Switch Adapted Wii Controller

Gimp Gear is bringing video games to kids (and adults) with special needs through their switch adapted, NintendoWii controller.  Check out more here, including demonstration videos!  This controller is mounted to a hat and controls the Wii through head movements.  For users who have some use of their arms, you can also holster this controller to the arm to activate games through large arms movements.  The Gimp Gear Switch adapted Wii controller is available for purchase through EnableMart.

Tips to Assist Motor Access For iPad

As part of my series of posts on Technology for Children with Visual Impairment, I wanted to share some tips on fine motor access for the iPad and other tablets.  I will update this resource as more exciting technology becomes available!


Stylus & Pointers:  
For some kids, especially those that have difficulty isolating a finger, a stylus can be a great support for iPad access.  There are many stylus (styli? styluses? :)-let's say, "stylus options"- available and Stylus-R-Us does a great job of discussing some of these options.  They even have a section of their website dedicated to special needs (it's under "Physically Disabled").  Thanks to OT's with Apps for finding this great resource!  OT's with Apps also has an awesome post on creating your own stylus and some further details on specific stylus options that are functional for different needs.  Check it out here.  If you are looking for something a bit chunkier for younger users, check out the Griffin/Crayola iMarker- it is not only a handy stylus, but also has a great coloring App you can download for free :)

Some kids may already be using a pointing aid, such as a head pointer or mouth pointer, or may benefit form using such an aid.  Work with your therapy team to see if these pointing aids could be helpful to your child and then check out RJ Cooper's tips on how you can make your pointing aids work with the iPad touch screen.

I Didn't Mean to Touch That!:
Part of the reason that the iPad is such a functional, efficient tool for many of us who use it for leisure and business is because it responds to the slightest touch.  This can be a pro and a con for our kids with physical challenges.  Many times, areas of the touchscreen are activated unintentionally or special gestures (Multitasking Gestures) are accidentally used and the screen does funky stuff (e.g., zooms in, moves up and down)!  Unfortunately, Apple has not addressed this issue in the last two version of the iPad and we currently have no way to adjust the sensitivity settings of the touch screen.  Here are a few solutions that might be helpful for your child:

• Multitasking Gestures are toggled on and off in the Settings of the iPad.  These gestures, when enabled, allow you to move between apps, open multi-tasking menus, and more by using three, four, or five finger gestures on the touch screen.  Sometimes, our kids have difficulty using just one finger on the screen and may activate these gestures by accident.  If you find this is a problem, you can turn the gestures off in the Settings menu of your iPad.  You may also notice that sometimes the screen zooms in.  This happens when two fingers tap on the iPad screen when the Zoom feature is turned on.  It also happens magically when little fingers and plans rest too long on the screen. :)  If you find this is a problem, turn the Zoom feature off on your iPad in the Accessibility section of the Settings.  

• The iPad screen responds to the electricity (capacitive touch) of our fingers.  This is fancy science stuff but really what it means is that pressure is not what makes the iPad do its dance-rather, it is the energy that emerges when your finger (or special fabric/material if using a stylus made for a touch screen) comes in contact with the screen.  In the case of our kids with special needs, this could mean their intentional finger or the other ones coming along for the ride as they rest against the screen to offer support!  Dana of Uncommon Sense Blog is a mom who has first-hand experience with this issue and she came up with a clever solution in the form of DIY fingerless gloves :)  Check it out here.

• There are a handful of iPad apps, most of which are related to AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) but some of which that are play-based, that can be used with accessibility switches.  To do this, you must have an iPad compatible switch interface like the Blue2 from Ablenet, or RJ Cooper's Bluetooth Switch Interface.  Be careful because only certain Apps will work with the Blue 2, and others only with RJ's interface.  For a solution that works with all switch accessible apps for  iPad, check out the APPlicator (great review by Jane Farrell at this link).  With one of these tools, an accessibility switch (e.g., Jelly Bean, finger switch, etc...) and a switch-accessible iPad App, your child can access the iPad without using the touch screen.  Here are some of my favorite switch games for iPad :)  For a comprehensive list of switch-accessible Apps for iPad, check out Jane Farrall's list, it is updated frequently.

• Keyguards can also be helpful for kids with motor challenges who are using the iPad, so long as you are using an App that works with the key- guard layout.  Check out LaseredPics-they make keyguards for a variety of iPad Apps and will even make special order guards.  

What do you use to help your child access the iPad?

Fisher Price iPad Case Protects &Covers Home Button!

Buy the Apptivity Case on Amazon!

This was originally posted on The Assistive Techno,ogy Blog. What a neat little case :)  Fisher Price has released a partner to their iPhone case for iPad:  The Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case.    The features of this case include a durable teething-resistant, drool-proof covering, three positions for use (flat, easel, and rocker), and a built in cover for the home button to keep busy fingers from switching between screens!  Fisher Price also offers free App downloads of great educational Apps in the App Store.

Check out these other protective cases for iPad from earlier posts.

Switch Access in a Glove by Ablenet!

 

A friend shared this link with me on Facebook (Thanks Sam!) and I though it was pretty cool! The Freehand Glove acts as a switch when special points on the fingers are touched together. Although I can't see this immediate product being all that helpful for little ones who use switches, I think the base technology is pretty amazing and could lend itself to some pretty creative applications in the field of accessibility switches. The Freehand won't be available until April but you can read more about it on Ablenet's site.

 

What do you guys think?

 

ATIA 2012 Update: Drool Resistant Switch Toys?

 

Check out the switch adapted Fijit from !  Super fun and cool cause-effect toy, but even better, it isn't plush!  Easy to clean, more cootie-proof, and great, bright colors for kids with sensory involvement (e.eg, CVI). Fijit toys are also available on Amazon in non-switch form so you could use your DIY switch adapting skills to adapt these toys with Ablenet adapters or other materials. 

 

The Trabasack Helps Your iPad Stay Put!

Buy the Trabasack Curve Connect on Amazon!

This is a clever product and when I saw it, I immediately thought of the many wheelchair lap trays I have outfitted with tons of Velcro strips to get toys and tech to stay put!  I think this smart little lap desk/carrying case is a great alternative for some kids who need their materials anchored for access!  The Trabasack (sometimes referred to as a "buggy tray") comes in four versions: Trabasack Curve,  Trabasack Curve Connect, Trabasack Mini , and Trabasack Mini Connect .  "Connect" versions are covered with a material that feels and acts like the soft side of Velcro. To anchor toys, games, tech, or anything else, you would simply put the hook side of a Velcro tab on the item.  You may need more Velcro on the item depending on its size and weight.  The Trabasack also acts as a carrying case so yo can ensure it is always with the child, toting anything he needs to work and play!  The Trabasack has great potential as a communication board as well, with handy storage for all your PCS right inside your Trabasack,  Thanks to Viviane on Thinking Outside the Light-box for mentioning this cool new tool!  if you buy your Trabasack through this link, you can support our blog at the same time, with no extra cost to you!  Thanks for your support and I welcome your input on this product!

Some Other Great Links About the Trabasack:
Switch Mounting with The Trabasack
YouTube Videos about The Trabasack

iBallz: A Sleeker Way to Protect Your iPad

A quick follow up to a post I did on great rugged cases to kid-proof your tech! Appadvice recently posted a review of iBallz, a quirky, yet sleek and durable solution to protect your iPad from impact and liquids.  I have been holding off on buying a case of my own for my iPad because I split the use of my iPad between work and personal and I certainly didn't think a rugged case like the iAdapter would fit in my purse!  I think these quirky little spheres may just be my perfect solution!  Check out the AppAdvice review and get iBallz for your iPad on Amazon!

 

iPad Still Works After A 100,000 Foot Fall From Space and Some Great,Rugged Cases to Kid-Proof Your Tech

This was originally shared at AppAdvice and I had to pass it on!  To test the durability of their new rugged iPad case, the Extreme Sleeve, these developers launched a working iPad (protected by the Extreme Sleeve, of course) via weather balloon into space and watched as it fell nearly 100,000 feet to the ground!  Don't worry, the iPad was ok, just check out the video at the link below :)

This iPad Still Works After A 100,000 Foot Fall From Space

I figure if this case can hold up to such an extreme challenge, it can certainly handle being chucked across a room, drooled on, and otherwise utterly abused by our kids, right?  If you haven't taken the time to find a security blanket for the brand new iPad you got your child for Christmas (this year or last :), now is the time to check out these great rugged cases for iPad 1 and iPad 2. 

Extreme Sleeve by G-Form

iAdapter by AMDI (This one is a speaker and a case!)

OtterBox Defender Series by OtterBox

RJ's Ultimate iPad Case by RJ Cooper Associates

Big Grips by KEM Ventures

Many of these cases do not have built in stands so you will have to look for positioning options to purchase in addition to the case.  Check out the links above to see what they offer for iPhone as well.  Some of the cases are bulkier than others and there are many other rugged cases that are not quite as durable as these on the market, should you need a case for a gentler child. :)