Switches

 

About Switches
Switches can be connected to a wide range of devices including battery operated toys, mains powered appliances such as fans and fibre optics, communication aids and the computer. This flexibility provides a breadth of experience for the learner. There are no hard and fast rules about where to start or how to progress; choose whatever motivates the learner and provide opportunities throughout the day to practise. Playing with toys is a great way for children to experience cause and effect and can be done through the use of switches. It is motivating and fun! Best of all, they can be used to encourage group work. The child could press a switch to send a toy car to a friend, or to knock over a pile of blocks they have built, for example.

 

Choosing the right switch...

Choosing the right switch and positioning it appropriately can be a critical success factor for children with physical difficulties. We would always recommend that the learner is properly assessed if he/she requires a more sophisticated switching system.

 

 

Buddy Button / Big Buddy Button

 

The reliable durable, colourful, single switch, activated by pressing anywhere on the top surface. The Big Buddy is suitable for people who need a large colourful switch. Auditory and tactile feedback. All buddy buttons come with a circular rubber foam base to prevent slipping and is equipped with two threaded inserts on the bottom of the switch to allow for secure mounting.

Buddy Specifications:

Diameter: 6.3 cm

Height: 1.8 cm

Weight: 60 g

Activating force: outside edges - 100g Activating force: centre - 200g

Available in red, yellow, green, blue, and pink

 

Big Buddy Specifications:

Diameter: 11.5 cm

Height: 2.5 cm

Weight: 123 g

Activating force: outside edges - 150g Activating force: centre - 300g

Available in red, yellow, green, blue, and pink

 

 

Price - R700

Mounting Connection - R600

 

Trigger Switch

 

Designed to meet the rugged needs of wheelchair users. Waterproof and dust proof, ideal for rugged users in any environment. The design accommodates mounting on a flat surface with all mounting solutions included in the price.

 

 

Price - R800 

Mounting Connection - R600

 

Micro Light

 

Activated by pressing down on the top surface with a feather light touch! Threaded insert on the bottom makes mounting easy with a standard "4-40" screw (available at electronics stores). Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R870

Mounting Connection - R600

 

Pillow

 

Activated by pressing the top foam surface. Smooth soft surface makes this a suitable switch for head or cheek activation. Safety pin and velcro come on the bottom for easy fastening to a pillow or wheelchair cushion. Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R1,100

 

Soft Switch Red

 

An excellent switch for people with gross motor skills. The switch is enclosed in foam and covered with a removable, washable velvet bag that comes in 2 colours: Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R900

 

Grasp

 

A squeeze or pinch will activate this switch. No Tactile or auditory feedback

 

Price - R1,500
 

Types of switch control.

 

Switches can be configured to work in a number of ways:

 

Momentary – press and hold.
The child presses and holds the switch down. While the switch is held down the effect continues. When the child releases the switch the effect stops. This is the simplest setting and perhaps the easiest for children with profound difficulties to understand. Some children with motor difficulties may not be able to keep the switch held down.
Latched – press for ON, press again for OFF.
The child presses the switch to start the effect then presses again to stop it. This is arguably the least useful setting as the child needs to understand that the switch can have two different functions. One really effective way to use this is to connect the switch to a tape recorder with the child’s favourite music. The child can then press the switch to start the music. After a short period whoever is working with the child can press the switch to stop the music. The child might then be motivated to press the switch again. This leads us into…
Timed – press and release – effect lasts for a number of seconds.
The child presses and releases the switch. The effect is started and continues for a number of seconds before stopping. The learner then presses the switch again to restart the effect.
Remember the system you choose should always be informed by the needs of the learner; the choice should always be based on whatever works best with the child.

 

 

Tash Ribbon Switch

 

- Activated by bending in either direction

- Soft to touch - Moisture resistant

- Waterproof

- Tactile feedback

- Consistent positive action

 

Specifications:

Size: 13 X 1,5 X 5 cm

Force: 110g

Weight: 32g

 

 

Price - R1,100

Mounting Connection - R600

 

Treadle

 

Great as a floor/foot switch since you can rest the activating body part on the top of the switch between activations. Activated by pressing down on hinged top surface. Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R500

 

 

Jelly Beamer™ wireless switch

 


Meet the Jelly Beamer Wireless Switch!
Think of it as a Jelly Bean Switch… Without the Wires. Wireless that Works!
A wireless switch that is rugged, reliable and easy to use. The Jelly Beamer performs just like a traditional switch – without the hassle of cables. Simple Set-up. Immediate Action.
The Jelly Beamer wireless includes one transmitter and one receiver. Simply turn both components ON, plug the receiver into any switch-adapted device, electric appliance, or computer and you're ready for wireless access.
Each switch is uniquely paired with its receiver, allowing multiple students to use their own Jelly Beamers at the same time, from as far away as 30-feet, without interfering with one another.

 
 

The Jelly Beamer wirelessly transforms your classroom into a learning environment where:
* Students focus on the task at hand, not the cords on the table.
* Students experience the power of access, not the burden of the equipment.
* Teachers focus on students, not cumbersome technology set-ups.
* Students have instant access to learning and leisure tools from any location and position.
* Turn-taking and sharing is as easy as passing the Jelly Beamer from one person to another.

 

 

Price - R1,600

 

Adjustable Pressure Switch

 


Adjustable Pressure SwitchSome users will only be able to exert the lightest of pressure to press a switch. Others will prefer a firm pressure to minimise unwanted presses, perhaps resulting from tremor.
The Adjustable Pressure Switch from Traxsys includes each of the users.
This medium sized, robust, general purpose switch allows easy adjustment of the operating pressure. Just twist the 64mm (2.5 inch) cap and the pressure needed to activate it can be changed in small steps from light to heavy.
The solid hexagonal base tessellates and fits the standard Jelly Bean Switch mounting plate. The back of the switch also has tappings to fit the Tash mounting system. The switch terminates in a standard 3.5mm jack plug.
Available in red, yellow, blue and green - please specify colour when ordering.

 

 

Price - R600

 

Gumball Switches



A high quality and dependable switch. Meets most needs of switch users. It features a 2½ inch activation surface and is recommended for all who can access a smaller target area. Provides extraordinary tactile and audible feedback. Base has three holes for easy mounting. Mounting plate is removable. Comes with free clear plastic cover. Available in red, yellow, green, blue.

 

 

Price - R450


Dual / Multiple Switches


Dual Switches are two switches in one and Multiple Switches are essentially five switches in one which can also be used as an effective alternative to a mouse.

 

  

Rocker Switch
 

 

The switch on each side is activated by pressing down on any part of the surface. Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R1,400

 

Pneumatic

 

A sip and puff switch - to activate one switch, you "sip" and to activate the other, you "puff". Internal saliva trap allows for easy cleaning.

Pneumatic-short (12.5cm neck)

Pneumatic-long (35cm neck) with extended tube for swivel clamp mounting

(for health reasons, this product is non returnable)

 

 

Price - R2,800

Mounting Connection - R600

 

Scatir Switch Deluxe

 

SCATIR Switch Deluxe includes all SCATIR Mounting and Accessories
 

The Self-Calibrating Auditory Tone Infrared (SCATIR) Switch is a momentary-contact optical switch with auditory feedback.
 

The SCATIR switch works by detecting a beam of reflected pulsed infrared light.
 

It is suitable for use with a variety of control gestures, such as eye-blink, eyebrow movement, finger movement, head movement, and facial muscle movement. It can be activated at a distance so the controlling body part does not need to be in physical contact with the switch sensor.

Used to Adjust:

- Beep on/off

- Tone continous/beep

- Manual or self calibration

- Download the full manual here.

Specifications:

3 cm x 10 cm x 11 cm

Auditory feedback. This auditory feedback can be enabled or disabled by means of an internal selector switch.

Shipped with a (Ni/MH) rechargeable battery

 

 

Price - R6,200

 

Penta Switch
 

 

For people with fine motor skills and good targeting ability. The five switches are small (1 cm diameter) and activated by pressing down on buttons. Tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R2,200

 

Star Switch

 


Each switch is 6.5 cm diameter and slightly recessed. Comes with five colored stickers. Slight tactile and auditory feedback.

 

 

Price - R2,600

 

Wafer
 

 

Five membrane switches, each 6.5 cm diameter and slightly recessed. No tactile or auditory feedback.

 

 

 

Price - R2,600

 

Please note that due to the ever fluctuating exchange rates all prices are approximates and are subject to change. Please contact us directly should you require an official quote.