'katelyn's film debut - behavioral class assignment

This is it! The finished product of a great team coming together and designing an appropriate social behavior video. I'd like to thank my team mates - you know who you are- for a job well done!

We presented 'Katelyn's' video to our movie critics (classmates) and welcomed their constructive feedback and laughter; more importantly, the understanding of it's purpose and relevancy. The learning continued when we watched the rest of the videos. Excellent work class! I think everyone is in tune to the coordinating, planning and designing a social behavior video for children. My only hope is that it is continually used. This Assignment was an excellent teaching/learning experience.

Movin' on...today's assistive technology lesson was specifically about SWITCHES and their purpose. . Fascinating! As a community college instructor, I seldom get the experience to see these types of products used in classrooms, although, there have been a few students throughout my career who have been assisted by various assistive tech devices. I wanted to learn more.
So, I pondered (then I Binged), and according to http://atto.buffalo.edu/:

What is a switch? Technically, (Wiki) in electronic, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another. Educationally, it is an electronic device used to replace any action a person would normally do. Switches come in many different forms and shapes for various independent uses. A switch may be directly manipulated by a human as a control signal to a system, such as a computer keyboard button, or to control power flow in a circuit, such as a light switch. Automatically-operated switches can be used to control the motions of machines, for example, to indicate that a garage door has reached its full open position or that a machine tool is in a position to accept another workpiece.However, the thing to remember when developing this accessible possibility is to develop the switch in its context, and its purpose needs to be for an entire activity.

Depending on the desired activity.. you may want to look at a Push (or touch) switches are the most common type. The student activates the switch by pushing against its surface. These switches have a single surface area for activation.
Lever switches can be activated by pushing in more than one direction. They are easily mounted.
Motoric-Specific Movements activate other switches such as pinch, grip, bat, pull, etc.
Activity switches require the student to complete an activity like a puzzle or stacking activity before the device turns on.
Sensitivity switches are designed for students with minimal movements. They respond to the slightest muscle contraction (the ability to flex and release any muscle).
Other Input switches depend on systems other than touch and include a change in air pressure or voice activation.

The users are endless - basically anyone with the mobile inabilities.

Who uses switches & why are they used? Well, for children with physical disabilities, a single, reliable movement can cause a toy to move or turn a radio on. Those with sensory impairments learn that they can be the controlling source of sound, light and vibration. Children with cognitive impairments are able to interact with toys and computers with a single "button," limiting the need for more complex directions. Switches provide new opportunities to learn and participate. Environmental control, play & exploration, movement, and computer access, communication are all attainable assistive goals.

List the selection criteria for selecting a successful switch: Before you begin you need to observe him in his natural environment to determine his best "switch site"-- the body part and movement that he is most consistently able to control. It can be large or small, weak or strong. You have to question... A LOT:

What specifics need to be considered at all times? How small might it be? Which areas actually activate the switch? The center? The corners? The edges? What does the switch feel like? Does the student prefer a particular texture? Can it be added to the surface later?

Continue to question... the amount of force (pressure) required, amount of travel that a switch has, type of switch feedback when activated, and durability of the switch.

Incredible SWITCHES & AT devices have assisted incredible people. One particular person stands out for me.

Most of us do not realize that PCs are installed with Accessibility functions to enable user to customize their computer to suit their needs, for example, onscreen keyboards, mouse changes, voice recognition, hearing functions, and many more. I can only imagine how accessibility can gives someone the ability to .... just be. Unwrapping a closed world and opening up to an more independent world.