Micro-Switch

January 1996
Ron Mriscin, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Vandalia constantly tries to find less expensive adaptations for his students. He has invented an interesting micro switch from nearly nothing. He got the idea when his daughter came home with the perfect size box to hold the switch. The small, round, Bubble Tape box, with attached lid, that can be found wherever candy is sold.

 Materials 

• One round bubble tape dispenser, $.80.
• One 1/8 " phono plug cable with stripped ends, Radio Shack #42-2434, $2.49.
• One SPDT roller lever switch, Radio Shack #275-017, $2.19.
• One 1" X 1 1/2" piece of 1/2" Styrofoam.
• Two 1" X 1 2 " pieces of foam padding 1/2" thick.
• Solder and soldering iron.
• Diagonal cutters.
• Hot glue and glue gun.
• Three inches of duct tape.

 Procedure 

1. With diagonal wire cutters cut the prongs and some of the rim from the gum box lid so it will not close all the way.
2. With the soldering iron burn a small hole in the rear side of the container.
3. Run the stripped ends of the phono plug wire through the hole into the gum box.
4. Hot glue the Styrofoam to the inside center of the bottom part of gum box.
5. Solder one end of the stripped cable wire to the "C" (common terminal) on the roller lever switch.
6. Solder the other end of cable to the "NO" (Normally open) terminal on the roller lever switch.
7. Carefully push the switch into the Styrofoam inside the gum box. Place a bead of hot glue around the switch, securing it to the Styrofoam. Also fill cable hole with some hot glue to stabilize the cable.
8. Hot glue the two pieces of foam on each side of the switch, (See example). The length of foam will determine the sensitivity of the switch.
9. Use duct tape to fasten the gum box lid closed, while adjusting it to the sensitivity desired by the user.

Ron states that he has also used Momentary push button and push on/off switches with this container.

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Low End Technology For Children

April 1996
This $10 Tech article comes from Lynn Rocklage, Ph.D., Associate Professor Special Education, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mi. She is co-author of "Good Junk + Creativity = Great Low-End Technology", along with LeaAnn Peschong, Amy Gillett, and Barbara Delohery. It features " low cost" or "no cost" technology

Excerpts from the book state that technology is a real key to making education more inclusive for children and adolescents with disabilities. Frequently, the focus of technology for students with disabilities is on moderate to high-end equipment, software and devices. When the focus remains at this level, budgetary constraints (real or imagined) seem to loom as the decision-making factor determining whether a student has access to technology, or technology is viewed as something that would be "nice" for the student, "but we can't afford it." It is at this point where the arena of low-end technology (teacher, therapist, peer, or family designed and created) may serve as an effective means to an end. The "end" is defined as accommodation and inclusion in the classroom, home and community.

Low end technology can be a significantly powerful tool for inclusion and often facilitates inclusion experiences because it is less threatening and less overwhelming than more high-tech approaches. A working definition of low-end technology includes simple modification/adaptation of toys and games; the design and construction of simple switching devices; and the adaptation/modification of academic tasks and activities that supports and enhances a person's participation in classroom, community and daily life activities. Low-end technology usually involves creating devices from "great junk" and "leftover parts," and includes creative "new" uses for "old" technology. It also involves innovative approaches and strategies for utilizing the technology available in school, home, and community settings, as well as the development of "low-budget" or "no-budget" low-end technology applications which support and facilitate the full inclusion of children and adolescents with disabilities.

The real "beauty" of low-end technology is that, since it is low-cost or no-cost, constructed from "good junk" and "leftover parts," it can be modified, changed, and recreated as the user's skills and needs become more and more refined. In other words, low-end technology permits "playing" with designs and strategies, gathering input from the user and others, until the device or strategy truly meets the user's needs. From this point, more sophisticated (and costly!) levels of technology can be investigated to address the user's needs on a more permanent basis.

Following are a few ideas from the recently published book. These ideas focus on more active participation in writing, drawing, painting and name-writing activities. They can be used with any individual, with appropriate modifications to match the user's characteristics.

1. Soft Writing/Drawing Grips: Enhance the user's ability to grasp a writing or drawing tool using 35mm film canisters. Use an Exacto or utility knife to cut an "x" in the bottom of the film canister. The size of the "x" should correspond to the diameter of the writing or drawing implement. Slide the writing or drawing tool through the "x" on the bottom of the canister. This adaptation will work for any size tool. The user can hold the tool in a tripod grasp, modified tripod grasp or in a palmar grasp.
2. Name Writing Mitt: Give the user access to "printing" his/her name by attaching foam or rubber letters to a Duramitt glove. These gloves are marketed by Playtex, Inc., and come in two styles. One type of Duramitt has a sponge covering on the palm portion of the mitten, and the other style has the tough scrubbing nylon covering on the palm portion. With either mitt it is possible to attach pieces of Velcro, or a strip of Velcro across the palm portion, and then attach Velcro to the foam or rubber letters to be attached to the mitt. Arrange the letters of the user's name on the mitt, remembering to invert the letters so they will print in the correct orientation. Slip the mitt on the user's hand, and give the user an inked stamp pad. By pressing the letters on the stamp pad, and then pressing them on the paper, the user is able to independently "print" his/her name on school papers and other documents. The same Duramitt can be used for sponge painting by attaching foam cut-outs to the palm portion of the mitt. The user can press the sponges into a shallow dish of paint and then stamp patterns on paper.
3. Sponge Painting Handles: Provide the user with "handles" on cut-out sponges which will provide a more secure grasp for painting. Consider using a plastic dish scrubber as a knobbed handle. Cut the curled nylon scrubbing surface off the scrubber handle, and hot-glue the cut-out sponge piece on the scrubber base. If the user cannot grasp a knobbed handle, use a grill scrubbing tool, or floor scrubbing tool which has a loop handle. Cut off the scrubbing material, and hot glue the sponge cut-outs to the scrubber base. Another way to approach adding handles is to locate some disposable plastic mugs (collected from fairs and other events). Cut the plastic handle off the mug and hot-glue the handle to a thin piece of plywood or laminate board. Hot-glue the sponge cut-outs to the board, and the user is ready to paint. Foam shoe insoles can be used instead of sponges for this type of activity. The insoles are much easier to cut, and the textured surface of the insoles adds an interesting dimension to the painting activity.

The book "Good Junk + Creativity = Great Low-End Technology", offers many more low-end technology ideas using "good junk". To order send $25, plus $5 shipping and handling to: Good Junk!, c/o Lynne A. Rocklage, Ph.D., P.O. Box 971022, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197.

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Wheel Chair Seat Belt Adaptation