Category: Primary Switch Users
For users whose main method of computer interaction is via a switch interface, using single or multiple switches.
You are browsing the archive of all ATMac posts in this category.
Time-Independent Games
Most computer games get faster, relying on reflexes and coordination. Untimed games such as turn-based games rely on strategy and tactics instead, which makes them excellent if the user’s disability affects perception, thinking/memory, or movement.
Switch Control For iPod/iPad/iPhone Music
There 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.
Back To The Accessible Mac: Accessibility Implications From Apple’s 20 October Event’
There was a special Apple event in Cupertino on the 20th of October entitled “Back To The Mac”. We were treated to a plethora of Mac-related announcements which have plenty of fantastic accessibility implications. I’m going to briefly run down what each announcement was, and why it matters for Mac accessibility.
Control Your Cable Box With Your Mac On The Cheap!
If you’re a digital cable TV subscriber in the United States you may have noticed the FireWire port on the back of your cable box. The most common assumption about this port is that it’s something for service technicians only but it’s actually something you can use to control your cable box, if you ask the right questions!
Morse Code For Computer Control: TandemMaster
The TandemMaster Morse-2-USB interface is a fantastic device which converts morse code entered by two switches into keyboard presses and mouse movements. It gives the user complete control of a computer, as much as any regular keyboard/mouse user would have and can be used on any computer, with no drivers or software needed to be installed on the computer itself.
2009 New Year's Eve Gifts
It’s the last day of 2009, and I have some gifts for my wonderful ATMac readers. A LayoutKitchen resources page for KeyStrokes, Proloquo, and SwitchXS users, and five free postcards (real physical postcards!) to you can spread the new year cheer with your friends.
Give Yourself Backups For Christmas
What would you do if you lost all your files because your computer’s hard drive failed? For less than $100 and with no technical knowledge you can have a backup of all the files on your computer, and you’ll never need to worry about hard drives failing and losing all your files.
Switch Users' Introduction To OS X
Marie-France Bru has written an excellent set of tutorials aimed at switch users who are new to Mac OS X, even new to computers, but who are willing to learn to use a computer so they can communicate. These excellent tutorials introduce the user to OS X and the Mac computer, as well as to the SwitchXS switch access program.
Snow Leopard is Coming, Are You Ready Or Not?
Upgrading to Snow Leopard might not make your computer look enormously different, but the hidden guts of the operating system have been extensively worked on. This has implications for assistive technology users – you’ll need to check that your assistive technology will work with Snow Leopard.
Adapted Computer System For Bed or Wheelchair
Allison Greene is quadriplegic due to multiple sclerosis (MS) and must spend much of her day in bed. Bill Greene has ingeniously adapted his wife’s Mac-based computer system to allow her to use it either from her wheelchair or while in bed.
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