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About this tool
Select and speak phrases using single-switch scanning input.
Switch-Scanning Communicator is a single-switch scanning communicator: a highlight moves down a list of phrases one at a time on a timer, and pressing Space, Enter or the large on-screen button speaks whichever phrase is highlighted through the browser's speech synthesis. Scan speed is adjustable from 600 ms to 4000 ms per item, and the phrase list is fully editable — one phrase per line — so it can be set up for one person's actual vocabulary in a couple of minutes. It suits anyone who can operate a single reliable switch or key press but cannot point accurately at a grid.
Open Switch-Scanning Communicator on AltFTool — it loads instantly in your browser.
Paste your code or data sample into the workspace.
Pick the format, conversion, or analysis you need.
Copy the polished result straight back into your project.
Space and Enter both act as the switch, so a keyboard, an adapted switch mapped to a key, or the oversized on-screen button all work without configuration.
The interval slider runs 600–4000 ms in 100 ms steps, which covers both fast, practised users and someone who needs several seconds to react.
Type any phrases, one per line, and the scan order follows them exactly — names, medication, food preferences, whatever that person actually needs to say.
It is an access method where the device moves a highlight through the options on a timer and the user acts at the right moment, rather than selecting directly. This tool uses linear scanning — the highlight steps through the phrases one by one and wraps back to the top — which is the simplest form and the easiest to learn.
Start slow and speed up. Around 2000–3000 ms per item is a reasonable starting point for someone new to scanning; experienced users often work comfortably at under 1000 ms. The slider covers 600 ms to 4000 ms, and the right value is the fastest setting at which the person still hits their intended phrase consistently.
Yes, if the switch or its interface sends a Space or Enter key press — most switch interfaces are configurable to do exactly that. There is no separate driver or pairing step here; anything that reaches the browser as one of those two keys triggers the selection.
No — treat it as a stopgap or a practice aid. A prescribed AAC system offers vocabulary that grows with the user, alternative scan patterns such as row-column, message storage, mounting and dedicated hardware switches. Anyone who needs communication support day to day should be assessed by a speech-language pathologist or AT specialist.