Vol. 5, No 3 May/June 1997	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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Children’s Computer Software Resource

Patty Hove
ATRC Assistant Coordinator

So you just purchased a brand new Macintosh program for your daughter, but she doesn’t have the ability to use the mouse! ClickIt! from IntelliTools provides a way for her to get to all those menu bars, scroll bars, dialog boxes and windows without a mouse. ClickIt! allows one to define areas in a program: spots that can click on significant parts of program or pick up/put down objects by either using the keyboard, a switch or multiple switches (used with scanning method), or other alternative input device. Along with screen changes, the “Hot Spots” can also change, and sounds, either recorded or digitized (recorded voice), can be added so that a sound will play when an item is scanned, or a sound can play when an item is selected.

Consider this example. An occupational therapist and a child development specialist in a rehabilitation center worked together to create sets of Hot Spots for an Intellikeys overlay with the program “Just Grandma and Me” (Broderbund Living Book). When the program opened, the overlay was automatically “sent” to the Intellikeys. On one page, the critter could get on the bus; on the next page, the critter could go to the beach and interact with every person and object on the beach—all without a mouse!!

Through the use of synthesized speech, ClickIt! can speak letters as you type them, speak the menu contents as you scan them, or speak a selected piece of text. ClickIt! can also use digitized sound (recording) if your computer has the capability. These are just a few examples of the way you can use ClickIt! opens up endless possibilities! For information on “Just Grandma and Me”, ClickIt!, Intellikeys, as well as information on where to obtain pre-made ClickIt! overlays to work with programs, contact your local ATRC.