"Switch/Scanning" Explained

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The standard method to make selections in a Windows program is with a
computer mouse or keyboard.  You move the cursor around the screen by
moving the mouse.   When the cursor is over the item you want to activate,
you click one of the mouse buttons. 

However, if you don't have the physical ability to use a mouse or type on a
keyboard, you can use a feature included in Gus software called "switch/scanning".

How does it work?

Switch/Scanning is comprised of two parts. The "switch" is a small hardware
device (see picture below) connected to the Gus! Mouse with a short cord. It is
usually placed under a finger, toe or other body part that can be moved voluntarily
to activate the switch. Once the "switch" is connected to the Gus! Mouse and the
"scanning" mode is turned on, the user can make selections by simply activating
(pressing) their switch.

"Switches"         

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Switches come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common type is the small (2")
round plastic type (see picture below). The "switch" is connected to the computer by
plugging it into the Gus! Mouse which has two special jacks built into it. The Gus! Mouse
is, in turn, connected to the standard mouse port on the computer. Now that you have your
"switch" connected to the computer (by way of the Gus! Mouse), you are ready to begin
"scanning." If you don't have a Gus! Mouse or a switch, you can use your left mouse button
as your switch!

Connect the switch (right) to the Gus! Mouse (left)

"Scanning"

The term "scanning" describes the manner in which items on the computer screen are
sequentially highlighted, one after the other, until the user activates the switch to make
their selection.  In other words, the computer offers the user a series of choices which
can be selected by pressing the switch.

The most common scanning sequence is called "row/column scanning".  It typically
involves highlighting one row after the other until the user presses their "switch" when
the desired row is highlighted. Then the scanning sequence moves across the row,
highlighting each item within the selected row until the user makes their selection again.

Row/Column Scanning begins by scanning each row one after the other. The user simply activates their switch (or left mouse button) when the row containing their desired choice (eg. "a") is highlighted. (explanation continues below)

After a row is selected by activating the switch (or left mouse button) the scanning sequence begins to scan item along the selected row.  In this example, the 2nd row was selected and now the scanning is moving along each item on that row.  The user simply activates the switch again to make their specific selection, which sends the selected letter to the document.  Once the letter is selected, the scanning  automatically reverts back to row by row scanning (as shown above). If a word from the word prediction list box is desired the user simply selects the function key (eg. F8) adjacent to the word (eg. "always").

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