and perhaps an occupational therapist as well then the first thing you need to do is consult these people (if your child is at school then ask your special education department about this). A speech therapist can evaluate your child’s abilities and needs and can often organise trials of different devices for your child. Blindly spending a lot of money on an iPad – which might not be usable or helpful to your child – is a gamble which might backfire badly, so I definitely recommend that you consult the experts on this one.

All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information.
iPad with Proloquo2Go

iPads can be wonderful communication tool

The blog Apps 4 Children With Special Needs is giving an iPad away to a family in need every time $500 is raised.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (March 2011), published waiting list lists 50+ people.
Program location: Location unknown
Further information: iPads 4U

Babies with iPads is granting iPads as funds allow.
Who can apply: Applicants must be residents of western virginia, USA, with a child under 60 months old. Further details on website.
Program’s history: One iPad distributed
Program location: Western Virginia, USA
Further information: Babies with iPads grant application eligibility requirements

The Conover Company is a software development company, focussing on assessment and training software for both companies and the educational area. One of their product areas is iPhone and iPad apps for special education, including life skills, literacy skills, social skills and work skills. The company has established the Conover Mobile Technology Grant to promote the use of mobile technology and Conover Company apps to improve individuals’ ability to function independently in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities
Who can apply: Website specifies “Individuals, parents, caretakers, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, private organizations and public organizations.” Application form implies but doesn’t specify that applicants are USA-based.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Wisconsin, USA
Further information: Conover Mobile Technology Grant

Danny’s Wish is committed to providing life enhancing resources and experiences for children and families dealing with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Their goal for this campaign is to raise $50,000 to supply approximately 100 iPads to those children affected and in need the most.
Who can apply: Recipient must be a USA resident with an official autism spectrum diagnosis and be nonverbal or minimally verbal. Gross income of family below US$100k.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New York, USA
Further information: Danny’s Wish

The HollyRod Foundation introduced the “Give the Gift of Voice” campaign in 2010 to provide iPads to give a voice to those without. To date, HollyRod has given away more iPads for communication for Autism than any other organization. Over 100 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 32 across 27 states can now make their voice heard. It is our commitment to continue this program so that every individual with Autism has a voice.
Who can apply: Not currently accepting applications
Program location: USA
Program’s history: Over 100 iPads distributed
Further information: The HollyRod Foundation

iHelp for Special Needs is dedicated to help raise funds for children with special needs to receive iPads and relevant apps to assist with communication, life skills, and social skills. The group helps parents and groups to raise funds for themselves, and supplements these funds.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program location: Texas, USA
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (December 2010)
Further information: iHelp for Special Needs

iPads4irishautism (previously “I Want My iPhone For Autism”) refurbish and redistribute used iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches. This program is run by Lisa Domican, who also develops the Grace AAC app.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ireland
Further information: iPads4irishautism

The iTaalk Autism Foundation refurbishes used iPhones and similar devices and distributes these to children with Autism.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ohio, USA
Further information: iTaalk Autism Foundation

Loud Mommy Ministries is specifically designed to provide support for mothers who have to be advocates for their autistic children. One of our goals as a not for profit ministry is to raise money for iPads for non-verbal children, autistic or apraxic.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No devices distributed yet
Program location: Illinois, USA
Further information: Loud Mommy iPad Application

The Puzzling Piece are running an iPad challenge. You sell 60 pieces of their puzzle-piece autism jewellery (at US$20 each) and they will send you a brand new iPad. The Puzzling Piece is run by a couple who have an autistic son.
Who can apply: Site implies parents and teachers, but no limits specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Florida, USA
Further information: The Puzzling Piece iPad Challenge

Small Steps In Speech has a mission to help children with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. This is achieved through grants and donations to service providers and qualifying charitable organisations.
Who can apply: Applicant must be USA based and under 22 years of age.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New Jersey, USA
Further information: Small Steps In Speech Grant Application

Turning Views Foundation’s Gift a Voice Project also goes by the wonderful moniker “Different Iz Good”. Their mission is to provide speech generating devices (SGD) to children and adults with communication disabilities for communication purposes, to guide affected individuals in making a career or entrepreneur path and to advocate for those that are different due to disabilities.
Who can apply: Applicant must be USA based. No restrictions based on age or diagnosis but must have financial need. Priority given to applicants based in Nevada.
Program’s history: Two devices have been distributed, four more are about to be.
Program location: Nevada, USA
Further information: Turning Views Foundation’s Gift a Voice Project

All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information – that’s up to you.

Note that Apple themselves do not donate devices to anybody, to the best of my knowledge, and are very unlikely to start doing so.

I think that if you need a device for somebody and can’t afford it, your best bet is probably not to apply to these sites – their waiting lists are already very long. In my opinion, you’re most likely to have luck with raising money on your own – suggestions on Squidilicious’ How To Get Your Kid With Autism That Wonderful iPad and On A Tight Budget: 7 Ways To Get An iPad For Your Child With Special Needs.

If you have further information please leave me a comment.

- Ricky Buchanan

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iPad Keyguards Available

By Ricky Buchanan on March 17, 2011

An iPadThe American company Lasered Pics is now making keyguards available for the iPad. Keyguards are available which conform to the shape of the standard iPad keyboard and special-purpose keyguards for Proloquo2Go, TapSpeak Choice and Speak It! are also available. All iPad keyguards are made from 1/8″ (0.3cm) thick clear acrylic and come with optional 1/16″ (0.15cm) bumpers which can raise the keyguard above the screen to prevent accidental touches.

Standard iPad keyboard guards come in both landscape and portrait orientations and will suit QWERTY, AZERTY and QWERTZ keyboard layouts.

Proloquo2Go keyguards are also available for both portrait and landscape orientations and keyguards can be ordered that suit all current Proloquo2Go options including standard and large toolbar sizes, and optionally “wide” mode. Tap Speak keyguards can be made to suit 2-56 items and also come in portrait and landscape orientations. Speak It doesn’t have any layout options available at the moment. Lasered Pics report they will be designing a keyguard to suit Proloquo2Go’s word prediction mode keyboard, and are also working on keyguards for additional AAC apps.

Clear plastic rectangle with smaller holes cut into it

Keyguard for Proloquo2Go in landscape mode

Lasered Pics keyguards can be used with the standard Apple iPad case, with no case, or with any other case that does not obstruct the front of the iPad. The website advises that the current keyguards will not fit properly when used with the OtterBox iPad case.

Keyguards are smaller than the iPad’s full size so they should fit both the original iPad and iPad 2 with no problems.

iPad with a keyguard

The iPad keyguard covers the home button and fits inside some cases

Current keyguards also cover the “home” button but this may be optional in the future. I can imagine it would be a bonus for some users, as preventing access to the “home” button has been a problem for some.

Steve from Lasered Pics has advised me that anybody wanting a keyguard for a different iPad application should contact him via the website. He couldn’t give me a price for a custom keyguard as it depends on too many factors, but it can certainly be done.

Standard iPad keyguards cost US$19.95 each, but until 31 March 2011 you can get a 10% discount for ordering 2 or more TapSpeak keyguards – use the promo code TAPSPEAK when checking out!

Website: iPad Keyguards

- Ricky Buchanan

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MovieCaptioner 4.2

By Ricky Buchanan on February 21, 2011

Generic QuickTime Movie Icon

MovieCaptioner keeps repeating a segment of the movie until you are done typing what you hear. Just hit the Return key and it will save your caption and automatically advance to the next few seconds of the movie, allowing you to zip through your captioning tasks in no time flat.

You don’t need to be a QuickTime guru, either. The caption track is added automatically with the click of a button. And exporting Transcripts compiles all the captions into one concise text file, with or without timecode.

I’ve written about MovieCaptioner before – it used to be called MovCaptioner – but there have been significant improvements in both the interface and in the type of captions MovieCaptioner can read and create. The website now lists all these types of imports and exports:

  • QT Text
  • QT Unicode (export only)
  • QT SMIL (export only)
  • Flash DFXP
  • JW Player
  • CLF Player (Canada)
  • Adobe Encore
  • Sonic Scenarist SCC (for Final Cut Pro, line 21 close captions and iPod/iPad captions)
  • Spruce (STL)
  • SubRip (SRT)
  • SubViewer (SUB)
  • Windows Media (SAMI, export only)
  • Text Transcripts
  • HTML Transcripts (export only)
  • YouTube SBV (import only)

I think the creation of Flash captions is especially exciting, given the number of uncaptioned Flash movies out there on the internet. Now that Flash supports simple captioning, and programs like MovieCaptioner let captioning be done for such a low price, there’s absolutely no reason not to caption Flash movies and tutorials you make for your website.

MovieCaptioner will also import YouTube’s auto-caption files so you can correct them and then re-upload them to YouTube for efficient and accurate YouTube captioning.

SynchriMedia offer several video tutorials for MovieCaptioner including a nifty one for how to use MovieCaptioner and MacSpeech Dictate together so you can caption your film quickly without even needing to type!

Website: MovieCaptioner

- Ricky Buchanan

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Putting Bookshare.org Books On The iPad

By David H Cohen on January 29, 2011

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series EBook Resources.

Logo for Bookshare serviceAs the Technology Coach for Educational Vision Services, the program in the NYC Department of Education that serves students in our school system with visual impairments, I have been looking for a way to provide students with low-vision access to large print using the iPad. Our students are registered with Bookshare.org but it has been a stumbling block converting the DAISY formatted books into the epub format that can be read on the iPad. While there are numerous options for our students who are auditory or Braille readers, there has been a large disconnect in taking advantage of technology for our students who require large print and alternate contrast for visual reading.

The first thing I noticed is that while the iBooks app is great, it doesn’t provide the flexibility in adjusting text size and contrast that is available in the free app Stanza. I tested it with several visually impaired students and determined that Stanza was preferable for reading books on the iPad.

Calibre is a free, cross-platform e-book convertor. While it won’t recognize DAISY, it will recognize HTML documents. Firefox can open up the XML file in the DAISY book folder downloaded from Bookshare. Using Firefox, you can convert the XML file to an HTML file that Calibre recognizes and retains most of the book’s format, including images in the DAISY book. This is particularly useful for NIMAC sourced textbooks that rely heavily on graphics.

During the Welcome Wizard, I set up Calibre to save files to an eBook folder I created in my Documents folder. While I chose the iPad as my Output Profile, it did not stick and had to be selected again in Calibre’s Common Options Preference pane. The Base Font size can be adjusted in the Common Options Preference pane as needed by the intended reader. Calibre takes the HTML file and converts it to an epub file, saving it in a folder sorted by the author.

I wanted to find a way of transferring the epub book to the iPad without having to worry about syncing the iPad each time. Dropbox proved to be perfect for this. A teacher can share a folder with the student and use it to transfer the book to the iPad wirelessly. This is especially helpful the majority of our students are served using the itinerant model and the teacher can get the book on the iPad remotely.

While Dropbox cannot open the epub, it will transfer the book to the Stanza app. Once in Stanza, the text can be adjusted to the reader’s preference for size and contrast. The iPad’s built in Zoom can provide even further magnification if needed.

I understand this is a bit laborious and I am looking for a method to automate the process. I needed a way that would work on both Macs and Windows as our schools are cross platform. I also wanted to focus on a method using free software as we are a school system and budget is a concern.

What you need

Note that all of these applications and apps are free.

  • On your own computer, install these – they will all install correctly on Windows, Mac, and Linux-based computers:

  • Onto the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch where you want the books, install these (links are directly to the App Store):

After you have unzipped the downloaded book from Bookshare, these are the steps to take on your own computer:

  1. Open Firefox. Use the File>Open File command and open up the XML file in the Bookshare book’s folder.
  2. In Firefox, select File>Save Page As. Navigate to your preferred folder (I created one called eBooks for this purpose), rename the file to the book’s title with the extension “.html” and in the Save As drop down box, select Web Page, Complete. Quit Firefox.
  3. Open Calibre. Add the HTML file you created in step 2 to your Calibre library. For larger NIMAC books, especially ones with lots of graphics, this can take a long time. You will need to add the author’s name as this is not picked up by Calibre.
  4. Select the book in the Calibre library list and choose the Convert Book icon. You can adjust the Base Font Size by clicking on the Look & Feel icon in the left pane. Click the OK button to process it.
  5. Navigate to the author folder created by Calibre. Open the book folder and find the .epub file created by Calibre. Transfer it into your Dropbox.

The next steps must be taken on the iPad (or iPhone or iPod Touch) where you want the book to be read:

  1. Open the Dropbox App on the device. Select the book you transferred in the previous step. After Dropbox attempts to open it on your iPad, you will get a message that Dropbox cannot open the file. This is fine. In the upper right hand corner of the screen, select the “Transfer to” icon. Select Stanza from the list.
  2. Stanza will open up and import the book. You can now read it the book in Stanza, adjusting the font, text and background colors to your preference. Images will not be magnified but you can use the iPad’s Zoom feature to enlarge them if necessary.

- David H Cohen

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Hand-e-holder For Mounting iOS Devices

By Paul Natsch on January 11, 2011

The Hand-e-Holder used with an iPadRecently I’ve stumbled upon a new holder for the iPad that I hoped would end up being the missing link I’ve been looking for in my quest to find a way to make the iPad work for me. It’s called the “Hand-e-holder” and it’s unlike any other holder I’ve seen thus far.

Hand-e-Holder device

The Hand-e-Holder used with an iPad

The Hand-e-holder was developed by Burns Computer Services. The intent was to make an easy-to-use, versatile holder for the iPad and other similar devices. The description from the website is as follows:

The Hand-e-holder allows you to hold and view your iPad/tablet device comfortably in your hand, while providing a 360° rotation.

I’ve been using an iPod Touch for over two years but I’ve always been restricted to using it in portrait mode because that’s how it’s mounted on my wheelchair armrest. While this has worked out fairly well for me I’ve always hoped to find a method that would allow me to easily rotate my iPod Touch to either portrait or landscape mode without assistance from anybody else. Having the ability to do this would seem to be of greater importance with an iPad, which has been one of the obstacles preventing me from getting one.

When I first saw the Hand-e-holder I immediately noticed the “adapter plate” portion of the device. It’s like a miniature turntable attached to the holder itself which allows the 360° rotation. I figured if I could somehow mount the adapter plate on my armrest that I might have the solution I’ve been looking for. I spoke to Mike Burns, the founder of the company, and he was gracious enough to send me a slightly modified Hand-e-holder to see if it would work for me and my iPod Touch. As it turned out the straps on the Hand-e-holder were long enough that I could fasten it to my armrest by just wrapping them around the armrest securely with the adapter plate portion sitting squarely on top of my armrest. Then it was only a matter of attaching the “Dual Lock Ring” to the back of my Ipod Touch. The adhesive on the ring is quite strong but can be removed without damaging your device. Once the Dual Lock Ring was attached I was able to mount my Ipod Touch to the Hand-e-holder (which is attached to my armrest as in the picture) as often as i like. In other words, the iPod Touch can be removed from the Hand-e-holder as often as needed. This is useful because there are times when friends or family want to use it, which would be kind of difficult if it were permanently stuck to my armrest. At first it was hard to believe how secure the Ipod Touch was sitting on my armrest like this but as long as you press hard enough when remounting it the Dual Lock Ring really does “lock” it back in place. If you check out the video on their website you’ll see this clearly demonstrated with an iPad. I must note however that i had to place the Dual Lock Ring directly onto the back of my iPod Touch for it to function correctly. At first I had tried attaching it to the back of the cheap rubber case my iPod Touch had been encased in but it didn’t stick well at all. Once the rubber case was out of the equation that’s no longer an issue. In fact, it sticks so well that I really don’t see a need to find a case that would work with it. However, if you feel more comfortable using a case there is a video on their website that shows you how to modify your case to work with the Hand-e-holder.

The Hand-e-holder wrapped around my wheelchair armrest

The Hand-e-holder wrapped around my wheelchair armrest

So now the big question. Does this allow me to independently rotate my iPod Touch? I’m happy to say the answer is most definitely YES. I can’t do it as easily as somebody with a fully functional hand, which isn’t a surprise, but the important thing is I can now do it all by myself. So now if I want to do something on my iPod Touch that works better in landscape mode, like watch a YouTube video or play a game, I can put it that way. If it’s not something that’s already in landscape mode I only need to tilt my wheelchair back a little bit to get the iPod Touch’s accelerometer to do it’s thing and change the orientation. It’s pretty awesome and after only a few days it’s demonstrated how much I’ve been missing by not having this capability. I can even leave my dock connector plugged in constantly as before (my iPod Touch receives a constant charge from my wheelchair battery) no matter what orientation it’s in.

Independently Rotating The iPod Touch from portrait to landscape orientation

Independently Rotating The iPod Touch from portrait to landscape orientation

These encouraging results gave me some hope where the iPad is concerned. However in my case there was also the question of whether there’s enough space for me to mount it in the same location as my iPod Touch. They also offer various iPad stands and clamps that are compatible with the Hand-e-holder and further improve its accessibility and usefulness. My hope was the clamps could take care of the space problem, if there ended up being one. Fortunately I ended up getting a golden opportunity to answer all these questions regarding the iPad as Mike Burns was gracious enough to offer to send me some of the clamps and a loaner iPad to test things out! So I got to see first-hand if there’s some way this can work out for me.

Upon receiving the iPad I immediately discovered, as expected, that it is much too large to mount directly on my armrest in the same fashion that my iPod Touch is. So that left me with the clamps. I tried several positions and locations to no avail. No matter where I placed the iPad with the clamps it either prevented me from using my wheelchair controls, or messed with the width of my wheelchair for doorways and such, or both.

iPad mounted on my armrest using one of the C-Clamps attached to the Hand-e-holder

iPad mounted on my armrest using one of the C-Clamps attached to the Hand-e-holder.

However it became readily apparent that the clamps he sent me are incredibly versatile. They can be placed just about anywhere and at any angle. The problem for me though is that my limited arm movement just doesn’t allow for many potential locations on my wheelchair. In all honesty the perfect location would be right where my wheelchair hand controls are and they obviously can’t be moved. To Mike Burn’s credit he’s determined to make this work for me so as of this writing the book isn’t yet completely closed on the iPad and my wheelchair. So if they come up with another solution that works I will be sure to update this article.

But despite the inability (thus far) to get this to work for me it occurred to me that this COULD work very well for other physically disabled individuals. It perhaps could even be the difference between getting an iPad and not getting an iPad. I mentioned above how versatile the clamps and stands they offer are. So versatile that I really believe that others would be able to successfully mount an iPad on their wheelchair in an accessible position. You can get a good idea about this versatility with the pictures below. You’ll notice this versatility extends beyond the wheelchair as well. I was able to easily mount the iPad to my kitchen counter and the side rail on my bed, both of which made the iPad easily accessible to me at those locations. And even when attached to one of the clamps it’s still possible to easily rotate the iPad between landscape and portrait orientation. The possibilities are really endless here. Being able to use the iPad in bed so easily, especially with a modified mouthstick, was a surprising revelation for me. My iMac can’t really be moved around very easily so whenever I lay down in bed, to watch TV or take it easy, I’m pretty much cut off from the Internet and anything computer related. I have tried to use my iPod Touch in that position but the screen is just too small to make it practical. The iPad, however, works extremely well in that position. And since the iPad can do so many of the same things that a computer can (and as I learned in some cases can do certain things a little better) it was like my computer was right there with me! It’s so useful and convenient to have that capability that I’m now seriously considering getting an iPad of my own. It would certainly be a lifesaver whenever I get sick or have some other type of medical problem that keeps me bedridden for any length of time.

The iPad mounted on my bed rail

The iPad mounted on my bed rail

So if you have some way to interact with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch (like with the Pogo Stylus or the mouthstick solution I spoke of) but are unable to actually hold the device the Hand-e-holder may be the solution you’re looking for. There are actually other potential solutions out there, like the ones from RJ Cooper, but none are as simple and inexpensive as the Hand-e-holder solution. I can really see the Hand-e-holder potentially making a huge difference for physically disabled people such as myself. So if you think this may be of any benefit to you I encourage you to check out the Hand-e-holder. You could even contact them and they will help you choose the best solution for your needs.

- Paul Natsch

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Ellie’s iPad Provides New Opportunities

By Charlie Doremus on December 9, 2010

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Accessibility Changes Lives.

An iPadComing from a Windows background and being fortunate to have relatively good vision for a “partially sighted” person, I never gave much thought to screen readers and speech programs. My home computer was a standard issue off-the-shelf model with no adaptive features. My partner, however, is legally blind and has cerebral palsy, she is also a non-typist. She had little interest in the machine outside of casino games like blackjack – her computing sessions often ended with the blue screen message “you have performed an illegal function”, causing her to believe the constabulary may soon be at our door. Despite this, there was always an interest, on her part, to understand how computers worked.

The computing landscape changed overnight when the iPad was released: now those interested in computing but in fear of keyboards could join the party. Being a touch-screen device, the iPad offered internet access with the touch of a finger. My partner, once limited to playing blackjack, was now able to explore a world that until now had been hidden from her. Apps, music downloads, iBooks, twitter and face book were just a finger tap away.

Ellie tests out her new iPad

Ellie tests out her new iPad

Surfing the internet has now became part of daily life for her. Now instead of watching TV or listening to local radio, my partner is keeping up with world events, following her favourite sports teams, and reconnecting with friends located thousands of miles away.

She has gathered a long list of followers on both twitter and an app reviewing site called chomp, here she has rated better than 7,200 apps in 9 months!

The future can only bring more into her life as the products she uses are improved and her skills grow.

The iPad has changed the lives of countless individuals and I have been privileged to have a grandstand seat as one disabled user went from a person in complete fear to someone who considers their Apple devices more useful than shoes.

- Charlie Doremus

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Dragon Dictate 2.0 Review

By Lisa Connor on November 15, 2010

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Speech-to-Text Compilation.

Icon for Dragon DictateI’ve been using Dragon Dictate 2.0 for Mac for about two weeks along with Growl. Overall, I’m glad I upgraded although there are still some problems with the system.

Installing the upgrade was very easy. In fact, I still have MacSpeech Dictate 1.5.9 on my computer because while I paid for an upgrade what I got was a new copy of [dd] 2.0. When you go to upgrade one of your profiles from a MacSpeech Dictate profile you will have to redo the training but it doesn’t take long.

Once you have Dragon Dictate 2.0 installed you will notice minor cosmetic changes in the interface. Overall, you should be able to dictate just as you did before. Most of the changes seem to be additions rather than changes or subtractions. Also, Growl version 1.2 can be used to notify recognised text rather than having a window always visible on the screen. Later versions of Growl do not work as well at this time.

I primarily access my computer using Zoom and was hoping that the new Mouse Grid feature would enable me to use my mouse less. While Mouse Grid is fairly easy to use, even for someone with low vision, it depends on there being “clicks” of the mouse. So, I haven’t been able to use it to look around my screen.

Dragon Dictate is much more stable than MacSpeech Dictate. I can now use websites that involve Flash, such as YouTube, with Dragon Dictate running. It is still a good idea to save your profile regularly but crashes seem more infrequent.

The Available Commands Window has had some changes. More choices are now listed. Some of the commands seem shorter. This makes it easier for someone like me whose disability affects their voice and breathing. Most of the commands work beautifully. The only one I’ve had trouble with is “reply to this message” in Mail.

Lisa using Dragon Dictate on her Mac

Lisa using Dragon Dictate on her Mac

One thing that has not been fixed is that I’m still experiencing small words like “the” and “A” being recognized when I am not speaking. Admittedly, part of this may be caused by my use of a Plantronics 995 headset, which is not approved. Clearing those words with “scratch that” can cause glitches with what I’m doing. Oddly, muting the microphone with the headset doesn’t always stop this problem so I strongly recommend putting Dragon Dictate to sleep when you won’t be using it for a few minutes.

Overall, I would recommend Dragon Dictate 2.0. The increased stability alone makes dictation easier. Plus, with the increased number of available commands and Mouse Grid I think that Dragon Dictate will be more useful for those who have trouble using their hands rather than just preferring to speak.

- Lisa Connor

If you are going to buy or upgrade any version of MacSpeech Dictate from the USA or UK. stores, please consider using these links in this article. If you do, I'll get a commission - a small percentage of the sale price. It won't cost you anything and it will help to support me and ATMac.

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Switch Control For iPod/iPad/iPhone Music

By Ricky Buchanan on November 11, 2010

An iPhoneThere are three hardware-based options of which I’m aware for accessing the music playing functions an an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, as well as customisable software programs. These won’t help you to use the programs on an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad – just to play the music, audiobooks and podcasts you’ve already put onto the device.

Each option has different features, and of course different things work for different people so I’ll let you know as many features as I have knowledge of, and we can go from there:

SpaceKraft’s iPod Switcher

This is the simplest controller, with only three buttons. It has a desktop docking unit where the iPod sits plus a wireless controller unit with the three buttons.

The iPod Switcher with a traditional type iPod

The iPod Switcher with a traditional type iPod

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track.

Switch access: This unit does not allow your own switches to be plugged in, only the unit’s own built-in buttons can be used.

Compatibility: The sales page just says “iPod”. There’s no clear indication of which iPods it will operate with – it looks like the dock part would only fit specific sizes of iPods.

Wireless controller size: 24cm wide, 19cm deep, 7cm tall.

Button size: Unspecified.

Cost: £295

Notes: The switcher control box is battery powered. The page says “Operates on 240v” which implies the dock section needs to be plugged in to operate, however.

RJ Cooper’s BIG iPod Remote

Five-button remote with large brightly coloured buttons on the top, separate switches can also be plugged in.

RJ's BIG iPod Remote being used by an elderly woman

RJ's BIG iPod Remote being used by an elderly woman

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down.

Switch access: The unit’s own built-in buttons can be used or any/all of these buttons can be replaced by separate switches.

Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.

Wireless controller size: 8″ wide x 5″ deep x 3″ tall.

Button size: The large green button is 1-3/4″ and the smaller buttons are 1-1/4″.

Cost: US$119

Technical Solutions’ iScanMP3 (formerly SwitchPod)

Single switch visual/auditory scanning system, including adjustable scan speed.

The iScan MP3 plugged into a traditional style iPod

The iScan MP3 plugged into a traditional style iPod

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down, Power on/off.

Switch access: Plug in any standard switch.

Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.

Cost: AU$190

Other Options

There are some ‘easy music controller’ programs for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad which present an interface that’s easier to operate for those with limited dexterity. They generally operate by gestures, where a single tap gesture anywhere on the screen will operate either the ‘pause/play’ function or the ‘next song’ function. Some are configurable so that you can define what gestures mean what.

These are some cheap options I recommend:

Gesture Player
This is the one I use myself to listen to my audio books. Specially cool things about it:

  • Compatible with both iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch. Most seem to be iPhone/iPod Touch only.
  • Clearly displays the function you have activated, so you know what’s happening.
  • You can pick a default playlist to use. Most seem to only have the option to use the full library.
  • Can adjust the sensitivity of the gesture recogniser, more sensitive requires the gestures to be more accurate before they’re recognised.

About the only thing that isn’t perfect about this one is there’s no ability to configure which gesture does what!

Swiper Music Player
Swiper has slightly different controls, so a single tap to the screen moves to the next track and a long tap (press-and-hold) is needed to operate the play/pause function. It also displays the music’s cover art so you can see pictorially what’s playing. Swiper is for the iPhone/iPod Touch only, there’s no iPad native version.
LeechTunes
LeechTunes allows some controls to be customised, but basic controls seem fixed, including a single tap operating the play/pause function. There are a bunch of different “skins” to change the appearance and a software function to lock the program in either portrait or landscape mode. It also has iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions.

- Ricky Buchanan

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