This week we agreed a new co-operation arrangement with Charles Fox at Traxsys Input Products – the company that produces Roller II and Roller Plus joysticks and trackerballs, 4Talk4 and Scan4 communication aids, EasiTrax joysticks and Joggle switches.

Traxsys equipment is engineered to last for years – and it does! But, occasionally it can be damaged if it is accidentally dropped or cables get trapped in drawers or doors or units get drenched in tea, coffee cola or something worse.

We will offer a repair service to all worldwide customers with equipment that is faulty and in need of some TLC - fully supported by the engineers at Traxsys.

Details can be found on the Dream-Racer website on the Assistive Technology Repair Services page.

Get in touch if your Traxsys equipment:

• no longer works reliably
• has poor sound quality
• no longer scans
• has a damaged cable
• has an annoying centre off-set

Interestingly, many people still refer to these products as assistive technology devices from Penny & Giles or Esterline. Traxsys evolved from these companies and is now part of Ametek Inc.

The good news is that if you have a faulty joystick or trackerball purchased from one of these earlier companies there is a good chance we can still repair it and return it to you in an as-good-as-new condition.

Get in touch if you want to see what we can do for you.

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Mike

The annual Kidz-up-North exhibition takes place on November 26th at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. (Set you SatNav to BL6 6JW)

This year we will be showing the switch adapted train set we have built. You’ll find it on stand 51 manned by the team from Liberator.

Liberator will also be showing the award winning switch adapted Dream-Toys.

Why not come along and have a play?

Mike

TalkSense is a new service and information resource created by Tony Jones to promote good Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) practice in the use of Assistive Technology.

Tony is a highly qualified, Independent Teacher with over thirty years of experience working with Special Schools and Colleges to provide support and tuition to young people wishing to develop their augmentative communication and cognitive skills.

TalkSense offers a number of independent specialist services including: assessment, consultation services, supply cover, support, tuition, training and advice for individual learners and their families, schools and colleges, Education Authorities and businesses.

Contact Tony through his website: TalkSense

Mike

We have been looking for train sets to switch adapt for ages. Every time we visit Spring or Autumn Fair trains sets are high on our wish list and, so far, we’ve always been disappointed.

But this week we’ve made a break through; potentially we now have three train sets we could switch adapt albeit each one will require us to do some work at getting the switch or controller in place.

The first is a universal favourite – Thomas the Tank Engine. This engine runs on the carpet – no track is needed. Thomas is also very simple to control as one button, or switch sends him forward and the second switch makes him reverse in a circle. With these two switches he can be made to drive along quite merrily. He also makes realistic train sounds.

Then we have a “First Friends Train” from Tolo. This one uses a track layout. Our idea is to use our universal infra-red switch system to turn it on or off. At the moment we are working on building the switch into the engine.

Brio make the third one and it’s already a remote controlled train. It would be simple to switch adapt the controller that’s supplied with it. Or, anyone with one of our Domino units could use that to control the train. Our current thinking is that a new infra-red controller system designed specifically for toys is the way forward.

More to come – keep in touch.

Mike