One of my earlier posts “iDevice Accessory Bonanza!”, listed Technology for Education’s as having an extensive list of accessories for iPads and iPods. It does have a great resource for iDevice accessories as does RJ Cooper who always finds an access method or adaptation for devices for individuals who are physically challenged. With that said, there is always something new to be found out on the web!
In recent questing I found the ATMac: Empowering Disabled Apple User website featuring great information on accessibility issues for Mac hardware and software products. Written by Ricky Buchanan, ATMac has great insight on accessibility issues and products from his user perspective! At ATMac, I found great information and products associated with iDevices that I would not have found in my favorite websites or feeds.
One of the recent posts on ATMac, iPad Keyguards Available , featured keyguards available for the iPad from a company called Lasered Pics. Lasered Pics has over 15 keyguards for Aug Comm Apps as well a keyguards for the standard iPad keyboard.
You will find the AAC keyguards featured on their website under the category Adaptive Technology Supplies . Here is the current list of keyguards available for AAC apps from Lasered Pics :
- Assistive Chat
- Grace
- iClick iTalk
- iMean
- My First AAC
- My Talk
- Proloquo2go with and without word prediction (3 different options)
- Sono Flex
- Speak It
- Talk Board
- Tap Speak
- Tap to Talk
- Touch Chat
- Word Power 42
Other accessories such as two different types of home button guards/strips (different from the Bub Caps) to deter fingers accessing the home button to get to their favorite app are also available.
Advice on some iPad cases that will not work with the keyguards are also offered. If you are needing a keyguard and a case for the iPad there are definitely questions to ask! Lasered Pics also has other accessories and options of Colored Acrylic options to check out
As a OT with students needing help accessing the iPad, these resources were a gold mine. Whether access to a keyboard or aug com system that certainly is a part of the services we offer. I did not see a keyguard for IntelliPad app which has word prediction and text to speech for written composition. Perhaps that will come if there is a need. I wondered if Lasered Pics makes customized keyguards upon request? Lasered Pics contact information is easily available on their website making inquiries easy.
What great resource finds – ATMac and Lasered Pics when working with individuals with physical challenges. These will be marked in my favorites! How exciting to find more accessibility options that will help the clients or students we service be successful!
Carol
OT's with Apps & Technology 
Great info thanks for sharing. I didn’t realize there was so many choices. I like the one that blocks the home button – so simple but necessary for some students. How could they do one for the Intellipad since you can make your own keyboards? I am about to write a review of that app – it is really amazing regarding the flexibility for the price.
In regards to the Intellipad app, my thought about a keyboard was not when customized but for the keyboard layout with word prediction menu available for basic word processing with the app on an iPad. It is one of the few apps I have seen that is just for word processing and not an aug com app like Predictable or Assistive Chat which has nice word prediction no document management available to print, send, etc.
I have a review posted of Intellipad app on October 22, 2011 if interested.
I am truly amazed at the peripheral equipment now available for the iPad- great to see all those keyguard options!!
Thanks for the comments. I will look forward to your review on Intellipad.
Carol
PS – Just checked out that website ATMac. Loaded with info. Nice find.
I am really happy to have stumbled upon it also!
Carol
We are using ProLoquo2go with my daughter who finds it very hard to select the right option as she has real problems with her hand co-ordination. Also when she rests palm of her hand on screen her finger pressing does not register.
We were going to buy a plastic key guard but prologue changed the setup and spacing on a new version which meant overall layout changed. Contacted by email and they have been very helpful and listened and may add in on v2 due out next year.
BUT
As a quick solution we have just started using cardboard bought from a craft store.
Cut out to size of iPad
Cut out holes for access points using a Hobby Craft Knife.
Then if using the old iPad Black cover/case that folds to back, the cardboard will slide in and be fixed in place.
Still trying to refine to get the exact sizes right but means she can rest the palm of her hand on the cardboard and iPad does not register. She then can take time to get her finger to find the right button.
Your could also use this as a solution as q quick template to insert to cover buttons you do not want people to use.
Not yet perfect but allows her to make use of Proloquo.
ALSO
Cheap to buy and easy to customise
Great idea! Tricky getting the holes the right size that is for sure. If you needed a more durable material to replace the cardboard, you could consider a material called stratacore. You can find it at Home Depot and in Wisconsin I have found it at Fleet Farm. It is a corregated cardboard. I use it for a number of other low tech AT things at school. Just a thought- good idea. Hopefully they will be creating an acyrlic keyguard soon!
Thanks for sharing!!
Carol