What Are Adaptive Switches?
Most battery powered, electrical and electronic household devices have small buttons, switches or dials that are inaccessible to some people with physical disablities. Adaptive switches are designed to provide an alternate means of access to these devices. In their simplest application these switches are used to control just the on and off functions of devices such as lights, radios, tape recorders and battery toys. In more sophisticated applications, adaptive switches can be used to adjust volume or select channels on audio and video equipment, operate a telephone or access a computer. In all of these applications the switch must be used either with a device that has been adapted for switch access or in conjunction with an interface that links the switch to a non-adapted device.
Types of Adaptive Switches
Individuals with physical disabilities differ in the voluntary actions that they can reliably perform. Adaptive switches are made to accommodate this wide range of actions and can be categorized according to the physical action required to activate them. Some common categories of switch types are:
- Pressure sensitive switches that require a press, push or pull action
This pressure sensitive switch is called the JellyBean from AbleNet
- Touch sensitive switches that respond to a very light touch
This is the touch sensitive Plate Switch from TASH
- Air pressure switches, such as a pneumatic grip switch or a sip and puff switch
- Small muscle sensors that can sense the voluntary movement of a finger, eyebrow, cheek or other small muscles.
- Infrared beam switches that respond to movement within their "field of vision"
- Sound sensitive switches
The IST Switch from Words+ is three switches in one: infrared, sound sensitive and touch sensitive
- Gravity sensitive switches that sense a tilt in their position
How Are Adaptive Switches Used in the School Setting?
Communication
Some students who use an electronic communication device also depend on an adaptive switch to operate the device. In some cases the switch is used to scan through message options. Other students may use Morse Code to enter and retrieve messages. Most mid-range and upper level communication devices are switch accessible.
Computer Access
Students who are unable use keyboard or mouse devices may need to use an adaptive switch for computer input. Like those who access their communication device with a switch, these students also use either a scanning method or Morse Code for entering text and commands. An adaptive switch interface is needed to connect the switch to the computer.
Inclusion in Educational and Leisure Activities
Adaptive switches can be used to enable students with physical disabilities to actively participate in activities where they otherwise would be passive observers. For example, a switch operated game spinner permits all students to participate in many board games. Furthermore, when combined with an AC control unit, adaptive switches can provide access to small appliances in the home economics class, science lab or shop.
"My All-Turn-It Spinner turned schoolwork into a game on Career Day!" Using AbleNet's All-Turn-It Spinner during Career Day activities provides Ryan with the opportunity to be a purposeful member of the activities. The power of the All-Turn-It Spinner is in how you use it.
The PowerLink from AbleNet enables a switch user to control electrical appliances
Adaptive Switch Training
In the preschool and elementary grades, young students are often trained to use adaptive switches with adapted toys, lights, fans, chimes, etc. and cause-and-effect software on a computer.
Here Tony uses AbleNet's Big Red switch and a Single Switch Latch and Timer (SLAT) to play farm with his sister. The Big Red switch allows Tony to run the toy cow while her sister plays with her cow. Adding the Single SLAT provides the option of running the toy for a set amount of time. Time options are timed seconds, timed minutes and on/off.
Where Can I Obtain More Information about Adaptive Switches?
Links to Vendors
