The apps we’ve chosen are Proloquo2Go (P2G), Proloquo, CoughDrop, Lamp Words for Life (LWFL), TD Snap, TouchChat, Grid for iPad, and Speak for Yourself (S4Y).

[We also include a special keyguard called LWFL-VI that has raised landmarks to help individuals, who are blind or visually impaired, to more reliably locate the button that they want in the LWFL AAC app.]

We’ve mostly designed these keyguards based on the “default” settings of the app. On occasion, we’ve changed a default setting to provide more room for the buttons in the grid. Look below for those settings.

All designs can be printed on a printer with a print surface that is at least 250 millimeters wide.

Designs are Organized by Case

Because the design of a keyguard is very dependent on the case that holds the tablet we’ve chosen five of the cases most recommended by speech-language pathologists. The downloadable keyguard designs are organized by the case they will go into. The designs are on a separate page for each case. Look for a link at the end of the description for each case.

Fintie Case:

(link to Fintie case on Amazon)

The Fintie Case has a large opening and can accommodate larger keyguards. It has a built-in ring stand which can be easily used by children.

Go here to download “ready-to-print keyguard designs” for the Fintie case.

Rug-Ed ProLOCK 10 w/SwivelRing Case:

(link to Rug-Ed ProLOCK 10 case at Rug-Ed)

The Rug-Ed ProLOCK 10 (w/SwivelRing) Case has a large opening and can accommodate larger keyguards. It also has a built-in ring stand that can be easily used by children as well as a built-in handle.

Go here to download “ready-to-print keyguard designs” for the Rug-Ed case.

“LTROP” Case for Kids:

LTROP changed their iPad 7/8/9 case to include – and depend upon – a rigid screen protector since the days when these ready-to-print designs were originally created. We will continue to call these designs the “LTROP” designs because it would be really difficult to change the names of all of the associated files.

But they’re still relevant for all of the other cases that are simple clones of this basic Chinese design:

The “LTROP” case (and its many copycats) is one of the most commonly encountered case styles. Unfortunately, the handle/stand is limited in how it can be angled and is unstable in the upright position. (We’ve created a designer for a 3D-printable stand, for cases like this, that will allow you to position your tablet in a stable, upright position. Go here to learn more.)

Go here to download “ready-to-print keyguard designs” and stand options for the “LTROP” case

The Current LTROP Case:

There are many clones of this case as well, but fewer obvious ones. If you purchase a case that looks a lot like this one and the ready-to-print design doesn’t fit, it will probably be relatively straightforward to modify this design to meet your needs – see the link below about tweaking these designs.

(link to current LTROP case on Amazon)

The most important feature of this case that distinguishes it from the previous version is the inclusion of a rigid screen protector. Unfortunately, the screen protector is critical to hold the tablet securely in place. Without it, the tablet would slide around in the case from side to side and back to front. The keyguard designs for this case need to account for this characteristic.

As with the other LTROP-style cases, the handle/stand is limited in how it can be angled and is unstable in the upright position. (We’ve created a designer for a 3D-printable stand, for cases like this, that will allow you to position your tablet in a stable, upright position. Go here to learn more.)

Keyguard designs for this case will be coming shortly…

SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case:

(link to SUPCASE case on Amazon)

The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle case comes with a solid front casing with built-in screen protector. The screen protector has a clear plastic backing to protect the tablet from spills. The case is very tough and is MIL STD 810G-516.6 rated.

The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle comes with a strong built-in stand but it may be difficult for children to deploy. Unfortunately, the SUPCASE doesn’t have any built-in handle or strap for easy transport. However, it’s quite easy to add reliable, stick-on mounts to the back of the case and attach a separately purchased shoulder strap.

Go here to download “ready-to-print keyguard designs” for the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle case.

SEYMAC Case:

(link to SEYMAC case on Amazon)

The SEYMAC case is similar to the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle case in that it comes with a solid front casing with built-in screen protector. The screen protector has a clear plastic backing to protect the tablet from spills.

Unlike the SUPCASE, the SEYMAC case has a built-in ring stand which can be easily used by children and it comes with a shoulder strap for easy transport.

Go here to download “ready-to-print keyguard designs” for the SEYMAC case.

App Settings

All apps include settings that can affect the layout of buttons and bars. Find your app below and see what settings we changed from the default for our keyguard designs. You will need to setup your app the same way or the keyguard won’t match your layout.

Proloquo2 Go (P2G):

Settings > Appearance > Message Window Size > “Very Small”

Proloquo:

the default settings are unchanged

CoughDrop:

Preferences > Device Preferences > Device Layout > check “Always show the Back button in the header (recommended for users with key guards)”

Lamp Words for Life (LWFL & LWFL-VI):

the default settings are unchanged

Speak for Yourself (S4Y):

the default settings are unchanged

TD Snap:

the default settings are unchanged

TouchChat:

the default settings are unchanged
all layouts are also supported with “Speech Display Bar” > “Font Size” set to 72 points

Mounting Your Keyguard

Refer to these pages based on your choice of mounting method for a description of how to mount your keyguard:

Tweaking these keyguard designs

If one of these keyguards is close but not quite what you need, you can “easily” modify it so it will. You’ll need to learn how to use the keyguard designer but you can get a big leg up by starting with the design we’ve already created for that keyguard. Learn more about the process here.