Technology and accessibility features have advanced significantly in recent years. When exploring the accessibility settings on your QuickTalker Freestyle, you may notice the option to enable switch access and scanning.

While iOS switch control is a powerful feature, it does not always integrate smoothly with AAC apps. To support a more seamless experience with scanning, we recommend using the app’s built-in scanning settings rather than relying on iOS Switch Control. Understanding these differences can help you make more confident choices when trialing apps with a switch user.

Advantages of In-App Scanning🔗

In-app switch scanning refers to scanning features built into a speech app rather than relying on iOS Switch Control. While iOS Switch Control is a wonderful addition, users may encounter overlapping auditory cues, navigation challenges, and inconsistent voice output.

When scanning is handled inside the speech app, the visual highlights, auditory cues, and voice output are designed to work together. Therefore, users will experience improved timing and speech output and more consistent access across pages.

Reliable In-App Scanning Speech Apps🔗

When choosing a communication app to pair with the Blue2 FT, it’s important to focus on apps that offer robust in-app scanning settings. The following apps provide the most effective in-app scanning experiences.

Proloquo2go🔗

Proloquo2go has both one- and two-switch scanning built into the app. Users can customize the scanning mode–“Automatic Scanning” and “Step Scanning” for example. Additionally, users can personalize their scanning pattern.

• Proloquo2go Overview
• How to Configure Switch Access With Proloquo2Go
• Choose a Scanning Mode and Pattern

PRC-Saltillo Speech Apps🔗

TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, and Unity from PRC-Saltillo all offer switch access. All three apps offer one- and two-switch scanning, sequential or row/column scanning patterns, and manual or auto scanning. Users can also adjust scan timing and set up auditory scanning with personalized voices.

TouchChat🔗

• TouchChat Overview
• Set Up Scanning in TouchChat, LAMP, and Unity
• TouchChat Scanning Support Articles

LAMP🔗

• LAMP Overview
• How to Set up In-App Scanning
• LAMP Words for Life Scanning Settings

Unity🔗

• Unity Overview
• How to Set up In-App Scanning
• Unity AAC Scanning Settings

TD Snap🔗

TD Snap’s one- and two-switch scanning includes a dedicated page set designed just for switch access. TD Snap Scanning Page Set is Core First and is organized into set groups, making scanning more efficient. Auditory cues can be customized for every button, and users can adjust the speed, zoom, highlighting and more of each scan!

• App Overview of TD Snap
• Setting Up In-App Scanning in TD Snap
• TD Snap Scanning Page Set

Go Talk NOW Plus🔗

GoTalk NOW Plus includes one-switch Auto Scanning and two-switch Step Scanning. Connect a tilde/number key switch, space/enter key switch, or iPad Screen as a switch. Additional settings include auditory cues, group scan patterns, and the choice to include navigation buttons in the scan.

• App Overview of Go Talk Now Plus
• How to Set Up In-App Scanning
• GoTalk NOW Plus User Guide Scanning Access

Scanning With Confidence🔗

Now that you have a clearer understanding of which apps offer the most effective scanning settings, you can confidently choose one to trial with your client. Taking the time to match the app’s features, especially its scanning capabilities, to your client’s specific motor and communication needs can make a significant impact on their success.