Scanning is a technique (sometimes referred to as Single Switch)
used to give users with severe physical disabilities
computer access. Software that supports scanning has the ability
to move a pointer from one "clickable" item to another automatically.
When the software receives an event it "clicks" on that item. The
event is typically generated by physical switches mounted near the user
so that they can trigger it with whatever mobility they have.
For example, a user with a severe spinal injury may only be able to
move from the neck up. A switch might be mounted beside their head
so they can tilt their head sideways to hit it. A therapist would
setup the switch, and start a software program scanning. The user
can then control the software by tilting their head to hit the switch whenever
the pointer is over the item they want to click on (see right).
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Scanning is supported by many programs. Some titles are standard
applications where scanning can be enabled as an option. For example,
most (perhaps all) of Edmark's educational games support scanning.
Other titles are specific to the needs of the physically disabled community.
A good example of this is Discover/Kenx by Don Johnston. Kenx provides
a set of context specific dialog boxes that provide full control of the
Windows interface. When the software receives an event, it puts up
a dialog box tuned for the current application, and scans through it's
options. A second event triggers the current option. For example,
if the user is running a word processing application, the software will
put up a dialog that scans through an on-screen keyboard (see above)
so that the user can type a character.
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