The Grid 2

The Grid 2 is a group of applications from Sensory Software International that allows people with a reduced range of movement to use a computer, communicate and activate devices such as TV and stereo via remote control. 

Some people access The Grid 2 using a mouse or mouse alternative such as roller-balls and touchscreens. The Grid 2 also has full switch support, enabling full access to standard software like Microsoft Word.

The Grid 2 uses grids of cells with each one being fully programmable and editable in appearance. When the user selects a cell, commands are triggered either emulating what you would press on your keyboard or issuing a collection of commands, such instructions to start a program.

The Grid 2 comes with a vast range of ready-made grids that enable users to jump straight in. The ready-made setups cover computer access and communication grids that are also used on SmartBox’s range of communication devices.

Computer Access

There are 2 ‘Out of the box’ user profiles that are designed to access common applications including Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, Word Pad, Email, and a host of other popular applications. Also included is a bespoke music player that can play the music stored on your computer.

Intelligent grid linking

The grids that come with the software have been cleverly linked together. For example, when the Microsoft Word cell is selected, The Grid 2 not only sends a command to open Word, but then also jumps (or links) to the one of the 2 on-screen keyboards. Since many users would use switches to ‘scan’ the cells, one of the keyboard grids has been designed as a ‘high frequency’ keyboard setup. This keyboard does away with the standard qwerty layout, in preference for a layout where the most frequently used keys and letters (such as vowels, the space bar and common consonants) are placed towards the top left hand corner of the keyboard grid. This allows for faster selection of the cells when using switches to scan through the keyboard grid.

Blank cells on the left hand side of the keyboard grid become populated with words that the program predicts the user is trying to write as soon as the first letter has been selected, bringing in word completion to the mix.

Accessing the World

Another example of how grids intelligently link to the tasks at hand is when the Internet Explorer cell is selected. The Grid 2 sends a command to open Internet Explorer and then links to another grid that displays cells which are useful for navigating the Internet, such as Back and Forward page button cells, Previous link and Next link cells to toggle through links on the current web page. There is also an Insert Address cell that places the cursor on the address bar and links to a typing grid that has pertinent shortcut cells such as ‘.com’ and ‘.co.uk’ speeding up of typing a website address. 

Full customisation

Many people using The Grid 2 could find themselves never straying outside of the confines of the pre-designed grids that are provided with the software. However, all of the grids are editable in both design and in the way the cells act as well as being able to design new grids from scratch. 

This enables grids of cells to be re-designed to simplify them or add interaction with programs that aren't catered for by the grids supplied with the software. Cells can contain pictures for those with reading difficulties or can contain speech to aid the visually impaired.

Communication

The Grid 2 is supplied with all SmartBox communication aids as part of the software. It includes communication grids and the ability to create  and customise grids. This is essential as a person’s range and use of vocabulary is almost always unique. 

There is a range of symbol sets that can be inserted into the cells available at extra cost.  Alternatively personal pictures and photos can be imported.

A selection of voices, including the Acapello range, are included.

Environmental control

The Grid 2 has the ability to store and send infrared signals to a T.V., stereo and nurse call button by selecting cells. The cells can be integrated into any of the grids. To use environmental controls you will need to purchase the send/receive interface, though this will also double up as the switch interface for those who would access The Grid 2 by switches.

Further Information

Further information and resources can be found at smartbox's website who are the primary reseller in the UK - Grid 2 - Smartbox