Switch Access to iPods/iPads Expands

Several companies have announced new ways for those with physical or multiple disabilities to access the iPod and iPad.  Here is the list of what is currently on the market.

Control the iOS Device with Switch(es)

• iPortal Accessibility allows users with certain brands of power wheelchairs to use their driving mechanism (joystick, switches) to control all aspects of an iPhone 

Control Music on iOS with Switch(es)

• iScan MP3 single switch access to iOS devices (except the shuffle, the picture is deceiving on the website it DOES work with current model devices) with adjustable scan speed
• Ablenet Hook auditory scanning of music with one or two switches designed to be adjustable in terms of cognitive load

Control an App with Switch(es)

• RJ Cooper iOS Super Switch and Switch Interface
• Ablenet Blue 2

Use the iOS Device as a Switch(es) to Control Other Things

• Switchamajig turns your iPad into an adaptive remote control for adapted toys
• Attainment

Coming in September 2012 - All Accessible iPad from Ablenet

(below is directly from the Ablenet website.)

Keynote™

Enabling the iPad for everyone.

Product will be available September 2012
AbleNet’s Keynote access solution unlocks the power of the iPad mobile device for users with significant physical disabilities. Keynote provides cutting edge accessibility, brilliant sound and exceptional design to create a one of a kind solution for the iPad.

• HiFi stereo amplified sound output
• Wireless and wired switch access with scanning capabilities to control the iPad and apps supporting VoiceOver controls
• Sleek outer casing protects against moisture and impact
• Integrated battery, charging and iPad syncing
• Updatable firmware to add new features as they are available
• MSRP $349.00

Switch Interface Round Up

 Access to Software on a Computer

• ATEC Switch Interface by Marblesoft
• Access to most accessible software
• Settings include proprietary Crick/Clicker settings
• Change settings on interface box
• Mouse Emulation
• $69.95 

• Hitch by Ablenet
• Access to most accessible software
  
• Mouse emulation
• 5 switch ports
  
• USB connection
  
• $99
  

•  Multi Switch by Inclusive
• Access to most accessible software
• Change settings using provided software
• Automatically adjusts to most commercial switch software
• Six switch ports
• Switch testing through interface box
• USB Connection
• $155

• Cordless Switch interface by RJ Cooper
• off-the-shelf wireless presentation controller adapted with 2 switch ports
• sends only mouse button "clicks"
• $99

• Switch Hopper and Switch Hopper by RJ Cooper
• Frog shaped interface with 3 switch ports, or interface with built in button
• sends mouse clicks or install software to change mouse button settings (affects all connected mice)
• $99/$119

• Switch Interface Pro 6.0 by Don Johnston
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
• Mouse emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• 6 switch ports
•  $94.99

• USB Switch Interface Plus by Quizworks
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• "no repeat key" and "repeat key" settings
• 5 switch ports
• $99

• Wireless Switch Interface by Quizworks
• RF up to 100 feet 
• Uses 9volt battery
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings on interface box
• 5 switch ports
•  $230

• Crick USB Switch Box
• Works with most accessible software
• Created to work with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
• use software to change settings
• website to assist with finding settings
• 5 switch ports
• USB Connection
•  $159

• Stealth Switch 5
• Must be programmed to work with chosen software using software, settings then saved in interface so it can be moved without resetting
• Use as a mouse emulator
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $79

• Intelliswitch by Madentec
• Works with most accessible software
• Works with Discover Pro
• Change settings using software
• Wireless or wired, RF wireless up to 20 feet, wired uses USB
• Heavier and bigger than most other interfaces
• $299

• Swifty by Orin
• Thumb drive size interface
• 1 switch port
• Connect the Swifty Beam for wireless access to up to 3 switches
• Mouse Emulator with Swifty Beam
• $79.95

Mouse Emulators on a Computer

• ATEC Switch Interface by Marblesoft
• Access to most accessible software
• Settings include proprietary Crick settings
  
• Mouse Emulation
• USB connection
• $69.95 

• Mi-5 by TASH/Ablenet
• Mouse emulation only
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $113 

• Hitch by Ablenet
• Access to most accessible software
• Mouse emulation
• 5 switch ports
• USB connection
• $99

• Switch Interface Pro 6.0 by Don Johnston
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker 5 and 6
  
• Mouse emulator
  
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
  
• 6 switch ports
•  $94.99

• USB Switch Interface Plus by Quizworks
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings using interface box
• USB connection
• "no repeat key" and "repeat key" settings
• 5 switch ports
• $99

• Wireless Switch Interface by Quizworks
• RF up to 100 feet 
• Uses 9volt battery
• Access to most accessible software
• Works with Crick/Clicker
• Mouse Emulator
• Change settings on interface box
• 5 switch ports
•  $230

•  X-Keys USB by Pi Engineering
• Mouse emulator or custom controls
• Use software to control settings
• Includes software development kit
• USB connection
• 12 switch ports
• $129.95

• Swifty by Orin
• Thumb drive size interface
• 1 switch port
• Connect the Swifty Beam for wireless access to up to 3 switches
• Mouse Emulator with Swifty Beam
  
• $79.95

For iOS (iPod, iPad, iPhone)

• APPlicator Switch Interface by Inclusive/Pretorian
• Bluetooth (wireless) interface (no PIN #, 65 foot range)
• Works with both RJ Cooper and Ablenet settings
• Controls music as well
•  Four switch ports
• $165

• Hook by Ablenet
• gives access to music only
• use a computer to adjust settings
• $149.99

• Switchamajig
• turns iPad into a switch to control attached, adapted items
• $279 

• Blue2 by Ablenet
• works with Ablenet and Blue2 compatible apps only
• built in switches or connect other to 1 or 2 switch ports
• also works with a computer with included dongle
• $149

• The Shield by Tecla
• Connect switches and or controllers to iOS devices
• Use with Tecla app
  
• Controls the entire device and certain apps
• starts at $289 (add accessories and training if needed)

• iScan MP3
• works with 30 pin iOS devices
• access to music only
•  $299.95

• Bluetooth Switch Interface by RJ Cooper
• Works with compatible apps
• 2 switch ports
• lithium-ion battery
• $99

For Android

• Click-to-Phone by Broadened Horizons
• Switch access to phone features, media and other features of Android
• Wireless
• Price includes training
• $399-1099 

• The Shield by Tecla
• Connect switches and or controllers to Android devices
• Use with Tecla app
• Controls the entire Android device and certain apps
• starts at $289 (add accessories and training if needed)

Misc

• PageBot by Orin for Kindle
• Works with Kindle Keyboard, DX and Kindle 2
• Activate switch to turn to next page or previous page
• Includes mount for Kindle and PageBot
• $279.95-299.95

Free Switch Progression Road Map

Inclusive Technology is offering a free e-book called The Switch Progression Road Map.  It is a guide to teaching switch use in incremental portions.  The Road Map is useful in the way all task analysis are useful; you can assess to pinpoint where each child is, create goals and benchmarks and plan future interventions.  I should note that their is a fair amount of shilling of Inclusive Technology products in the guide, but it is very useful none-the-less.

Updated: Free Online Switch Activities

For most current list please click here.

This is an update of the post listing online switch activities for learners with multiple or significant special needs. The activities listed are chosen because they can be used with switches, they are simple and they are enjoyable. The activities listed are free. Some activities may require set up by an assistant before switch use. Although care has been taken not to include switch activities with any violence or graphic images teachers and others still need to check activities for age and general appropriateness before use.

Cause and Effect (and Press to Play):

• Hiyah
• Kneebouncers
• Priory Woods Videos Revamped
• Learning Tools (scroll down)

Single Switch Scanning (sites may include some cause and effect games as well):

•  A Sliding Puzzle for Helen (download)
• Bullseye
• CBBC
• CBeebies
• Cow Jumped Over the Moon
• Jack Be Nimble
• My Switch Games by Scott McKay
• NGfL Switch Coloring
• Papunet
• Priory Woods Kids Only
• SEN/Switcher
• Shiny Learning 
• SwitchedOn Games Bowling
• The Great Fish Race (download only)

Two Switches (unless otherwise noted you music click in the area of the game and then use tab and enter to play):

• Accessible Book Launcher
• Bug Memory
• Fruit Memory
• Space Memory
• Sensory House (tab and enter)

Finger Isolation Switch

These photos show an Ablenet Jelly Bean switch adapted to teach finger isolation.  It is adapted with molded splinting material to cover the switch and a hold cut in the middle.  For low vision the hole could be marked with paint or brightly colored duct tape.  The adaption was done by the wonderful COTA at our school.

New Free Switch Activities

• Pop a Balloon at Shiny Learning
• Make a card (including Easter Cards - you know, if Easter Cards aren't a problem in your setting) with the new Switch Card Maker Program for free download at HelpKidzLearn
• Play Brick Out with one or two switches at HelpKidzLearn 
• Curl via Scott McKay's Switch Curling for one or two players - be sure to check out the rest of Scott McKay's collection as well!

Device of the Day - Switch Activated Pouring Cup on a Flexible Mount

This product, a switch activated measuring cup mounted on a flexible gooseneck mount, from Enabling Devices ($122.95) is my first Device of the Day. I acquired one just this past September, thinking I would use it for cooking lessons.

I have used it for cooking, and so much more. I've used it in science to measure and pour experiment ingredients, in math to teach measuring liquids, in art to drop glitter and sand onto projects and in even in history when we made Silly Putty in a lesson on 1940's inventions. This device is limited only by creativity.

Another bonus (that admittedly I viewed as a drawback at first) is that one switch will pour while a second switch with upright the measuring cup. This design creates teamwork between my students who use switches in handling the measuring and pouring. (You can also just move the switch from one port to another). This nifty device has many uses in the intensive special needs classroom.