The Sheperd Center Inaugural Adaptive Gaming Series eSports tournament!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Are you interested in gaming? Do you know someone who is? Well, this event may be for you. The Sheperd Center is planning the Inaugural Adaptive Gaming Series eSports tournament!

For those who are unfamiliar, The Sheperd Center (TSC) is a private, not-for profit hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. TSC utilizes adaptive gaming across the Acquired Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury programs through their Assistive Technology and Recreation Therapy programs.

Gaming and eSports (gaming competitively) are ideal vehicles for full inclusion as participation is not limited based on functional abilities, location, or age, specifically because customization of equipment is pretty standard. Customization levels the playing field and we see an ever growing body of gamers with all sorts of different abilities.

TSC Adaptive Gaming Series

Pretty sure this guy will CRUSH you at Madden!

are going to be pretty legit. The event will be hosted by local organizations such as evolve and Axis Replay. It's possible to compete or spectate online or in person. 

This is pretty exciting and innovative, and in order help it be the best it can be, TSC  is taking donations at their GoFundMe site. These donations will aid the research, development, and funding of equipment to further the use of adaptive gaming as part of therapy at TSC.

Consider  donating... I'm confident even $10 would be appreciated.

If you are interested in playing or spectating, the event will be held Saturday, April 25 from 1-5pm.

Happy gaming!

Switch Access Continues to Improve!

Hey Tek-Ninjas! I've been wrestling with switch access lately. It is often a source of frustration for me. The promises are big, the reality is often less than!

Of the many switch interfaces I've played with, the one I keep returning to for the most success is the

 Swifty, made by Origin. Swifty uses standard USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers and works with Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers and many AAC devices.  The Swifty retails for $79.95.

For accessing iPads, Origin has answers as well. They provide the Tapio for newer iPads using a Lightening charging port. With Tapio and an adaptive switch, a single switch user can have complete access to an iPad, an iPhone or an iPod touch, using Apple's Switch Control. The Tapio

retails for $99.95. If you have a 2nd or 3rd generation iPad, Origin still has an answer for you. Purchase the Tapio with Apple 30-pin Dock to USB Camera Adapter and a USB Extender Cable. This bundle sells for $109.95.

Just a Few Switch Choices

Using the Swifty or the Tapio allows you to then also use a myriad of switches depending on your
user's needs. You may decide to go with a jelly bean switch, toggle, or any of the other dozens of switches, mounting them wherever your user has the best consistent volitional movement. I recommend involving your Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist in determining these locations if possible.

The other bit of switch access that has me excited is the iPad's use of the camera and/or the screen. Using a Tapio in conjunction with the camera, we can set up step scanning, and using a head turn, or tapping the screen (anywhere) of the iPad to select. When you are in accessibility, and choosing your switch, after having chosen "External" for the Tapio, try "Screen" or "Camera". One of those options may prove helpful in unlocking a student's potential.

Hajima!