Overview

This session aims to provide attendees with the information they need to know to get started when it comes to adapting toys for switch access. We will cover effective strategies and techniques for individuals to use when adapting toys on their own, as well as ways to involve community members, both one-on-one and through special events. Switch adapted toys can have a tremendous positive impact on children with disabilities, potentially introducing them to switches at a young age and encouraging greater use of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication. This session seeks to provide the tools necessary to help more and more children benefit from switch adapted toys.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate two or more methods for adapting toys for switch access.
2. Identify two or more characteristics in toys that will make for easier switch access.
3. Describe two or more community groups to assist in adapting toys for switch access.

Strand(s)

Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation; Leadership

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; ADA Coordinator; Administrators; AT Specialists; Alternative Media Specialist; Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Instructional Technologist; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Physical Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Visual Impairment Specialists; Vocational Rehabilitation

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with live-stream

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; ASHA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Courtney Cameron

Neil Squire's Makers Making Change, East Region Coordinator

Biography

Courtney has been working on Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change program since 2017 when she attended her first tech building session and was immediately hooked by seeing makers creating open source technology. Since then, Courtney’s skills and passion have grown and she enjoys the challenge and value of promoting affordable and customizable assistive technology, creating opportunities for makers contribution.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Courtney is paid a salary by her employer Neil Squire Society. Neil Squire Society has provided funding that contributed to the creation and operation of the Accessible STEM Education Program discussed in this presentation.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No