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      Shortcuts & Automations

      How I can quickly access my favorite app?

      iPad Shortcuts provide quick access to personalized actions or a series of actions.  Automations make shortcuts even simpler by adding a trigger to shortcut action. Add a shortcut to the AssistiveTouch Menu, Hot Corner or homescreen for quick access with eye gaze.

      • Create a shortcut in the Shortcuts App.  Apple provides a diverse range of ready-made shortcuts in their library for users to choose from.
      • Add the Shortcut to your Assistive Touch menu, one of your Hot Corners, or as a Widget for fast access

      Assistive Touch Menu: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssisitiveTouch > Customize Top Level Menu

      Hot Corners: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssisitiveTouch > Hot Corners

      Widget: See below!

      Check the video for how to do it: 

      TIP: Set a shortcut to open the Hiru App for easy access to a calibration.

      How to Set up a Widget:

      Add Widgets for Large Icons

      You can use widgets on any page of your Home Screen. Some users have found creating a widget with a larger icon makes it easier to select a favorite app or access favorite tools like weather, news and notes. 

      • Set up: Touch and hold an empty area on the Home Screen, then tap the Add button in the upper-left corner.
      • Select a widget from the list on the left or scroll down to find the Shortcut to an App you created in the previous step. 
      • Swipe left or right on the widget to choose a size, then tap Add Widget.
      • Tap Done in the upper-right corner, or just tap your Home Screen.

      TIP: By default, the shortcut widget will automatically take the last created shortcut.  To choose a different shortcut for the widget, long press on the icon, and select "Edit Widget"

       

      Automations

      Automations allow you to set a trigger for a shortcut, allowing you to start a sequence of actions without even thinking about it.

      Let's see an example:

      For users who are using eye gaze for only one app, you can create an automatic jump from the calibration app HIRU APP, directly to the AAC app.  To do this, 

      1. Create a shortcut to Open the Communication app (ex. Predictable)
      2. Then, go to Automations (inside the Shortcuts app) and select + or New Automation.
      3. Scroll down to select App as the trigger.  This will prompt you to select the App you want to use as a trigger.  Choose "Calibration Hiru"  
      4. Select "is closed".  
      5. Then, "Next". 
      6. Under "Do", select the shortcut you created in Step 1 "Open Communication app".
      7. Select "Done".

      Now, every time you close Hiru app, your AAC app will open automatically, ensuring distractions are kept to a minimum as you switch from calibration to communication.