The Splatz Switch Holder is a washable, non-slip switch holder for 2.5 inch round switches (Jelly Bean, Buddy Button) with a hole to thread the cord through. They come in the four colors shown from QED for £15.
Ever wished it was more possible for your students to move their mounted devices themselves? Blue Sky Designs has created a product to help with that exact thing. Called the Mount'N Mover this universal mount was created with a focus on the user.
The basic idea on the dual arm system is the hoop (that circle looking lever), which can be operated with one hand, is pushed down and the device swings from "in position" to "out of position/out of the way". Up to 12 different positions can be preset from over 1,000 choices of positions. A smaller paddle (the black "V" shaped level over the hoop, allows the angle of the device to be changed. A single arm and tilt only system are also available.
Only 1.5 pounds of force are needed to move the lever and swing the mount. (The Deassy locking swing away mount needs 5 pounds of force.)
The universal mounting plate can be attached to everything from AAC devices to cameras and more. It appears the Mount'N Mover will be carried by Ablenet and Saltillo (eventually). The dual arm system runs just under $1,000.00 and the single arm system runs about $800. The Deassy Positioner Mount, another dual arm (but not accessible like Mount'N Mover) runs about $900.00 and the Deassy Locking Swing Away Mount which is a single arm, accessible system runs about $750.00. Deassy has also announced a new design for a Locking Swing Away Mount to come out this summer. Deassy also carries plates that are compatible with just about every AAC device on the market, Dynavox, PRC, Tango, Tobii and more. I am not exactly clear on how the universal mount on the Mount'N Mover works.
Here are links to the info that is out there about the Mount'N Mover right now:
A new Ablenet Magic Arm switch mount arrived in my classroom today to replace the second gooseneck switch mount (by Enabling Devices) to break in six months (I am never ordering another one of those again). The Ablenet Magic Arm came in three pieces, the clamp, the arm and the plate. That got me thinking, perhaps it is cheaper to buy the pieces and assemble the mount yourself?
So I did some research and long story short it is cheaper.
Here is the breakdown:
The clamp is called Bogen - Manfrotto Super Clamp and runs $30-40.
The arm is called Bogen - Manfrotto Variable Friction Arm and runs from about $90-100. (The arm is also sometimes called an Israeli Arm.)
There are many plates you can attach to Velcro or screw the switch to they include the Bogen hexagonal mounting plate and the Bogen rapid change mounting plate these range from $18.00-50.00. Your best bet might be the ones made specifically for switches sold by Ablenet for $19.00.
You can even buy the clamp and arm together for $116.00 from Amazon.com.
This buying the arm and clamp from a non-special needs vendor and the plate from Ablenet maxes you out at about $136.00-160.00 versus $210.00 for the Ablenet Mount, $219.00 for the JR Cooper Mount or for the mount. That is a savings of about sixty or so dollars.
Want to spend that sixty bucks? Look around at some of the Bogen - Manfrotto accessories for the magic arms like for the cord clamp for about $4.00 and the mount base (replaces the clamp) about $30.00.
Want another cool mounting option? This runs $20-55 depending on the size you choose. I haven't tried it yet but this is the Joby Gorillapod (and I want one). It is a flexible tripod mount for cameras, but add a switch plate from Ablenet (see above) or even the $5 flash clip and you can use it to mount a switch or what ever you want. The legs can wrap around things like wheelchair arms and stander parts to position your switch.
