Discover:Switch
by Gerry Kennedy
For PC Compatibles/Windows 95 and Apple Macintosh Computers
Discover:Switch from Don Johnston
The popular switch access product, Discover:Switch, formerly available only on Apple Macintosh, is now available for PC Compatibles running MS Windows 95. Discover:Switch (D:S) is a combination of a large, colourful button-switch, an interface that connects into the keyboard port (either AT or PS/2 connector) and Ke:nx software. Discover:Switch has TruVoice 5.1, which is a high quality speech output technology that provides male or female voices for use with auditory scanning. Anything that a mouse and keyboard, you can do with D:S.
In special or inclusive settings, Discover:Switch can be set to automatically launch at start up. Essentially, students with special needs can work alongside peers and siblings, as their keyboard and mouse are still active. This promotes inclusion and equity. Teachers, aides, parents and carers can direct and work co-actively in directing, assisting or providing extra help for students. Adult users can work totally independently as their arrays can be set up, customised or altered to accommodate skills, abilities, preferences and needs. Discover:Switch is easy to set up, use learn and use for all users of all abilities.
Ease of Use
Users need only press the large button-switch or connect their own switch(es) into D:S. Teachers and carers need only attach the Discover:Switch into their keyboard connector and then attach the keyboard into D:S. The software application is quick and fuss free to install on MS Windows 95 and on Apple Macintosh. Directions are simple and clear and conform to current standards. After registering your software, you re-start the computer. Then, you’re ready to work.
Why Discover:Switch?
The highly acclaimed “Ke:nx” suite of products that have been empowering clients with physical disabilities for many years, has been logically divided up into specific products. The Ke:nx solution offered schools and adult centres, as well as individuals, the capacity to connect switches, enlarged and mini keyboards, as well as other devices, to their Macintosh computer. Many centres and users who only required switch input requested that the Ke:nx be made more specific in it’s implementation, thus, Discover:Switch. This new device caters specifically to users who only use one or two switches.
Discover:Switch provides users with opportunities to work, learn, play and interact with others on their PC. Students and adult clients can now use the same software as their peers. They can access the Internet, word processor, use productivity software (i.e. spreadsheets, databases, display 
packages such as MS PowerPoint), play adventure or arcade games, program or use multimedia applications, in fact, use their preferred software. Young children or clients beginning to learn how to switch can access a large number of cause-and-effect programs. Advanced users access the row/column/group scanning arrays that come packaged with D:S. In addition, you can create your own arrays using pre-defined templates. Don Johnston, experts in this field for many years, has developed an affordable solution that is robust, well engineered and has many practical and time-saving features. It provides users with appropriate and elegant access to their PC.
On MS Windows 95, the recently released D:S automatically attaches to your favourite programs. You assign an array to an application. Or, when you launch your favourite program or game, D:S prompts you to either attach an array, keep the current array, attach no array or prompt next time you use the software. It is so easy, even for novices! It is quick, intuitive and powerful, with minimal fuss and bother. The user manual is well written with clearly described procedures for setting up getting started and using D:S.
How It Works
Discover:Switch displays a keyboard on the computer screen. The specified array has either text, pictographs (you can use Compic), pictures, graphics, scanned images, icons, sound effects, speech and even music, displayed in a grid. This provides choices for text entry in writing, number entry in maths software or when using calculators. Users can interact and control educational, leisure and communication software. Users are able to co-actively or independently navigate software, enter strings of text, move and manipulate objects as well as access menus, dialogue boxes and game options. The arrays you choose determine the level of functionality and control. You are able to customise or create arrays that accommodate a user’s vision, cognition, switch abilities and needs. Or, it can simply be a case of pressing a switch (or two) to learn cause-and-effect in Don Johnston switch programs, as well as in many other software packages from the Spectronics’ catalogue.
For many children in schools, it also means accessing popular educational software packages such as the Broderbund Living Books titles, or Edmark programs such as Millie’s Math House and Thinkin’ Things. The choices in these programs are highlighted automatically. When the choice is highlighted, students press D:S. To make it even easier, you can turn on Auditory Scanning and it tells the student what the choices are. Successful switching can be introduced at all levels of ability. Error free arrays can be designed to encourage users to use their switch more frequently, with increased reaction time and/or with greater accuracy. Increased exposure to cause-and-effect allows students to become more confident and proficient switch users. Discover:Switch is flexible, user friendly and has so many innovative software features. It caters to beginners and to expert switch users of all ages and abilities. The high quality male and female voices cater to both children and adults.
Using Discover:Switch
You can nominate to have D:S launch at start-up or turn it off (especially in situations where multiple users access the computer). When you press your switch, it “shows” you an array on the monitor. Arrays can be customised and changed at any time. An icon appears on the Task Bar in Windows 95. On the Macintosh, an extra menu appears at the top of the screen, named Discover. From this menu, you can change settings such as the voice and speed. The scanning rate can be set to very slow or very fast. The pre-designed arrays can be edited and new ones created. Pictographs such as Compic can replace the ones used in the packaged arrays so that you localise the content. Each “cell” can have text or pictures displayed, with the content spoken in a synthesized voice or a human voice, which you record using a microphone and assign to that cell. The computer can receive a letter, a number, a punctuation mark, a string of text, a macro (a series of commands) or a mouse action. To enable easier navigation (e.g. in the operating system or in a browser such as Internet Explorer) you can set Smart Markers. You assign markers to specific “hot spots” on the screen. Users can then efficiently “jump” their pointer to these areas of the screen to save time and effort. Multiple markers can be set to any program or screen. This feature is very important, especially in accessing dialogue boxes and pop-up menus.
In Preferences, you are able to set switch settings to cater to individual needs. The Mouse Speed, Switch Response Time and Repeat Rate settings can be changed to match abilities and reaction time. The Scan Method includes 1 Switch, 2 Switches, Ongoing, Step or Inverse Switching. The Speech and/or Click Feedback can be turned off or on at any time, as with Auditory Scanning. These features assist and help direct users who are vision impaired, as well as support users who require auditory information. The Auditory Cue can be heard as a beep or as speech. You select a male or a female re-recorded voice. The Scanning Cycle option has up to 9 cycles.
Discover:Switch is a robust, quality product. Dozens of ready-made files can be attached to many popular programs and applications (such as Word Pad, Co:Writer, KidPix). The talking files are ideal for multisensory learning. A graphic library of 500 graphics is included. The support materials and instructions are professionally written. Setting up your total switch solution is an enjoyable experience, using Discover:Switch. In summary, Don Johnston provides you with everything you need!