iDevice Strategies

iPad, iPhone and iPod accessories and apps for persons with disabilities. iDevices such as Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch are the hottest consumer technology products on the market today. While thousands of applications have been written for nearly every conceivable situation, persons with disabilities have fewer opportunities than most to enjoy the newest in iDevice computing. With that in mind, AbleNet is committed to introducing—and continuing to grow—its line of iDevice access products.

What iDevice do you do want to control?
What app or function do you want to control?
How are you going to access the iDevice - direct or external switch(es)?
Does the iDevice and/or external switches need to be mounted?
Do you need accessories for sound output, recording, or protection while on the go?

Common Situations
Situation 1 Read More	I'd like my daughter to use my iPod Touch as a communication device while we're out in the community. She really loves it, but I'm worried it will be to hard to hold onto and use at the restaurant, grocery store, and doctor's office.
Situation 2 Read More	I'd like to be able to use my iPad while I'm in my wheelchair, but holding onto it means that I can't use both hands to move my chair.
Situation 3 Read More	We have an iPad in our classroom, and our special education students love to use it. However, we have two students who need switch access with the SoundingBoard™ app. It would be great if it were easy to set up for all to access easily.

Situation 1

I'd like my daughter to use my iPod Touch as a communication device while we're out in the community. She really loves it, but I'm worried it will be to hard to hold onto and use at the restaurant, grocery store, and doctor's office.

Applied Methodology

Apple iPod Touch
Her favorite AAC communication application
Direct access (touch)
iPod Touch needs to be stable "on the go"
Sound output would be a great addition, but protection is most important

AT Solution

Body Mount (Arm)
The arm mount is a great solution for easy access
Learn More

iMainGo X
Portable Speakers Provides protection as well as sound output in a convenient carrying case.
Learn More

Situation 2

I'd like to be able to use my iPad while I'm in my wheelchair, but holding onto it means that I can't use both hands to move my chair.

Applied Methodology

Apple iPad
All my favorite apps
Direct access
Leg mounting
None necessary

AT Solution

Body Mount (Leg)
Keeps your iPad secure and quickly accessible while you're in your chair or at your desk.
Learn More

Situation 3

We have an iPad in our classroom, and our special education students love to use it. However, we have two students who need switch access with the SoundingBoard™ app. It would be great if it were easy to set up for all to access easily.

Applied Methodology

Apple iPad
SoundingBoard™
Switch Access (dual switch ideally)
Basic tabletop mounting
Additional speakers

AT Solution

Communication board app for iPhone, iPad, iTouch

SoundingBoard™
Easy to use and easy to configure AAC app
Learn More

bluetooth switch for disabled communication

Blue2™ Bluetooth® Switch
Provides single or dual switch access to SoundingBoard.
Learn More

TableTop iPad mount
Ultra-stable iPad mounting.
Learn More

Mini Speakers
Great sound in a small package!
Learn More

iDevice Access

iDevices are intended to be used with touches, swipes and taps; making it difficult if not impossible for people with certain disabilities to use the device. AbleNet provides access solutions that give the user the ability to use one or two switches to operate an app on the iDevice.

iDevice Access Solutions
AbleNet iDevice access solutions enable a user the ability to access their app without the need to touch the screen of the iDevice. Remember, not all apps are accessible through these alternative methods of access and it is important to verify that your access solution will work with your iDevice and app.

Blue2™ Bluetooth® Wireless Switch
Blue2 connects to your iDevice via a wireless Bluetooth connection. It’s simple to setup, easy to use and durable. Use as a single or dual switch with your favorite switch accessible apps. This solutions is compatible with the iPad, iPhone 3GS and 4, and iPod Touch 3rd and 4th Generation.

More Information on Blue2

Hook™ and any AbleNet Wired Switch
Hook gives you switch access to the music library on an iPod. Simply connect Hook to your iPod and plug in your favorite AbleNet wired switch and you will have the ability to play, pause, skip forward, skip backward and change the volume of any song or audiobook in your music playlist. This solution is compatible with the iPod Touch 3rd and 4th Generation, iPod Nano 5th and 6th Generation, and iPhone 3GS and 4.

More Information on Hook

Hitch™, any AbleNet Wired Switch and the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit
With the use of the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit, you can connect Hitch to your iPad via a USB connection. Hitch allows you to use any of AbleNet’s wired switches like the Big Red®, Jelly Bean® or Specs® Switch. This solution is compatible with the iPad.

More Information on Hitch

More Information on AbleNet Wired Switches

Freehand™ and the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit
By touching your thumb to any of your four fingers or any of your four fingers to your palm, you can operate a switch accessible app. This solution is compatible with the iPad.

More Information on Freehand

Switch Click USB and the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit
With the use of the Apple iPad Camera Connection kit, you can connect the Switch Click to your iPad via a USB connection. Switch Click acts as a single switch and allows you operate a switch accessible app that only requires a single switch. This solution is compatible with the iPad.

More Information on Switch Click USB

iDevice Mounting

Whether you need access to an iDevice on a wheelchair, at a table or desk, or on the go, you can count on AbleNet to find the right solution for your needs.

iDevice Mounting Solutions
AbleNet iDevice mounting solutions are durable and designed to be used in a variety of different applications.

Tabletop Suction Mount for iPad
This product provides strong and stable mounting for your iPad in either portrait or landscape orientation. The cradle securely holds the iPad steady while it’s in use and still provides access to all controls and jacks.

Tabletop Suction Mounts for iPhone and iPod Touch
Quickly position your Apple® iPhone or iPod Touch with this 6-inch flexible arm. The twist lock suction base secures to almost any flat surface. The cradle makes it easy to insert and remove your device and still provides access to all controls and jacks.

Arm Mount for the iPhone and iPod Touch
Use your iPhone or iPod Touch on the go! The arm mount for iPhone and iPod Touch includes two adjustable straps for tight support.

Leg Mount for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
Perfect for wheelchair use! The leg mount for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch includes two adjustable straps for tight support.

Latitude™ Mounting System for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
The Latitude Mounting System provides an ideal balance of strength, durability and flexibility. The Latitude ARM makes it easy to handle just about any mounting challenge. Quick release levers allow for easy positioning or adjustment without tools. Easily mount to any surface a Super Clamp can grab ahold of!

View Latitude Mount for iPod Touch or iPhone

Universal Mounting System for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch

Universal Mounting System (USMS) for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
This strong, reliable mounting system is designed for fast, easy and secure placement of an iDevice. The arm extends to 20½-inches and clamps onto most flat or tubular surfaces, such as tabletops and wheelchairs. Comes in a friction knob or lever version.

View USMS Lever Mount for iPad

View USMS Friction Knob Mount for iPod Touch or iPhone

View USMS Lever Mount for iPod Touch or iPhone

Gooseneck Mounting System for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
This flexible Gooseneck mounting system allows for easy mounting and positioning of an iDevice onto most flat or tublular surfaces, such as tabletops and wheelchairs. The gooseneck reaches 19-inches.

View Gooseneck Mount for iPod Touch or iPhone

iDevice Apps

Apps are what transform a simple iDevice into a powerful learning, communication or productivity tool. Unfortunately, not all apps are created with accessibility in mind. To help make the most of your iDevice, we’ve compiled a list of apps that are compatible with AbleNet’s Blue2™ Bluetooth® switch.

iDevice Apps
The following apps are compatible with AbleNet's Blue2™ Bluetooth® Switch.

SoundingBoard 3.1.1
SoundingBoard transforms your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into the latest in communication technology. In just minutes, you can create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own photos. Perfect for children in special education, persons on the autism spectrum, and adults with disabilities.

View on iTunes

Aunty Maggies Recipe
Brew your own potion with Aunty Maggie. First choose a character then ingredients to add to the cauldron to see what effect your potion has! Small targets and multiple choices make this activity suitable those wanting to practice touch accuracy or learn to make choices.

View on iTunes

Catch the Cow
Catch the Cow helps children and adults with physical disabilities, to learn to select pictures using a scanning device. It allows teachers, clinicians or parents to assess whether a user can learn beginning skills for choice making.

View on iTunes

Five Sharks Swimming
Have fun with this counting song whilst learning about numbers one to five. The song and animation stop at the end of the verse and a simple touch of the screen will continue the counting song. Encourages attention, listening and participation.

View on iTunes

Peeping Musicians
Designed to encourage early looking/observation skills and basic touch targeting. Watch for the musician as they ‘peep’ from the top, bottom or side of the screen. Simply touch them to make them move centre stage and play a piece of music. There are 20 different characters and instruments to find.

View on iTunes

RadSounds
RadSounds is the world's greatest cause/effect music program for special needs learners. You can customize your playlist by recording or singing new music to your iPad, importing from your iPad's music library, or use the many great songs that we provide, from many types. There is Momentary mode, where the music plays for only the time you hold your finger on the iPad, Timed mode, where the music plays for a specified number of seconds upon each activation, or an advanced mode where the user chooses songs by cycling through their playlist.

View on iTunes

Smarty Pants
Large animated expressions, gestures and silly faces make this simple choosing activity a fun way to explore feelings, emotions and encourage imitation. Pick a character then choose an expression for him or her to act out. There are four characters to choose from.

View on iTunes

Switch Kids
Switch Kids is a fun switch-accessible program to introduce kids to the wonders of using a computer. Switch Kids teaches simple cause and effect, multiple-choice cause and effect, and a variation we call "cause and effect with a goal".

View on iTunes