There are bisically three types of assistive technology. Switches, head pointing devices, and voice regognition.
Note: JoyPort no longer available. Out of business!
My switch box: I use a switch box called the JoyPort to connect
my switches to my computer. The JoyPort is a joystick adaptor for the Mac
OS. One of the joysticks you can use with it are Atari 2600 compatible joysticks.
Coincidentialy multiple handicapped switches are Atari 2600 compatible.
They work perfectly with the JoyPort. I use a mini joystick with push. Four
switches are activated by moving the joystick in four directions; the fifth
is activated by pressing down on the joystick shaft.
My switches: While the mini joystick works well for me many
games it does not work well with the push switch. It's very difficult to
press down on the push while moving the joystick in a direction. I use a
device called a CA-5 which allows you to use 5 single switches to operate
any device that accepts 1 multiple switch (ie. that has a 9 pin D sub connector)
A tru-plug is included so you can use a multple switch along with single
switches. I use a single switch in place of the push on the mini joystick.
Alternate uses: My equipment
can also be used to control cursor movement. While I use a head pointing
device while I'm in the wheelchair I cannot operate it in while laying down.
I'm able to connect just two switches to my switch box and use its' software
to move the cursor. This software allows one to program each switch to use
three separate keystrokes according to how many times you click it. If you
set the computer to use mouse keys in Universal Access one switch can be
set as follows. one click- type keypad 5 for mouse click. two clicks- type
keypad 8 for mouse up. three clicks- type keypad 2 for mouse down. A second
switch can be set as follows. one click-keypad 4 for mouse left. two clicks-
keypad 6 for mouse right. three clicks- return to press the dialog box.
Note: Multi-click is not enabled in the USB version of the Joyport. To
connect the ADB Joyport to a USB Mac you will need to use Griffin's
iMate with the iMate driver.
HeadMaster:
Head pointing device in which moving one's head moves the cursor on the
screen.Activating the puff switch or other external switch makes selections.
ZephIR:
Connected through the USB or ADB port on a Macintosh computer this Infared
control allows one to operate remote controlled appliances such as televisions,
vcrs, and stereos through the desktop.
U CAN DO CENTRAL:
Wheel Chair Height --- ------ PINBALL MACHINE. Specially equipped to be
operated with handicapped switches.
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