Mind Express offers several accessible applications, and "YouTube (simple)" is one of them! "YouTube (simple)" allows you to make buttons that link to specific videos on YouTube.
Accessible applications are specially programmed apps that allow the user to navigate the content of the app using a variety of access methods. The buttons are often larger than they would be in the standard version of the application, which allows individuals who may experience challenges with fine motor access to more easily utilize the program. The buttons are also accessible via other access methods such as switch scanning and eye gaze.
This article will explain how to use "YouTube (simple)" within Mind Express on a WinSlate. Your WinSlate must be unlocked to use this application (How do I "unlock" my Forbes AAC device?)
First, open the "YouTube (simple)" accessible app.
- Go to the "Portal" within the Mind Express Spark profile by selecting "Menu"
in the upper left corner and then selecting "Portal" from the dropdown. If you are already in the Portal, "Portal" will not be visible in the dropdown menu.
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Open the "Accessible Apps" folder and locate the YouTube (simple)" app icon. Select the icon.
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Once open, the "YouTube (simple)" template looks like this:
Next, create a templated button that you can use for future programming.
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Select "Menu" in the upper left corner of the screen
, and select "Edit" from the dropdown menu. You are now in "edit mode" and your screen should look like this:
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Click on the currently programmed button, and then select "favorites (dynamic list)" in the editing menu on the right side of the screen.
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Your screen should now look like this:
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Click the existing button, and then click "Copy" under "Cut/Paste." There are several commands pre-programmed onto this button, and it can be helpful to use it as a template.
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Click a blank square on the page, and then click "Paste."
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Now you have a second button that can be used as a template for future editing. Because the user does not need to see or use this button, we can make it "hidden." Select the second button, and then select "Visible" under the "Properties" dropdown in the edit menu.
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Your templated button will now be "hidden," and not visible to the user (note the red "x" over the icon).
Next, let's program a button with a preferred video.
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Remain in "Edit" mode and select the button that you would like to program. Then select the small pencil icon next to the "Internet" command under "Actions."
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A window with a link will automatically appear. This is where you will put the YouTube video link that you would like the button to open. That said, you will NOT be deleting the entire existing link and pasting in the whole YouTube video link. You will only edit the final section of the link after the equal sign (see picture below).
- Go to your internet browser and find the YouTube video that you would like to link to the button. In this example, we will be using a Forbes AAC instructional video, but you may want to link the AAC user's preferred song, a read aloud book, or a meaningful script!
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In the YouTube video link, copy the letters and numbers AFTER the equal sign only.
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Paste the numbers and letters you copied from the YouTube link AFTER the equal sign in the URL editing tool that you opened within Mind Express in step 2 (see above).
- Once you have the URL edited, select "OK" in the lower right corner of the URL editing tool.
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Change the button image, label, and style as desired (How do I edit a button?)
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Once you are satisfied with your button, press the left arrow at the bottom of the screen. This will return you to the "YouTube (simple)" home page.
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Press the green checkmark button in the lower right corner of the edit menu.
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Press the floppy disk save button in the upper left corner of the screen to save your changes.
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If you click on the button you programmed, it will now open to the YouTube video link that you added to the button action. The video will play without ads and in full screen. It can be controlled using the accessible buttons on both sides of the video player.
You may want to link the "YouTube (simple)" accessible app directly to a user's vocabulary file. Here is how to do that: How do I link a button to another pageset?
Questions? You are more than welcome to reach out to your local Assistive Technology Specialist: Find a Specialist | Forbes AAC | Augmentative Communication
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