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

Back Online

Thank you all for being supportive while my blog was down for revisions.  Thank you to the dozens of you who email, instant messaged or wrote on my wall on Facebook to check in and offer assistance.  Thank you to all who signed the petition that Jody Click created to bring it back.  It all meant a lot to me.  Words cannot express how loved and appreciated it all made me feel.

The blog is back, for now, it will take some time to recoup the losses of the revisions that have been made.  Some changes will be obvious, others more subtle.  Some of the resources and posts are removed and will not be re-uploaded.  The layout looks, to me, a little off, but hopefully will re-balance over time.

I hope that this adventure brings about positive change and a sense of community in other forums.

Thanks, Kate

A Brief Hiatus

July 3, 2012 I am now back online.  The below is still posted for chronological integrity.

Hello everyone,

I know my posts have been scarce since I changed jobs two and a half years ago and even more scare lately.  As you can see above I am dealing with some health challenges right now.  I am actually doing very well, all things considered, but I need to get more rest and have less stress for a while.  Thus this blog will be on a hiatus until things settle down.  I am still dedicated to sharing information about best practices in working with individuals with severe or multiple special needs and will return to posting at some point.  I will leave the blog up, with all of its information and I will continue to moderate comments.

Thank you for your support,

Kate Ahern

Welcome MPS OTs and SLPs!

Here is a slideshow designed for a workshop presented to OTs and SLPs in a public school system.  It is intended as a beyond the basics introduction to AT.

Slideshow was removed because of an outside request.  Many of my slideshows are available at Slideshare.com.  My account name is teechkidz.

Melted Crayon Art with Switches

Melted crayon projects have been all over Pinterest and would work great as a switch based project for learners with intensive special needs.

Most versions of the project on Pinterest call for using hot glue to attach the crayons to canvas and then using a hair dryer to melt the crayons.  For a less expensive version, mount on rectangles of some fore core board and use black masking tape covers the cut edges.   Use some left over silk ribbon attached with more hot glue to hand

The project can adapted for the students, of course.  Students can spend time choosing crayons and creating their pattern of colors.  They also can choose their silhouette or image to add.  Staff should hot glue the crayons on the fore core board, of course students can use AAC to shout, "Ready, set, glue!" and "stop now!" Next up is fun with switches!  Hair dryers can be attached to an environmental control box (a Powerlink) and switches can be used for the students to control turning on and off the hot air.

Variations on the melted crayon project include different silhouettes (hand cut or from a Cricut, arranging the crayons in shapes like hearts, having the crayons melt "up" and turning them into flowers, using stick on vinyl letters to write a name or word and then carefully removing to leave a print behind and more!  A quick Google or Bing images search for melted crayon art should show you lots of choices!

Share your pictures of this project and I will post here!

Switch Access to iPods/iPads Expands

iPortal Accessibility

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 (visual based) scanning of the music on your iPod (the picture is deceiving - it does work with current versions of the iPod)
  

  

  Ablenet Hook

• Ablenet Hook auditory scanning of music with one or two switches designed to be adjustable in terms of cognitive load
• Adapted 2 Switch iHome a two switch controller of an iHome dock for iPods
• Adapted 6 Switch iHome an adapted iPod dock system with switches for every function
• Big Button iPod Remote is a console of large switches that access music on the iOS devices
• Scan 5 is a console of switches that control iOS and include scanning, Select 5 is the same thing without scanning
• iPod Switcher is another remote console, it has 3 built in switches to control music

Control an App with Switch(es)

• RJ Cooper iOS Super Switch and Switch Interface
• works with the following apps
• Rad Sounds
• Alexicom
• Go Talk Now
• Predictable
• Scene and Heard
• Tap Speak Series
• Ablenet Blue 2 Switches with External Switch Ports
• works with the following apps
• Tap Speak Series
• Sounding Board

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 SWITCH is an app that turns your iPad into one or two switches to access any program on a Mac or PC and some apps on another iOS device wirelessly

A Request to App Developers:

• please make your apps switch accessible 
• please demand that the makers of switch interfaces add non-proprietary switch settings to their interfaces (i.e. make all iOS switches/interfaces compatiable with all accessible apps and let customers choose your switch or interface based on the quality of construction and the design of the product not which one gets more bang for the buck in terms of which apps it controls)
• when choosing non-proprietary switch setting to run your app consider using standard keystrokes that can be sent via a bluetooth keyboard (i.e. arrow keys, tab/enter), switch interface makers will eventually have to add these if you insist on them in your apps
• please be sure to make your apps auditory scanning as well as visual scanning

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Denies Lifesaving Transplants to Girl with Developmental Disabilities

CHOP has denied this little girl, who has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome a lifesaving kidney transplant because she has developmental delay.  Read her story.  Sign a petition. Sign another petition.  Write on CHOP's Facebook Page.


CHOP has issued the following statement justifying their actions:

"We have watched with great concern the comments regarding criteria used in making transplant eligibility decisions. We understand your concerns and reactions to the Facebook postings.

We strive to provide the safest possible care for our patients and we make transplant eligibility decisions based on widely-accepted, medically valid methods, with many factors considered. We want you to know that CHOP does not have any criteria which exclude patients from being considered for transplant solely on the basis of their cognitive status. Transplant programs at CHOP have never declined a patient for transplant based solely on their cognitive status and we have performed transplants on many children with disabilities and impairments.

CHOP’s transplant programs continue to evaluate and perform transplants on some of the most complex cases in the country. We use an established framework for consistent evaluation and transplantation. Each child is evaluated on an individual basis, taking multiple medical, surgical, and psychosocial aspects into consideration. In each evaluation, we consider the possible risk and outcome of the recipient, potential donor options, as well as alternative therapies.

In order to determine eligibility for transplantation, a multidisciplinary evaluation is completed by several members of the transplant team, which would include careful assessment of a patient by surgical and transplant specialists, as well as, psychosocial, and neurologic specialists. Parents and family members are very much a part of the discussion.

We wish to emphasize that all determinations of eligibility for transplantation are treated on an individual basis. We make all decisions regarding eligibility using a non-discriminatory approach, after a multidisciplinary assessment and discussion, which is the standard of practice throughout the country.

These communications are very important to us and provide us with an opportunity to always re-examine and reassess our approach and process. We hope that we can continue to improve and continue to provide exceptional care for children with organ failure."

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