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Overview
- Overview
- Touch
- Eye gaze
- Mouse dwell
- Scanning
What are AAC access methods/selection methods?
People with disabilities often need to interact with technology in non-standard ways. In particular, those with limited or no use of their hands often struggle to use computers, mobile phones, browse the internet, communicate and more. Access methods is a term that describes the alternative options to access and control such tools. This is also sometimes referred to as selection methods.
What are the different types of access methods?
The most commonly used access methods for high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) are touch, eye gaze, mouse dwell, and scanning. Each of these access methods can be customised to meet individual needs.
Touch
Touch access refers to the activation of an object, such as a picture communication symbol, keyboard letter, word or picture by touching a finger or other hand/body part to a screen. Many people also use keyguards—plastic plates secured to the top of a device screen—to help guide their finger in making a precise selection. The touch access method is ideal for those who are able to touch the screen fairly quickly and accurately, such as autistic people.
Eye gaze
Eye gaze access, also known as eye tracking or gaze interaction, enables a person to control a computer with their eyes instead of using a traditional keyboard, mouse or touch screen. Many people using eye gaze devices also use mounts to attach them to wheelchairs, tabletops and other surfaces for more successful access. The eye gaze access method is ideal for people with conditions such as cerebral palsy or ALS/MND, that make it difficult to use their hands to control a device.
Mouse dwell
Mouse dwell access enables standard mouse actions (click, drag, scroll) with alternative tools such as a track ball, stylus, joystick, and head-controlled mouse. It is ideal for people with the physical ability to move a standard mouse but have difficulty pressing down on a mouse button. They can instead use their chosen tool to hold the cursor on a screen object for a specific amount of time (also known as dwelling).
Scanning
Scanning access enables a person to select a screen object in two steps. First, a cursor moves across a screen, highlighting options. Next, a person selects their desired option using a switch (known as switch scanning), a keyboard or a mouse. The scanning access method is a good option for people whose motor skills may prevent them from using other selection methods.
How to choose the right AAC access method
We offer downloadable, printable resources to help clinicians screen for their clients’ access needs, learn more about access methods, and educate others about this topic.
Which access methods are available on Tobii Dynavox AAC devices?
Tobii Dynavox communication solutions are multi-access, meaning they are designed to work with multiple access methods.
Touch
Eye gaze
Mouse dwell
Scanning
TD I-Series
TD Pilot
TD Navio
TD I-110
PCEye
How does the touch access method work?
The touch access method refers to the selection of a symbol or keyboard letter by touching the screen of a high-tech communication device with a finger. There are several different types of touch access, with the three most common being: touch, touch enter and touch exit, making it possible to customise interaction based on the AAC user’s motor control and cognitive abilities.
Touch
Touch is the default method and refers to a simple tap to make a selection on the screen. A person taps a symbol or letter on their AAC device once to select it.
Touch enter
Touch enter requires touching and holding a symbol or letter button on an AAC device screen for a set amount of time before the selection is made.
Touch exit
Touch exit requires touching and holding a symbol or letter button on the screen and the selection is made only when the finger is released.
How does the eye gaze access method work?
The eye gaze access method (also referred to as eye tracking or gaze interaction) refers to the selection of a symbol, keyboard letter or function by controlling the screen of a communication device with a person’s eyes.
How does the mouse dwell access method work?
The mouse dwell access method is designed for people who can maneuver a mouse but have trouble pressing a mouse button. Mouse dwell access refers to an alternate way to select targets using tools such as a joystick, trackball, headmouse, etc. The AAC user locates their target and dwells on it for a specified amount of time to make their selection without requiring an additional step. Another option is to activate a switch or button to make the selection instead of dwelling.
Which selection tools work with mouse dwell access?
We offer a selection of high quality, third-party dwell access selection tools, including:
- head-controlled mouse
- stylus
- trackball
- joystick
- switch (as an alternative to dwell)
How does the scanning access method work?
The scanning access method refers to the process of an AAC user selecting highlighted objects on an AAC device screen in two steps. When they highlight content on the screen, they can make a selection using a tool such as a switch (known as switch scanning), a mouse, or a keyboard.
How do switches work with scanning?
There are a number of different ways that switch scanning can work with high-tech AAC solutions, depending on a person’s abilities and preferences. A switch, like a keyboard or mouse , is an external tool connected to a communication device. It can be used to make a selection in tandem with scanning. Switches are available in different shapes and sizes and can be used with various body parts, including hands, knees or a person’s head.
Tobii Dynavox offers a selection of high quality, third-party scanning selection tools, including wobble switches, Bluetooth-enabled switches and more to help people use the switch scanning method with our devices and our TD Snap app.
What is unique about the switch scanning access method?
The switch scanning method is highly customisable within Tobii Dynavox software, with settings, methods, and tools that vary widely:
- customised settings such as auditory scanning, group scanning, and visual feedback are available
- switch scanning methods can be personalised with options such as step scanning, automatic scanning, and inverse scanning