Switches make it easy for young children or those with physical or learning difficulties to use a computer. Simply press and see it happen!

It’s easy to get started using simple cause and effect switch software like SwitchIt! Weather Extra.

Don’t forget that you will need a switch interface to connect the switches to your computer.

To operate a communication device with switches, simply plug your switch(es) into the switch jack of any compatible device, such as the BIGmack or LITTLEmack or Smooth Talker with Levels. Pressing the switch will then play back the recorded message on the communication device.

Switches also make it easy for young children or those with physical or learning difficulties to use a computer. Simply press and see it happen!

To use them with your computer you will need a switch interface such as the Inclusive Simple Switch Box or Crick USB Switchbox. Once you are setup, get started using simple cause and effect switch accessible software such as the Switch Skills Series or explore the online games on HelpKidzLearn Games & Activities. 

Toys and simple devices are often used to introduce switches because they are highly motivating and educational.

Watching a child operate an adapted toy or device with a switch can help establish whether they understand cause and effect: that is, they know that the switch press causes the device to operate. Moving toys are also good for group work; the user can press to send the toy to a friend.

Using Toy Control Boxes - you can extend the use of battery toys (and make them accessible to learners who cannot use momentary activation) using a Twin SLAT or Toy Control Box. These offer a range of control modes including momentary, latched and timed, together with the facility to connect two toys and up to four switches for cooperative play.

They are also especially useful when developing the use of two switches. For example, using a toy such as a vehicle, you can arrange for the green switch to make it go and the red switch to make it stop.

Momentary - press and hold. The user presses and holds the switch down. While the switch is held down the effect continues. When they release it, the effect stops. This is the simplest setting and perhaps the easiest for learners with profound difficulties to understand. Those with motor difficulties may not be able to maintain the pressure needed to hold the switch down.

Latched - press for ON, press again for OFF. The user presses the switch to start the effect and again to stop it. This is arguably the least useful setting as the learner needs to understand that the switch can have two different functions. One really effective way to use this is to connect the switch to the Switch Adapted - Inclusive MP3 Player with the user’s favourite music. They can then press the switch to start the music. After a short period, whoever is working with the learner can press the switch to stop the music. The user might then be motivated to press the switch again.

Timed - press and release – effect lasts for a number of seconds. The user presses and releases the switch. The effect continues for a number of seconds before stopping. The learner presses again to re-start the effect. Remember, the system you choose should always be based on whatever works best with the user.

Adapting Toys - it’s easy to make simple battery powered toys switch accessible using a battery adaptor. You will need to use a toy with a simple ON/OFF switch. Those with more sophisticated controls, such as ‘press the paw’, won’t work (you will find lots of them already adapted for you in our wide range of toys and devices). Open the battery compartment and slide the adaptor between the battery and the connector. Trim it with scissors if necessary. Close the battery compartment and plug in your switch. You’re ready to go!

Switches can be used to control mains appliances such as the Laser Star Projector, Disco Light Ball, Small Bubble Tube, foot spas, kitchen equipment and fans. Can there be a better way to experience cause and effect than by using a switch connected to a liquidiser to whip up a milk shake and then get to drink it?

Controlling mains equipment is about much more than developing switch skills. It is about giving switch users a real chance to join in and to have an influence on their day-to-day surroundings. So much is done to them and for them by other people – they can soon feel that they have little control over what happens.

You can control household appliances by means of a switch in a simple way and perform hundreds of activities using the it-Click-On-Plus or Participation Box. It allows you to control any electrical appliance by means of a switch, no matter how it is activated: by pressing with a hand or finger, blowing or sucking, moving a wand, closing a hand, etc.

Everyone else can turn on a light; why not use the it-Click-On-Plus in a bedroom, so their switch can turn on the bedside lamp? Think about including other people in the activity - use the Participation Box to control a fan in a classroom using the timed function. When the fan stops, the other pupils can ask for it to be turned on again.

Mains devices that are normally operated by a remote control, such as TVs and stereos, cannot be switch adapted using a regular control box. However, you can use a programmable interface unit that accepts infra-red signals such as the Control USB.