Pretorian Technologies – adapt-it.co.uk

Pretorian is a british manufacturer that provides us with a wide range of control capabilities for people with complex needs. Pretorian Technologies range of Assistive Technology and Communication products is the most comprehensive and extensive of any manufacturer and includes the unique SimplyWorks^® family of wireless AT (Assistive Technology) and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) products.

Alternative Mice

Assistive Mouse Alternatives are perhaps the products that Pretorian is best known for – their range is large, innovative and comprehensive. providing us with flexibility to make IT and gaming accessible.

Assistive Switches

Assistive Switches are a major component of Assistive Technology. What can appear to some as a simple push button, once installed correctly, adds countless new dimensions to the access of communication devices, toy controls, computer software, and mains operated devices, to those with assistive learning requirements and motor skill difficulties.

A Switch converts a user action (such as pressing) into making something happen. Most children with severe and complex learning difficulties should be able to operate a switch to use with computer software, communication devices, battery-operated toys and mains appliances.

Switch Interfaces

Pretorian Switch Interfaces allow Assistive Technology switches to be connected to the computer. A standard switch has a 3.5mm jack that, in most cases, cannot be plugged directly into the computer. With a switch interface, the user can plug the switch into the switch interface and then plug the switch interface into one of the computer ports such as a USB port. Switch interfaces often allow for multiple switches to be plugged in at once.

The smarter Switch interfaces such as the Ultimate Switchbox can be programmed to include longer strings of keypresses enabling an infinate ways to control all aspects of your computer.

Alternative Communication

Being able to express your ideas with those around you is not simply a convenience, or even a need, but fundamentally a basic human right. Assistive Technology Communication Devices allow those with disabilities the chance to engage with others and aid in their learning activities.

Environmental Controls

Pretorian EnvirON^® is a highly versatile suite of assistive environmental control devices designed for disabled users to help them achieve their maximum level of independence. The system may be used to control almost all appliances normally associated with daily living, using one or more input methods simultaneously, including:

The Environ iPhone/iPad app
Large-key programmable remote (with scanning facilities)
Individual wireless switches

The Environ Range gives the user seamless access to all their devices no matter what form they take.

Perhaps the most important aspect of EnvirON however is the simplicity with which it can be configured. Many environmental controls require complex and lengthy on-site configuration by the manufacturer, making them very expensive. By contrast, EnvirON is simple to set up and may be configured in a matter of minutes

Eye-Gaze Enabled Gaming

Game On with Pretorian Technologies^® is a new and unique assistive gaming product which allows users of eye-gaze enabled AAC devices and computers to achieve full control of computer games using only their eyes. Equally, users who rely on switch or joystick scanning may also achieve full control of their games.

Game On may be used to play games either on a standard PC or on an Xbox via an Xbox Adaptive Controller. The user’s AAC device, such as Smartbox Gridpad, Tobii Dynavox I-series, PRC Accent or a standard computer*, displays a special gaming page set with a similar layout to a standard game controller handset.

Features

Allows eye-gaze enabled AAC device users to access computer games using only their eyes.
Can implement all the controls on a game controller, or a subset.
Interfaces to a gaming computer* or an Xbox via an Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Can be used with Co-Pilot to allow a gaming partner to assist with game play.
Stores up to six Profiles to allow customisation for individual users and/or individual games.
Multi-player facility allows up to 4 players either co-operative play of a single game, or simultaneous game play in a single setting (e.g. gaming tournaments).
Several easily modified Gridsets available and custom Gridsets may be shared with the gaming community.
Fully customisable grid sets allow the grid to be changed according to the user’s unique requirements.
Can also be used for gaming using switch scanning instead of eye-gaze if preferred.