[Apple Computer] Why I Prefer Macintosh contest entry posted Friday, January 26, 1996 From: Joan Tanenhaus I'm a Speech/Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist. Almost everyday I'm asked by teachers and/or parents "Why should I buy a Macintosh and not a Windows 95 computer?", and almost everyday I answer that question as follows: "Because, for children and adults with Special Needs, Macintosh is the better choice." Macintosh is the computer that offers more opportunities for them to access the computer successfully: Individuals with Special Needs have difficulty using the keyboard. Many have physical disabilities; others have cognitive, perceptual and/or attention problems. Many "switches" are available for this purpose. Using a switch interface that easily plugs into the ADB port, these switches can be connected to the Macintosh and used to access many programs. For example, make the switch equal to the "click button" and children can press the switch and have access to all that wonderful mouse-driven software. Parents can move the mouse, and the child with Special Needs can control the action with a press of the switch. Configure the switch to be the return key, space bar, or any other single key for access to other programs. For those with Cerebral Palsy who might only be able to control one part of their body (for example, their head, a foot, etc.), their switch can be connected to a hardware/software interface called Ke:nx (available only for the Macintosh) and then through a technique called scanning, they can access ALL software independently. For those who have poor fine motor control, the Touch Window can be used. It's a touch sensitive screen that allows the computer to be accessed just by touching a spot on the screen. On Macintosh, the Touch Window is 100% compatible with all mouse-driven software. (On Windows computers, the Touch Window is not compatible with most DOS software, so many classic programs can't be used with it.) And then for those who are visually impaired or who need a transitional keyboard, there's the IntelliKeys, and expanded keyboard. Just plug it in and it works along with the regular keyboard. On Macintosh, you can keep your switch, Touch Window, Expanded Keyboard, and even a track-ball connected and working all at the same time. As individuals develop, they use one piece of equipment for some programs, another for other programs. Unlike Windows 95 computers, you don't have to plug, unplug, configure files, etc. Built into Macintosh for no additional cost (of money or time) are some special features: Close View is a screen enlargement program that lets you magnify the image on your Macintosh screen up to sixteen times. Sticky Keys is for those individuals who can't press two or three keys simultaneously (one-hand users have this problem). Sticky Keys lets you press the keys consecutively instead of simultaneously. Slow Keys ignores accidental keystrokes by delaying the acceptance of the next keystroke (very important for individuals with poor fine motor). Mouse Keys is for those who can't use the mouse (because of motor, spatial or cognitive reasons). The numeric keypad is used to control the cursor and to click, click and drag, and double click. For those who tend to press and hold down a key, on Macintosh it is easy to disable the repeat factor so they get only one letter, unless they pick up and press again. Macintosh has more specialized learning software for people with Special Needs: Some simple early learning software programs are written only for Macintosh. Companies such as KidTech, Jokus, and SimTech have programs that introduce young children to computers in a way that is not available in Windows format. There is even a Special Education collection of public domain/shareware available for Macintosh that includes cause and effect and early learning software. For older people, there are talking word processors (Write:OutLoud), word prediction programs (Co:Writer) and specialized art/creativity programs (Blocks in Motion) written for special populations, only for Macintosh. For people who are non-verbal and need a symbol system to communicate with, there are programs that turn the Macintosh into an Augmentative Communication device (Speaking Dynamically). For those who can read and need a text-based system, there is Talk:About, a conversation based program, only for Macintosh. There are programs that help speech-language pathologists plan, monitor and manage vocabulary for people using Augmentative Communication systems, available only in Macintosh format. For those who want to create their own programs, using individualized vocabulary, specialized authoring programs such as HyperStudio and IntelliPics are available only in Macintosh. They are easy to use and are extremely valuable teaching tools. HyperStudio Stacks, made by other teachers and parents, are often available free of charge. IntelliPics set-ups and overlays are also becoming available at minimal cost. Macintosh has specialized software that can be used to customize the commercially available software that all other people can use: Programs are available for Macintosh only that allow users to customize their expanded keyboards and to adapt mouse-driven programs for keyboard and switch use. Classic programs like the wonderful Living Books by Broderbund can be used by children with disabilities because of the programs such as Overlay Maker, Instant Access Overlays, Click It, etc. made only in the Macintosh format. Macintosh has other advantages too: Many Macs have a built-in microphone - no need to add SoundBoards, microphones, speech options. They are all there, without configuring and conflicts. If you need extra hard drive space, just plug an external hard drive into the SCSI port - no configuration needed, no special connectors. In addition, the Macintosh graphical interface is user-friendly and easy to learn. It is so powerful and functional that Windows95 tries to imitate it - they just don't do it as well. For individuals of all ages, Macintosh offers many advantages over Windows 95. And that's why, almost everyday I hear the following from parents and teachers I work with: Thanks so much for recommending Macintosh. It sure is the right computer for our Special Needs! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- [toMacintosh Advantage] - Return to the Macintosh Advantage [Image] Apple | Servers | What's New | Index | Feedback | Help .