herts. 2010 ict conference: independent access for all
TRANSCRIPT
Herts. 2010 ICT Conference:
Independent Access for All
Making Something Happen!
Experiential Learning
• Engaging children with the computer
• Learning to look and listen
• Responding to stimuli
• Finding favourites• Becoming
proactive
Switches
• A switch is a device for making an electrical connection between two contacts
• Two categories: Contact and Non-Contact
• Ideal way for children with Profound and Complex Needs to control their environment and interact
Switches
• Contact Switches – meet most children’s needs• Size – how big is the target area the child has to
hit to activate the switch?• Travel – how far does the switch move before it
makes the activation?• Pressure – how much pressure does the switch
require to activate?• Feedback – kinaesthetic, auditory, visual,
tactile?• Robustness – How hard will the child hit the
switch?• Mounting Options – how is the switch to be
operated – hand, foot, head?
Switches
• Non-Contact Switches• Activated by movement• Blink of the eye• Tilt of the head• Making a sound• Blowing or sucking• Technically more difficult to set up• Require a higher level of understanding
to operate
Encouraging Switch Use
• Provide a variety of activities with plenty of interest
• Provide lots of opportunities to practice throughout the day
• Provide plenty of time to activate the switch. Some children will need additional time to process what is required of them
Encouraging Switch Use• Operate battery powered
devices• Switch adapted toys• Use a Battery Switch
Adaptor with any toy that turns on/off
• Use a switch timer so they develop the skill of pressing and releasing the switch
• Develops skills of cause and effect – an action can cause a response
• Make it part of an activity to prevent boredom – knock the blocks over with the car
Encouraging Switch Use
• Operate any mains powered electrical device – lights, food mixers, fans
• Use Mains Control Unit with one or two electrical devices
• Built in switch latch timer
Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• Inclusive Simple Switch Box
• Plugs into USB port• No software driver• Connect one or
two switches• Sends Space and
Enter key press• Compatible with all
Inclusive switch titles
Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• Inclusive MultiSwitch• Plugs into USB port• Connect up to 6
switches• Automatically
configures for software
• Programmable to emulate any keyboard or mouse function
• Works with any software from any manufacturer
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• NEW Simply Works Range• Family of wireless receivers,
transmitters and access devices• Uses RF technology with a range up to
10 metres (32 feet)• Use up to six devices simultaneously
with one receiver
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• NEW it-Receive• Connects to
computer via USB• Works with up to six
Simply Works devices
• Supplied with Switch Centre software to choose settings for switches
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• NEW it-Switch• Low slanted profile• Good tactile feedback• 125 mm operating area• No protruding base• Industry standard mounting
holes in base• Choose switch function via
built in digital display – emulates Gamepad1,2 and 3, left click, right click, drag lock, space, enter, tab, F7, F8, Numeral 2, Numeral 3, up arrow, down arrow, left arrow and right arrow
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• NEW it-Send• Plug in any switch
with 3.5 mm jack• Choose switch
function via built in digital display
• Send to any Simply Works receiver
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to the Computer
• NEW it-Send PRO• Plug in up to 6
switches with 3.5 mm jack
• Choose switch function with Switch Centre software when using with an it-Receive
• Send to any Simply Works receiver
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to Other Devices
• NEW it-Control LITE• Connect to any switch
adapted device using 3.5 mm output jack
• Operate with it-Switch or any switch connected to an it-Send.
• Small enough to fasten on to switch adapted toy
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to Other Devices
• NEW it-Control• Connect to any switch
adapted device using 3.5 mm output jack
• Operate with up to 3 it-Switches simultaneously or any switch connected to an it-Send.
• Small enough to fasten on to switch adapted toy
• Support direct, latched, timed seconds and timed minutes modes
Wirelessly Connecting the Switch to Other Devices
• NEW it-Control PRO• Two channel controller
and receiver• Connect to any two
switch adapted device using 3.5 mm output jack
• Operate with up to 3 it-Switches simultaneously or any switch connected to an it-Send per channel.
• Support direct, latched, timed seconds, timed minutes and two cooperative modes
Cause and Effect Software
• The understanding that when the switch is pressed it will cause something to happen
• Bright animated rewards with lots of sounds and music
• Encourage the child to look at the screen after releasing the switch
• Check they have grasped the concept• Choose a subject that interests the
child e.g. dinosaurs• Use framework program such as
SwitchIt!Maker to include their favourite music, sounds and graphics
Switch Building
• Create a picture or scene step by step with repeated switch presses
• Next stage in progression from cause and effect to making choices
• Key skill is completing a sequence• Use prompts when working with
child to increase anticipation
Switch Timing
• Child needs to respond to an action by activating switch within a particular time frame
• Big cognitive leap from cause-and-effect and build
• Prerequisite skill for single switch scanning
Switch Timing
• Switch Skills 1• 7 activities• Racing Cars, Traffic Lights,
Soccer Shoot, Gorilla, Sunflower and Catch the Crocs
• Monster House introduces early concepts of scanning
Switch Timing
• NEW Switch Skills 2• 20 activities at beginning
level• Wait then press• Wait for change• Locate change• Experimental play• Ready, steady, go!
Switch Timing
• NEW Switch Skills 3• Fifteen activities at a higher
level than Switch Skills 2• Scanning skills with
progressively smaller targets placed around screen
• Static targets• Variable targets• Music for experimental play• 3 exciting “video games”
including “Jungle Adventure”
Choosing
• Requires:• The ability to press and look/listen• The ability to use either two switches
or activate a single switch within a given time frame
• The ability to recognise pictures/symbols/auditory prompts
• To enjoy the activity and to be motivated by the outcome
• The ability to understand that when a an area is highlighted it can be selected by a switch activation to produce an outcome
Two Switch Use
• NEW Switch Skills for Two Set 1
• 16 activities in graded sections
• Two objects• Two related objects• Two interacting objects• One object, two actions
Two Switch Use
• NEW Switch Skills for Two Set 2
• 11 activities progressing towards scanning
• Build up• Move and get• Suitable for two single switch
users for cooperative play
Accessing Programs
• NEW MyZone• Simple configurable desktop• Launch programs, pictures,
music, videos, documents or websites directly
• Create boxes to organise programs and content
• Access using mouse, touch screen or switches
• From 1 to 12 icons per page on screen
• Includes 12 simple touch games
Creating Resources
• NEW Slideshow Maker• Make simple slideshows with
accompanying music for early switch users
• Use with mouse, touch screen, one or two switches
• Choose between two to nine slideshows from picture board
• Export feature allows slideshows to be shared with those without the program
Remember!
• Provide a variety of activities with plenty of interest
• Provide lots of opportunities to practice throughout the day
• Provide plenty of time to activate the switch. Some children will need additional time to process what is required of them
Inclusive Consultancy and TrainingRiverside Court
Huddersfield RoadDelph
Oldham OL3 5FZTel: 01457 819790