AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

4.7.2. Computer access with additional equipment
There are numerous technological options and combinations for people who use AAC
to access computer equipment. The participants described some of the ways they
achieved access to mainstream computer technology. Nicholas uses a series of
switches to control a computer.
Amanda: and how do you use Facebook, do you use it on your talker?
Nicholas: No
Amanda: No
[not consecutive]
Nicholas: No, “eight of special switches eight of”
Amanda: Oo, could you play that again
Nicholas: Yeah “special switches eight of (unintelligible)”
Amanda: special switches aid the ho, what did?
SLT: eight, Nicholas can I just have a quick peek at that last word (SLT looks
at VOCA screen)
Amanda: That last word was a bit difficult to understand
SLT: Special switches eight at home (reading from screen)
Amanda: Ah right okay
SLT: Does that mean they are at home Nicholas
Nicholas: Yeah
SLT: Ah, you’ve left your switches at home
Nicholas: yeah
Amanda: Ah but you would have special switches to use a computer
Nicholas: Yeah
Another option is to use a VOCA to remotely control a computer as demonstrated by
Will via a Bluetooth connection,
Amanda: So in fact, you’re not restricted to just your home computer because
for instance coming here you can go on any computer ‘cos your
communication aid is like a controller and then the Bluetooth allows you to go
onto any computer
Will: ‘yes’ (raises brows)
Fieldnotes
Will has full control of the mouse and can type in anything he wants using the
keyboard on his VOCA
Nancy and Sean use a similar system except they control a remote computer via a
USB cable connected to their VOCAs
Amanda: would you mind just showing me how you do it would that, is that
something you wouldn’t mind
Nancy: “need my cable to computer”
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