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View procedures for creating IntelliPics overlay PDF |
These procedures can be used to make overlays to correspond to any storybook program. Children can then interact with characters and objects and can turn the page in the Living Books and other story software by pressing areas on the IntelliKeys.
Educators and families can design curriculum activities around children's individual needs , children's interests or classroom themes. Pictures and words can be inserted to relate to experiences in the classroom or communication needs, such as "I want to eat." The IntelliPics software has many features, including a large picture library and options for adding animation, text, voices, and changing the size of images on the screen. An overlay of pets or animals can be created to encourage children to talk about their pets or to create a story about animals.
Digital pictures of animals children see in their own backyard can be the basis of an IntelliPics activity and accompanying overlay.
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View curriculum activity- IntelliPics Backyard Animals PDF |
An early childhood classroom created this activity based on their favorite story, The Gingerbread Man. The children chose clip art pictures and the teacher animated them and recorded the children's voices as the characters in the story.
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View Sensory Play PDF |
A variety of activities and overlays for all ages and for either Macintosh or Windows systems can be downloaded from the Activity Exchange on the IntelliTools website.
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View Intellitools |
Discover:KenxAnother option for alternative input is Discover:Kenx, available from Don Johnston, Inc. This device is an adaptive interface which allows the user to access any commercial software through switch, Key Largo, or adapted keyboard. The input box contains three holes for switch input and a connection for Key Largo. Software which comes with Discover:Kenx contains set-ups for using a switch and an alternate keyboard or Key Largo with several popular commercial programs. Switch software can be used by turning on Discover:Kenx, starting the computer, then opening the Discover:Kenx set-up named “Macintosh Switch.” This set-up can be used with programs already designed for switch use. After the set-up is selected, the software application can be opened. A switch can then be inserted in one of the holes on the input box.
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View Discover products from Madentec http://www.madentec.com/products/ |
Discover:Kenx can also be used with Key Largo (a software program) with customized overlays. Children can start with a simple overlay which allows them to turn the page in a storybook program. They can later advance to overlays with communication choices or choices for different options in a program. The overlay is designed to meet the needs of the individual child.
See the Emergent Literacy Workshop for an example of an overlay designed for Just Grandma and Me.
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View Emergent Literacy Workshop - Overlay |
Several adapted devices are available which simplify the movements needed to operate a mouse. These devices usually resemble a mouse in some form, however an adaptation has been made to make the device accessible by more children. The following are a few of the devices available.
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SAM - Trackball (Switch Adapted Mouse) http://www.rjcooper.com/sam-trackball/index.html |
This device functions as a mouse and a switch interface and can be used with any software. There is a PC, Macintosh, and USB version of this device. SAM is also available as a Joystick.
The EasyBall is a large trackball-style mouse with one click button made for the PC computer. It is designed for use by young children so it is a colorful and sturdy device. EasyBall is a Microsoft product, but is distributed by a variety of companies.
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http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/pcproto/MicrosoftEasyball.html |
There are a number of devices which have a trackball feature. These devices may not be suitable for younger children since they often required more complex movements to operate. However a simple version of this device may match some children's abilities. An evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate input method for an individual child.
The following examples represent two of the possibilities in this category.
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Penny & Giles Rollerball Light and Trackball Plus- available for Windows, Macintosh and USB. Look under "Mouse Alternatives". http://www.donjohnston.com/products/access_solutions/hardware/index.html |
There are a variety of adjustable mounts and arms to hold specific devices in place for the user. Selection of the appropriate positioning device will depend on an assessment of the user's needs and the requirements of the alternate input device.
The following are examples of some of the positioning devices available. See their websites for further information.
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Ablenet http://www.ablenetinc.com |
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Articulating Arm http://www.rjcooper.com/articulating-arm/index.html |
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View RJ Cooper Device Alterations http://rjcooper.com/site-map/ |
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Portable Communication Devices |
Overlays