Using a Switch with Clicker 5
by Penny McCulloch, August 2007
To use Clicker 5 with switches, it is recommended that you use the Crick USB Switch Interface. This is set up to work automatically with Clicker 5. (It is also possible to configure this switch box to operate other switch based software programs.)
This interface box is also designed to work seamlessly with other Crick software products such as the many ready-made resources for Clicker 5 as well as ClozePro and JigWorks.
Clicker 5 also supports the following switch interfaces: IntelliSwitch, JoyCable 2 and IntelliKeys USB. See below for our how-to guide to set these up for Clicker 5.
Why can’t I just use any switch interface with Clicker 5?
Most switch boxes work by sending key presses to the computer – essentially, they pretend to be a keyboard sending in key presses. For example, a box may send Space and Enter to control a particular piece of software. There is nothing wrong with this – Crick Software’s own switch interface works like this when it is accessing other software. However, Clicker 5 includes the word processor, Clicker Writer. If a switch box that sends Space and Enter is supported, then those key presses would get sent into Clicker Writer each time you pressed a switch. This is clearly not what you would want – your document would be full of spaces and empty lines!
Using the keyboard to activate switch scanning
It is possible to make selections from grid sets in Clicker 5 using the keyboard keys F7 (select) and F8 (move), Esc (exit cell group).
Using IntelliKeys USB as a switch interface
Because the IntelliKeys USB surface and switch sockets can be programmed to control keyboard keys, commands, contain text and pictures among other things, the device can be used to access switch scanning in Clicker 5. Overlays can be created using Overlay Maker.
(See Help sheet entitled Scanning Access to Clicker 5 using IntelliKeys USB)
Using IntelliSwitch as a switch interface
IntelliSwitch is an easy to use, flexible switch interface. It has five switch ports and wireless connection to the computer. Using driver software, the switch ports can be configured to over 25 presets. It can be used as a switch interface with Clicker 5. For more information, see Help Sheet entitled Using IntelliSwitch with Clicker 5.
Using JoyCable 2 USB switch adaptor
The JoyCable 2 USB switch interface can be used with Clicker 5. The JoyCable 2 enables you to plug up to two switches into your PC via a USB port. It comes with Sensory’s Switch Driver software. The driver allows you to customise the functions of switches 1 and 2. It includes a small number of presets that can be set to become active when the associated software program is loaded.
It is possible to use the JoyCable with Clicker 5 in single switch or dual switch mode with a default user and the preset as “none”. You simply need to make sure that the switch setup is set to Joystick (USB). The Sensory Driver software does have a preset for Clicker. However this was created for Clicker 4. As Clicker 5 has different keyboard equivalents for operating the switches (F7 and F8), it is necessary to edit the switch functions to correspond with these.
Switch scanning options in Clicker 5
Single and two switch scanning
You can choose between having no special access method selected or opting for ‘single switch auto scan’ or ‘two switch user scan’.
- Go to Options
- Choose User Access
- Choose Single Switch Auto Scan or Two Switch User Scan
Within the User Access section, you have a lot of control over what the switches do. These features can be edited to suit the user’s needs:
- Timing
- Highlighting
- Sound
- Functions of Switches
Editing options are access by selecting the Edit box to the right in the User Access window.
Switch Timing
Highlighting
Sounds
Switch Actions
