Hello, Switch Technology!
Hello, Ability Powered gamers! I wanted to talk to you today about something that was a huge mystery to me before this year: switches & switch interfaces. I had seen switches on assistive technology sites and I knew what they did. However, beyond knowing that they were a complete mystery. With my disability progressing and certain computer tasks becoming more difficult, I decided it was time to learn. Thanks to help from Barry Ellis and his website oneswitch.org.uk, I started trying to figure out switches. All it took was a quick Tweet to Mr. Ellis and he was happy to point me in the right direction and verify my questions.
How Do I Do It?
So, what do you need and how does it all work? I will do my best to explain. A switch is basically an input device you can assign to do various computer functions when you can no longer do them in the traditional way. A switch may be a button or a device you can put to your lips and sip or puff, click with just a finger, tap with a foot, etc to activate. The beautiful thing about switches is there is a large selection to meet a wide variety of needs. If you need a large button you can bump with your head, they have that. If you need a very sensitive button you can press with your finger, there’s that too! They even have a proximity switch you only have to place your finger near to activate. It’s almost like using the force! A switch is just a trigger for the brains of the whole operation: the switch interface.
What Are Switch Interfaces?
Switch interfaces are what take the switch you picked and basically tells your computer (or even cellphone, although I haven’t totally figured that one out yet!) to play nice with it. The switch interface I now have, the Xkeys USB 3, came with software to assign commands to that switch. Expect a full report on it and the switch I am using soon. In my case, I needed a switch to use that I could press to right click my mouse. The switch interfaces plugged into my computer and the software identified the switch connected to it. I could tell the software what action to do when I pressed the switch. It’s really that simple!
That’s All!
And that is it! To get started using a switch all you need is a switch that best meets your needs and switch interfaces. It all looks overwhelmingly complicated at first, but it’s actually super simple! Since installing mine, computing has became less frustrating and gameplay much easier. Now I have a better understanding of switches, and I can’t wait to try to add more for gaming purposes such as movement in certain keyboard reliant games. I’m looking at you, Minecraft!
Switch Interfaces: a New Age in Accessibility
I can definitely see switches being a real game changer for many Ability Powered gamers! Their accessibility potential is more than enough to remotely consider them (pun intended). But don’t take my word for it, check out OneSwitch and look at all the different switch options that are available! Do you use a switch and switch interfaces? If so, leave a comment below and share your experience! Find more things on our Accessibility Hardware section!
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