As far as I know, fire tablets will only take apps that are on the Amazon App Store. A quick search of the Amazon App Store does not reveal predictable as an app, and none of the ones that I see on their jump out at me as being alternative access options. But I don't actually have time to do an in-depth search right now. I do think you are limited to what the Amazon App Store makes available unless you do some fairly serious modification that is beyond me.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dmobile-apps&field-keywords=augmentative+communication+aac

 

In any case, most ALS users may wish to consider head mouse and/or eye gaze access strategies before serious consideration of switch access. Most of the time we are then discussing heavier devices but we are also normally discussing wheelchair mounting etc. etc. given the usual progression that we see.

 

Android tablets will take USB head mouses and offer an option for dwell, but you have to figure out mounting etc. etc. in any case.

 

Since you can get a relatively inexpensive fire tablet, it may be worthwhile just to purchase one and see what it offers; but Amazon blocks you out from a fair number of the regular android options.

 

Ed Hitchcock OT/L

Technology Center

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

 

 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Tablet question
From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org>
Date: Wed, May 02, 2018 3:18 pm
To: "xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com" <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>

Predictable allows for switch scanning.  It’s the device itself that has to be switch compatible.  Switch access is built into the ipad and can be added to an Android but I don’t know if the Amazon Fire is switch accessible. 

 

Does anyone know if the Fire has switch access capability?

 

Thanks,

 

Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CAPS

Assistive Technology Specialist/Consultant 

The ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association National Office 

RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional

NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Home Modifications

Work: 215-631-1877

 

This email and its contents are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not disclose or use the information within this email or its attachments. If you have received this email in error, please delete it immediately. Thank you.

 

 

From: at listserv <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com> on behalf of "xxxxxx@upstate.edu" <xxxxxx@upstate.edu>
Reply-To: at listserv <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 3:49 PM
To: at listserv <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Subject: Re: Tablet question

 

Thank you.  It is my understanding that Predictable does allow for switch scanning.  Is that not correct?

Jenna Gardner, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

SUNY Upstate Medical Center/University Hospital

phone: 315-464-6543

 

>>> "Hurtig, Richard R" <xxxxxx@uiowa.edu> 5/2/2018 3:37 PM >>>

What you need to take into consideration is whether the tablet can easily use switch input should the patient no longer be able to use the touch screen. The app should also allow for switch scanning. It would be hard to try to switch a patient to a completely different tablet and app when they can no longer use the touch screen.

 

Richard Hurtig, PhD, 

ASHA Fellow

Professor Emeritus 

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

The University of Iowa

 

Chief Scientific Officer

Voxello

www.voxello.com

Sent from my iPhone

On May 2, 2018, at 3:32 PM, Jenna Gardner <xxxxxx@upstate.edu> wrote:

Good afternoon,

 

Our ALS clinic recently received a grant to start a loan closet for low-tech and tablet-based communication devices to provide to our mobile bulbar patients that don't want to lug around a large/heavier dedicated device.  I have been doing a lot of research to "get the most bang for my buck"  and was hoping for some feedback/advise from the group. 

 

I am looking to use the Predictable app, so I need to make sure I'm purchasing a tablet that is compatible.  I am more of an iPad gal myself, but know that I can get more tablets if I go with an android device.  Amazon has a great price for the Fire HD 8 tablet.  It looks like Predictable is compatible with this tablet, but I can't find it in writing.  I am waiting to hear back from Therapy Box to confirm, but figured I'd check here as well.  Has anyone used this combo?

Also, is anyone familiar with the Fire HD tablet?  I want to make sure I select a good tablet.  Is there a better tablet I should look into that is reasonably priced?

 

Thanks in advance.

Jenna Gardner, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

SUNY Upstate Medical Center/University Hospital

phone: 315-464-6543