The Empower Accessible Web Browser was specifically designed for use with head tracking and eye tracking. It is a familiar, simple, and easy-to-use browser.
Notes:
To enable streaming in websites such as Netflix®, be sure your software is updated to version 1.13 or later, and then connect to the internet before starting the Web Browser app.
The device battery will deplete more quickly when streaming content. It is recommended that you have the battery charger plugged in and connected to the device while streaming.
To access to the Web Browser, go to Menu > Toolbox > Applications. Then select Web Browser.
If you do not see Web Browser, you will need to update your software to version 1.06 or later. If after updating your software, you still do not see Web Browser, your Accent device is set up as a dedicated communication device. Most funding sources require that devices are shipped as dedicated communication devices. This means that access to some of the extended features is limited. To use the Web Browser, the device needs to be unlocked by purchasing an Integrated Feature Pack (IFP). An IFP provides access to Timocco™ and the Web Browser.
For more information on purchasing an IFP:
For Medicare purchases, contact Funding at 800.268.5224 or funding@prentrom.com.
For all other purchases, contact Sales at 800.262.1933 or sales@prentrom.com.
Home Screen
When you select Web Browser, the home screen appears. At the top, two rows of buttons help you use the Web Browser. The remaining portion of the screen is the Web Browser window.
Note: Your web browsing experience will be affected by the speed of your internet connection. You need to make sure the webpage is fully loaded before you try to interact with it.
Visual Feedback
The buttons across the top will display any cursor or dwell feedback you have set in the Cursor, Dwell, and Selection Feedback options in the User Settings tab of the Toolbox.
The Web Browser window will only display a cursor, whether you have it turned on or off.
Web Browser Buttons
The Web Browser buttons operate as follows.
Prev Page navigates back one webpage in your browsing history.
Next Page navigates forward one webpage in your browsing history.
Refresh refreshes your current webpage.
The URL Address Bar allows you to go to a different website. You can enter a specific URL address or a search term. Select Go to perform the search.
My Favorites stores favorite websites.
Zoom In makes items in the Web Browser window bigger.
Zoom Out resets zoom to its normal state.
Exit App exits the Web Browser and returns you to where you were when you opened the app.
Tab Left tabs back through a website. A blue box will outline the active link.
Select Link selects the active link you have tabbed to on the webpage.
Tab Right tabs forward through a website. A blue box will outline the active link.
Read Mode turns Read Mode ON when you want to view or read a website and you don’t want to make accidental clicks in the Web Browser window. When Read Mode is ON the button will turn blue and you will not be able to click in the Web Browser window; however, you can still select the buttons in the top two rows and use scroll.
Use Page Scroll when a webpage has only one scroll bar. The transparent bars with small white arrows at the top/bottom and left/right of the webpage allow you to scroll. The software detects how many scroll bars there are on a page and automatically turns on the correct version of scroll. When Page Scroll is ON, the button will turn blue. Select it again to turn it OFF.
Use Section Scroll when a webpage has multiple scroll bars. The software detects how many scroll bars there are on a page and automatically turns on the correct version of scroll. When Section Scroll is ON, the button will turn blue. Select it again to turn it OFF.
Tip: If you are using head or eye tracking and dwell to select, while your web page is loading turn Read Mode ON. When Read Mode is on, you can read and orient yourself to the new webpage without having to worry about accidentally clicking on something. Turn Read Mode OFF when you know what you want to do next. For example, when reading a news website, first have Read Mode on to get a feel for what articles are on the homepage. Turn read mode off when you are ready to click on a link to an article.
Menu Button and Quick Menu Access Bar
A Menu button and Quick Menu Access Bar are available in the top right corner of the screen to provide access to the Quick Menu shortcuts or to return to the Empower software.
You may want to turn off access to the Menu button and Quick Menu Access Bar so that the user does not accidentally select them or get distracted by them.
Store Favorite Websites
When you select the My Favorites button, the My Favorites page will open. Here you can Add and Delete favorite websites. In addition, you can navigate to additional pages of favorite websites using the Prev Page and Next Page buttons.
To add a favorite website:
Using the URL Address Bar, go to the website you want to add as a favorite. Wait until the page fully loads.
Select the My Favorites button.
Select Add Favorite.
Select an empty button.
Your favorite will be added to the next available button in favorites.
Note: You can place a favorite on a button that already has one; however, all favorites will shift one space to the right. You might do this if you want a new favorite at the top of your favorites page.
Note: When you import a user, the favorites for that user will be imported as well.
To delete a favorite website:
Select Delete Favorite.
Select the favorite button you want to delete.
All remaining buttons with favorite websites will shift one space to the left.
Create a Shortcut to the Web Browser in Your Vocabulary
To link directly to the Web Browser from your vocabulary:
Select Menu and then select Editor.
Navigate to the button on which you want to create the shortcut, but do not select it.
Select Edit and then select the button you want to edit.
Select Label and type Web Browser, then select Finished.
Suggested symbols will appear. Select one you like or select the Symbol tab. You can Search, Browse, or Import symbols or select Camera.
Select the Navigation tab on the left.
Select Go To App.
Choose Browser.
Select Finished.
Select Save.
This button will now take you directly to the Web Browser.
Tip: Add your email address to Word Prediction, so you don’t have to type it out every time.
To add your email address to Word Prediction:
Go to Menu > Toolbox > Vocabulary > Keyboards & Word Prediction.
Select Word Prediction.
Select the My Predictions tab.
Select the text field and type your email address. Select Finished.
Select Add and Close.
Your email address will now appear in your Word Prediction buttons on a keyboard.
Tip: When searching for something on the web (in YouTube, on Amazon, in Google etc.) use the Go button on the keyboard and it will automatically trigger the search. It is the equivalent of pressing Enter on your keyboard. If you simply want to enter text and then close the keyboard, select Finished instead.
Disclaimer: Given the infinite number and types of websites, we cannot guarantee our current tools will work with all websites. Currently we know the following popular websites and functions are not supported:
Uploading and downloading attachments
Printing
Some streaming services
Return to Empower from the Web Browser
The Web Browser app allows you to return to where you were before opening the app. Select Exit App at the top right corner of the screen, below the Menu button.
You will return to the Empower screen you came from.