Getting Started with Join-In for Grid 3
What is Join-In?
- Join-In is designed to allow AAC users enjoy the full experience of leading sites and apps. The current release of Join-In supports the following apps: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, Android Messages, Google Calendar, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and Microsoft News (MSN).
- Join-In users interact with the apps using their preferred Grid 3 Accessibility method (eye-gaze tracking, switches, touch, etc.). The user controls apps using Grid 3 grids, typically located on the left side of the screen, while the apps use the browser, which occupies the rest of the screen. In some cases, Join-In allows eye-tracking and touch users to directly select from the browser area.
Before you start
- Make sure you have an Internet connection.
- Make sure you have a valid license / subscription.
- If you’ve received a Join-In login name and password, please login using the “Join-In login” page set. Logging in is required only the first time you use your device.
- Entering a permanent license number can be done using the Join-In license manager, directly from the Windows button.
- Use the “Join-In Options” grid set, to set up your accessibility preferences. Using this grid set you will be able to set up your preferred accessibility method, and some of its parameters, like dwell time. These parameters will be active across all Join-In apps, but will not affect selection of Grid 3 cells.
First Time Use
- General apps structure – all the apps have a Menu cell in the main grid. This cell leads to the menu grid, which includes (1) the main app specific functions, (2) the Options cell with app specific options, and (3) the Utilities cell with all the recovery tools.
- Using apps for the first time – Each Join-In app has an info or a login and info cell in the first grid (the login and info cell will appear only if the app requires user to log in). Click this cell the first time you use each app to login (if needed), set up the app main parameters and proceed to the Training Cards grid of the app.
- The following apps require login and password: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Netflix and Google Calendar. YouTube does not require one, but using a Google account is needed if you want to be able to browse your history and get personal recommendations. Make sure that you have with you the login and password required for the app you want to use. Login is required only the first time you use the app on a device.
- WhatsApp and Android messages (SMS) will require scanning a QR code on your screen, the first time you use the apps.
- Some apps require specific permissions for operations such as using the device’s camera and microphone. These permissions are granted by Join-In automatically. You can review the list of permissions granted in the Training Cards page of each app.
The Utilities Grid
The Utilities Grid appears in all apps. It is accessible by clicking the Utilities cell on the Menu page of all apps. The functionality of this Grid includes zoom in and out, some recovery options and tools to manage the different windows on the screen. This page is a very important “troubleshooting” resource.
- Zoom In and Zoom Out – these cells change the zoom factor of the browser window. The initial zoom is 100%. Change the zoom factor if you want to see more, or less content on the screen. Once you changed it, your zoom factor will be saved and used by the active app until changed again.
- Space – this cell sends Space as a keyboard shortcut to the browser.
- Recover – Use this cell when, for some reason, you “lose” the window of the active app. Clicking this cell will bring the app window back to focus, or, if it was closed by mistake – open it in a new window.
- Previous Field and Next Field – these cells allow you to navigate the links on the browser page. These cells are useful mainly when an unwanted message box pops up. Join-In tries to filter out automatically all annoying messages, however, if such message is not closed automatically, you can click the Previous Field and Next Field cells to navigate to the button on the message that closes it, and then click Enter.
- ESC – this cell sends Escape as a keyboard shortcut to the browser.
- Enter – this cell sends Enter as a keyboard shortcut to the browser.
- Window Mode – click this cell if you want the app to exit Full Screen mode, so that you can get access to the device desktop.
- Close Window – click this cell to close the active browser window. This is useful when too many windows opened while using Join-In.
Direct Selection
In some cases Join-In allows direct selection from the browser area. For example – selecting a YouTube video, selecting a post to view on Instagram, selecting a contact in WhatsApp etc.
To enable direct selection, click the Select cell. Selectable items on the screen will become highlighted. Note that if the table includes arrows, the arrows are always selectable.
Exiting Apps
There are two cells that can be used to go to Grid Explorer – Close and Exit (the big button) and Exit Only (the small button).
- Close and Exit – use this cell, if you want to close the app window, and go to the Grid Explorer.
- Exit Only – use this button to go to Grid Explorer and minimize the app window. Click it only if you need to keep the app open, e.g. – if you want a Spotify song to play in the background, or if you wish to return later to the current location in Facebook. Otherwise – use Close and Exit, and avoid having too many open windows.