The Grid 2 Detail

This is software which is used on a Windows computer providing many functions for communication and computer access including:

• dynamic display communication using symbols and speech output
• dynamic display communication using using text and speech output
• alternative access to operate the computer via an on-screen keyboard, using switch/es and scanning, mouse, mouse emulation or touchscreen.
• including environmental control using GEWA Control Micro or Control Star, web browser, music player, calculator, email and SMS. (other interfaces are required for some of these functions).
• combinations of these functions can be used.

The Grid 2 for communication

The Grid 2 can be customised to suit the needs of the user. Grid pages can display as few as two squares to a 50 x 50 grid, providing 2500 cells. A number of sample pages are supplied as a starter, and pre-stored vocabularies are also available. Grids can be downloaded from the Sensory Software grid sharing site.

The Grid 2 can use any symbol library. The complete set of Widget Rebus colour symbols are included (7500 symbols). Sample symbols from a range of sets are included, however you may already have a symbol library or will use other images. Digital images and clip art can be readily incorporated into displays using the simple SCREEN CAPTURE feature of The Grid 2. This time-saving feature enables the 'capture' of a picture or picture part, from another program, from a website, in a document, or any visible image from your screen. Simply click on the ScreenCapture button. You do not even need to save the picture first, nor do you need to edit it to select just a part of it. Anything you can see on the screen can be captured. The Grid 2 makes its own copy of every picture that you choose as a image there is no need to save pictures before you use them. This also means that you can browse a CD of photos or clip art and capture images or parts of images required.

Symbol pages can be made with a wide variety of options:

• at the simplest level, a display can have cells that speak as soon as selected.
• displays can have a sentence bar at the top. Output to the sentence bar can be in large or small symbols or text only.
• a cell may be set to jump to another page, to close the display once the message has spoken and a range of other functions.

Text pages have a variety of set-ups also including:

• spelling displays with learning word prediction and word completion
• a range of useful pre-stored displays supplied
• stored phrases for easy retrieval in 'message mode'
• word power and picture word power are also available

Accessing and communication

• The Grid 2 uses mouse or mouse emulation, so a mouse can be used on a regular computer to make selections. Any computer accessing mode that emulates mouse control can be used including touch screen devices such as the Optimist 3 and Dialect 3. Most commonly The Grid 2 is used with a touch screen device or with scanning.
• The Grid 2 offers an extensive range of switch settings for one or two switch scanning, including auditory scanning. See below for further details on scanning settings. Any switch can be used.
• The Joy Port Cable, joycable or joybox must be purchased separately to permit USB switch connection.

The Grid 2 for computer access

The Grid 2 has a mode providing on-screen keyboards for people who are unable to operate the computer using the regular keyboard. Mouse, mouse emulation or switch access can be used to access any computer program including the internet. Sample grids are provided for common functions for applications such as word processing, internet explorer, mouse control, calculator, media player and also sample chat displays for communication are included. The internet explorer display includes command buttons such as 'scan links' and 'scan frames'. Any displays can be customised for individual requirements.

Accessing with The Grid 2

The Grid 2 uses mouse or mouse emulation, so a mouse can be used on a regular computer to make selections. Any computer accessing mode that emulates mouse control can be used including touch screen devices. Switch and scanning access is also an option included in The Grid 2. One, two switch or multiple scanning can be set up. The Joy Port Cable, joycable or joybox USB switch interfaces are required.

Scanning options include automatic scanning, inverse (hold to advance) and manual (tap to advance) scanning. These scan modes can be set to linear, row/column, column/row or overscan. If single switch scanning is selected, a long hold can be set to a particular function such as 'cancel'. Auditory scanning can be set to a choice of tones, an incremental tone or spoken prompts.

The Grid 2 and environmental control

The Grid is programmed with codes compatible with the GEWA range of environmental control units. This means that with a Control Micro or Control Star or Control PROG connected to the computer, The Grid 2 can be used to control appliances such as TV, DVD, air conditioning and other systems with a remote control.

System requirements

• Windows XP

notes

• upgrade from The Grid 1 available (see price list)
• The Grid 2 is only available in English
• Please enquire about The Grid 1 if you need a language other than English.