Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based AssistiveWare on Monday released SwitchXS 1.6, a free update to its assistive technology for disabled Mac OS X users. The new version adds a layout editor — a public beta version of LayoutKitchen, which lets users edit built-in scan panels and create their own all together. What’s more, the new version improves scanning rhythm accuracy and higher maximum scan speed. It also enhances game compatibility a new Games scan panel.
SwitchXS is intended for use by people who have very limited limb movement — quadriplegics, for example, or people with neuromotor diseases like ALS and Cerebral Palsy. The software offers full mouse and keyboard emulation through a scanning mode — each click of the user’s switch selects an action. SwitchXS is available in English, French and Japanese. It costs US$249 or €199. It requires Mac OS X v10.2 or higher.