Buddy button for Ipad

[Vicky86]

Hello guys

Wondering if anybody knows of any manual etc online for the use of the buddy buttons with the Ipad?

We are finding that specialists come to install these for my dad but they never know how to work them, he is struggling to operate it on the iPad so it isn't helping him and I'm not overly technology minded so I can't figure it out either!

Thank you for any input you may have

[Barry52]

Hello Vicky86,

I read your other posts and I am sorry that your dad has been diagnosed with MND. I can’t offer more advice than our other members however I can help with the iPad.

Go into settings and select general. You will see a list of options and under switch control make sure it is turned on. The iPad should pair with the button provided Bluetooth settings are active.

Best wishes,
Barry

[Ellie]

Hi Vicky,

I don't use an iPad, sorry Vicky, but you may have to also go into Accessibility after General, following on from Barry's post above??

So it's Settings --> General --> Accessibility --> Switch Control (turn ON)

What use is it in supplying your dad with 'useful' technology if no one shows him how to use it

Hopefully Barry and others can help you figure it out.

Love Ellie.

[Ellie]

Barry, I'm just thinking... (apologies, I don't know much about iOS)

Vicky said her dad has "buttons" so would they need to be configured separately? And assigned names/functions?

And he'd need a bluetooth interface too or not?

Thanks.

Love Ellie.

[Barry52]

Hi Ellie,

I have a button switch which links to my iPad via Bluetooth . It operates all the functions once it is paired. The button works like a mouse so it helps when your dexterity is compromised.

I hope that Vicky and her dad get it to work.

Love,
Barry

[Ellie]

Thanks Barry.

But does the button have or need a Bluetooth interface?

And it's a standard Buddy Button like this?



Thanks a mill - I'm trying to see how it differs from Windows OS.

Love Ellie.

[Barry52]

The button is the same Ellie except mine is yellow. Yes it requires a Bluetooth connection.

Love,
Barry

[Ellie]

Ah, that's what I thought.

Thanks for clarifying Barry xx

[Vicky86]

Thanks both

We have it connected to the iPad and it goes around the screen etc so dad can select the options he wants but he gets stuck in that it doesn’t go everywhere etc so how does he control the rest of it?

Nobody showed him how to use it but we’ve had this problem with his motorised chair too! Patience is a virtue eh

Thank you so much all of you for your kind thoughts and advice x

[Barry52]

Hi Vicky,

It is difficult to explain but there are many videos on YouTube. If your dad is finding the switch difficult then maybe he can use the head control which uses the camera to access the iPad functions.

I attach a video demonstrating this function.

https://youtu.be/YkG0-kHNslw

Best wishes,
Barry

[Ellie]

Hi Vicky,

Do you mean your dad has difficulty pressing the actual switch or is it that he presses the switch and can't get further in that app?

If it's the former, would it be easier to use a different part of his body to press the switch (elbow, foot, between his knees etc) Or try Barry's suggestion re head control.

If it's the latter problem, it 's likely it wasn't set up correctly for your dad's specific needs in the first place - functions such as Auto-Scanning, Tapping etc and their timings may need to be changed. (Barry may know about that? Sorry, I only know Windows.)

There are numerous 'How to...' videos on YouTube on setting up switches but IDK if you want to go through the settings?

Here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWkNxB27DM

Any way you can get the person(s) responsible for supplying the switch to come back and actually show your father how to use it???!!!

Love Ellie.

[Vicky86]

Thank you both for you kind help!

It is frustrating when we get equipment with no explanation

It is more that it whizzes around the screen too fast for my dad to press it in time to select what he wants and once he gets on something we can’t seem to go back

Also, how to call people using the buddy button and the iPad? He keeps getting stuck lately without being able to reach his personal alarm on his wrist and he wears a sleep breathing mask so also can not activate Siri to call me if he needs help

Thanks

[Ellie]

Yeah Vicky, the speed at which the cursor scrolls through and / or dwells on each button / icon can be slowed down to an appropriate speed for your dad. If he finds he wants it a tad faster once he gets used to using it, the speed can be increased again.

If you can't do it using the YouTube link I posted above, maybe a mate or family member can, or get the AAC people back to do it.

I don't really know in what way "he keeps getting stuck" that prevents him from calling for help - do you mean physically unable to or that's unable to hit the right button on the iPad?

If he just wants to get the attention of someone in the house, a wireless doorbell is a good option.

Love Ellie.

[Terry]

Hi vicky,

Technology can be a big problem if there's no one to help and deal with the odd issue.

It is a shame that he doesn't go to the hospice as they would help with this, wheelchair and convene issues.

There are people who come out and help sort out things like these but really need someone else there to understand the issues that has more time.

Love Terry