iTunes Switch Access

While switch access isn't natively built into iTunes on the mac or PC, it is fairly easy to set it up with two switches so students can navigate through a basic playlist with the ability to play, pause and move to the next song.

All you need is a computer with iTunes installed, a switch interface (i'm using the Crick USB Switch Interface, by Crick Software) and one or two switches.

Open the settings for your switch interface and program. You will need to change the programming for the first two switch ports. For my setup I changed port 1 to be the key press "space". This will alternate between playing and pausing the current song in iTunes. Port 2 I changed to "command + left arrow", which will move to the next song on the playlist.




Close the settings and you are good to go.

Depending on the student you are working with you may wish to change the way iTunes looks. For some students the ability to read which songs are coming up in the playlist is important, so it's best to have them looking at list view. However some students really like watching the iTunes visualiser  You can find it under 'view' > 'show visualiser'.

Switch Access in iOS 7

iOS 7 is due to be released later this year and as well as all of the fantastic new features that have everyone excited, there are also a whole lot of new accessibility options, especially for people with physical and motor impairments. The most exciting of these is in built switch access.

Previously, switch access on the iPhone or iPad was only available with certain apps that had the feature built in. If you wanted to use a switch to access the home screen, you could do so using some switch boxes that worked via voice over, but this was often slow and difficult to use for all but the most experience switch users.


Apple has obviously put a lot of thought into switch control, and the switch settings page boasts a long list of features, including:

• - The ability to connect numerous switches, these can be controlled by any switch interface that can be plugged into the iPad/iPhone
• - Each switch can be programmed to complete a different function. These include: step to next item, step to previous item, select item, home button, notification centre, siri, volume, etc.
• - The ability to choose between auto-scan or 2 switch step scanning
• - Scanning of the home screen is set to row-column scanning to improve speed of access
• - Auto hide of the highlight box when not in use
• - Switch stabilisation options such as a required time for the switch to be held down, and the ability to ignore repeated switch presses
• - The ability to turn on/off scanning sounds

And this is just the start of the list. iOS 7 is currently in beta testing stages and only available to developers, however hopefully we will get to see it in action by the end of the year.

iOS 7

iOS 7 was released today to people who hold an Apple Developers account. I’m looking forward to getting installing it onto my iPad and checking out the new accessibility features. Rumour has it that there may be switch access in the latest version. Fingers crossed!

Using a Keyboard to Test Switch Access

The Apple camera connection kit can be used to connect almost any keyboard to an iPad. However, were you also aware that you can then use this keyboard to test out switch access on apps if you don't have a proper switch box and switches handy? For example, if you are at home testing out apps for your students at work.

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PO-Motion

Looking for something new to do with your students to get them excited about moving and stretching?

PO-motion might be the answer. PO-MOtion is a software program that allows you to easily create engaging interactive displays projected on to any surface. 

These displays allow the user to interact with the screen via a web-cam. Any movements by the user translate to changes in the image on the screen.


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Using any Keyboard with the iPad

Often the students that we work with need adapted equipment to effectively access the technology we give them. This is fine, however often the equipment they need to use isn't always compatible with the technology we would like them to access, especially if this technology happens to be an iPad.

For some students, typing on the iPad is a huge challenge. While they can access most of the icons with ease, typing is more complicated due to the size and location of the keys. Regular computer keyboards come in a variety of different styles, and can be much easier to use, the challenge is how to connect these to an iPad.

This is where Apple's camera connector kit comes in.While originally designed to help you to transfer photos directly from your camera to your phone, the connector also has the additional ability of allowing you to connect many different computer keyboards to your iPad.

When you purchace the kit, you will notice it comes with two parts, one with a USB end, and the other with a slot for an SD card. To connect a keyboard you will need the USB adaptor.

Plug the adaptor into your iPad and then plug the keyboard into the USB slot. You will recieve an error message on the device saying  “The connected USB device is not supported” this is just apple telling you that you are not using their device as originally intended. Click ok, and the keyboard should work perfectly. 

If however you receive a message saying "this accessory uses too much power", you will need to try another keyboard. 

Some keyboards, especially those with USB slots in the back to plug in other devices require more power than the apple connector can provide. I suggest playing around until you find one that works.

Hopefully this has given you another way to make iPads more accesible to your students.

Creative Commons

Often when creating works with (and for) our students we may decide to publish them on sites such as tar heel reader or as an ebook on the iPad. When selecting images for any books we create it is important to select images that are licenced under creative commons to make sure that we are not breaking copyright. But what exactly is creative commons? how do you find photos that are licensed in this way? and what are the differences between each of the licences?



What is a creative commons licence?

Creative Commons licences are simple copyright licences that allow creators of content to decide which rights they reserve and which rights they waive for the benefit of other users. Creative Commons licences don't replace copyright, but they do mean that you may have more flexibility when working with and republishing specific pieces of content.



How do I find works licenced under creative commons?

If you go to 'advanced search' within flickr you are able to specify that you only want to search for images that are licensed under creative commons. Many other photo sharing websites also do the same thing, you just need to look around. Unfortunately  google images doesn't specify the licensing of the images they find.



What do the different creative commons licences mean?

 You can do anything with the photos, but you must credit the original author.

  You can copy, edit and distribute the photos as long as you do not make money from them in any way. 

  You can copy the photos to use in your own works, but you cannot edit them in any way.

  You may copy and edit the photos however you like, as long as your new images are then  also liscenced under the same type of creative commons liscence. 

   You can copy the photos to put in your own work, but you must not edit them or make any money from them.

RAM-Mount Review

RAM mount is an american company that specialises in making tough mounting systems for a wide variety of electronic devices. Their stands are designed to withstand tough environments, and are used for a wide variety of applications such as rugged vehicle, industrial, military and defence material handling as well as any application requiring a robust mounting solution. And this is where special ed fits into the equation.

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Introduction

Starting this blog I thought I better introduce myself… I am a teacher at a school for children with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments.

In my class this year I have 6 kids, all lower primary age. In my classroom I have a mix of kids using wheelchairs, kay walkers, and hospital beds at various times throughout the day. Some of the students are non-verbal, so I also use PODD communication books (40-cell and 20-cell direct access), keyword sign, iPads with Proloquo2go and PECS to communicate with different students at different times.

 As well as teaching, I am also in the middle of completing my Masters in Special Education. It has been a fantastic opportunity to gain some new skills and stay up to date with the latest research in the field.

 It’s really busy, but I love everything that I do. I hope to share some of my ideas about how I’m using technology in my classroom to help my student to access the curriculum and achieve their goals.