Mac OS - Switch Control

To start your Tecla Shield should be in Switch Access / Switch Control mode (blinking purplish white). If you are not sure how to change modes check here: Mode Change Instructions.

With the Tecla Shield ready for connection – the status indicator light should be blinking white and the switches should be connected to it - follow the steps below to set up your Mac laptop or desktop computer with Switch Control:

1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth. With Bluetooth enabled, you should see the Tecla Shield DOS listed under Devices as TeclaShieldDOS-XXXX (where XXXX is a random sequence). Click on Pair. It will change status to Connected.

2. Go to System Preferences > Accessibility, then scroll down and click on Switch Control to go to its settings.

3. Click on Switches.

4. Click on the (+) sign to add a switch. Press a switch connected to the Tecla shield. In the new pop up window, in Actions assign the switch an action from the list. If you are using a single switch (or you are using more than one switch, but this is your main selection switch), choose the “Select Item” action. You can also set a behaviour for Press & hold, you can ignore it or repeat the current action. Click Done when you have selected the action for your switch. See the “Available Actions” description on the Notes section below for a brief description of other possible switch actions that you can assign to optional additional switches besides your main selection switch. The “Recommended Configurations” table on Notes section below may also be helpful for assigning switch actions. 

5. Repeat step 4 for all of your switches. 

6. To turn off Auto Scanning when using more than one switch, make sure to assign Move to Next Item in the Actions for one of your switches. You can then turn off Auto Scanning. 

7. Go back to Switch Control > General, and Enable Switch Control by clicking on the white box. At this point, you should be able to control Mac OS using the Switch Control through the Tecla Shield.

Notes:

• You can learn more about Switch Control and its features by visiting this website: 

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202865

  Available Switch Actions

• Restart From top - Scanning is restarted from the top of the page
• Select Item - Selects the highlighted item. If you are using a single switch, you should assign it to this action.
• Move to Next Item - Highlights the next actionable item.
• Stop Scanning - Stops automatic scanning. 
• Custom - Switch control will open a file or application automatically when switch is activated. 

Further Customization

In addition, switch control can be highly customized to suit the specific needs of many individuals. Additional settings in the Navigation tab include:

• While Navigating - Select type of auditory feedback from playing sounds when scanning, read the names of elements being scanned, both or none. 
• Restart Position - Select where the cursor should restart after making a selection. It could be either After the Cursor, from the beginning of the group or at the top of the page. 
• Auto Scanning after Select - Resumes Auto scanning after selection when enabled. 
• When Pointer Reaches Edge - Determines what the pointer does after it reaches the end, bounce back or disappear.
• Switch control Cursor Size - Change size of cursor (Small/ Medium/Large)
• Pointer Precision - Changes pointer position (Low/High)
• Loops - Number of loops for Auto Scanning.
• Timing - Setting for Auto Scanning timing.

Recommended Configurations

Single & Dual Switches

Number of Switches	Auto Scanning	SP-1	SP-2
Single	On	Select Item	-
Dual	Off	Select Item	Move to Next Item
Dual	Off	Select Item	Restart From Top
Dual	On	Select Item	Stop Scanning

Multiple Switches (Auto Scanning Off)

Number of Switches	ECU1 (Forward)	ECU2 (Back)	ECU3 (Left)	ECU4 (Right)
3 Switches	Select Item		Restart from Top	Move to Next Item
4 Switches	Select Item	Custom	Restart from Top	Move to Next Item