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?

 

Great Links for Switch Activities

Use your iPad as a Switch!

The iPad is a great tool for kids with special needs, but it falls short when it comes to switch accessibility.  Fortunately, there are many great websites that offer a nice variety of switch accessible games and activities! 

Here are a few of my favorite places to go for information on switches.  Most of these are free!
Some require an internet connection to play live, others can be downloaded via an internet connection and played offline later.  There is some duplication in links among the sites (sorry!) but each resource provided below has at least one new site to mention. You can use the Attainment Switch App, Blue 2,or other external switches with a computer to access these activities.  Have a web resource for switch activities?  Post it in the comments below! :)

Switch Gaming
Switch Gaming and OneSwitch.org present a wealth of info on a wide range of switch accessibility topics, including questions on switch interfacing, game reviews for switch accessible games,  a single switch game library, and links to other switch game sites.  This site also has information on equipment for making other gaming systems (e.g., Playstation, Wii) accessible via switches and other adaptations.  It is updated frequently so you can check back often for new resources!

Spectronics
Spectronics offers a short list and description of some of their favorite switch sites.  The links include single and dual switch activities, as well as news activities and books that can be accessed via switches.  This post has not been updated recently but the Spectronics Blog itself is updated often and a good source of information relevant to switch accessibility. 

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
This site has some links to online switch activities for single switch, single switch scanning, and two-switch use.  The link above is an original post and they have also updated the post this year to include more resources.  This site is updated frequently and also has a lot of other great resources for special education and assertive technology.

VICurriculim.org This site Includes many links for switch accessible, computer games that can be played online or downloaded. The listing iIncludes free activities for single switch use and switch scanning. Cause-Effect and educationally based games are included. It is not updated frequently but is still a great list.

Free PDF Booklet on Building Switch Skills

Do you have a child or work with a child who uses a switch (or would benefit from using a switch) to access toys, computers, and more?  Are you stuck on how to help this child move forward with switch use?  Check out this free booklet on Switch Skills Progression at The Spectronics Blog!
"This booklet collates over ten years of best practice research and classroom observations from around the globe. Detailing every stage of switch skills acquisition from cause-and-effect through to competent scanning, this document will help you plan meaningful and motivating routes to success for your switch users accessing communication, learning and leisure."-The Spectronics Blog.

I downloaded this doc totally free in PDF form and I could even read it in iBooks on my iPad!  Spectronics is following up with another free resource on Touch Skills Progression (i.e., training children to access the various touchscreen commands used on touch devices like iPad) in early January, 2012! 

Blue2 Switch for iDevices

Speaking of accessing the iPad with motor challenges, here's a great review of the Ablenet Blue2 switch for iPad, iPhone, and iTouch at Spech-Language Pathology Sharing.

 The review also highlights the current limitations of switch access on iDevices, namely the currently limited availability of switch enabled Apps.  Hopefully developers here our cries loud and clear:  "More Switch Accessible Apps!  More Switch Accessible Apps!"