(Click any pic for larger image!)
 shown with Switch-Adapted
MP3 Player/Drive
|
 shown
with
Switch-Adapted Voice
Recorder
|
If
you're reading this, there is a
high probability you know the name Linda Burkhart. She's
been
around the field of Assistive Technology (AT) about as long as I have
(20+ years) and is well known for her great workshops, software, and
most relevent here, advocating step-scanning (using 1 switch to 'step'
through choices, and the other to 'select').
This wasn't the real reason I invented the Dual Button Box, but it gave me more motivation to do so.
My primary incentive was to control 2-switch devices, such as my Switch-Adapted MP3 Player/Drive and my Switch-Adapted Digital Camera. Both of these devices have 2 switch inputs. While creating the Dual Button Box, I thought of Linda and a great experience I had with her at a Closing The Gap conference.
Being well known at conferences and my popular RoadTrips for actually *working* with Learners and Users, parents often bring their kids, even grown-up ones, to me at my booth/room. This particular Saturday, a mom had brought her older teen to me to ask for my suggestions about switch choice and position. I experimented a bit and eventually set her up to use her left hand, out to her side, using my Magic-Arm to position my cordless Super-Switch, and operating some simple AAC training software (Point To Pictures) for 1-switch auto-scanning through some simple choices.
Linda came in to say hello to me, before the conference ended in a few hours. Actually people were already packing up in the exhibit hall. Linda took one look at the situation and suggested 2-switch step-scanning. I said "Go for it, Linda!" She investigated a bit with this great teen, and within a few moments, had me hook a second switch by her right elbow, which she activated with a *backward * elbow movement. I set my software into step-scan mode and Bam! It all worked great. The teen understood what was going on (with a bit of coaching by Linda, but *very* little, which surprised mom and I!), and the 2 switch positions seemed very nice, fairly easy for her to get 'on' and 'off' (most people forget that 'off' necessity for effective switch operation).
She made me a believer. So when I was creating the Dual Button Box, I thought, "I'll make this applicable to step-scan also." Hence, the following picture...
Shown plugged into my
cordless Super-Switch,
operating my AAC software, This wasn't the real reason I invented the Dual Button Box, but it gave me more motivation to do so.
My primary incentive was to control 2-switch devices, such as my Switch-Adapted MP3 Player/Drive and my Switch-Adapted Digital Camera. Both of these devices have 2 switch inputs. While creating the Dual Button Box, I thought of Linda and a great experience I had with her at a Closing The Gap conference.
Being well known at conferences and my popular RoadTrips for actually *working* with Learners and Users, parents often bring their kids, even grown-up ones, to me at my booth/room. This particular Saturday, a mom had brought her older teen to me to ask for my suggestions about switch choice and position. I experimented a bit and eventually set her up to use her left hand, out to her side, using my Magic-Arm to position my cordless Super-Switch, and operating some simple AAC training software (Point To Pictures) for 1-switch auto-scanning through some simple choices.
Linda came in to say hello to me, before the conference ended in a few hours. Actually people were already packing up in the exhibit hall. Linda took one look at the situation and suggested 2-switch step-scanning. I said "Go for it, Linda!" She investigated a bit with this great teen, and within a few moments, had me hook a second switch by her right elbow, which she activated with a *backward * elbow movement. I set my software into step-scan mode and Bam! It all worked great. The teen understood what was going on (with a bit of coaching by Linda, but *very* little, which surprised mom and I!), and the 2 switch positions seemed very nice, fairly easy for her to get 'on' and 'off' (most people forget that 'off' necessity for effective switch operation).
She made me a believer. So when I was creating the Dual Button Box, I thought, "I'll make this applicable to step-scan also." Hence, the following picture...
PTP-PC, on my Super-Auggie AAC device, with step-scan labels in buttons
Now,
I
realize the Dual Button Box wouldn't apply to the teen that Linda and
I worked with, but the method is the same, and for some that *can*,
it's a winner.
Before I started work on this project, I looked at what else existed for 2-switch control, and your only choice 'out there' was to purchase two 2" round switches (like the Gumball or Jelly Bean), and maybe a switch holder like the one that Ablenet used to sell (I couldn't find it anymore at their website) or that you make yourself. But I wanted something inexpensive and convenient for you. And that's what I came up with :)
Before I started work on this project, I looked at what else existed for 2-switch control, and your only choice 'out there' was to purchase two 2" round switches (like the Gumball or Jelly Bean), and maybe a switch holder like the one that Ablenet used to sell (I couldn't find it anymore at their website) or that you make yourself. But I wanted something inexpensive and convenient for you. And that's what I came up with :)
Shown plugged into my Switch-Adapted Digital Camera
(which is positioned on my Mini-Arm; the pic on the camera is my dog, Baily :) ), with camera labels in buttons
Note
that
only the labels change in the above pictures, and I use the phrase
"in buttons" for the picture descriptions. So order the
appropriate version below (it's the same device, just with different
labels). And yes, you *could* use it for all 3 purposes.
Purchase
| H-31-VR - Dual Button Box for Voice Recorder.....$79 | Order |
| H-31-SW - Dual Button Box for Switch Interfaces (or toys/appliances).....$79 | Order |
| H-31-CAM - Dual Button Box for Switch-Adapted Digital Camera.....$79 | Order |
| H-31-MP3 - Dual Button Box for Switch-Adapted MP3 Player/Drive.....$79 | Order |