Tip of the Month - August 2018 : Switch accessible games
Switch adapted games are a great tool to use with kids or adults who are physically impaired. They can be used for two main purposes:
1 – To allow people with limited physical ability to independently play games through using switches
2 - To teach and develop switching skills for those who are anticipated to use switches to control communication devices in the future
Many of these switch adapted games encompass cause and effect, choice making, targeting, visual tracking, timing, and developing an awareness of being able to control one’s environment.
Games are an effective and motivating way for people to learn crucial skills, all while having fun! With the use of a switch, a person with disabilities can be an active participant in meaningful and accessible games.
The following websites have great resources to use with kids or adults who are physically impaired. These sites can also be used on devices like iPads and some computers which have touch screens. Instead of using a switch to control the computer, the user can tap the screen (if they are able to). If not, then use a switch!
One Switch
One switch have a huge variety of game types including adventure, arcade, puzzle, racing, sport, and more! The games also span a range of skill and cognition level required. Best of all, these games are all free to download – all you need is a computer running Flash player.
http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/art.php?id=28
Special Bites
Special bites have a range of free, fun, easy games which can also be accessed with a mouse click or a space bar. Their most popular games are the variations of baseball games, and Angry Pigs. The games are free to download once you have made an account.
http://www.specialbites.com/index.html
Shiny Learning
Offers 12 free switch accessible games and more for purchase. The majority of the games are cause and effect but one is a 3 stage timing game. Check out the Crazy Chicken game - a fun timing game where you catch eggs in a basket and must hit the switch at the right time to catch them. http://www.shinylearning.co.uk/freegames/index.shtml
Papunet Games
The game pages offer a selection of free activities for people of all ages. The content of the easy-to-use game pages are designed to take into account the special needs of people who use plain language and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods (pictures, signs and symbols). It offers memory games, puzzles, language games, and even Sudoku, all of which can be used with a switch.
http://papunet.net/games/games
Make sure you check activities beforehand for age and general appropriateness before use. Try to use games aligned to the person’s interest to increase motivation!
Drop a comment on this post about any games that have been a hit with your players, or other switch game websites you enjoy using.
To download PDF version of this Tip of the Month, please click here.
Created by Kate Charlesworth (Occupational Therapist) on 01/08/2018
Switch adapted games are a great tool to use with kids or adults who are physically impaired. They can be used for two main purposes:
1 – To allow people with limited physical ability to independently play games through using switches
2 - To teach and develop switching skills for those who are anticipated to use switches to control communication devices in the future
Many of these switch adapted games encompass cause and effect, choice making, targeting, visual tracking, timing, and developing an awareness of being able to control one’s environment.
Games are an effective and motivating way for people to learn crucial skills, all while having fun! With the use of a switch, a person with disabilities can be an active participant in meaningful and accessible games.
The following websites have great resources to use with kids or adults who are physically impaired. These sites can also be used on devices like iPads and some computers which have touch screens. Instead of using a switch to control the computer, the user can tap the screen (if they are able to). If not, then use a switch!
One Switch
One switch have a huge variety of game types including adventure, arcade, puzzle, racing, sport, and more! The games also span a range of skill and cognition level required. Best of all, these games are all free to download – all you need is a computer running Flash player.
http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/art.php?id=28
Special Bites
Special bites have a range of free, fun, easy games which can also be accessed with a mouse click or a space bar. Their most popular games are the variations of baseball games, and Angry Pigs. The games are free to download once you have made an account.
http://www.specialbites.com/index.html
Shiny Learning
Offers 12 free switch accessible games and more for purchase. The majority of the games are cause and effect but one is a 3 stage timing game. Check out the Crazy Chicken game - a fun timing game where you catch eggs in a basket and must hit the switch at the right time to catch them. http://www.shinylearning.co.uk/freegames/index.shtml
Papunet Games
The game pages offer a selection of free activities for people of all ages. The content of the easy-to-use game pages are designed to take into account the special needs of people who use plain language and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods (pictures, signs and symbols). It offers memory games, puzzles, language games, and even Sudoku, all of which can be used with a switch.
http://papunet.net/games/games
Make sure you check activities beforehand for age and general appropriateness before use. Try to use games aligned to the person’s interest to increase motivation!
Drop a comment on this post about any games that have been a hit with your players, or other switch game websites you enjoy using.
To download PDF version of this Tip of the Month, please click here.
Created by Kate Charlesworth (Occupational Therapist) on 01/08/2018