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A copy of the slide deck with clickable links.

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Watch the recording of the live workshop.

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An Introduction to Alternative Access 20205

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A copy of Paul's Presentation on Physical/Motor Access

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The 10 Commandments of Teaching Access Skills

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The 10 Commandments of Teaching Access Skills

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Useful guide from Indigo Australia. Lots more resources and guides on their website:

https://www.indigosolutions.org.au/resources/access-methods-for-technology/unlocking-abilities

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A set of resources - Information sheets (download by clicking image), Assessment Tools and a set of Social Story books created by a UK-based Occupational Therapist. More information and all the downloads are available from here:

https://jiao.life/resources/

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Step-by-Step guide to teaching Eye Gaze Skills.

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eBook - Eye Pointing: Designing and Using Alphabet Charts

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eBook - Eye Pointing: Designing and Using Alphabet Charts

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Designing and using alphabet charts | Ace Centre

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The aim of this resource is help you design and use alphabet charts with people who can’t rely on speech, enabling them to communicate to the best of their ability. Through communication we can express ourselves, learn, have fun, and be active members of society

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A folder of alternative large pointers. Includes High Contrast and animated options:

https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/large-pointers

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Framework - Stepping Stones to Switch Access

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Framework - Stepping Stones to Switch Access

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A step-by-step guide created by Linda Burkhart. Includes example activities for each step. N.B. The document 'Keys to Developing Switching Skills' was based on this framework.

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Category iPads, Androids & Chromebooks Autism Spectrum Conditions

The iPad comes with a suite of apps as standard and additional apps are added on from the App store. This can mean multiple pages of app icons on the screen. Most learners do not require a huge range of apps on a day-to-day basis and to see a busy screen of apps can be confusing and overwhelming.

With the latest release of iOS17 for iPad, there is a new feature called Assistive Access. This allows you to choose what apps you want to appear on the home screen. The apps then appear as large, accessible icons and the learner can toggle between the chosen apps by using the easy-to-target 'Back' button at the bottom of the screen.

This is an example of how the screen can be set up for a learner who requires to use Clicker Writer app for literacy support, the iPad camera icon to take photos of learning activities in the classroom and Predictable AAC app to support communication difficulties.
To switch on Assistive Access,

1. Go to the Settings cog on your iPad and click on Accessibility.

2. Scroll down to Assistive Access (underneath Guided Access).

3. Tap on Assistive Access to set up with the apps you want to appear on the screen.

4. Answer the questions relating to each app (mainly relating to use of camera, microphone, Bluetooth etc while in the app).

5. Set a 4 digit passcode.

In this support video, you can see in detail how to set up Assistive Access in iOS17.

I have worked with autistic learners for whom Guided Access was a way to help them focus in on one app and not be distracted off to watching a favourite video or playing a games app. Sometimes this restriction was too frustrating for the learner and they would refuse to engage with the device and clearly objected to having what was previously an enjoyable activity locked down to just one option.

With the new Assistive Access feature switched on, the learner could be offered a small suite of apps to work with and this could be a way to help them engage with learning but not feel 'locked in'.

You could have Assistive Access set up for one learner and only switch it on when that learner is using the iPad. To activate Assistive Access, you triple click the Home button on the iPad.

Make sure your iPad is updated to iOS 17 then give it a go! Jane Farrall shares some thought on further use of Assistive Access for (elderly) people who only require a few functions on their iPhone or iPad and perhaps need large icons to target due to vision or mobility issues.

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Simplify the iPad with this amazing new feature in iOS17!

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Assistive Access is a new feature in iOS17 which allows you to choose which apps you want to appear as large icons on your home screen. This is incredibly helpful for learners who only require a limited number of apps.

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This is an example of Partner Assisted Scanning.

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Close Up Demo of Partner Assisted Auditory plus Visual Scanning PODD

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Twitter Account for Helen Robinson, SLT who created 'The four Ps of AAC' infographic: https://twitter.com/HelenATSLT

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How to make the mouse pointer bigger in Windows 10

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How to make the mouse pointer bigger in Windows 10

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Part 3: Customising Mouse Tools & Pointer using Windows 'legacy' tools.

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3D Printing Switch Mounts - an introduction

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3D Printing Switch Mounts - an introduction

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3D Printed Camera Mounts for AT Switches

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Custom made wheelchair mounts | Rehadapt

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One of our greatest passions is to engineer durable, and custom made wheelchair mounting solutions. You will benefit from our devotion to quality, during the many years of using your mount. All our mounts are manufactured in Germany, using high tenacity aluminum alloys, also found in leading-edge wheelchairs and aircraft design.

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Download a copy of an infographic poster that explains the different features of Guided Access and gives step-by-step instructions for setting it up:

https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/setting-up-guided-access-on-an-ipad-ios-17/

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Poster download - iPad tools and features

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Poster download - iPad tools and features

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Download a copy of an infographic poster that explains how the built-in tools on an iPad can support learners with physical difficulties:

https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/using-the-ipad-to-support-learners-with-physical-difficulties/

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You can join the AAC SIG (Subject Interest Group) who hold study days online three times per year. As a member you can access the archive of previous studies days that include presentations on Switch Access, Eye Gaze Access and more: https://aacsig.org.uk/

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The attached draft funding proposal was written by Phillipa Cozens from North Bristol NHS Trust. Phillipa is very happy for anyone to use this as a draft to highlight the need for funding in AAC. Remember to change details when writing your own proposal for funding.

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https://vimeo.com/showcase/3235930

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https://www.callscotland.org.uk/information/smart-wheelchair/

Research and reports.

Links to information and research on the original Smart Wheelchair in early 1990s.

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The drivedeck is a commercial platform derived from the Smart Wheelchair. Available from Smile Smart Technology in the UK.

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The AKKA platform is a small mobility platform.

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Efter många års utveckling hade världen fått en svensk produkt som skulle komma att revolutionera utvecklingen hos människor med neurologiska funktionsstörningar.

AKKA-plattan visade sig ha en enorm betydelse för utveckling och livskvalitet hos människor med neurologiska funktionshinder, barn, ungdomar och vuxna med medfödda eller förvärvade neurlogiska skador.

Tjugo år senare lanserades uppföljaren - AKKA Smart. Med vidareutvecklad förflyttningsteknik och många års erfarenhet är AKKA Smart ett helt system som gör det möjligt för både barn och vuxna att uppleva den utveckling, förhöjda livskvalitet och oberoende som systemet innebär för brukare, personal och anhöriga.

JCM Elektronik är sedan 2014 en del av den svenska hjälpmedelskoncernen Hjälpmedelsteknik Sverige AB och AKKA-systemet stödjer idag utvecklingen och bidrar till ökad självständighet hos tusentals människor i Skandinavien, Europa och Asien.

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AKKA-systemet är ett steg-för-steg utvecklingssystem som bygger på en förflyttningsplattform på vilken brukaren kan stå eller sitta på stol, rullstol eller sittpåse - AKKA SMART PLATTA.

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SETT is a framework for considering assistive technology.

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Part I-Gathering Data and Making Decisions Using a collaborative approach, complete the following information in preparation for a presentation to your colleagues on a student in your area of...

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MERU Flexzi

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A wide range of switch and device mountings.

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JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

Mount switches quickly and easily with our Magic Arm (MAG) (right) and Variable Friction Arm (VFA).

Mount switches quickly and easily with our Magic Arm (MAG) (right) and Variable Friction Arm (VFA).

Key Features

Extends to 51cm (20 inches).

Have a clamp that anchors to surfaces, from wheelchairs to table edges.

Supports up to 2Kg.

You will need one of our mounting plates to mount your switches, rollers and other devices. Includes Super Clamp.

Fits other devices via female 3/8" or 1/4" standard camera mount threads.

Switches and mounting plates not included.

Two types are available:

Magic Arm (MAG) - one lever tightens up all joints and fixes switch position.

Variable Friction Arm (VFA) - tighten the large knob progressively to fix position.

You may also be interested in our other switch mounting options.

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Mount switches quickly and easily with our Magic Arm (MAG) (right) and Variable Friction Arm (VFA).

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Rehadapt

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Mounting Assistive Technology - Rehadapt

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Our Rehadapt service: together everything is possible! We do everything we can to build reliable solutions that make life simpler for all parties involved - in everyday life with different caregivers in varying situations. This is achieved through almost two decades of experience, a versatile system of components, and a unique service concept.

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Inclusive Technology - Switches, Joysticks, Mounts, AAC, eye gaze, HelpKidzLearn

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Inclusive Technology - Switches, Joysticks, Mounts, AAC, eye gaze, HelpKidzLearn

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JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

Virtual Demos

Eye Gaze for Windows

View

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The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. View

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Passive stylus for touch screens.

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Utilising Skriva as a teacher brings a world of convenience and innovation to your fingertips. You can effortlessly annotate over scanned handwritten work, allowing for real-time feedback and engagement. Or use it to model your ideas directly from your iPad onto a screen or projector, enhancing the learning experience for your students.

Skriva streamlines administrative tasks, from writing documents and lesson planning to utilising the iPad scribble function to convert handwritten notes to text. The use of a stylus enables you to transition to digital teaching without compromising the traditional pen-to-paper approach, giving you the best of both worlds.

Skriva empowers students of all ages to seamlessly interact with their iPads, simplifying tasks such as writing, creating visual notes, annotating and drawing. Students can demonstrate their knowledge effectively by using the stylus with educational apps, enabling them to model their explanations in a way that suits their learning style.

Skriva enables students to collaborate with their peers through c ompatibility with educational apps that promote annotation and expression of ideas for equitable access.

Rest your palm on the iPad screen whilst you write and draw without interference.

Close to a real pencil experience, with shading when the stylus is tilted at an angle.

10 hours battery life, battery life indicators, and included USB C charging cable with adapter.

Automatically pairs with any iPad 2018 and later without the need for Bluetooth.

Magnetically connects with iPads for easy storage (please check compatibility).

Simply click the power button on top of the stylus and go.

Skriva offers the opportunity to customise your stylus and packaging by adding your name, acronym, logo and digital strategy name.

"The Skriva team displayed excellent communication throughout the process, presenting potential designs and collaborating closely with us to refine them to our preferences. The end result is fantastic: a top-notch stylus, a unique Inspire Learning Scottish Borders solution all from a top notch team at Skriva."

Paul Graham

Driving improvement in literacy outcomes through embracing edtech at Inspire Learning.

Enhancing Handwriting and Literacy with Skriva Stylus. Using technology to help pupils 'Love Learning' at Aberdeenshire Council.

Using a hybrid approach to improve handwriting and literacy at Parbold Douglas Church of England Academy.

We are working with the Just One Tree initiative to support our focus on sustainability within Education Technology. With Educators and students using our stylus in classrooms across the World, we aim to support the creation of a digital yet sustainable future for Education!

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Utilising Skriva as a teacher brings a world of convenience and innovation to your fingertips. You can effortlessly annotate over scanned handwritten work, allowing for real-time feedback and engagement. Or use it to model your ideas directly from your iPad onto a screen or projector, enhancing the learning experience for your students.

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3D printed pen grips from Shapeways for Surface Pen and Microsoft Pens - Microsoft Support

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To create an adaptive option unique to you, you can add pen grips to the Microsoft Business Pen, Microsoft Classroom Pen 2, or Surface Pen. You can configure and order designs from Shapeways*, choosing a grip option that matches the Pen you have or plan to purchase.

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Communicate, connect, and take control

Grid is used by children and adults with communication difficulties across the world, to have a voice and live more independently, available on Windows and iPad.

Try Grid

Who uses Grid?

Grid supports children and adults with a wide range of disabilities which affects their natural speech. Learn more about the people who use Grid to communicate and participate around the world.

Meet Tom

Meet Claire

Meet the Oasis Academy

Available on Windows and iPad

Grid on Windows is our flagship software to use alternative access methods. Use to control your environment, computer, and a range of accessible apps. Try Grid with a 60-day free trial on any Windows device, or get in touch to try Grid Pad.

Grid software on iOS gives you instant access to a range of text and symbol based communication and apps for touch access. Download from the App Store with a free 30-day trial or get in touch to purchase a licence.

Grid works intuitively with all access options, for the most complex needs. From eye gaze and pointing devices to keyguard touch access and switches, Grid has innovative features that make alternative access simple. The settings in Grid are integrated and simple to adjust as your needs change.

Personalise your voice in Grid

Grid comes with a large selection of high quality voices. You can browse and install 100s of voices covering a wide range of accents and ages.

You can change and personalise your voice in Grid, by browsing the ready to use voices in settings, filter by adult or child, language, listen to a voice sample, and download your preferred voice to get started.

Adjust the pitch and speed to make it personal to you, or use the pronunciation tool to sound out uncommon words correctly.

Explore Grid voices

You're in control with Grid

Access your entire computer using eye gaze, pointing devices or switches. Grid sets enable you to control every application you need for home, school or work, as well as control smart technology with Environment Control settings.

Computer and Environment Control

Your Grid journey

Book tailored training for your school or organisation to get the most out of Grid.

Our friendly Support team are here to help. Contact them by phone, email or online chat.

Explore our range AAC devices to help you to communicate and more.

Find everything you need to get started with Grid, including what systems it's compatible with, on the Smartbox Hub. Explore support articles, manuals and tutorial videos.

Get started with Grid

Subscribe to our newsletter

By entering your email address and clicking sign up, you confirm that we can keep you updated with Smartbox news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Find out more by reading our privacy policy.

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Grid is used by people with communication difficulties across the world, to have a voice and live independently, on Windows and iPad.

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From Nisbet, P.  (2019) Alternative Access Technologies. In Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology. Cowan, D. & Najafi, L. (eds.). Academic Press, p. 105-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812487-1.00005-3

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"High performance, durable buttons and triggers for the Xbox Adaptive Controller" Or for anyother Assistive technology.

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High performance, durable buttons and triggers for the Xbox Adaptive Controller1. Comprehensive controls for ultimate configurability and flexibility designed in partnership with accessibility organizations. 1 Xbox Adaptive Controller sold separately

LOGITECH G
ADAPTIVE GAMING KIT

Customizable Controls for Xbox Adaptive Controller

The Adaptive Gaming Kit is a collection of high performance, durable buttons and triggers for the Xbox Adaptive Controller to unlock the possibilities of play. Xbox Adaptive Controller sold separately. Logitech G worked with different accessibility organizations to develop a comprehensive set of controls for ultimate configurability and flexibility.

READY TO GAME

The Adaptive Gaming Kit unlocks the potential of your Xbox Adaptive Controller with a powerful set of tools. With 12 plug-and-play buttons and triggers, you can arrange and attach them as needed, using the included hook-and-loop gaming boards or set of ties to place them anywhere. This customizable, flexible solution is designed to fit a wide range of needs.

PLAY WITH POSSIBILITY

Easily configurable to suit your gaming needs, the Adaptive Gaming Kit includes a large assortment of button types and sizes to connect to your Xbox Adaptive Controller.Xbox Adaptive Controller sold separately.

Behind the Adaptive Gaming Kit

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Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit for Xbox - UK

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Shop Adaptive Controller Accessories. Designed with mobility experts, kit includes 4 Light Touch Buttons, 2 Large Buttons, 2 Variable Triggers & 2 Velcro Boards

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Introducing Guided Hands™

An international award-winning assistive device that enables anyone with limited fine motor skills to write, paint, draw and access technology.

Features

Promotes guided hand movements.

The sliding system encourages the use of gross motor skills in the shoulders, rather than the limited fine motor skills in the hands.

Utensil holder is multipurpose and compatible with pens, pencils, paintbrushes, markers, and styluses.

Ergonomic wrist rest and adjustable strap.

Ambidextrous handpieces tailored to accommodate various levels of hand mobility.

Learn More About Guided Hands™

Our mission is to create assistive technology for people with disabilities, to help promote their communication, independence and self-expression during recreation and rehabilitation.

Enabling people to live the lives they imagine!

Guided Hands™ assists individuals with limited hand dexterity, varying muscle tone, weakness in the hand and arm, or difficulty grasping objects as a result of a medical condition or injury such as Cerebral Palsy, arthritis, Huntington's Disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and strokes among others.

Children

Guided Hands™ breaks down barriers in the classroom to enhance student learning by fostering communication, sensory motor skills and self-expression.

Adults

Guided Hands™ empowers adults to be active with work by accessing technology and staying connected with their creative pursuits.

Seniors

Guided Hands™ promotes cognitive function, hand-eye coordination, and helps seniors regain their independence and confidence.

It's A Game Changer!

Guided Hands™ is a game-changer for leisure and independence! It truly allows exploration for the user and lets us move away from hand-over-hand activities.

Maggie | Assistive Technologist in Connecticut

Improved Quality of Life

Guided Hands™ is currently one of the most popular devices we have in inventory. We are truly glad to have the device available to Arizona residents to help improve their quality of life!

Clayton Guffey | Program Director at AzTAP, Arizona Assistive Tech Center

I Was Elated!

I was elated that I finally had a device that would allow me to paint with ease, a hobby I had given up due to shaking and posturing in my dominant hand. Guided Hands™ has given me the freedom to do the things I loved from painting to playing games on my iPad.

Elissa | Woman with Dystonia

Read More Stories Here

Book a one-on-one call with us.

Discover if Guided Hands™ is the ideal solution for you, your family member, or your client today!

Subscribe to our emails

Stay updated with promotions, resources and testimonials!

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Guided Hands™ Assistive Devices for Limited Hand Mobility

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Guided Hands™ is an award-winning assistive device that enables people living with limited hand mobility to write, paint, draw and access technology through touch-screen devices. The product improves quality of life for children, adults and older adults! Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and ships worldwide!

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Pretorian - joysticks, trackballs, interfaces, switches, accessible gaming

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Pretorian - joysticks, trackballs, interfaces, switches, accessible gaming

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Pretorian Technologies | Assistive Technology UK

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Manufacturer & Worldwide Supplier Of Assistive Technology Products To Help Disabled Users Access Any Type Of Computer/Tablet, Improving Their Ability To Communicate

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We put fun and inclusion back into the lives of physically disabled people by helping them to play video games

By using technology ranging from modified controllers to eye-tracking sensors, we're finding a way for people to play to the very best of their abilities.

But we're not just doing it for fun. By levelling the playing field, we're bringing families and friends together and having a profoundly positive impact on quality of life, confidence and rehabilitation.

FIND OUT MORE

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Gaming Charity Supporting the Physically Disabled | SpecialEffect

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We put fun and inclusion back into the lives of physically disabled people by helping them to play video games By using technology ranging from modified controllers to eye-tracking sensors, we're finding a way for people to play to the very best of their abilities. But we're not just doing it for fun.

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Category Computer Accessibility iPads, Androids & Chromebooks

The Apple Pencil and other active stylus pens are becoming more popular and commonly used in schools. In this blog we look at some applications for pupils with additional support needs and/or disabilities.

The suggestions here are mostly based on observations and experiences with some young people that I've met when providing assistive technology assessment and support. There are some references to research at the end of the article, but this is not a rigorous academic literature survey!

I hope that this will encourage you to explore active digital pencils with your learners, if you've not already done so.

Active stylus pens

Active stylus pens such as the Apple Pencil, Logitech Crayon, Skriva, Staedtler Noris or Microsoft Surface Pen have several advantages compared to using your finger or a passive stylus:

Accuracy - active pencils are usually more accurate than passive styli and the experience feels more like drawing and writing by hand. One reason for this is ...

Palm rejection - you can rest your palm or hand on the touch screen and use the pen to draw and interact with the device. This can be really helpful for people who have difficulty isolating their fingers to use a touch screen accurately.

Pressure sensitivity - the harder you press, the thicker or denser the line you draw.

Tilt sensitivity - hold the pencil vertical for thin strokes when drawing/painting; tilt it at an angle and the lines are wider.

(Not all apps respond to varying pressure or tilt - it has to be coded into the app.)

Why use an active stylus pen?

Drawing

The most obvious use for an active pen is to draw digitally. The picture below was drawn with an Apple Pencil by one of the pupils I am supporting.

Megan (a pseudonym) was born with no limbs and attends a mainstream primary school. Her usual method of writing is to hold an ordinary pencil between her neck and shoulder and write and draw on a jotter - her writing is extremely neat and remarkably fluent. She can use a mouthstick and a pointer held with her neck and shoulder to type on her Chromebook and can also operate the trackpad on her Chromebook with her tongue!

We wanted to find more ergonomic and independent methods for Megan to access technology and she successfully evaluated a Zygo chin pointer, a head mouse, Tobii PCEye eye gaze camera and iPad with Pencil. She could use the chin pointer, head mouse and eye gaze extremely well to navigate the device and type, but she liked the simplicity and independence of the iPad and Pencil.

During the evaluation sessions we found that the advantages of the active pencil and digital notes, compared to her ordinary pencil and jotter are:

Megan can easily change the drawing or writing tool independently - she can choose her pencil, felt-tip pen, brush, spray can etc when she wants.

She can change the colour, thickness, colour mix and texture.

If Megan makes a mistake, she can 'undo' or use the eraser to rub it out - this is much easier than erasing an ink pen or pencil on paper.

She can type accurately and efficiently with both the standard and the smaller iPad 'floating' keyboard.

It's a lot of fun and opens new options for creativity. She can take and edit photos, or copy and edit images from the internet.

Other advantages of a digital device compared to paper jotters, worksheets and textbooks are:

She can quickly create a new page or scroll down instead of trying to turn the page in her paper jotter.

She can share her work and collaborate with her classmates and her teacher.

She can find and access all her learning resources by herself.

This term Megan will be evaluating an iPad and Pencil and also active styli for her Chromebook.

Digital Learning

An active stylus can be a natural and effective method of interacting with digital learning resources such as worksheets or digital examinations, particularly materials in PDF.

Fatigue

A few years ago I worked with a young man ('Mike') attending a mainstream secondary school who experienced significant fatigue which meant that he struggled to keep up with note-taking in class. Mike had an assistant to scribe for him in class, but found it difficult to review and retain information from the scribe's notes.

We explored a range of different access methods and Mike chose an iPad and Apple Pencil to evaluate, with Microsoft OneNote as a 'digital jotter'. The combination of iPad, Pencil and OneNote proved to be a brilliant solution and over the next few years at school Mike used this for almost all his schoolwork, and at home during the Covid lockdown times. He created notebooks for all his subjects and used the Apple Pencil to handwrite notes and to access the iPad touch keyboard. (The image below is an example - not his work.)

Mike's comparative evaluation of paper and pencil, a scribe and the iPad are below and gives insights into why the iPad, Pencil and OneNote were so effective.

In terms of fatigue, there is less friction when handwriting on a touch screen with a pencil compared to a paper jotter, and I think this is one reason why Mike found it much easier. Another reason is that navigating digital resources and writing on a small 9.7" iPad screen requires less physical effort than using larger A4 worksheets and textbooks. Plus he could take advantage of prediction on the keyboard, and Siri dictation.

Collaboration and sharing

Another reason why Mike succeeded I think is that he could share his notebooks with his teachers. This is a feature of OneNote rather than the active pencil, but the ability to mix text, handwriting and drawing in the same page, as one can do with a paper jotter, is really important. We often get asked how pupils can print out their work so it can be stuck in their jotter - why bother, if you can share your digital jotter with your teacher? There's the evidence.

Co-operative support

Many learners can work independently for a period of time but also require support when they become tired or when the pace of work in class is fast. In those circumstances, it's helpful to have personal support from an assistant.

One strategy is for the assistant to also have a device and to work co-operatively with the pupil on the same OneNote page or Google Doc. The pupil and help can work more co-operatively and the pupil can see the assistant's notes more easily than if a paper jotter is used. Also, pupils like Mike and Megan can access all of their jotters and learning resources on their device, rather than having to ask an assistant to find and open the paper jotter.

Direct Access for AAC and typing

One application for an active stylus that I think is for direct access to touch keyboard or an AAC app. Some people find it hard to accurately target keys or buttons on a touch screen by hand, and find it much easier to use a stylus.

The problem with a passive stylus is that the device will detect your hand or palm if you touch the screen: with an active stylus you can rest your hand on the screen and use the stylus to select keys. This may help the user to stabilise their hand and improve accuracy and reduce fatigue. I've not actually tried this with anyone yet though!

However, a standard active stylus may not be accessible for everyone and some people may require adaptations.

Adaptations for active pencils

Pencil grips and sleeves are available for active pencils from many suppliers. I use this type of grip myself, plus soft nib covers to reduce the clicking sound ofthe pencil tip on the screen.

Active pens are around the same diameter as ordinary pencils, so we can also use a range of ordinary pencil grips:

while a range of 3D printed pen grips are available as 3D files for you to print yourself and as actual products for purchase from Shapeways. These are designed for the Microsoft Pens for Microsoft Surface and other Windows OS devices which are slightly wider (9.5 mm) than an Apple Pencil (8.9 mm). I've not tried one myself, but if they don't fit it should be possible to alter the 3D design to fit narrower pencils.

Another adaption that we will trial for Megan is a lanyard for her to secure the pencil around her neck: we hope that she will be able to access the pencil whenever she needs it.

Early years and level

Active pens and particularly suitable for pupils in early years and who are at early curriculum level and who are not yet literate, because they provide a natural and familiar method of interacting with the device. Developers of apps such as Kaligo argue that using a device and active pencil improves students' handwriting and spelling.

(Image from Kaligo web site)

Learning and understanding

Mueller and Oppenheimer's 2014 study found that taking notes by hand results in more effective learning than typing but as with most learning activities, it depends on what students actually do in class - some pupils are faster and produce more legible notes typing than handwriting, but there is some evidence that slower note-taking encourages better processing of information.

Digital active styli and pencils

The products listed below are examples and this is not an endorsement of any. Costs are retail: they may be available at lower cost through resellers or the Scottish Procurement system. Active pencils for iPads and Chromebooks are available from many manufacturers, suppliers and online retailers, often at a cheaper cost than the items listed below.

Some iPad active styli and pencils

Some Chromebook active styli and pencils

Some Windows active styli and pencils

Further reading

Lund University. Studying in a digital world: in regards to note-taking by hand or on a computer.

Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159-1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614524581

Apple: iPad and Mac in Education Results June 2022

Apple: Apple Success stories

Veronica Lewis How I Use the Apple Pencil with Low Vision

OTs with Apps: Adaptive Styluses and Other Methods of Direct Access to a Tablet

Amy and pALS: Stylus-Adapted Pinterest

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The Apple Pencil and other active stylus pens are becoming more popular and commonly used in schools. In this blog we look at some applications for pupils with additional support needs and/or disabilities.