Limit number of fingers - sensitivity

[Vestihavet]

My adult son is mentally retarded (Angelman syndrome), but enjoys looking at photos and videos on his iPad. However, he does not understand that he has several fingers that make unwanted things happen when he moves his hand on the screen. Is there any way to limit the screens perception of finger touch to just one, no matter how many fingers actually touches the screen? What he needs to accomplish is just to wipe to the next picture, not twist or zoom in or anything fancy requiring several fingers.

[Macman45]

That's a pretty specialised area, but there may be an app in the store that would allow swipe only...(which I think is what you mean) I have a buddy here who develops applications for handicapped folks...I will catch him next time he's online. Hope your son enjoys the iPad

[Macman45]

Originally Posted by Vestihavet

My adult son is mentally retarded (Angelman syndrome), but enjoys looking at photos and videos on his iPad. However, he does not understand that he has several fingers that make unwanted things happen when he moves his hand on the screen. Is there any way to limit the screens perception of finger touch to just one, no matter how many fingers actually touches the screen? What he needs to accomplish is just to wipe to the next picture, not twist or zoom in or anything fancy requiring several fingers.

I've put the word out...

[SilentPanda]

Unless there is a setting in the iOS settings this would have to be functionality enabled in an app. There's not an app that could alter the way other apps work. Alternatively, would it be possible for him to wear a glove with one of the fingers cut off? Then he could still touch with the other fingers but only the one finger would register.

[robbieduncan]

I am not sure if such an app exists. But it seems that it could be built.

[Vestihavet]

Originally Posted by SilentPanda

Unless there is a setting in the iOS settings

Is it possible to send a suggestion to Apple? Where can I do that?

Originally Posted by SilentPanda

would it be possible for him to wear a glove with one of the fingers cut off?

Maybe it might work as a workaround, but as this is not what he is used to, it would require some training.

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Originally Posted by Macman45

I have a buddy here who develops applications for handicapped folks...I will catch him next time he's online.

Please do !

[SilentPanda]

Originally Posted by Vestihavet

Is it possible to send a suggestion to Apple? Where can I do that?

Maybe it might work as a workaround, but as this is not what he is used to, it would require some training.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

While it's likely easy to implement, it might be hard to implement well. It removes functionality from almost every app, making most of them useless. I do understand the need, but I would be surprised if they added it for this reason. That's really the only reason I suggested the glove route. Anything that could disable his remaining fingers as far as the iPad is concerned while also allow him to use them on accident. You might also call Apple to see if they know of an accessory to help.

The other option might be jailbreaking. A non-jailbroken device cannot have an app that would make this change for you. But I'm not familiar with that scene.

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by Vestihavet

My adult son is mentally retarded (Angelman syndrome), but enjoys looking at photos and videos on his iPad. However, he does not understand that he has several fingers that make unwanted things happen when he moves his hand on the screen. Is there any way to limit the screens perception of finger touch to just one, no matter how many fingers actually touches the screen? What he needs to accomplish is just to wipe to the next picture, not twist or zoom in or anything fancy requiring several fingers.

go into the settings and make sure mulitasking gestures is off. If it's on that's likely the source of his issue. He's probably putting his whole hand down instead of one or two fingers and that multifinger swipe of 4 or 5 is triggering the swipe between apps gesture. there's also gestures that trigger if he swipes his fingers up by accident or even pinches too many together and so on

Another thing to look at is the Accessibility controls (same panel about 4 more down). You might be able to reset some of the taps and gestures that way. A part of that to look at is the Guided Access feature. If he's looking at all of this inside of one app you could lock it into that app and control some of the responses in those settings.

[IPadNParadise]

Originally Posted by charlituna

go into the settings and make sure mulitasking gestures is off. If it's on that's likely the source of his issue. He's probably putting his whole hand down instead of one or two fingers and that multifinger swipe of 4 or 5 is triggering the swipe between apps gesture. there's also gestures that trigger if he swipes his fingers up by accident or even pinches too many together and so on

Another thing to look at is the Accessibility controls (same panel about 4 more down). You might be able to reset some of the taps and gestures that way. A part of that to look at is the Guided Access feature. If he's looking at all of this inside of one app you could lock it into that app and control some of the responses in those settings.

I think you are describing the setting capabilities in a mac and not an ipad. Maybe Im wrong but my ipad does not show Accessibility controls.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by IPadNParadise

I think you are describing the setting capabilities in a mac and not an ipad. Maybe Im wrong but my ipad does not show Accessibility controls.

Settings > General > Accessibility (scroll all the way down under "General")

[Vestihavet]

I have sent a suggestion to Apple, thank you for the link.

Originally Posted by SilentPanda

I do understand the need, but I would be surprised if they added it for this reason. That's really the only reason I suggested the glove route. Anything that could disable his remaining fingers as far as the iPad is concerned while also allow him to use them on accident.

OK, I see your point. I will find some light gloves, cut a finger off it and start the training.

Originally Posted by SilentPanda

You might also call Apple to see if they know of an accessory to help.

I did not know that was possible. Where can I place a call?

Originally Posted by SilentPanda

The other option might be jailbreaking. A non-jailbroken device cannot have an app that would make this change for you. But I'm not familiar with that scene.

Jailbreaking is way out of my leage.