[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!

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