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Presenter(s)
David Niemeijer
AssistiveWare
Van Speijkstraat 73-D
Amsterdam, NH 1057 GN Netherlands
Email: d.niemeijer@assistiveware.com
Mel Dashner
Origin Instruments Corporation
854 Greenview Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Email: mdashner@orin.com
In this workshop, participants will be able to get hands-on experience with two assistive technology applications for Mac OS X: KeyStrokes onscreen keyboard with word prediction and dwelling and SwitchXS scanning-based switch access for keyboard and mouse emulation. These are relatively new applications developed specifically for Mac OS X and a hands-on experience will be useful for any conference participant interested in accessibility on Mac OS X. The objective of the session is that participants learn how to use both basic and advanced features of the software and get an understanding of how the software can be put to use most effectively for people with different abilities.
KeyStrokes is an on-screen keyboard intended for Mac OS X users who cannot use (or have a hard time using) a physical keyboard, but are able to use a mouse, trackball or head pointer. It allows these users to do virtually anything a hardware keyboard can do, type into any application, use keyboard shortcuts and key-click combinations. In addition, it offers PolyPredix(TM), an advanced, self-learning multilingual word prediction system that reduces typing efforts by a factor 2 to 3, through word completion, next-word prediction and multi-word prediction. KeyStrokes also offers system-wide dwelling allowing a user to click, drag and type by just holding the cursor motionless for a programmable period of time. It provides SmartTransparency(TM) technology to make the keyboard partially transparent or completely disappear when not in use, yet instantly available when needed for typing. There are many other features and customization options to meet the needs of a wide variety of physically impaired users. By allowing a person with a disability to type directly into any application and fully control their computer they are able to use regular software such as Word, iMovie, GarageBand, Internet Explorer, Safari, Photoshop, and many games. It opens up the world for people, facilitating communication, enabling them to have regular jobs, write books, in other words, participate fully in society.
SwitchXS is also an on-screen keyboard for Mac OS X, but optimized for switch users. It allows someone who cannot use a physical keyboard, mouse or other regular input device to have full access to Mac OS X using one or more switches. It emulates both mouse and keyboard and allows the user to type into any application, use keyboard shortcuts and key-click combinations and also click, drag and perform other mouse actions. On Mac OS X 10.3 and later it can accept any USB input device as a switch: keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackpad, trackball, gamepad, joystick or switch-interfaces emulating any of these devices. SwitchXS also provides SmartTransparency(TM) to keep the scan panel out of the way when not needed or keep it semi-transparent be able to see what is beneath it. SwitchXS has audio and voice cueing and can even be used for speech synthesis. A scan panel editor is included allowing the user or a helper to define custom scan panels. SwitchXS has many time and effort saving customizable features. Word prediction is expected early 2005. Like KeyStrokes, SwitchXS opens up the world to people, giving them access to productivity and creative applications so that users can write, make art, make music and play games. It enables them to communicate through email and chat and participate fully in society.
The session will offer a unique occasion to learn from and exchange ideas with, David Niemeijer, the lead developer of the software. The session will cover both introductory and advanced topics. The session will begin with a brief introduction of the state of accessibility on Mac OS X, followed by a brief introduction of KeyStrokes and SwitchXS. Next, some topics for in depth exploration will be proposed and a quick inventory will be made to see whether participants have any other topics they would like to see covered. These topics will then be covered in a step-by-step fashion guiding the participants through basic and advanced features. During this hands-on questions are welcomed. Towards the end of the session there will be some time for individual exploration (with the presenters walking around to give personal guidance). The session will be concluded with a short Q&A.
Newcomers will benefit from hands-on experience of the basic features. Advanced users will appreciate learning how to create and edit word prediction dictionaries, how to design custom scan keyboards, how to configure multiple switches, how to adapt the software for people with visual or speech impairments, how to optimize word prediction for specific disabilities and much more. Where appropriate, the session will also cover the built-in accessibility features of Mac OS X or direct people to solutions developed by other companies. The focus of the workshop will be on how to make effective use of the software and will be adapted where possible to the specific interests of the participants.
A whole range of input devices will be available during the session including switches, switch interfaces, gamepads and the HeadMouse Extreme.
The session will be organized jointly by AssistiveWare and Origin Instruments Corporation. AssistiveWare has developed the software covered by the session and Origin Instruments Corporation, a long-time CSUN exhibitor, is the North American distributor of the software and also the maker of the HeadMouse Extreme. More information on the software is available at http://www.assistiveware.com
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