[senit] Head Switching

hi any suggestions as to head switches- apparently current ablenet

Thanks Simon, we have been in touch sith this company but not had a reply yet.
Trish

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Judge <simon.judge at nhs.net>
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Sent: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 8:37
Subject: Re: [senit] Head Switching

We brought one recently, so I think they are still selling!

http://website.lineone.net/~cec.co/ for contact.

I think there is only one size, but that at least gets rid of any
possibilities of fitting errors and means that the switches are consistently
positioned. It also seems to fit most heads, though probably not so good for
really young 'uns.

S

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of cenmac4 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:55 PM
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senit] Head Switching

Not sure you can buy these any more.? There is problem as they are not
adjustable for the size of the pupil's head.? They have proved sucessful
with some pupils?in the past and I know some pupils like them as they are
not seen to be switches.
Trish

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Judge <simon.judge at nhs.net>
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Sent: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:16
Subject: Re: [senit] Head Switching

Try the Turk headswitch for an integrated headswitch...:   
http://website.lineone.net/~cec.co/turk.html

Simon

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Sandra Mackay
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:47 AM
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senit] Head Switching

We have had success;-

1. Embedding Mini Cup (QED) switches in the sub-occipital supports of the
Whitmyre or ProWalk headrests for a child who uses rotation to activate the
switch.

2. Embedding a Buddy Button in another type of headrest for a child who uses
lateral flexion to activate the switch.

We have found that getting the switches embedded has been far more reliable
than using either commercially available or customised switch mounts.
However it is important to ensure they are embedded in such a way that they
can easily be replaced without interfering with the headrest itself.

Hope this helps.

Sandra Mackay
Occupational Therapist
Braidburn School
Edinburgh

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
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Sent: 06 June 2008 12:00
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: senit Digest, Vol 57, Issue 6

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: head switches (Richard Walter)
   2. Early maths for VI youngster (andrea bennington)
   3. Re: Early maths for VI youngster (Ruth McMorran)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:17:31 +0100
From: Richard Walter <richardwalter at ntlworld.com>
Subject: Re: [senit] head switches
To: davidfettes3 at yahoo.co.uk, senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Message-ID: <4847CB4B.7090002 at ntlworld.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

david fettes wrote:
> hi any suggestions as to head switches- apparently current ablenet 
> jelly beans either side of a student's head switches held on with 
> velcro to a head rest are 1. a bit big 2. not being accessed 
> successfully consistently.
> This request is from our SLT & OT.
> thanks
> David
>
>
>       __________________________________________________________
> Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html
>
>
>
>
>
Try  the smaller spec switches on velcro straps (ablenet), they come with a
starp adjustable base for the very job of fixing to headrests.

There can be some difficulty with positioning head switches onto head rests.
If the head rest is a flat the pupil might have to swivel his whole head to
operate the switch(es). This can cause him/her to remove visual attention
from the screen and if the task is time critical (as in
scanning) then it can cause problems.
There are a number of specially made head switch mountings that can position
the switches precisely to the left and the right side of the head and can be
adjusted. This way the pupil can operate head switch(es) with a small
sideways movemet allowing him/her to keep visual attention on the screen.
Adjustable head switch mountings can be bought from DAESSY
(http://www.daessy.com/index.html) and others.

Even a small wedge to help position the spec switches so they are angled
more proud of the head rests can help to positioin the switches so the pupil
can operate the switch with a side movement rather than a head role.
we have used a number of small triangular mountings that do the job.

Richard Walter
Meldreth Manor School

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 18:55:37 +0100
From: andrea bennington <andreabennington at hotmail.com>
Subject: [senit] Early maths for VI youngster
To: SENIT BECTA Forum <senit at lists.becta.org.uk>
Message-ID: <BLU112-W5839A3C3BABFA691880D3DC0B40 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi

Can anyone recommend software for a youngster working at EYFS / Reception
level?  She has a visual impairment so will need clear, contrasting colours,
ideally the screen picture should be simple and not too 'busy'.

Many thanks

Andrea

_________________________________________________________________
Great deals on almost anything at eBay.co.uk. Search, bid, find and win on
eBay today!
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/msnnkmgl0010000004ukm/direct/01/

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:34:24 +0100
From: "Ruth McMorran" <home.mcmorran at virgin.net>
Subject: Re: [senit] Early maths for VI youngster
To: <senit at lists.becta.org.uk>
Message-ID: <20080605183431.1DD9E5D419 at smtprelay06.hostedemail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="US-ASCII"

What about some of the 'Choose It! Ready-mades' from Inclusive Technology?
They have a clear, bold and uncluttered presentation with verbal prompts and
both auditory and visual rewards.

Ruth

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of andrea bennington
Sent: 05 June 2008 18:56
To: SENIT BECTA Forum
Subject: [senit] Early maths for VI youngster

Hi

Can anyone recommend software for a youngster working at EYFS / Reception
level?  She has a visual impairment so will need clear, contrasting colours,
ideally the screen picture should be simple and not too 'busy'.

Many thanks

Andrea

_________________________________________________________________
Great deals on almost anything at eBay.co.uk. Search, bid, find and win on
eBay today!
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/msnnkmgl0010000004ukm/direct/01/

End of senit Digest, Vol 57, Issue 6
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