If external switches are required for a selection site, plug the switch in either the switch A or switch B connector on the right side panel of the device. Another option would be to use the screen of the device as a switch (see below). The Switch is not automatically detected; therefore the Menu items need selected to match the switch position.
- Choose Switch Settings from the Edit Menu
- Set the Selection Method to One Switch
- Choose the mode of scan that is most appropriate, Row/Column will scan down through the rows and then scan the selected row with a tap of the screen, Linear starts scanning left to right across each row, and Circular starts in the upper left toward the right and then starts the next row in the right and goes to the left.
- Check Scanning On
- Check any other options that may be appropriate
- Latched scanning – requires a switch activation to start the scan and then it continues to scan through each item until the next switch activation makes a selection. With Latched Scanning Off, a switch activation is required to move the scan through each button, one at a time.
- Skip Empty Cells will skip over a cell without a button.
- Activate on Release – makes the actual activation when the switch is released instead of activating immediately upon the push
- With Reverse Direction selected the direction of the scan will be from right to left instead of left to right.
- Choose Switch Setup and check the corresponding jacks. The jacks are labeled on the edge of the device. If using an external single switch, choose the corresponding letter. If using two switches, check the corresponding jack of the switch you want to use to Advance the scan and to make a selection.
Use the other tabs to modify the scanning options to meet the device user’s specific needs.
Using the Touchscreen to Scan
There are times when a device user isn’t capable of activating specific areas on the screen, i.e. maybe doesn’t have the pointing skills to hit one button. Using the touchscreen to scan allows the device user to tap anywhere on the front of the screen to initiate a scan of the buttons. Scanning is typically only used if the device user can’t activate a specific button on a page and needs one specific target. In this scenario the front screen of the device can act as a single switch.
To set up the Touchscreen to Scan:
- Choose Switch Settings from the Edit Menu.
- Set the Selection Method to One Switch.
- Choose the mode of scan that is most appropriate, Row/Column will scan down through the rows and then scan the selected row with a tap of the screen, Linear starts scanning left to right across each row, and Circular starts in the upper left toward the right and then starts the next row in the right and goes to the left.
- Check Scanning On.
- Check any other options that may be appropriate.
- Latched scanning – requires a screen tap to start the scan and then it continues to scan through each item until the next screen tap makes a selection. With Latched Scanning Off a screen tap is required to move the scan through each button, one at a time.
- Skip Empty Cells will skip over a cell without a button.
- Activate on Release – makes the actual activation when the finger or stylus is released from the screen instead of activating immediately upon the push.
- With Reverse Direction selected the direction of the scan will be from right to left instead of left to right.
- Choose Switch Setup and check Use as a switch in the Touch screen option.
Use the other tabs to modify the scanning options to meet the device user’s specific needs.
Scan Mode
Row/Column
The scan highlights each row of buttons beginning with the top row and moving down the screen. When the row that contains the button you want is highlighted, activate your switch. The scan will highlight the separate columns in the row you selected, moving from left to right across the screen. When the button you want is highlighted, activate your switch.
Linear
Step through the keys from left to right across the rows.
Circular
Step through the keys from left to right across the top row and then right to left across the next row
Scanning On
Check this option to turn the scanning option On. Uncheck Scanning On to turn scanning off.
Note: The keyboard is accessible by direct select regardless if Scanning is On or Off as long as Use Screen as Switch isn’t checked in the Switch Setup menu.
Latched Scan
If Latched Scan is On, the scan will continue to scan after the switch has been chosen and released. Latched Scanning off requires the switch to be held to keep the scan moving.
Skip Empty Cells
Empty cells are buttons that haven’t been created yet. If Skip Empty Cells is checked, the scan will skip over these cells to save time when scanning.