Assistive Technology - Game Box Consoles
Link: Assistive Technology - Game Box Consoles.
RJ Cooper, the tech guy for special needs, now has controllers for game boxes (XBox 360, XBox, PlayStation, GameCube) and alternative access.
I did a bit of Net searching and came across a very appropriate
game controller that actually can plug into any of these game boxes!
No PC required. Now bear in mind that these games usually move fairly
quickly, and scanning between choices is not an option (unless it's
actually built into the game itself, which it's *not*). So that means
you have to be selective about which *aspect* of the game the person
with special needs is going to control.
The joystick on this controller is very much like a power
wheelchair joystick. And the buttons on this controller are big (1"
diameter). But many people with special needs may not have the fine
motor to get to all the buttons. However, many games can be operated
without access to all the possible game button/functions. But you
still need to match the game to the user, making sure that the game
*can* be played by someone that cannot access *all* the buttons.
What I'm saying is, for a significant number of people with
disabilities, that can operate this controller's joystick, and get to
the big buttons, you're good to go! The only consideration is
positioning the controller to be appropriate for your user's special
needs. In most cases, I would think my Magic Arm http://www.rjcooper.com/magic-arm and possibly Device Adapter http://www.rjcooper.com/magic-arm-device-adapter would do the
trick. In other cases, just using some of my new Stick & Suck http://www.rjcooper.com/stick-&-suck to hold the controller
in place would be enough.
But for others, that can only hit a single or 2 switch(es), you
will need to be selective as to what action in the game will be
accomplished by the disabled person. For example, a partner might
operate the joystick, and the disabled user might hit a single switch
into the Fire jack. Oh, yes...I've put jacks for switches into all
buttons, including Start.
I make a cordless version and a corded version.
