Introduction: AccessLink Duo: Hand and Mouth Switches for Cerebral Palsy

We designed adaptive switch devices for individuals with cerebral palsy and other motor disabilities. Our hand button is built for users with limited or imprecise control of their arms. The button is large, easy to press, and built to respond to any amount of force, making it more accessible for users with motor challenges. The mouth switch is designed to fit comfortably between the teeth and responds easily to gentle bites or pressure. Our goal was to create tools that give independence to users when gaming.


Videos of Hand and mouth switch:

Attachments

Supplies

Hand Button:

  1. Makey-Makey
  2. 3D printed Button stand
  3. 3D printed plate
  4. 4 Rubberbands
  5. 2 Alligator clips
  6. Copper tape
  7. 1 Foam Board

Mouth:

  1. Makey-Makey
  2. 3D Mouthswitch
  3. 2 Alligator clips
  4. Copper tape
  5. Non-conductive tape

Step 1: 3D Print Stand

Download:

Attachments

Step 2: Lay Tape and Foam Squares

Put copper tape on the bottom of the stand in a square shape. cut out and tape down 4 foam squares on the left and right sides with copper tape on top.

Step 3: Strip and Add Alligator Clip

Strip one side of the alligator clip and lay it on top of the tape, and then tape it down.

Step 4: 3D Print Plate

Download:

Attachments

Step 5: Lay Copper Tape and Foam Square on Plate

Repeat step 2 on the plate

Step 6: Add Alligator Clips

Repeat step 3 on the plate

Step 7: Add Rubber Bands

Add the 4 rubber bands to the stand

Step 8: Attache Plate to Stands With Rubber Bands

Clip the bands on the 3D printed plate, which has a place to clip rubber bands on the bottom

Step 9: Connect to Mackey-Mackey

Connect alligator clips to the up and down arrow on Makey-Makey. Then you're finished with the hand button.

Step 10: Mouth Switch

Download:

Attachments

Step 11: Strip Alligator Clips

Pull off one side of an alligator clip do this for two.

Step 12: Tape and Attach

Tape the stripped alligator clips with copper tape to the top and bottom of the front of the mouth switch

Step 13: Tape Sides

Add non-conductive tape along the sides to keep wires in place

Step 14: Connect to Makey-Makey

Add one alligator clip to the Earth part of Makey-Makey and one to the space part.