| When
starting switch use with the student, choose an activity that is motivating to
him. Give the student ample time to activate the switch; wait for the response,
and describe what happened. Say, "You're making that car move fast,"
instead of "Good hitting the switch!" This helps the student understand
his ability to control action. Switches can be used throughout classroom routines.
View our handout
on classroom switch activities.  Examples
Paint 'N' Swirl (Ablenet)
Students run the Paint 'N' Swirl to create a variety of projects as a peer drizzles
glitter paint on paper. Finished projects can be used for bulletin boards, gifts
for parents, or crafts to sell.  Battery-Operated
Scissors (Ablenet)
These scissors are easy to use and great for literacy activities. A "How-to"
guide is included.
 Polaroid(r)
Impulse Camera [3-PIC]
Take instant photos for school projects.
Use this adapted camera with a switch to create stories with pictures, make a
permanent record of field trips, photograph people being interviewed for a school
newspaper, or document the steps in a classroom activity.
 All-Turn-It
Spinner (Ablenet)
This switch-controlled spinner lets students participate in regular classroom
activities. Easy to customize spinner overlays are available that are made with
reusable vinyl stickers. They are a learning tool for basic concepts like numbers,
colors, or skills such as matching, sorting and sequencing.
 Team
Extreme (Pathways
Group)
Team Xtreme makes it possible for people with disabilities to play
any Nintendo game. It is fully approved by Nintendo of America Inc., with products
for the NES®, Super NES®, and N64®. Their "Smart Switches"
controller is for the 'not quite ready for video games set'.
 Cassette
Player + Microphone (Enabling
Devices)
This cassette player and recorder microphone allows sound amplification
through the speakers. It accepts both 1/4" and 1/8" plugs.
 Slide
Projector Control Adapter (Ablenet)
Students advance slides with a switch using any Caramate or Kodak Carousel slide
projector. Students can "turn pages" in a book during reading activities
or run the slide projector for teachers.
Ablenet device
photos used: ©2001 AbleNet, Inc. Photos courtesy of AbleNet, Inc. are reproduced
with permission. Activity ResourcesAdaptivation's
Application Photo Album
This site shows examples of several application
ideas using Adaptivation products in a photo album format. Recipes
for Success (under 2001 Product catalog)
This is a resource guide to hundreds
of practical applications for assistive technology. Each recipe gives a detailed
list of materials needed, step-by-step instructions, and numerous activity and
equipment variations to help adapt an activity.
Cost: $39.00 (Vol 1 and 2)
Book
of Possibilities (Ablenet)
These books feature a general information section about what simple technology
is and how to use it. They show detailed applications from around the world to
include your student in the classroom activities. They include easy-to-follow
instructions, clear examples, and simple equipment lists. There are tons of easy-to-use
ways to include students in a variety of math, science, language arts, social
studies, spelling and reading activities
Cost $ 26.99
Inclusive
Technology
Activities using switch operated devices are offered. | 
