Input Devices

Most of Widgit programs are designed to be used by people with different special needs, and so are accessible in a variety of ways. The information below describes the various options available.
Click here to see a list of the access facilities to Widgit Software Products

Mouse

There are alternatives to the mouse, which do not require any special software modifications - for example a tracker ball is effectively another type of mouse. Touch screens also operate in the same way as the mouse. Most Touch windows operate via the serial port on the back of your computer, but have a special 'driver' program that communicates with the computer and your program.

Switch access

There are three main ways that switches can be connected to a computer: You will need to check that the program you are buying can work with the connection devices that you use.

Serial switches: These connect through a box that connects to the Serial Communication Ports at the back of your computer. The sockets are usually described in the program set up as Com 1 and Com 2.
Keyboard switches: These can be connected through a device that plugs into the keyboard socket of your computer, to which you also connect your keyboard. A switch action in then 'mapped' to a key on the keyboard. When switches are being used, this key, or key combination, is not available as a program function. You can also buy keyboards that have switch sockets.

You can also use these keys on the keyboard as an alternative to the switches. This is particularly useful when making switching environments in Writing with Symbols 2000.
Mouse switches: These switches connect to the mouse socket of your computer. They act in the same way as pressing a mouse button. There are special mice that also have switch sockets.

Most programs can be used with one or two switches.

Single Switch:
In single switch access each choice is highlighted in turn, and the use will press a switch to make a selection. The item highlighted when the switch is pressed determines the next action. In a program like Making Tracks or Choices, a rectangular 'box' cursor will scan round the various options.

Two Switch:
In two switch actions one switch will control a scanning cursor or selection mechanism, and the other switch is used to choose whatever is highlighted by the cursor.

Choosing single or two-switch action
Apart from requiring two different switch movements, the advantage of two-switch use is that it is not dependent upon the user having good timing control.

Single switch is quite difficult to master. It requires a good understanding of what is happening, and reasonable ability to control pressing the switch. When starting to use a switch you should either choose software that has a single action sequence (i.e. no choices) or alternatively, set the switch control to two switch, and share the switch use.

Overlay keyboards

An overlay keyboard is a device that plugs into your computer. An overlay 'driver' program receives pre-programmed messages from the board just as if they were made by typing from the keyboard. The 'driver' then sends them to your program. This device is suitable for use with most programs that operate from the keyboard. We have only listed overlay keyboard by those programs that can sensibly be used to advantage with one of these boards.

The boards are supplied with Editing programs which let you assign messages to different areas of the board, so that when the board is pressed, the entire message is sent to the application. You will also need to make a paper overlay that sits on the board to tell the use where to press for each message. The easiest editing program to use in conjunction with Writing with Symbols 2000 is Windows Concept Plus (From the Advisory unit, Hatfield). There is a help sheet which you can get from Widgit or the Advisory Unit, that gives advice on doing this.

To see the access options for each program click here

Widgit

Software Solutions for Inclusion

Input Devices