Expert Assistive Technology users have an ongoing collaborative relationship with Product Design students from DIT and with Engineering and Computer Science students from Purdue University. This year, we have seen some very positive progress in the development of two AT solutions: a ‘Bus Buddy’ solution to enable individuals who are blind to alert an oncoming bus to stop, and a wheelchair rain cover, fully accessible to the wheelchair user. Rudimentary prototypes have been developed and work is ongoing. We are optimistic that one or both projects will result in a fully working solution over the coming two years. The expertise of the AT users has been central to the development of both these projects, and feedback from all participants has been very positive so far.

You may have heard about or seen photos of Enable Irelands fantastic “No Limits” Garden at this year’s Bloom festival. Some of you were probably even lucky enough to have actually visited it in the Phoenix Park over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend.  In order to support visitors but also to allow those who didn’t get the chance to go share in some of the experience we put together a “No Limits” Bloom 2017 Grid. If you use the Grid (2 or 3) from Sensory software, or you know someone who does and you would like to learn more about the range of plants used in Enable Ireland’s garden you can download and install it by following the instructions below.

How do I install this Grid?

If you are using the Grid 3 you can download and install the Bloom 2017 Grid without leaving the application. From Grid explorer:

• Click on the Menu Bar at the top of the screen
• In the top left click the + sign (Add Grid Set)
• A window will open (pictured below). In the bottom corner click on the Online Grids button (you will need to be connected to the Internet).

• If you do not see the Bloom2017 Grid in the newest section you can either search for it (enter Bloom2017 in the search box at the top right) or look in the Interactive learning or Education Categories.

If you are using the Grid 2 or you want to install this Grid on a computer or device that is not connected to the Internet then you can download the Grid set at the link below. You can then add it to the Grid as above except select Grid Set File tab and browse to where you have the Grid Set saved.

For Grid 2 users:

• Download Grid Set at the link below.
• From Grid Explorer use the Open grid bundle option in the task panel on the left.
• Browse to file downloaded.

Download Bloom 2017 Grid here https://grids.sensorysoftware.com/en/k-43/bloom2017

Sample of apps

HelpKidzLearn apps

HelpKidzLearn have created motivational Apps specifically for children and designed to meet a range of special educational needs including switch access for those with physical disabilities. These apps are available for iOS and Android.  http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/apps .  Some of these apps are free to download.

HelpKidzLearn online learning

HelpKidzLearn also have an online learning area for Special Education

You can register for a ‘Free User’ account (applies to Games & Activities only) or you can choose to purchase either ‘1 User’, ‘5 User’, or ‘Site’ subscription. A subscription lasts for a period of 12 months.

There is a range of accessible software, enabling children of all abilities to play.  The Games & Activities cannot be downloaded onto your computer, as they can only be played online via the HelpKidzLearn website.  You can use HelpKidzLearn on most Windows/Android based tablets providing they support Flash.

This activity introduces scanning with one or two switches. Can you load the truck? Be careful not to upset the truck driver!

Wait for the truck to stop, then use a switch (Spacebar) to move the load along the crane, and a second switch (Enter) to drop the load.

A simple cause and effect activity. Simply touch the screen or press a switch to advance the animated story step by step. With simple clear graphics, this inclusive activity has been designed to provide an opportunity for discussion and the development of everyday vocabulary associated with using an underground subway.

Available here as Accessible-Apps-Games-and-Toys (pdf) and Accessible-Apps-Games-and-Toys(Word document)

Love it or hate it, the game of Minecraft has captured the imagination of over 100 million of young, and not so young people. It is available on multiple platforms; mobile device (Pocket Edition), Raspberry Pi, Computer, Xbox or PlayStation and it looks and feels pretty much the same on all. For those of us old enough to remember, the blocky graphics will hold some level of nostalgia for the bygone 8 Bit days when mere blobs of colour and our imagination were enough to render Ghosts and Goblins vividly. This is almost certainly lost on the main cohort of Minecraft players however who would most probably be bored silly with the 2 dimensional repetitive and predictable video games of the 80’s and early 90’s. The reason Minecraft is such a success is that it has blended its retro styling with modern gameplay and a (mind bogglingly massive) open world where no two visits are the same and there is room for self-expression and creativity. This latter quality has lead it to become the first video game to be embraced by mainstream education, being used as a tool for teaching everything from history to health or empathy to economics. It is however the former quality, the modern gameplay, that we are here to talk about. Unlike the afore mentioned Ghosts and Goblins, Minecraft is played in a 3 dimensional world using either the first person perspective (you see through the characters eyes) or third person perspective (like a camera is hovering above and slightly behind the character). While undoubtedly offering a more immersive and realistic experience, this means controlling the character and playing the game is also much more complex and requires a high level of dexterity in both hands to be successful. For people without the required level of dexterity this means that not only is there a risk of social exclusion, being unable to participate in an activity so popular among their peers, but also the possibility of being excluded within an educational context.

Fortunately UK based charity Special Effect have recognised this need and are in the process doing something about it. Special Effect are a charity dedicated to enabling those with access difficulties play video games through custom access solutions. Since 2007 their interdisciplinary team of clinical and technical professionals (and of course gamers) have been responsible for a wide range of bespoke solutions based on individuals’ unique abilities and requirements. Take a look at this page for some more information on the work they do and to see what a life enhancing service they provide. The problem with this approach of course is reach, which is why their upcoming work on Minecraft is so exciting. Based on the Open Source eyegaze AAC/Computer Access solution Optikey by developer Julius Sweetland, Special Effect are in the final stages of developing an on-screen Minecraft keyboard that will work with low cost eye trackers like the Tobii Eye X and the Tracker 4C (€109 and €159 respectively).

Figure 1 The main MineCraft keyboard

Figure 2 The inventory keyboard

Currently being called ‘Minekey’ this solution will allow Minecraft to be played totally hands free making the game accessible to many of those who have been excluded up until now. They were kind enough to let us trial a beta version of the software and although I’m no Minecraft expert it seemed to work great. The finished software will offer a choice of onscreen controls, one with smaller buttons and more functionality for expert eyegaze users (pictured above) and a more simplified version with larger targets. Bill Donegan, Projects Manager with Special Effect told us they hope to have it completed and available to download for free by the end of the year. I’m sure this news that will excite many people out there who had written off Minecraft as something just not possible for them. Keep an eye on Special Effect or ATandMe for updates on its release.

Vision:  Our vision is to be the beacon for what an accessible world could be.  

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